The idea of eating a whole cake in one sitting may sound like Heaven, but it’s not always realistic. For example, there may be a family member who demands a slice but for some weird reason manages not to eat it straight away.
How long does a cake last in the fridge? A spongy cake lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days. Cakes with fresh fruit, custard, cream/cream cheese will last for 1-2 days. Unfrosted cakes will last up to 3 days. A cake can last in a fridge slightly longer if it has been frosted as the frosting keeps the moisture in the sponge. If frozen, your cake will stay fresh for up to a month.
When you have a big party, it is always a problem what to do with the remaining cake, especially in the summertime, so I’ve decided to cover this topic this time. Check out the best Cake Domes on Amazon now!
Can You Refrigerate A Cake?
Of course. Most types of cakes (definitely all types of frosted cakes) will need refrigeration if you don’t want them to start drying out after a day or two. And the more layers and components a recipe has, it’s even better to plan on storing it in a fridge – unless you plan to eat it all in one sitting (though there’s nothing wrong with that).
How To Properly Refrigerate A Cake?
- Avoid the lower shelves in the fridge since the air is the coolest there. Most cakes have at least one component that doesn’t handle cold well, so it’s better to clear out the top shelf.
- If you have anything else besides cake in the said fridge, you will have to think about containers. The fat in the sponge and/or frosting will act as a magnet for anything funky if you leave the cake uncovered. Also, moisture can make the sponge go soggy or even moldy, and water down/spoil the frosting.
- A plain dome will do the trick if you need to protect the cake from other smells in the fridge for a day or two. The same thing goes for a layer of aluminum foil, but you will have to choose something airtight for long-term storage.
- Even with great storage solutions, still, make sure to check on the cake and condensation at least once a day. Remember, moisture = bad sign.
- Cool down the uncovered cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes so that the frosting hardens slightly, and then cover with a cake box or a plastic wrap. This way you can be sure that your cake will stay moist. Before serving, let the cake sit on the counter for about 30 minutes.
How Long Does Cake Last In The Fridge?
Most types of cakes should last up to 5 days or even a week in the fridge. How long exactly depends on sugar and fat content, is it iced or not, how it’s covered, etc. A spongy cake lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days. Cakes with fresh fruit, custard, cream/cream cheese will last for 1-2 days.
Leaner options (i.e. low fat or sugar substitute) usually have only half of the lifespan of their full-fat counterparts. However, the ones that are rich in butter and/or nuts may become inedible once they soak up other fridge smells.
Does Cake Go Bad In The Refrigerator?
It will at some point.
- A cake will only stay fresh and edible for 3-4 days before the moisture is drawn out and the texture becomes too dry. A cake can last in a fridge slightly longer if it has been frosted as the frosting keeps the moisture in the sponge.
- Sometimes the opposite thing can happen and your cake will absorb too much water and become too moist. This often happens when your cake is made of fresh cream/fruit and all this good stuff ends up making the sponge too moist.
- The other problem is the above-mentioned fridge smells. All that fat that makes cakes yummy and rich will start absorbing runaway aromas from garlic, cheese, and other stinky things that happen to be in your fridge. And there’s no fixing that by leaving the cake to air out.
How Long Can You Keep A Frosted Cake In The Fridge?
A frosting can make the sponge last longer as discussed earlier, but it can come with issues of its own depending on the type.
- The one that will last the longest is a store-bought fondant. Those guys are loaded with sugar and preservatives and will probably outlive us all. Marzipan, royal icing, and modeling chocolate may create a similar effect, but they don’t have the same life span.
- The one that will last the least is plain sweetened whipped cream. It won’t take more than a day or two to start drying out and it will get moldy quicker than any other type of frosting.
- Ganache, buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and diplomat cream should stay fresh for up to 3 to 5 days. So if you want your cake to last a bit longer, opt for these ingredients.
How Long Does Unfrosted Cake Last In The Fridge?
- The general answer will be up to 3 days. Worst-case scenario, you can always freeze the cake which will preserve it for longer.
- Technically, an unfrosted cake can outlive a frosted one solely because it’s easier to wrap up properly. If you seal something like a marble or a pound cake in a couple of layers of plastic foil, you can easily get peak freshness for a whole week.
- Of course, there are also recipes like the classic fruitcake that are meant to be kept for weeks in the cupboard. Though moisture is not their best friend, you could get at least a week or two out of them as well.
- These types of cakes also freeze beautifully, though they may encounter some issues when defrosting. Better plan to use them in a trifle or a french toast after. Check out the best Cake Domes on Amazon now!
| Type Of Cake | How Long It Lasts In The Fridge |
| Chocolate Cake | Almost all types of chocolate cake will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days. The more fat and sugar the recipe has, the longer it will last.
A ganache frosting may store slightly better than the buttercream, but we are talking about 1-2 days difference tops. Still, no matter how you frost them, chocolate cakes are the easiest to store since they will stay fresh even if just covered with a layer of aluminum foil. |
| Coconut Cake | Coconut cake should last up to 5 days with no issues.
The biggest issue with this cake is the coconut shavings. They are relatively high in fat (while having no sugar to act as a preservative) and could turn rancid before the rest of the confection. Other than that, you are dealing with a classic sponge and frosting that will keep quite well. If you are a fan of this type of cake, invest in a good cake box that will keep the air ad moisture out while not sticking to those layers of coconutty goodness. |
| Red Velvet | Red velvet should stay fresh for 3 to 5 days in the fridge if stored correctly.
Depending on the recipe, the cake will either be loaded with cream cheese, yogurt, or sour cream keeping it fresh and moist for days. The cocoa will help keep it from turning soggy, while most cream cheese frosting recipes have a good balance of fat and sugar. A good airtight cake box will be more than enough to give you maximum freshness. |
Conclusion
Most types of cake will still taste great after a day or two in the fridge. After that, there’s a chance for flavor and/or texture change. The more sugar and fat in the cake, the longer it will last. And frosting will have a great impact on its lifespan.
Finally, don’t forget to invest in a cover of sorts so your cake doesn’t absorb all of the other fridge aromas.
