Why You Shouldn't Refrigerate Your Cake
I always used to refrigerate cake, probably because we (at least in the U.S.) have been conditioned to believe that all things are kept "fresh" in the refrigerator.
So How Should I Store Cake?
Since refrigeration is out of the question, you might be wondering what your options are. Let me first introduce the two best short-term options:
How Do I Store Cakes for Longer Periods?
A sponge cake can be stored in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for about three days. I have friends who have nommed on a cake for up to five days.
Back Away from the Fridge
Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.
Don't Store Cake in the Refrigerator!
The first and most important tip we can offer you is that when it comes to cakes, the refrigerator is not your friend. If you're accustomed to operating as if anything stored in the fridge will automatically last longer, this idea might take some getting used to. But the fact is, refrigerating cake actually makes it go stale faster .
Storing Cake for 1 to 3 Days
If you're planning to eat your cake within three days of when it was baked, the best thing to do is keep it at room temperature. This means on the counter, away from heat, and out of direct sunlight. If your cake is in a bakery box, you can leave it in the box, and if you're planning to eat it within 24 hours, that's all you really need to do.
How to Freeze Cakes
If you need to store your cake for longer than three days, you can freeze it. Unlike storing it in the refrigerator, freezing a cake is actually a wonderful way to keep it fresh, particularly for longer periods.
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How to Wrap a Cake for Storage
Whether you plan to store your cake in a fridge, freezer or just on the counter, you want to be sure to wrap it well.
Where to Store a Cake
Once you have your cake wrapped well, what next? Where should you store a cake? Well, there are many answers to this question and various benefits and downfalls to each.
Storing a Frosted Cake
One of the best ways to store a cake is to frost it before you store it. While you can definitely can store a cake that is un-iced and frost it later, the frosting on a cake will actually help seal in the moisture, protecting the cake from getting dry.
What to Expect When Storing a Cake
While it is nice to imagine that your cake will stay fluffy and oven-fresh long after it is baked, your cake may change a little bit depending on how it is stored. For one, that very fluffy texture may become a little more firm.
Improperly Stored Cake
Even if you have the best cake intentions, you may find that you did not store your cake properly. So what exactly does it mean when a cake is not stored correctly?
Never let cake go to waste!
When it comes to storing frosted cakes, it seems like you only have two options - and neither is great. You could leave it out on the counter, but then isn't there a risk of bacteria growth? Or you could be safe and put it in the fridge, but that leaves you with hardened frosting and dry cake.
When to Refrigerate Frosted Cakes
Storing frosted cakes at room temperature (provided you use the methods outlined above) keeps them from drying up too fast. But there are some times where the fridge might be necessary. A hot and humid kitchen can start a feeding frenzy for bacteria, so if your kitchen gets a little warm during the summer months, refrigeration may be necessary.
Stale Cake? No Problem
If you just can't finish that birthday cake before it goes stale, you don't have to throw it out. Crush the leftover stale cake and combine with extra frosting to make the filling for these adorable cake balls. Long live your labor of love!
