How do you keep angel food cake?

Quick Answers

Here are some quick tips for keeping angel food cake fresh:

  • Store angel food cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or foil.
  • Keep it at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Freeze for 2-3 months.
  • Let refrigerated or frozen cake come to room temperature before serving.

What is Angel Food Cake?

Angel food cake is a type of sponge cake made with egg whites, flour, sugar, cream of tartar, and vanilla. It gets its light, airy texture from beaten egg whites that are folded into the batter. Unlike other cakes, it contains no egg yolks or butter. Angel food cake is white in color and has a sweet, delicate taste.

How to Store Freshly Baked Angel Food Cake

After baking an angel food cake, it’s important to let it cool completely in the pan. This allows the structure of the cake to set. Once cooled, run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake from the pan. Invert the pan onto a cooling rack or plate to remove the cake.

To store freshly baked angel food cake:

  • Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  • Keep it at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Angel food cake dries out quickly when exposed to air. Wrapping it up tightly helps lock in moisture and keeps the texture light. Room temperature storage is ideal, as refrigeration can cause angel food cake to stale faster.

How to Refrigerate Angel Food Cake

If you won’t be eating the cake within 4 days, refrigeration extends the shelf life for up to 1 week. Here’s how to refrigerate angel food cake:

  • Allow the cake to cool completely, about 1-2 hours.
  • Wrap tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap or foil.
  • Place on a rimmed baking sheet or pan before refrigerating. This catches any moisture droplets that may form.
  • Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

When ready to serve, unwrap the chilled cake and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. This prevents the cake from cracking or breaking when cut. The warmer temperature will make it easier to slice neatly.

Signs Your Refrigerated Angel Food Cake Has Gone Bad

Check refrigerated angel food cake for the following signs of spoilage:

  • Dry, cracked surface
  • Mold growth
  • Odd smell or flavor
  • Dry, crumbly texture

Discard the cake if it shows any of these signs. Mold can grow even on angel food cake, especially if it has sat in the fridge for over 1 week.

How to Freeze Angel Food Cake

For longer storage, you can freeze angel food cake for 2-3 months. Here’s how to freeze angel food cake properly:

  1. Let the cake cool completely after baking, about 1-2 hours.
  2. Wrap very tightly in 2-3 layers of plastic wrap or foil.
  3. Place in an airtight container or freezer bag.
  4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Freezing prevents angel food cake from drying out by locking in moisture. Using multiple layers of wrap prevents freezer burn. An airtight container or bag provides extra protection.

Thawing Frozen Angel Food Cake

Remove the frozen cake from the freezer and unwrap it. There are a couple ways to safely thaw angel food cake:

  • At room temperature: This takes about 4 hours. Leave the cake unwrap on the counter top.
  • In the refrigerator: This takes 12-24 hours. Place unwrapped cake in the fridge.

Let the thawed cake come completely to room temperature before slicing and serving, about 1 hour. This helps prevent cracking or breaking. Do not try to rush the thawing process in the microwave, as this causes texture issues.

How to Serve Angel Food Cake

Angel food cake is lightly sweet and pairs well with many foods. Here are serving ideas:

  • Top with whipped cream and fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.
  • Drizzle with chocolate, caramel, or lemon glaze.
  • Dust with powdered sugar.
  • Serve with ice cream for an angel food cake sundae.
  • Make a trifle by layering pieces of cake with custard or pudding.

Angel food cake tends to dry out quickly after cutting, so only slice off the portion you plan to eat right away. Leftovers should be tightly wrapped to maintain freshness and prevent drying.

How Long Does Angel Food Cake Last At Room Temperature?

Properly stored, angel food cake lasts for:

  • Room temperature – Up to 4 days
  • Refrigerator – Up to 1 week
  • Freezer – 2 to 3 months

The shelf life depends on how well it’s wrapped and stored. Room temperature storage gives a soft, fresh cake texture. Refrigerating extends the shelf life slightly. Freezing lasts the longest but can impact the cake’s texture.

What’s The Best Way to Store Angel Food Cake?

The best way to store angel food cake is:

  1. Allow cake to cool completely after baking.
  2. Wrap very tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  3. Keep at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  4. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  5. Freeze for 2-3 months.

Air exposure causes angel food cake to dry and stale quickly. Tight wrapping prevents moisture loss. Room temperature is ideal for short term storage. Refrigeration extends shelf life slightly. Freezing offers the longest shelf life.

Can You Refreeze Thawed Angel Food Cake?

It’s best not to refreeze angel food cake once it has been thawed. When frozen foods thaw and are refrozen, the texture and moisture content can be negatively impacted. Thawed angel food cake tends to become dry and spongy in texture.

If thawed cake has been held at a safe refrigerator temperature (40°F or below), it may be refrozen within 2-3 days for short term storage. But the quality will likely decline compared to fresh frozen cake. It’s best to thaw only what you plan to eat within a short period.

Conclusion

Angel food cake’s light, delicate texture makes proper storage important. To keep angel food cake fresh, start by cooling it completely after baking. Wrap the cake very tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out. Store at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer shelf life, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for 2-3 months. Let refrigerated and frozen cakes come completely to room temperature before serving to prevent cracking. Enjoy angel food cake plain or topped with fruit, glazes, ice cream and more. With proper storage methods, you can keep leftover angel food cake moist and enjoyable for consumption.

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