Quick Answer
Cake that is properly stored in the refrigerator will usually stay fresh for 3-5 days. However, many factors affect how quickly cake spoils, including the ingredients, frosting type, storage container, and temperature of the fridge. Leftover cake slices may spoil faster than a whole intact cake.
How Long Does Unfrosted Cake Last in the Fridge?
An unfrosted cake will generally last longer in the fridge than a frosted cake. An uniced cake kept refrigerated in an airtight container can stay fresh for up to 1 week. The flour, eggs, sugar, and oil in cake batter create an environment that resists bacteria growth. As long as the cake is tightly wrapped, it will not dry out or spoil quickly.
However, fruits baked into a cake may cause it to spoil faster. Cakes with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries should be consumed within 2-3 days when refrigerated. The moisture from the fruit creates a more hospitable environment for mold and bacteria.
How Long Does Frosted Cake Last in the Fridge?
Frosting and other cake decorations limit the refrigerator shelf life of cakes to just 3-5 days. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, ganache, and whipped cream do not hold up as well as unfrosted cakes. These moist decorations are prone to drying out, cracking, or melting during refrigeration.
If the frosted cake has fruit fillings or fresh fruit toppings, it will further reduce the fridge life. Any fruits on a frosted cake should be eaten within 1-2 days for best quality. The fruit provides extra moisture that leads to faster mold growth.
Does Refrigeration Extend Cake Shelf Life?
Yes, refrigeration helps extend the shelf life of cakes by slowing bacteria growth. Cakes left at room temperature have a shelf life of 2-3 days at most before quality declines. Refrigeration can extend this to up to 1 week for unfrosted cakes and 3-5 days for frosted cakes.
The cold temperature of refrigerator air (around 40°F) creates an environment unsuitable for fast bacteria multiplication. Since bacteria and mold need warmer conditions to thrive, refrigeration effectively reduces their growth rate. Just be sure to store the cake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap first.
How to Store Cake in the Fridge
Follow these tips for storing cake in the fridge for maximum freshness:
- Let the cake cool completely first before refrigerating. Covering a warm cake traps moisture and causes sogginess.
- Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents it from absorbing fridge odors and drying out.
- Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or storage bag. This adds another layer of protection.
- Store cake slices and pieces in individual containers. This prevents them drying out faster than a whole cake.
- Keep the fridge temperature at 40°F or below. Higher temperatures reduce cake shelf life.
- Avoid storing a cake near fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas that can accelerate spoilage.
- Consume refrigerated cakes within 3-5 days for best quality and food safety.
How to Tell if Refrigerated Cake Has Spoiled
Here are some signs that a cake stored in the fridge has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold growth. This appears as fuzzy spots or patches on the cake. Mold can be any color but is often green, white, or black.
- Shrunken, dried out appearance. A spoiled cake will become small, hard, and shriveled.
- Off odors. A rotten smell is a clear indicator of spoilage.
- Tastes sour. If the cake has developed a tangy, sour taste, it has likely spoiled.
- Change in texture. Cake that is gummy or slimy has gone bad.
- Weeping frosting. Clear liquid leaking from the frosting is a red flag.
Safely discard spoiled cake in the trash. Do not taste or eat cake once it shows signs of spoilage. Mold spores and bacteria colonies can cause food poisoning if ingested.
Factors That Shorten Fridge Cake Shelf Life
Several factors can accelerate the spoilage of refrigerated cake:
- Frosting – Cakes with perishable frostings like buttercream will spoil faster than unfrosted cakes.
- Fruit fillings – Fresh fruit injects moisture and causes mold growth.
- Improper storage – Cake left uncovered or stored in a humid fridge spoils faster.
- High refrigerator temperature – Temperatures above 40°F shorten shelf life.
- Frequent opening of the fridge – Allows warm air to enter and moisture to escape.
- Damaged packaging – Any holes or tears in the plastic wrap or storage container accelerate spoilage.
- Partial cake pieces – Leftover sliced pieces tend to dry out and spoil before a whole cake.
Be aware of these factors to determine if refrigerated cake needs to be consumed sooner rather than later. Cakes with more spoilage risks may only last 1-2 days in the fridge.
How to Make Refrigerated Cake Last Longer
Several strategies can help extend the shelf life of cake stored in the fridge:
- Freeze cake for long term storage. Frozen cake stays fresh for 2-3 months compared to 1 week refrigerated.
- Leave cake unfrosted. Skip the frosting and your cake can last up to 7 days refrigerated.
- Use shortening-based frosting like buttercream instead of whipped cream or custard.
- Avoid using fresh fruit in the filling or frosting. The moisture accelerates spoilage.
- Wrap cake air-tight before refrigerating. Use both plastic wrap and foil or an airtight container.
- Keep fridge temperature at 40°F or below. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor.
- Place cake on a shelf rather than the door. The back stays colder.
- Clean fridge regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
With proper storage methods, most cakes stay fresh for 3-5 days refrigerated. Unfrosted cakes may even last up to 1 week in the fridge. Just be diligent about using air-tight packaging and keeping the temperature cool.
How Long Can You Store Cake in the Fridge?
| Cake Type | Refrigerator Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Unfrosted cake | 5-7 days |
| Frosted cake (buttercream, whipped cream, ganache) | 3-5 days |
| Cake with fresh fruit filling | 1-2 days |
| Unfrosted cake with fresh fruit | 2-3 days |
| Frosted cake with fresh fruit | 1-2 days |
| Leftover cake slices | 2-3 days |
As shown in the table, the refrigerator shelf life of cake depends greatly on the specific type and ingredients. In general, unfrosted cakes last longer than frosted cakes. And cakes with fresh fruit spoil most rapidly. Leftover sliced pieces also tend to dry out faster than a whole intact cake.
Can You Refrigerate Cake Before Frosting?
Yes, it is safe to refrigerate cake layers before frosting. This can be helpful for cakes filled with perishable cream fillings. Refrigerating the cake layers first helps stabilize the temperature so the frosting does not melt as quickly.
Here are some tips for refrigerating cake before frosting:
- Let cake layers cool completely first, then wrap tightly in plastic before refrigerating.
- Only refrigerate for up to 2 days. The cake may start to dry out if left longer.
- Remove from fridge about 30 minutes before frosting to allow cake to come closer to room temperature.
- Avoid refrigerating cakes with fresh fruit fillings. The fruit will break down faster.
- Adjust your frosting recipe as needed. Cold cake may harden buttercream or cause it to curdle if poured while chilled.
Refrigerating unfrosted cakes can extend the decorating process over a few days rather than hours. Just be sure to limit refrigeration time to maintain cake freshness and quality.
Can a Refrigerated Cake Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze a refrigerated cake if it has not yet spoiled. As long as the refrigerated cake still looks, smells, and tastes normal, it is safe to transfer to the freezer for extended storage.
Be sure to wrap the cake properly before freezing. Allow the refrigerated cake to reach room temperature again before wrapping airtight in plastic wrap and foil. Then label the cake with the freeze date so you know how long it has been stored frozen.
A cake that has already been refrigerated for several days will have a shorter remaining shelf life once thawed. Eat within 3-4 days after thawing a previously refrigerated cake.
If signs of spoilage have already set in, such as mold or off odors, the cake should be discarded and not frozen. Freezing cannot reverse cake spoilage.
Can You Freeze Cake Before Frosting?
Freezing unfrosted cake layers prior to frosting is an excellent way to prepare ahead for special occasions. Follow these steps:
- Bake cake layers as desired and let cool completely.
- Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and place in zipper freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air.
- Label bags with contents and freeze date. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge when ready decorate cakes. Unwrap and frost as usual.
Freezing unfrosted cakes gives you the flexibility to decorate them later on your own timeline. The freezer prevents moisture loss so the thawed cakes are like fresh.
You can also freeze frosted cakes. In that case, freeze for up to 1 month and thaw in the fridge 5-6 hours before serving.
Conclusion
Refrigeration extends the shelf life of cakes from days to a week or more. Exactly how long cake lasts refrigerated depends on ingredients, frosting, packaging, and storage habits. With optimal conditions, unfrosted cakes may stay fresh for 5-7 days, while frosted versions only last 3-5 days. Incorporating fresh fruit shortens fridge life to 1-2 days. Monitoring for spoilage signs like mold, off-odors, and weeping frosting will let you know if the cake should be discarded. Proper refrigeration and freezing techniques allow you to safely enjoy cake for future occasions.