Cakes are beloved treats enjoyed around the world. Their sweet taste and soft texture make them popular dessert choices for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and holidays. However, like all foods, cakes have a limited shelf life. So how long can cake stay fresh and tasty? Here is a comprehensive look at cake longevity and the factors that determine whether cake is still good after 10 days.
The Shelf Life of Cake
In general, professionally-made or bakery-quality cakes will last 5-7 days when stored properly in a refrigerator. Homemade cakes may start drying out after just 2-3 days. The shelf life depends on several factors:
- Ingredients – Cakes with fresh ingredients like eggs, milk, and fruit have shorter shelf lives.
- Frosting/fillings – Buttercream or whipped cream frostings will go bad faster than firmer fondant icings.
- Storage method – Cakes stored at room temperature go stale quicker than refrigerated cakes.
- Texture – Denser pound cakes and fruitcakes last longer than soft sponge or chiffon cakes.
With proper refrigeration and storage, most cakes will remain fresh for around one week after baking. However, some types can last 10-14 days or longer. Let’s take a closer look at how long different cake varieties can stay tasty.
How Long Do Specific Cake Types Last?
Sponge Cake
Light and airy sponge cakes made with eggs, sugar, and flour are quite delicate. They tend to dry out quickly, so their shelf life is just 2-3 days at room temperature or 5-7 days in the fridge.
Pound Cake
Dense, rich pound cakes with little leavening have a longer shelf life of around 5-7 days unrefrigerated or 10+ days refrigerated.
Fruitcake
Loaded with dried fruits and brandy, fruitcakes are very moist and preserving. They can easily last 2-3 weeks at room temp and 2-3 months refrigerated.
Chiffon Cake
Light and fluffy chiffon cakes rely on whipped egg whites for leavening. Avoid refrigeration, which can deflate them. Expect a 2-4 day shelf life.
Angel Food Cake
Similarly, angel food cakes use whipped egg whites and have a delicate texture. Refrigeration is not recommended. Plan to eat within 2-4 days.
Cheesecake
With its rich cream cheese filling, cheesecake has a shorter shelf life of just 4-5 days. Refrigeration extends it to 10-14 days.
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake’s moisture comes from its grated vegetable content. It will stay fresh for 5-7 days at room temperature or up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
Red Velvet Cake
The light, velvety texture of red velvet cake means it has a shorter shelf life of just 2-3 days unrefrigerated. Fridge storage extends it to 1 week.
| Cake Type | Room Temp Shelf Life | Refrigerated Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Sponge Cake | 2-3 days | 5-7 days |
| Pound Cake | 5-7 days | 10+ days |
| Fruitcake | 2-3 weeks | 2-3 months |
| Chiffon Cake | 2-4 days | N/A (Don’t refrigerate) |
| Angel Food Cake | 2-4 days | N/A (Don’t refrigerate) |
| Cheesecake | 4-5 days | 10-14 days |
| Carrot Cake | 5-7 days | Up to 2 weeks |
| Red Velvet Cake | 2-3 days | 1 week |
As shown, denser cakes with less air tend to have longer shelf lives, while delicate egg-leavened cakes stale quickly. Refrigeration can double or triple shelf life in most cases.
How to Tell If Cake Is Still Good After 10 Days
If stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, most cakes will still taste fresh after 10 days. However, there are a few signs that indicate your cake has passed its prime:
- Drying out – Cake is no longer moist and becomes crumbly, dry, or tough.
- Mold growth – Fuzzy mold spots appear, especially near edges.
- Smell – Cake has a stale, sour, or unpleasant aroma.
- Taste – Flavor is off with a lack of sweetness.
- Appearance – Significant color changes or drying out on top crust.
Always inspect cakes thoroughly after 10 days in storage. A small taste test can also determine if it still tastes pleasant before serving.
Can You Eat Cake After 10 Days?
Cakes kept continuously refrigerated may be safe to eat after 10 days, if they show no signs of mold or spoilage. However, quality will decline over time. Sponge and chiffon cakes will likely dry out completely by 10 days. Sturdier cakes like pound, fruitcake, and carrot can last up to 14 days refrigerated. Always check for staleness and an off taste or smell before consuming cake stored for over a week though.
How To Extend the Shelf Life of Cake
To maximize cake freshness for up to 10-14 days, follow these storage tips:
- Allow cake to cool completely before icing to prevent condensation.
- Refrigerate cake as soon as possible after receiving or baking.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
- Store on the center refrigerator shelf where the temperature is most stable.
- Avoid storing other items on top that could damage the frosting.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Let sit at room temperature no more than 2 hours before serving.
- Avoid refreezing thawed cake.
Proper refrigerated storage can help extend cake longevity. Freezing also stops staling for up to 3-6 months. Simply wrap well, freeze immediately after decorating, and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Common Questions
Can you freeze cake after 10 days?
It’s best to freeze cakes when they are as fresh as possible, within the first few days after decorating. Freezing after 10 days is not recommended as the cake will likely be stale.
Can you put fondant cake in the fridge?
Fondant-covered cakes can be refrigerated, but condensation may cause the fondant to become sticky or melt. Wrapping the cake well before refrigerating prevents this.
Do cakes last longer in the fridge or freezer?
For maximum freshness, the freezer preserves cakes for the longest amount of time – typically 3 to 6 months. The fridge will keep cakes from staling for 1-2 weeks.
Can old cake make you sick?
Mold growth, usually visible as fuzzy spots, can occur on older cakes and may cause illness if consumed. Always inspect cakes thoroughly and discard at the first sign of mold.
Can stale cake be revived?
It’s difficult to fully revive a stale cake. Brushing with simple syrup adds a little moisture but doesn’t restore freshness. Stale cakes are best used as crumbles or trifles.
Conclusion
Most cakes will stay fresh for around 7-10 days if refrigerated properly. Cakes with lighter textures like sponge or chiffon cake stale faster, while dense pound and fruitcake have longer shelf lives of up to 2-3 weeks. Check carefully for mold, staleness, and off odors before eating cake stored for over a week. Follow tips like prompt refrigeration and airtight storage to get the maximum 10-14 days of freshness from your cake.
