Depending on whether you have a whole, cut or iced cake, follow these guidelines:
Un-iced whole cakes: If you’ve made a cake and plan to decorate it later, place it inside an airtight container and cover with a lid. This will not only help lock in freshness and moisture but also prevent dust and other air particles from getting to it. Store in a cool, dry place for 4-5 days.
Un-iced halved cake: If you’ve made a layered cake and plan to decorate it later,place 1 cake halve inside an airtight container and cover with baking paper. Place remaining cake halve on top. Cover with lid and store in a cool, dry place for up to 4-5 days. If you can, keep the cake whole and cut just before serving to keep it fresher and prevent it from drying out.
Cake with icing: While the icing on the cake helps lock out air and moisture, it does not provide an airtight seal. To help keep iced cakes fresher for longer, place toothpicks on and around the side of the cake. Carefully place two layers of plastic wrap over iced cake. Store in a cool, dry place for 4-5 days. If the cake is covered with a dairy-based icing such as buttercream, cream cheese frosting or mascarpone, or has a fresh fruit filling, store in an airtight container in the fridge. The plastic wrap will help stop the cake absorbing the other flavours in the fridge.
Do you need to refrigerate a cake?
Most cakes, whether halved, iced or un-iced, will keep at room temperature for 4-5 days. However, during hot, humid weather, cakes can be put in the refrigerator, especially those with icing.
How do you keep cakes fresh?
To keep cakes fresh, it’s best to store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. If you don’t have an airtight container or cake tin, use can also use an overturned bowl (although it won’t keep the cake as fresh). To keep cakes fresh for more than 1 week, try freezing them.
Our top-rated cake recipes:
Banana cake with cream cheese frosting
Carrot cake
Super-easy chocolate cake
Flourless orange cake
Sour cream banana cake
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See also:
How to freeze cake
How to pipe icing and decorate a cake
Icing tips and techniques
How to create ombre icing
