How long does cake last?

A plain or buttercream cake keeps 3 to 7 days at room temperature, covered, or 7 to 10 days in the fridge. Cheesecake and cakes with cream, custard or fresh fruit must be refrigerated: cheesecake keeps 5 to 7 days. Most cakes freeze for 3 to 6 months.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Store-bought cake	—Opened: 7–10 days	6 monthsfrom purchase	3–7 daysfrom purchase
Cheesecake	—Opened: 5–7 days	3–6 monthsfrom purchase	—

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if cake has gone bad

Mold on the cake, frosting or filling.
A sour smell, especially from cream, custard or fruit fillings.
Weeping, slimy cream or frosting. Dry cake is stale, not spoiled.

How to store cake

Keep a plain cake covered with a cake dome or wrap at room temperature, cut sides covered to stop them drying.
Refrigerate cakes with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, custard or fresh fruit within 2 hours.
Let refrigerated cake warm up for 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Can you freeze cake?

Yes. Unfrosted layers and slices freeze best, wrapped tightly in plastic and then foil, for about 6 months; cheesecake for 3 to 6 months. Frost cakes after thawing, or freeze frosted cakes uncovered until firm, then wrap them. Thaw in the fridge.

Questions

Does cake need to be refrigerated?

Plain cakes and those with buttercream or ganache don't. Cakes with cream cheese, whipped cream, custard or fresh fruit do.

How long does cheesecake last?

5 to 7 days in the fridge, and 3 to 6 months in the freezer.

How long can a cream cake sit out?

No more than 2 hours at room temperature, including on a party table.

Add leftover cake to ShelfLife and finish or freeze it in time.

▶ Coming soon toGoogle Play Coming soon on theApp Store