How to Store Cakes (Chocolate, Meringue, Ganache +)【 2024 】

There are many types of cakes and a lot of versions of this delicious dessert. Therefore, the storage may vary depending on its ingredients, and I will guide you on how to store cakes in every case possible.

You can store a cake at room temperature for 1 or 2 days. If refrigerated in the right way, it can last a week. On the other hand, if you freeze it, you can keep it for 2 or 3 months.

If you want to learn how to preserve a cake, keep reading, and I will explain how to apply each method correctly.

First, I should clarify that the first reference will be made to cakes without decoration, filling, or covering, sometimes called the “sponge cake” then, I will explain the ways of preserving the cakes with all these additions.

Store cakes (nothing added) at room temperature
Keep a cake in the fridge

How to freeze an unflavored cake
Keep a cake with filling and/or covering
How to preserve brownie cake?
How to preserve ricotta cake?
How do you know when a cake is in poor condition?

How long does the cake last?
What is the best way to preserve a cake?

Store cakes (nothing added) at room temperature

It preserves well at room temperature when the cake is made without filling, frosting, or other coverage. You just have to protect it from dust and direct heat.

To keep the “biscuits of the cakes” at room temperature, you have to do the following:

Step 1: Let cool.

The freshly made cake must first expel all its internal heat before storing it; otherwise, the steam would condense inside and cause the cake to clog.

Step 2: Wrap the cake.

You can wrap it with aluminum foil or plastic film to prevent the cake from drying out quickly. It also works to store it in a container with a lid or airtight.

Step 3: Store in a dark and cool place.

You have to avoid being hit by light and direct heat. In this way, you can keep it for 1 or 2 days.

Those steps also apply to a traditional chocolate cake, having the same shelf life.

Keep a cake in the fridge

Have you ever asked yourself the following: how can I keep a cake for several days? The answer is simple, storing it in the fridge, which is the ideal preservation method when you want to advance part of the preparation of a cake.

To do it the right way, just follow these instructions:

Step 1: Let cool completely.

If stored in the fridge while hot, it would ruin the cake’s texture.

Step 2: Wrap with plastic.

This will prevent the cake from drying out.

Step 3: Put in an airtight container.

In this way, an extra layer will prevent the cake from absorbing the smell and taste of other foods.

Step 4: Store it in the fridge.

It would be best to store it at the bottom of the fridge, where you will keep it for a week.

How to freeze an unflavored cake

Can you freeze a cake? Of course. Freezing is the conservation method that guarantees the maximum shelf life for cakes, which is 2 or 3 months.

It is advantageous when working selling cakes since you usually need a good amount of cakes whenever you need them.

The instructions for freezing the cakes are below:

Step 1: Cool completely.

The temperature shock would condense into steam inside the cake, ruining the consistency of the cake.

Step 2: Perform double wrapping.

Wrap the cake with plastic film, then with aluminum foil to protect the cake from frost burns.

Step 3: Store in bags to freeze.

The container is extra protection to ensure the frozen cake’s quality, but it is something it is not essential.

Step 4: Store in the freezer.

Avoid placing too much weight over them, or it can ruin the cakes. You may freeze the cake for about 2 or 3 months. [1]

Keep a cake with filling and/or covering

Cakes are usually filled and decorated with meringue, buttercream, fondant, fresh or candied fruits, and chocolate, among others. (Check the link if you want to know how to store any of these products)

Some of these additions can shorten the cake’s shelf life, although others surprisingly lengthen them a little more.

However, decorating or filling the cake with the minimum time in advance is better to ensure the highest quality.

How to preserve a cake with fondant?

The fondant can be stored at room temperature in the fridge and freezer, although these last two options are not recommended because the fondant does not get along well with humidity.

With that said, let’s check each case.

Store a cake with fondant at room temperature

The fondant, being mostly sugar, acts as a preservative for the cake, lengthening its shelf life.

Of course, the place should not have a temperature higher than 68°F (20°C). To store the cake with fondant properly, you should do the following:

Step 1: Cover the cake.

This way, it protects itself from dust and prevents the fondant from drying out quickly because it is exposed to air.

You can put it inside a cake container with its lid or an airtight container large enough for the cake or cover it with plastic.

Step 2: Store in a dark and cool place.

You have to avoid being hit by light and direct heat. This way, it can last about 4 or 5 days at room temperature.

Keep a cake with fondant in the fridge

If the cake with fondant is filled with fresh fruits, whipped cream, or any other product that needs refrigeration, it cannot be left at room temperature.

So it is advisable to store the fondant cake in the fridge, but you have to avoid the humidity that affects it, so you should make the following cautions:

Step 1: Prepare the box.

Take a special cardboard box for cakes, and cover it with plastic film to protect the fondant from moisture.

Step 2: Save to the back bottom.

In that area of the fridge the temperature is more stable. There, it can last a week, but the shelf life is three days if it is filled.

Freeze a cake with fondant

Can you freeze a cake with fondant? It is not advisable to do so, especially if it is stuffed (not all fillings freeze well), but you can save the remaining pieces of cake.

To do this, do the following:

Step 1: Double wrapping.

You should wrap the remaining pieces with plastic film, followed by one layer of aluminum foil, to protect them from freezing burns.

Step 2: Label with the date.

I call it good practices. Label the package with the storage date.

Step 3: Store in an airtight bag.

Place the pieces in the freezer, where you can keep them for two months.

Remember, to store just the fondant, follow this link.

How to preserve a cake with meringue?

The cake with meringue does not last as long as the one covered by fondant, mainly due to the eggs (meringue ingredient).

You should not store a cake with meringue at room temperature; just take it out from the fridge when you eat it.

You have to store the cake in a container with a lid or a cake stand to prevent something from falling on the meringue. The storage time is 2 and 3 days.

How to freeze a cake with meringue

Can you freeze a cake with meringue? Well, it depends on the type of meringue. It is not advisable to store the whole cake with meringue inside the freezer, especially if it is with French meringue.

But you can save the pieces as follows:

Step 1: Cut the cake.

This way, defrosting the pieces you eat will be much more practical.

Step 2: Perform double wrapping.

First, with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil on each piece to avoid freezing burns and sticking to each other.

Step 3: Label with the current date.

Label it with the storage date.

Step 4: Store in a container or bag to freeze.

This way, it can last about 3 or 4 weeks.

If you want to know more about how to preserve meringue, follow this link.

How to preserve a cake with buttercream?

The buttercream serves both to fill and to cover and decorate a cake. It can last for several days at room temperature, in the fridge and freezer.

Store a cake with buttercream at room temperature

If the weather does not exceed 77°F (25° C), you can store the cake with buttercream at room temperature. To do this:

Step 1: Cover the cake.

Use an airtight container to prevent the buttercream from hardening. You can even cover it with plastic film (without squeezing, obviously).

Step 2: Store in a dark and cool place.

Heat and direct light affect its firmness and resistance, so place it away from that. This way you can stay about three days.

Keep a cake with buttercream in the fridge

The fridge represents a better option for storing a buttercream cake since it lasts longer. To keep it in the refrigerator, check the instructions:

Step 1: Cover with plastic film.

Cover the pieces with plastic film. In case of storing the whole cake, wrap the container with the film.

Step 2: Put in an airtight container.

It’s an extra layer of protection that never hurts, especially if you want to prevent something from falling on the cake or absorbing the smell of other foods.

Step 3: Store at the bottom of the fridge.

Place it at the bottom where the temperature is more stable. This way, it can last between 5 and 7 days.

Freeze a cake with buttercream

Want to keep extending the shelf life of the buttercream cake? Then freezing is the solution.

Just follow these recommendations:

Step 1: Cut the cake.

Although if you want to save the whole cake, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Quick freezing.

Put it in the freezer for an hour or two so the buttercream freezes.

Step 3: Perform double wrapping.

First with plastic to wrap, then with aluminum foil to prevent frost burns.

Step 4: Tag the storage date.

Remember to keep storage control by sticking a label with the storage date

Step 5: Store in an airtight container or bag.

In this way, you can maintain it for about two months.

Remember to check the post about the buttercream storage by clicking the link.

How to preserve a cake with ganache?

Ganache is a rich mixture used for frosting and filling cakes. It maintains well at room temperature, in the fridge, or the freezer.

In fact, ganache, like fondant or buttercream, acts as a preservative and can last at room temperature for about four days. Just cover the cake and store it in a cool, dark place.

Storing the ganache cake in the fridge or the freezer is exactly the same; therefore, these are the steps for both cases:

Step 1: Wrap.

Usually, after cooling, the ganache hardens a little, so wrap it with plastic film to prevent any contaminants from falling.

Step 2: Store in an airtight container or bag.

The airtight container is perfect for the cake. In the fridge, the cake with ganache will last a week; if frozen, it can last two months.

I have a post about the guidelines on how to store chocolate ganache, so check it

How to preserve brownie cake?

Brownie is a delicious dessert, but the flavor is sublime when paired with a cake. Plus, it’s perfect for varying a bit in traditional preparation.

A brownie cake can be perfectly fine at room temperature for about three days if kept inside an airtight container and stored in a dry place.

You can also store it in the fridge and freezer, which is the same as in the previous case.

To do this, you must do the following:

Step 1: Let cool.

It will affect its consistency if stored even when it is hot in the cold.

Step 2: Cut the brownie cake.

This way, it will be much easier to save it.

Step 3: Wrap.

Both brownies and cake quickly absorb the smell of other foods, so the film paper or aluminum foil will prevent them from impregnating with other foods’ smell and taste.

And if you are going to freeze, it is convenient to cover with film paper and aluminum foil to avoid freezing burn.

Step 4: Store in an airtight bag or container.

This way, the pieces are grouped in one place, adding an extra layer of protection.

Inside the fridge, the brownie cake can last about four days, while in the freezer about three months.

How to preserve ricotta cake?

Ricotta cake is a delicious version that should not be left too long outside the fridge. You can also freeze it.

To keep it inside the refrigerator or freezer, you must follow these instructions:

Step 1: Wrap.

Wrap with plastic film.

Step 2: Store in an airtight container or bag.

In the fridge, it can last three days, while in the freezer, it will reach a month.

How do you know when a cake is in poor condition?

To determine if a cake is in poor condition, and therefore it is better to discard it, it must have the following signs:

Bad smell and taste: If a cake tastes and/or smells weird, it has most likely spoiled.
Hardness: If the cake hardened, you probably left it out for too long without proper storage.
Presence of mold: mold is harmful to health, so if it has white, green, or black spots, you should throw away the whole cake.

Fillings or covers in poor condition: if the stuffing or cover has a rare consistency or smell and tastes rancid, it is spoiled and should not be ingested.

How long does the cake last?

Product	Shelf life
Cake at room temperature	1 – 2 days
Refrigerated cake	1 week
Frozen cake	2 – 3 months
Cake with fondant at room temperature	4 – 5 days
Cake with fondant in the fridge	1 week
Cake with fondant frozen	2 months
Cake with meringue in the fridge	2 – 3 days
Cake with meringue frozen	3 – 4 weeks
Cake with buttercream at room temperature	3 days
Cake with buttercream refrigerated	5 – 7 days
Cake with buttercream frozen	2 months
Cake with ganache at room temperature	4 days
Cake with ganache refrigerated	1 week
Cake with ganache frozen	2 months
Brownie cake at room temperature	3 days
Brownie cake in the fridge	4 days
Brownie cake frozen	2 – 3 months
Ricotta cake in the fridge	3 days
Ricotta cake frozen	1 month

What is the best way to preserve a cake?

Depending on the type of cake, some are very well preserved at room temperature with climates below 25°C (77°F), especially important if the cake has a filling or some coverage.

In that case, it is advisable to keep the cake refrigerated most of the time. However, if the cake is covered with fondant, it should be stored very well to prevent moisture from affecting it.

On the other hand, it is more convenient to freeze the cake without any addition because it will be better preserved. If you liked this content, I invite you to explore this website, as I have many topics related to food preservation.