We know what it’s like, you’re getting ready for an event or you’ve just had one and you have left over cakes. In both of these scenarios the big question is how do I store the cake? Whether it’s a new one you’ve got a day or two before, or if you have left overs, it’s still important to know how to take care of your cake.
Many people wonder how to properly store cake, that can be because of the variety of cakes that are available to purchase. A big debate is whether or not cake should belong in a fridge. Can you freeze cake? There are lots of questions and we hope to solve some of the mysteries surround these questions.
1.) Should cake be stored in the fridge?
Well, the answer is... it depends on the cake. If the cake has fresh cream inside then yes. But if a cake has buttercream inside, no it doesn’t necessarily need to be kept in the fridge. We know what you’re thinking, but it’s got butter in it. While that is true, butter doesn’t actually need to be stored in the fridge, especially somewhere like in the UK where we generally don’t see soaring temperatures for long periods of time (ignoring the recent heatwave). A lot of people leave butter out of the fridge in butter dishes to keep the butter soft and easily spreadable.
The same principle can be applied to buttercream-based cakes, and if you like a soft buttercream and a moist sponge then leave them in a warm spot in your home, out of direct sunlight. The problem with storing a sponge cake in the fridge is that it can dry the cake out and make the buttercream hard.
2.) Can I freeze a Cake?
The simple answer is, yes. You can freeze a cake, but there are some things to bear in mind. The first is preparing the cake for the deep freeze.
You can’t just pop the cake in the freezer as is; like many other food items cakes are at risk of freezer burn and for a cake, this means that even when you defrost it, it will be extremely dry. So, the best thing to do is wrap your cake up, whether it’s a whole cake or wedges of cake, the best thing to use is clingfilm if the cake has been removed from its original packaging. Use two or three layers of clingfilm if possible. And then it’s best to place it inside some Tupperware, especially if you are freezing wedges. If it’s a whole cake in its original packaging and fully sealed it should be fine just to place it straight inside the freezer without the use of Tupperware.
In regards to how long the cake can be frozen for, that depends on the cake. For our cakes we recommend that you freeze them for no longer than 6 months, with the ideal freezing time being 1 month. A simple rule for most food is, the longer your freeze something the dryer it will be when it’s defrosted. That is especially true for cake.
To defrost your cake after freezing, place the cake in warm (but not hot) room, and allow to defrost fully, depending on the size of the cake this could take up to 24 hours. You’ll know when the cake is ready to enjoy as the buttercream will be soft to touch throughout the cake.
3.) How do I stop my cake from going dry once opened/cut?
When cake is exposed to air for a long period of time, much like most baked goods, they can go dry. But by making sure that the cake is wrapped up or at least put in an air-tight container, your cake will stay fresher for longer. There’s not much to it really, you can wrap it in something most people have laying around their home such as tinfoil (although this can leave indents in icing) or clingfilm. However, the best thing if you have it is Tupperware or a can tin. This will prevent too much air getting to the cake and making the sponge dry.
Here’s a handy list of do’s and don’ts for storing Sponge Cakes:
- Don’t store in the fridge
- Do leave in a warm area of the home (such as a kitchen)
- Don’t leave in direct sunlight
- Do Freeze for up to 6 months
- Do wrap any opened/cut cakes in clingfilm and placed in Tupperware if freezing
- Do defrost in room temperature for around 24 hours (or until the buttercream is soft) after the cake has been frozen.
- Don’t leave in the open air once the cake is opened and cut
- Do place inside Tupperware or a cake tin once cut.
Now you know the best way to store a cake, why not order one for a special occasion or just to enjoy as a treat. We have lots of cakes to choose from that can be delivered straight to your home.