Preserve Cake Without Refrigeration (Easy Methods)
If you like to make cakes at home, you should be aware that many homemade cakes don’t need refrigeration. As long as you keep your cake in a covered container, it should stay fresh and ready to eat for up to a week. Of course, this will depend on the type of cake and the frosting.
Here are some easy methods to preserve different types of cakes.
Make Your Own Ice Box For Frosted Cakes
If you have a frosted cake that you want to take to a party and it’s hot outside, you can make your own ice box to stop the frosting from melting.
Gather two heavy-duty boxes that will fit inside each other with some space between the two layers. Place some frozen ice packs in the larger box and then place the smaller box inside this.
Put your cake in its covered container inside the smaller box and close it up. This should keep the cake nice and cool and stop the frosting from melting while you take it to the party.
You can also do the same thing with an ice cooler box if you have one handy. Above all else, make sure that the ice packs don’t touch the cake. That’s why your cake should be in its own covered container.
Storing An Unfrosted Cake Without A Refrigerator
If you want to make the layers of a cake a few days before you want to frost and serve it, then you can keep them nice and moist by wrapping them with several layers of plastic wrap.
Once you’ve wrapped the layers, place each one in a zip-lock bag and store the cake in the pantry or another cool spot. The cake layers should stay fresh and moist for up to five days.
It’s also important to note that before you wrap your cake layers, they should be completely cold. To cool your cake effectively after you take it out of the oven, place the layers on a cooling rack.
If you put a warm cake onto a plate or cake board, moisture will gather on the bottom of the cake while it’s cooling, and this could cause the cake to go moldy.
Store Your Homemade Cake In An Airtight Container
One of the best ways to preserve a homemade cake is to store it in an airtight container. The container will protect the cake from any excess moisture that may be in the air, as well as keep the cake nice and moist.
You can purchase cake keepers made from glass or plastic specifically for this purpose.
Additionally, if you cover your cake with some dairy-free frosting or even fondant, the cake will remain fresh for around 4 or 5 days because this covering will provide the cake with a protective barrier against moisture loss.
That’s one of the reasons that decorated Christmas cakes that are completely encased in fondant can last for several weeks and still be deliciously moist when cut.
It’s also a good idea to store your cake in its container in the pantry or store cupboard away from light.
Store Your Homemade Cake Using Plastic Wrap Or An Airtight Bag
If you don’t have a cake keeper or a container that’s large enough to store your cake in, the next best thing is to either wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or put it into a freezer bag.
If using plastic wrap, make sure that the cake is wrapped tightly and that no air can get through the wrap.
If using a plastic bag, make sure that you expel all of the air out of the bag first and then close it tightly so that absolutely no air can get in.
Why Should You Not Store Homemade Cakes In The Fridge?
Storing homemade cakes in the fridge should be avoided because it can dry them out and make them go stale much faster. The cold air in your refrigerator will just dry your cake out, even if it’s in a covered container.
Only cakes that have dairy-based icings or frostings or fresh fruit fillings should be stored in the fridge. This is because the frosting or filling needs refrigeration, but this should also help to keep the cake fresh due to the high moisture content.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a cake last without being refrigerated?
Most homemade cakes that are stored in a cake keeper will last around 4 to 5 days without being refrigerated. However, a dense fruit cake that has been wrapped tightly can last for several weeks to months.
How do you preserve a cake for a week?
Store your cake in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot such as the pantry or store cupboard. To keep cakes fresh for long periods, you can also freeze them.