When You Should (And Shouldn't) Refrigerate Your Cake

Baking a cake, whether it's a grand layered masterpiece for a birthday or a crumbly coffee cake for brunch, takes time and care. It's only natural that both bakers and cake lovers want to extend the freshness and quality of their creation for as long as possible—or at least until it's time to enjoy it.

The main goals when storing cake are keeping it moist and preventing spoilage. Of course, its appearance matters too, especially when it’s prepared and frosted in advance. The best way to store your cake can depend on its type, its freshness, and even the climate. All of these factors play a role in the ideal storage method.

There’s no universal answer for storing a cake, but by following these simple tips, you’ll be able to figure out the best way to store your cake depending on its needs.

Does Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?

In most cases, storing your cake in the fridge won't help keep it fresh or moist. The cool, dry air inside the refrigerator can actually speed up the process of drying out baked goods, turning them stale quicker than if they were kept at room temperature.

However, some cake lovers actually enjoy a chilled slice of chocolate cake over one that's fresh out of the oven, even if it’s a bit firmer. If that’s your preference, go ahead and refrigerate! But aside from personal taste, there are certain situations when refrigerating a cake is necessary:

Cakes With Fresh Fruit Toppings or Fillings

If your cake has fruit in the filling or as a topping—whether cooked or raw—it should be refrigerated once it’s fully cooled. If you’re not serving it immediately, cover it up and store it in the fridge. For example, leftover fruit-laden upside-down cakes should be refrigerated until you're ready for the next slice.

Cheesecakes and Cream Cheese-Frosted Cakes

Whether you classify cheesecake as a cake or a pie, it definitely needs to be kept in the fridge. Cheesecakes are typically made with a cream cheese custard, although some variations use mascarpone or ricotta in place of part of the cream cheese. These indulgent, dairy-heavy desserts shouldn't be left at room temperature for more than an hour or two after baking.

Similarly, cakes frosted or filled with cream cheese, mascarpone, or ricotta should be stored in the refrigerator. Cakes with stabilized whipped cream icing should also be chilled after frosting. Leaving these types of cakes out at room temperature not only creates food safety concerns, but it can also ruin the texture as the dairy ingredients soften and lose their ideal consistency.

Cakes with Fruit Curd Fillings

A zesty lemon or raspberry curd can elevate a cake like nothing else. But these delicate, custard-like fillings need a cool environment to stay stable. If you’re dealing with a cake filled with curd, make sure to store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready for another serving.

Cakes in Hot and Humid Climates

Hot and humid conditions are far from ideal for any cake. When room temperature rises above 70°F, frostings start to melt, and bacteria can begin to grow in the cake’s moist crumbs. If it's the middle of summer and your kitchen feels like an oven, it’s best to refrigerate your cake to keep it safe and fresh.

Cakes Made Ahead of Time

While cakes are best enjoyed as soon as they’re baked, life isn’t always ideal. If you need to prepare a cake a few days in advance, make sure to wrap it well and store it in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.

How to Store Cake in the Refrigerator

The most important thing to consider when refrigerating a cake is whether it's frosted or unfrosted.

Refrigerating Unfrosted Cake

If you're dealing with layers that will eventually be frosted or a cake that doesn't need frosting at all, refrigerating an unfrosted cake is simple. Just wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap. To protect it from moisture and odors, you can place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or add a second layer of aluminum foil. For cakes that won't be frosted, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Refrigerating a Frosted Cake

Storing a frosted cake may seem more complicated, but the icing actually acts as a protective layer, helping the cake retain moisture. To refrigerate a frosted cake, start by placing it in the fridge, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes to let the frosting firm up. Once the frosting has set, wrap the cake loosely but securely in plastic wrap. Alternatively, if you have enough fridge space and a plastic cake keeper, it’s the perfect time to use it.

How Long Does Cake Stay Fresh in the Refrigerator?

The shelf life of your cake in the refrigerator depends on the type of cake and how long it was left at room temperature before being chilled. In general, a properly stored cake can last anywhere from three to seven days in the fridge. After a week, it's best to discard any leftover cake that hasn't been eaten.