Whether you have way too many leftovers from your birthday or event, or you want to commemorate your wedding day by saving the top tier of your cake for your one-year anniversary, there are a lot of reasons why you might need to store cake safely. Like any other food, if you’re going to be storing a cake for later then you have to keep in mind it can only last as long as the earliest ingredient spoil. You also have to work around whether or not the cake will do well left out, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer. Saving a piece of a special day is important though, and so below are the rules on how long you can keep the cake and what you can do to extend its life.

Generally speaking, there are a few rules about how long cake can last. A standard cake that is not a fruitcake, that has no fresh fruit, and no whipped cream can last for 1 or 2 days when left on the counter. A standard cake in the fridge can last 2-4 days, and put in the freezer it can last for 2-4 months while remaining fresh. Cakes with fresh fruit can only be left out on the counter the same day it was served. In the fridge, it lasts 1 to 2 days, and in the freezer, it also lasts 2-4 months. Cake with whipped cream can only be left out on the counter the same day it was served, it can last 1 to 2 days in the fridge, and cannot be put in the freezer due to the whipped cream. Fruitcake can last 3-25 years when refrigerated.

To make a cake last longer when you store it on the counter or in the fridge you should keep it in a tightly closed container to keep air out, which will help the cake stay moist. If you are making a cake that you’re going to be enjoying in the future, you should freeze it before you ice it, as it will freeze better without icing, which can be made and decorated later.

One of the biggest reasons that people want to store cake, though, is keeping a wedding cake safe in the freezer for a year so that it can be enjoyed a year later on a couple’s first anniversary.
If you’re going to do this, it is a great idea to save the entire top tier of the cake, rather than just keeping a serving. This is because the more bacteria that your cake is exposed to the worse off you will be when storing it. If the cake has been sliced and left sitting out for your guests to possibly pick up and enjoy, then there is a high chance it has been exposed to bacteria. If you take the top tier away after the photos are done and store it away, then it will have a better chance. You then need to wrap it in saran wrap at home, then tinfoil, then put it in an airtight freezer back before being put into a deep freeze. Before you enjoy the cake, though, make sure that it does not have any mold and freezer burn.

When you’re saving cake, the number one rule is to be careful and don’t expose yourself to harmful bacteria or mold that could make what is supposed to be lovely into a stomach ache.

All credit goes to sweet e’s pastries and sweets