Cake is the most popular celebration dessert all over the world and favorite dessert of many people. It is a dessert that is traditionally prepared for birthdays and other celebrations. There are also cakes for special occasions, for example the wedding cakes. A cake can be prepared in different ways and there are countless cake recipes. Most people adore cakes and each cake is usually eaten before it goes bad. But, have you ever wondered how many days the leftover cake can last and how you should store it properly.
In this article we will tell you something more about cake and its shelf life. We will also tell you something about proper storage of the cake, as well as how to tell if your cake has gone bad. If you also love cake, read along this article because it will be interesting and useful for you.
More about Cake
Cake is a sweet dessert that is usually baked. Typical ingredients of a cake are sugar, eggs, flour, oil or butter, a liquid, baking powder or baking soda. Other ingredients in cakes are fruits that can be fresh, dried or candied, cocoa, nuts and different extracts such as vanilla.
Cake making is not a complicated procedure. When the cake is finished it is often covered with frosting and toppings such as the sprinkles. Sprinkles are small pieces of sugar and oil that can be in different colors. Frosting is actually a mix made from sugar, milk and cacao powder or vanilla extract. Below you can see more about the shelf life of cake.
What Is the Shelf Life of Cake?
Regardless of whether it is a fruit cake, chocolate or vanilla cake, each cake has its shelf life. The shelf life of cake depends on many factors, such as the preparation method and the way of the storage.
Also, the shelf life of cake depends on the sell by date. If the leftover cake is stored at room temperature it will last only two to three days, if it is stored in a cool and dark place. If a cake is refrigerated its shelf life is about a week, but if you store it in the freezer it will last even a couple of months.
How to Store Cake Properly?
Proper storage is not important only for fresh vegetables and fruits, but also for desserts. Improper storage of a cake will certainly shorten its shelf life and it will go bad more quickly.
You should provide proper storage conditions for your cake. It is recommended to store a cake in a container that is sealed tightly or you can wrap the cake with a plastic wrap. This way you will keep your cake away from moisture and other contaminants and you will extend its shelf life.
A cake should be stored in a dry and cool place, but it is best to store it in the fridge. If you want to store it for a longer period of time, then you should freeze the cake. Don’t worry, your cake will preserve its taste, but you have to use freezer safe containers. It is recommended to freeze the cake before you frost it with a cream. If you freeze your cake you will maximize its shelf life.
How to Tell if Cake Has Gone Bad?
Your senses will help you tell if your cake has gone bad. In most cases our senses are the most reliable instruments that can tell us about the safety of a certain food. When it comes to a cake, you will easily notice if it has gone bad. The first sign is a dry and hard texture and a bad smell of a cake.
Also, sometimes can appear mold on your cake or the fruit fillings might become too moldy and slimy. If you notice any of these changes, you should discard the cake immediately. If the cake has gone bad, it will also change in flavor, but it is better not to taste it. Throw it away because we all know that spoiled foods can cause many health risks.
Summary
As you have seen, a cake can last for up to seven days in the fridge while in the freezer it can last for up to several months. Of course, it depends on storage conditions. If you provide ideal conditions for you cake, it won’t go bad quickly.
As soon as you notice any signs of spoilage, you should toss out the cake. If the cake is spoiled it will change in texture, smell and flavor and you should not consume it. Now that you know how long a cake can last and how you should store it, we are pretty sure that you will eat your cake before it goes bad.
