How to Store Cake and Keep It Fresh

Because dry, stale cake is just sad cake.

Whether you’ve baked a masterpiece from scratch or have leftovers from a birthday bash, storing your cake the right way makes all the difference. The goal? Keep it moist, fresh, and as delicious as day one. Here’s how to do it right.

First, Know What Kind of Cake You Have

Different types of cake need different care. Ask yourself:

Is it frosted or unfrosted?
Does it have cream cheese, buttercream, whipped cream, or ganache?
Is it a layer cake, sponge, or dense loaf?

These answers will help you pick the best storage method.

Unfrosted Cakes

Short-term (1–2 days):

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it out of direct sunlight.

Longer term (3+ days):

Wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of foil, then freeze. Thaw at room temp when ready to eat.

Avoid the fridge unless the filling or ingredients require it—refrigeration can dry out sponge cakes quickly.

Frosted Cakes

Most frosted cakes are best stored in a cake container or domed stand at room temperature for 2–3 days. But frosting type matters:

Buttercream or ganache:

Room temp is fine for up to 3 days. After that, move it to the fridge.

Cream cheese or whipped cream frostings:

Refrigerate immediately. These are perishable and need to be kept cold.

Tip: Before refrigerating, gently press plastic wrap against any exposed cake to prevent drying.

Freezing Cake

Cake freezes beautifully—if wrapped right. Here’s how:

Slice or leave whole. If slicing, separate layers with parchment paper.
Wrap in two layers of plastic wrap, then one of aluminum foil.
Label with the date and type.
Store for up to 3 months.

To thaw: remove wrapping and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving cake uncovered: It dries out fast.

Refrigerating sponge cake without frosting: It gets stale quickly.

Freezing cake with fresh fruit or delicate toppings: These don’t thaw well and can become mushy.

Bonus Tip: Storing Individual Slices

Use airtight containers or wrap slices in plastic wrap. These are great for portion control and late-night cake cravings.

Final Crumbs

Storing cake is easy when you know the rules. Keep it wrapped, know your frosting, and don’t be afraid to freeze if you need to. Because the only thing better than cake—is still-good cake.