How Do Bakeries Keep Cakes Fresh?

Baking is a type of cooking that requires a specific process to acquire the desired result, and storing the baked food is also a crucial task. Each baked good requires a different way to keep it fresh for a longer time without compromising its quality and taste. 

How do bakeries keep cakes fresh?

Bakeries store cakes in airtight containers to keep them fresh for at least four to five days at room temperature, and then refrigerate the cake with a frosting of dairy products to prevent them from going bad. Further, the frosted cakes stay fresh for longer than unfrosted cakes. Moreover, some bakeries add pectin or enzymes to increase the shelf life of cakes without affecting their tastes. 

Continue reading to learn about storing all kinds of cakes. You will also learn about the shelf life of different cakes and how you can increase the shelf life of cakes and other baked goods. Further, we will tell you how to store a cake if you do not have a cake stand.  

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How Do Bakeries Keep Baked Goods Fresh?

The bakeries keep most baked goods at room temperature for up to five days, including cookies, brownies, bread, muffins, pastries, etc., to keep them fresh. However, it would be best to store them in airtight containers because it is crucial to preserve baked goods without affecting their taste and quality. 

How To Increase The Shelf Life Of Baked Goods?

We have discussed some other tips in the following to increase the shelf life of baked goods without affecting the quality. 

1. Always freeze your baked food in the freezer to lock in the moisture, and do not put the baked items in the fridge, or they may dry out.
2. Limiting the food’s exposure to the air is the key to storing decorated baked items longer; therefore, place your cakes and baked food in an airtight container to preserve. 
3. Using honey instead of regular sugar makes your baked goods last longer.
4. Cinnamon is a spice with microbial properties and lengthens the shelf life of baked items, especially cakes, muffins, bread, etc.
5. Enzymes such as amylase are a great way to make bakery items last longer and improve their taste, texture, and color. 
6. You can add pectin (an agent usually used in jams and jellies for consistency) to increase the shelf life of bread and sweets and improve their texture. 

When the baking temperature of the cake is accurate and it has been baked perfectly, it is likely to stay fresh longer.

How Long Does A Bakery Cake Stay Fresh? 

The bakery cake will be fresh for up to one to four days, depending on the type of cake. The frosted cakes remain fresh for more prolonged than the unfrosted cakes because frosting protects the cake against drying. 

Further, you should avoid putting your cakes in the refrigerator except for some and store them at room temperature in airtight containers. Also, you can freeze bakery cakes to keep them fresh for longer.  

How Do Bakeries Handle Leftover Cake? 

The bakeries have different policies to handle leftover cakes and work according to them. Most bakeries throw away the leftover cakes and baked goods after their shelf life.

On the other hand, some bakeries donate leftover cakes to people; who are homeless or cannot afford food. Also, some bakeries use leftover cakes and stuff in the marketing process to promote their business. 

How To Store A Cake Without A Cake Stand?

A cake stand keeps the cake fresh for a longer period, but if you don’t have a cake stand, you can wrap the cake in plastic and place it in a zip lock bag or an airtight container. On the other hand, if you want to store a frosted cake without a cake stand, you can cover it with a bowl or place it in an airtight container. 

Further, the cut cake can dry out sooner than the whole cake. Stick the plastic sheet to the cake slices and store them in an airtight container or cover them with a bowl to preserve them for a bit longer. 

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How Long Can Cake Sit Out Unrefrigerated? 

You can preserve the sponge cake in an airtight container at room temperature for about three days, and frosted cake can last for four to five days unrefrigerated; in an airtight container. However, the time for which a cake can sit out unrefrigerated depends upon the type of cake and ingredients used to make the cake.

Also, check out my article about refrigerating chocolate cakes for more detail to keep the cakes in the fridge.

How Long Can A Cake Sit Out Uncovered?

It will go stale in about a day if you leave the cake uncovered. Further, the sponge cake will dry out before the frosted cake when exposed. Therefore, you should always cover your cakes in an airtight container or with plastic wrap when they sit out or in the fridge. 

How Long Can A Cake Sit Out Before Frosting?

You should wait for at least two hours or overnight before frosting a cake. However, the cake without frosting will dry out in three to four days, but it should keep in an airtight container or wrapped in a plastic cover. 

How Long Can A Buttercream Cake Sit Out?

The buttercream cake can sit out for up to three days without going stale. But if refrigerated, it can last up to five to six days. Further, if your frosting contains all butter, it must be refrigerated. 

If you enjoy baking cakes, you might be interested in my article on what causes cakes to shrink when they cool.

How To Store A Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting?

You can freeze your cakes to preserve them for extended periods because freezing locks in the moisture and refrigeration dry it out. However, freezing may mess up the icing on the cake, but still, your cakes will taste far better than storing at room temperature or in the fridge. 

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How To Preserve The Cake For A Long Time?

You will need to preserve your cake with cream cheese frosting in the fridge as soon as you finish eating because dairy products require refrigeration. However, it would help to put your cake in an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator. 

Final Thoughts

Storing the cakes and baked stuff is important because you cannot leave them unattended on the counter to waste all your hard work. Therefore, you should keep them for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature, but some cakes may need refrigeration depending on the ingredients used to make them. Further, if you want to store the cakes for more than five days, try freezing them.

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