How Long Can Cake Sit Out? (Explained!)

In most cases, cakes look more like a piece of art than food. And that obviously makes sense because it usually simply matters more how the cake looks than how the cake tastes. 

And since showing how awesome it looks is the most important thing about every cake, at most parties, cakes usually sit out for a whole eternity before you can actually touch them. Because of that, many of you may be wondering:

How long can cake sit out? Generally speaking, a cake can sit out for something around two days. However, in many cases, the cake will be able to stay good for an even longer time, while, on the contrary, other kinds of cake always need to be refrigerated. 

Are you now even more confused than you were at the beginning? Don’t worry; this answer was just a brief one, and we will dive into this topic much deeper in this article.

So without any further ado, let’s get into it, shall we?

Do you need to refrigerate a cake?

It seems evident that cakes should be refrigerated, but since they can be so often seen out of the fridge, you might be wondering if it is really so. The full answer is kind of difficult, but to put it simply, no, you don’t need to refrigerate a cake.

And it doesn’t even matter that much what type of cake it is, you can just let it sit out without no worries. But for how long can the cake be left out of the refrigerator? More about that is coming in the following paragraph!

 How long can cake be left out at room temperature? 

Believe it or not, cakes usually stay edible for 3 to 6 days at room temperature. The exact timestamp depends on which kind of frosting (like fondant, buttercream, or ganache) you have on your cake and temperatures in your home.

Can cake be left out overnight?

Yes, a cake can be left out overnight. Since most of the cakes can stay out for several days without any problem, you can leave them out overnight, and they should be just fine.

Have you got all of your answers already, or are you still curious and want to know more about cakes and their storage? Still curious? Okay, let´s continue then…

How should I store a cake overnight?

I guess you are wondering now – how should I store a cake overnight? So here’s a tip for you – all you need for this is some plastic wrap and your cake. Tightly wrap your cake into it and make sure you secure all sides, top and bottom of the layers – be careful and gentle the whole time!

You can put it into a zip-top bag after, and then you can leave it on your kitchen counter for several days and still enjoy it as if it was just made.

How do you keep a cake moist overnight?

First things first, what we recommend for keeping the cake moist overnight is not cutting it. Since uncut cakes keep more moisture inside, it’s all simple as that!

But if the cake’s already cut, or you just want to ultimately ensure it’s not going to be dried out, get a moisture-locking frosting. This “magical” frosting will not let air get through, so you don’t have to worry about eating dry cake.

How long can a buttercream cake sit out?

I bet all of us love buttercream cakes, and we for sure want to enjoy them without getting stomachache after – so in order to avoid this uncomfortable situation, you should remember that a buttercream cake can sit out and stay edible for up to 3 days.

If you already ate a buttercream cake that sat out for more than three days, good luck to your digestion system; we hope you are going to be good!

How long can unfrosted cake sit out unrefrigerated?

According to what we know, we can say that unfrosted cakes can sit out unrefrigerated for at least three days. And if you wrap them in some plastic wrap, you can expect them to last even as long as five days!

How long does chocolate cake last out of the fridge?

The chocolate cake lasts something between two and three days when out of the fridge. If you want to store it correctly, use foil or plastic wrap for the cake to stay moist. If you do so, you are sure to enjoy your delicious chocolate cake without any inconvenience.

How long can a dump cake sit out unrefrigerated?

No matter if iced or not, a dump cake can usually sit out unrefrigerated for at least four days. In most cases, your dump cake will be good even after five days of sitting out, so you don’t have to worry about finding someplace for it in the fridge.

However, with that being said, you still have to remember that refrigerating a dump cake is highly recommended, and that’s especially true throughout the summer.

How can you tell if cake is bad?

Just like with pretty much every other food, telling if the cake is bad is a pretty straightforward task – the first thing you should be looking for is any weird odor coming out of the cake. Another important thing to keep an eye on is the cake’s texture – if it gets hard, dry, and feels mushy to the touch; you’d better toss that cake out.

How do you keep cake fresh?

The most important thing to do to keep your cake as fresh as possible is not to cut it, since uncut cakes are more able to stay moist. Regardless of whether or not you have already cut it, though, there’s also the fact that to keep the cake fresh, you always have to store it in some airtight containers and a dark, cold place.

What happens when you eat a bad cake?

When you eat a bad cake, you are probably going to be sick, so you should be expecting some of the classic symptoms of food poisoning to occur. That means you’re likely to be vomiting or have diarrhea.

Summary

Even though it may seem strange, cakes are usually able to sit out unrefrigerated for quite a while before turning bad. The vast majority of cakes can be left out for at least three days, and that is especially true if you properly store it into some plastic foil.

Also Read:

• How Long Can Cookie Dough Sit Out?
• How Long Can Oat Milk Sit Out?
• How Long Can Scrambled Eggs Sit Out?
• How Long Is Chicken Salad Good For?
• How Long Are Jello Shots Good For?

Resources

Image credits – Canva