Baking a cake is not a cakewalk. It takes patience, skills, and the correct techniques. However, first-timers might take some additional time to prepare and bake cakes. This might worry them about the storage techniques of a warm cake.
If you fall in the same category, don’t worry. We have the perfect solutions for you, which are thoroughly explained in the following article.
In this article, we will cover how to preserve warm cake overnight, how to keep it moist after baking, how to know if your cake is contaminated and much more. So, without any further ado, let us start this article now.
How can I store warm cake overnight?
After baking your cake, follow the following steps if you wish to store them appropriately.
Step 1
You must remove your warm cake from the pan before it starts cooling down. Make sure you do not wait for the cake to cool down, as it will become challenging to remove.
If you have removable bottom pans, then it will be easy for you to take away the cake. Now, run your knife all around the edges of the pan, then open it and remove the cake. Isn’t it easy?
Now you have to keep the cake on a wire rack to let it cool down thoroughly.
Step 2
You have to layer your cake if it has a dome by chance. If you have a cake leveler, you can use that, and in case you don’t, use a serrated knife.
Step 3
After leveling your cake, you have to double wrap each layer with the help of cling film.
Remember to always double wrap the cake to prevent odor contamination from the fridge. Alternatively, condensation may occur as a result of a temperature change.
Note: This way cake will last for 1 week in the fridge, but if you want it for longer, you can keep it in the freezer.
And if you choose to store it in the freezer, learn how to do it appropriately further in the article.
Your work is done here. Now you have to keep each layer in the fridge, and the following day you can decorate them with icing and sugar paste.
Typically, cold cakes are easier to decorate. However, if you don’t like them, you can leave them for 30 minutes before you start decorating.
How to use the freezer to store warm cake?
Freeze burn is a common problem when freezing a warm cake. That is why it is vital to know the right technique. So in this section, you will learn how to do so.
Step 1
Let your cake cool down. Then neatly cover your cake in plastic wrap (avoid air bubbles).
Step 2
Use a marker to write on the foil which cake you’re freezing and when it expires.
Then cover the foil with the cake and ensure the inscription is visible. After that, place the cake in a freezer-safe container or in a large ziplock bag.
If none of these are available, double wrap the cake in foil. Also, make sure the writing is on top.
Step 3
Now that it is ready, put your cakes in the freezer.
If you’re only using foil, make sure the cake is stored on a flat surface in the freezer to avoid any bumps.
Your cake can last for up to three months if you follow all of the steps carefully.
Now let’s talk about thawing the cake since you kept it in the freezer.
So, when it comes to thawing your cake, make sure it is chilled for at least eight hours before you decorate it.
We would advise you to leave them overnight and place them in your fridge at night before going to bed. So you can start the decoration in the morning.
For the best results, allow them to defrost in their original wrapping. In this manner, condensation will form on the wrapping rather than on the cake. And it’s done.
Is it possible to leave your warm cake in the pan overnight to cool?
Yes, you can definitely do this because cakes must be cool before you start icing or before you start adding any decorations in the morning.
But, you cannot leave any cake on the counter. If you have used non-perishable ingredients, then only you can leave the cake in the pan overnight.
Wait! Are you worried about stickiness because it is warm? Well, then follow the following steps to get rid of it.
Place a single sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of your cake pan, which is slightly larger than your cake pan, and lightly dust with flour.
Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the cake to cool before running a knife over the edges.
After the cake has rested on the counter or in a cool oven overnight, you can easily turn it upside down and take it out.
Then you have to take care of the parchment paper.
With easy hands, peel it off. Now, your cake is ready for decoration.
Is it okay to cover a warm cake?
No, you should not cover the warm cake. In case you wish to do so, make sure to cool it down first and then wrap it with a plastic or cake handle.
Cooling is important because when you cover the hot cake, it will release steam, and this will may make your cake soggy. Plus, it may also reduce its shelf life.
How long can you leave the cake out unrefrigerated?
If you have uncut cake and have also frosted them with buttercream, fondant, or ganache, it can stay fresh for upto 5 days at room temperature.
To prevent it from dust or other contaminants, keep it covered with a cake keeper or a bowl.
There is an exception also like if you have fruit cake, then it can remain fresh for a month or even more than a month at room temperature.
But, if any of the cake is cut, you must store it in an airtight container. Or you can cover them with a plastic wrapper and place them in the fridge to increase their shelf life.
This is because once it is cut, it will start contaminating quickly.
Are you wondering how to store cake if you have sliced a piece out of it? Well, for that, read the next section now!
How to save a cut cake for a long time?
A cut cake doesn’t remain fresh for long because it starts losing moisture, and thus it starts becoming hard and dry.
So, after cutting a piece from the cake, all you have to do is shield the edge with frosting. It will help to retain the moisture.
If there is no frosting left, then you can try the next trick, which is using plastic wrap. Cover the sliced side and press firmly in place
Continue to cover and store the cake. You can keep cut cakes for about three to four days at room temperature.
Do you wish to know how to keep a whole cake soft and moist? Then keep reading.
How do you keep the whole cake fresh, moist, and soft after baking?
Everyone will tell you how you can make your cake moist while preparing the cake mixture, but no one will tell you how to keep it moist after baking.
This trick is beneficial, especially if you plan to bake several layers of cake for a big event that will take your whole day.
Follow the steps listed below to save your soft cake.
Step 1: Apply sugar syrup
Did you know sugar is an excellent preservative? And we can take the help of sugar syrup to keep the cake moist. A lot of bakers use this trick.
You have to take a pastry brush and dip it in sugar syrup, and once your cake is baked and cooled, paint syrup on it. Cover all the edges before the frosting process.
In this way, you can lock in the moisture and make your cake extra delicious.
Step 2: Frost your cake immediately.
As discussed earlier, frosting the cake works as a barrier. It will help you to seal the moisture inside the cake irrespective of wherever it travels, including the fridge and freezer.
Note: Keeping your cake cool before the frosting process is vital. Because if you start frosting when it is warm, it will melt and look like a disaster.
Remember, while frosting the cake, you cover every corner. Otherwise, it will dry out if you miss out.
Step 3: Storing your cake is essential.
As long as the cake remains on the counter, this is the ideal solution. This is because nothing will absorb its moisture.
But you cannot just leave it as usual. You have to seal it with a cake stand.
Suppose you want to store it in the fridge, then place it in a cake box to keep it moist.
How to know your cake is stale?
If you maintain hygiene and follow food safety tricks, your cake will be away from foodborne problems.
Even though your senses are not perfect, they are usually the best way to determine whether your cake is contaminated or not.
However, you also can detect if your cake is in good condition or not in other ways as well. Check the following pointer for that:
- The cake will become dry and hard.
- Mold can grow.
- If the cake has a fruit filling, it will become slimy and moldy.
If you’re stuck with a large piece of cake and don’t know what to do with it, continue reading.
What to do with the leftover cake?
You can turn your leftover cake into tasty sweet treats, and you don’t need to take any special classes.
Just follow the given tricks below.
1. Make cake pops
Just crumble the cake and icing with your hands and add choco chips and other flavors you like. Then roll and make small balls out of it.
2. Try bourbon balls or rum balls.
You can mix crumbled cake with rum to make rum balls or mix it with bourbon to make bourbon balls.
3. Make a trifle
To prepare a trifle, soak chunks of leftover cake in sherry before topping with custard and other ingredients.
You can make bread pudding or French toast with the leftover cake bread.
Well, that’s a wrap!
The best way to store warm cakes is to wrap them with cling film and let them rest at room temperature. In this way, it will be edible for 2 days.
If you wrap them and keep them in the refrigerator, they can last for one week. In the freezer, it can last for 1 month too.
It is essential to keep your cake moist. Otherwise, it is likely to reduce its shelf life early. After baking, you can keep it moist if you apply sugar syrup.
If you have any queries related to storing cake, then share your problem with us in the comments section.
Till then, keep baking.
