We all love Birthday Cake, but How Long Does Birthday Cake Last? These tips and tricks will help keep your favorite birthday cake from going stale.

A close up image of strawberry crunch cake with fresh strawberries on top.
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There always seem to be leftover Birthday Cake, so what do you do with it? The last thing my kids would hate to see is their birthday cake in the trash.

We will give you different ways to store your leftover cake recipe so you can still enjoy it even days after the party. Leftover Chocolate Cake is so good the next day.

Many factors contribute to how long birthday cake lasts and what type of perishable ingredients it includes. It all depends on how your birthday cake was prepared.

Most cakes left at room temperature will last a few days, but if you store in the refrigerator it could last up to a week. But freezing it, the life of a cake could last even longer.

How Long Does Birthday Cake Last in the Refrigerator?

How long your cake will last in the refrigerator, all depends on the icing that you topped your cake with.

  • If your cake is topped with buttercream or ganache it will last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • If your cake is topped with cream cheese frosting or fresh fruit it will last about 1-2 days.
  • When a cake has fondant or food coloring, if refrigerator you run the risk of the colors bleeding.

Is Cake Still Good After 5 Days?

Yes, that is about as long it will be good for if left at room temperature. The icing on the cake actually seals in the moisture on the cake, keeping it fresh longer.

Make sure to cover the cake to keep it fresh and away from dust to ensure the different types of cakes freshness.

Room Temperature Storage

If you are keeping your cakes at room temperature, make sure they stay cool and in a cake keeper. Heat causes the frosting to melt and dries out the cake.

During the summer months, I put my birthday cakes in the refrigerator to ensure the cake’s freshness. When I am ready to serve again, I set it out so it comes to room temperature.

close up image of ding dong cake on a platter.

Fridge Storage

When placing your birthday cake in the fridge, it will all depend on the type of ingredients that are used.

If you purchased your cake at the store, it could last up to two weeks. If it is a fresh baked cake containing cream cheese, it could last up to a week in the refrigerator.

The specific ingredients and storage method could extend the shelf life or shortened how long your cake is fresh. There are many factors that vary if the cake is Cake Pops, sponge cakes, layer cake, plain cake, Pound Cake or consists of fruit fillings or custard.

Freezer Storage

Cakes can be frozen if stored properly. To freeze a cake, freezer wrap the cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure to there is no air in the bag to prevent spoilage, stale cake and preserve the texture.

Then place the cake in the freezer and it will stay good up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve again, take the wrapped cake out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw. Make sure to wrap in foil while it is in the refrigerator.

Thaw and then cut into cake slices. Make sure to put a label on the cake so you know when it was frozen to prevent contamination.

Different Types of Cake With Storage Options

  • Red Velvet Cake – My kids love Red Velvet Cake. The cake has red coloring that comes from food coloring in the cake mix. It should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 2 days.
  • Frosted Cake – Frosted cakes that have chocolate or chocolate chips in it, place in the refrigerator and it is safe to eat up to 2 days.
  • Chocolate Cake – We love a good classic chocolate cake. Make sure to store any leftovers in a cake stand or air tight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh up to days.

Try These Birthday Cakes

Dr Pepper Cake
Dr Pepper Cake is so moist and delicious and will satisfy your craving for chocolate. The cake is amazing, and the icing is easy to make and decadent.
Dr Pepper Cake
Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is a rich and decadent chocolate cake. The chocolate glaze for bundt cake takes this cake to the next level. Try this today!
Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Lemon Cake Recipe
Lemon Cake Recipe is light and fluffy with endless layers. This is the perfect cake for Spring or Summer with all of the lemon flavor and fresh berries.
Lemon Cake Recipe
Better Than Sex Cake Recipe
Better Than Sex Cake Recipe is so rich, decadent and simply amazing. It's also known as Heath Bar Cake and each bite is loaded with caramel, chocolate, toffee and more.
Better Than Sex Cake Recipe
Ding Dong Cake Recipe 
Ding dong cake has rich layers of chocolate cake, cream filling and ganache topping. It tastes amazing and looks gorgeous when you slice it.
Ding Dong Cake Recipe 

More Tips

Give it a try and use these tips to freeze your next birthday cake. Please leave a comment once you do.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

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