Costco is well-known for offering high-quality, affordable cakes that are perfect for any celebration. Whether or not you need to refrigerate your Costco cake depends on the type of frosting and filling. If the cake has buttercream frosting, it can generally stay out at room temperature for 1-2 days, though it’s safer to refrigerate if it’s warm outside.
Cakes with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, custard, or fresh fruit fillings should always be kept in the fridge to prevent spoiling. Properly stored in an airtight container, these cakes can last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage, freezing the cake is a good option—just be sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Do Costco Cakes Need to Be Refrigerated?
Whether or not your Costco cake needs to go in the fridge depends on what’s in the cake and how long you want to keep it fresh. Let’s break it down simply.
When You Don’t Need to Refrigerate:
- Buttercream Frosting Cakes: If your Costco cake has buttercream frosting, it’s okay to leave it out at room temperature for 1-2 days. Buttercream is sugary enough to keep the cake fresh. However, if it’s warm or hot in your home, it’s safer to refrigerate the cake.
When You Should Refrigerate:
- Cakes with Cream Cheese, Custard, or Fresh Fruit: Cakes that have cream cheese frosting, custard, whipped cream, or fresh fruit should be refrigerated right away. These ingredients can spoil if left out for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s really hot outside).
How to Store Your Costco Cake:
- Short-Term Storage (Up to 24 Hours): If you plan to eat the cake within a day and it doesn’t have any perishable fillings, keep it in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight.
- Refrigerating the Cake: If you need to keep your cake fresh for a few days (up to a week), put it in the fridge inside an airtight container. This will help prevent the cake from drying out or picking up any weird fridge smells.
- Freezing the Cake: If you want to store the cake for longer than a week, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing it. It will stay fresh for a few months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy it.
How to Store Your Costco Cake for Maximum Freshness
Here’s how to store your Costco cake to keep it fresh and tasty:
1. Refrigeration:
- Frosted Cakes: If your cake has frosting, cream, or any fillings like mousse or custard, you need to store it in the fridge. This helps keep it fresh.
- Unfrosted Cakes: Cakes without frosting can stay at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 5-7 days.
2. Freezing:
- To Store for Longer: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then cover it with foil before freezing. This keeps it good for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge for 6-8 hours or at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
3. Leftover Cake:
- Save the Extras: If you have leftover cake, you can freeze it the same way (plastic wrap, then foil). It’ll last a couple of months.
4. Serving:
- Before Eating: Take the cake out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving so the frosting softens and tastes better.
- Don’t Leave It Out Too Long: Cakes with frosting should not sit out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s hot) to avoid spoiling.
5. Keep It Fresh:
- Cover It Well: Keep the cake in its original container or cover it with plastic wrap to stop it from drying out.
These tips will help your Costco cake stay fresh and delicious whether you plan to eat it right away or save it for later.
Don’t Risk It: How to Identify Spoiled Cake Easily
It’s important to know when a cake has gone bad to avoid any health risks. Here are some easy signs to watch out for:
- Mold: If you see any fuzzy patches or spots on your cake, usually in green, blue, or white, that means mold has started to grow. Moldy cake should be thrown away immediately.
- Dryness: If the cake feels hard, dry, or cracked on the surface, it has likely lost moisture and is no longer fresh.
- Bad Smell: A sour or strange smell is a clear sign that the cake has started to spoil, especially if it has dairy-based frosting or fillings.
- Watery Frosting: If the frosting on your cake looks watery or starts “weeping,” this could indicate that the cake is spoiling, particularly for cream cheese or whipped cream frostings.
These simple tips will help you determine if your cake is still safe to eat or if it’s better to discard it.
FAQs Regarding Costco Cakes
How long will a Costco birthday cake last?
A Costco birthday cake typically lasts 3 to 4 days at room temperature if stored properly. If refrigerated, it can last up to a week. To keep it fresh longer, you can freeze the cake for up to a few months.
How long can Costco cake sit out on Reddit?
Costco cake, like most cakes, can sit out for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, as long as it’s stored in a cool, dry place. Cakes with dairy-based frostings like buttercream or cream cheese should not sit out for more than 2 hours.
Do cakes need to be refrigerated?
Not all cakes need to be refrigerated. Cakes with perishable ingredients, such as cream cheese, custard, or fresh fruit, should be refrigerated. Otherwise, cakes with buttercream or fondant can be left at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Will cake spoil if not refrigerated?
Cake can spoil if it contains perishable ingredients like dairy or cream. Without refrigeration, cakes with cream cheese frosting or custard filling should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
Does a Costco cake need refrigeration?
Yes, Costco cakes with cream cheese or buttercream frosting should be refrigerated if not consumed within 2 hours. If kept in a cool place, they can last at room temperature for a day.
Should birthday cake be kept in fridge?
If the birthday cake has perishable frosting like cream cheese or fresh fruit, it should be refrigerated. Otherwise, buttercream and fondant cakes can sit out for a few days.
Do you have to refrigerate a cake with cream cheese frosting?
Yes, cakes with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated, as cream cheese is perishable and can spoil quickly if left out.
How long does chocolate cake last unrefrigerated?
A chocolate cake can last 2 to 3 days unrefrigerated if stored in a cool, dry place. Covering it with plastic wrap helps keep it moist.
How long can you leave a cake sitting out?
Cakes can sit out for 2 to 3 days, depending on the type of frosting and filling. Perishable cakes should be refrigerated after 2 hours.
What happens if you don’t put cake in the fridge?
If a cake with perishable ingredients is not refrigerated, it can spoil quickly, leading to the risk of foodborne illnesses. Non-perishable cakes might just dry out.