How to keep a cake moist in a fridge?

by | Nov 13, 2021 | Baking | 0 comments

If you are an avid baker, you would have surely come across a ton of cake recipes that instruct you on how to bake the moistest cake ever. However, they may fail to tell you the most important part – how to keep the cake soft and moist in the fridge after baking. The good news is that it only takes a few simple steps to keep the cake fresh and moist. So ready to keep your cake moist? Continue reading:

Table of contents —

How to keep cakes moist after baking
Frost your cake well
Serving your cake
Wrapping your cake

Storing your cake in a fridge

  • Cover the cake
  • Refrigerating the cake
  • Freezing the cake
Another simple way of keeping your cake moist

FAQ

  • How to prevent the cake from getting a soggy bottom?
  • How to rescue a stale cake?
  •  When should you refrigerate your cake?
Final thoughts

How to keep cakes moist after baking

It all starts with the recipe. A good cake recipe with the right quality and amount of ingredients will determine how moist your cake will become. And there are plenty of ingredients that can be added to your cake to help you do just that. So here are a few simple ingredients you can use to make your cake moist every time: 

1. Use Buttermilk instead of milk 

Buttermilk can be a great substitute for milk. It is an acidic ingredient and can help break down the gluten in your cake and give you a more tender sponge. Additionally, its tanginess also complements the overall flavor of your cake. Remember, buttermilk can be an alternative to milk but not for all cakes. So when baking a particular recipe, make sure to research if buttermilk can be used in the cake. 

2. Add sour cream 

If you are still planning to use milk in your cake batter, add a tablespoon or two of sour cream too. If you have ever had a vanilla pound cake and found it to be moist and tender, the reason is sour cream. Since sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products, its extra fat content can make the cake moister and richer. Remember, sour cream may not be suitable for all cake recipes, so it’s best to do some thorough research about the recipe you are working with. 

3. Instant pudding mix 

Instant pudding mix usually contains modified corn starch which has a higher water-binding capacity. Thus, when added to a cake batter, they bind to the water molecules and create a much more moist cake. Alternatively, if you do not want the added flavor of the pudding mix, you can use unflavored pre-gelatinized starch. It is recommended that when using unflavored starch,  replace 10% of your flour to get the best results. 

4. Add vegetable oil 

Another great ingredient for a moist cake is using vegetable oil. In general, vegetable oil remains in a liquid form at room temperature, whereas butter usually solidifies in texture. As a result, cakes that are made with vegetable oil remain moist even in the fridge. 

Frost your cake well

Frosting can also help seal the moisture inside the cake and keep it fresh in both a fridge or a freezer. Before you apply your frosting, make sure the cake is nice and cool since trying to apply frosting to a hot cake will likely end up in a melted mess. However, If you are short on time, wrap the warm cake with plastic wrap and stick it in a freezer for 30 minutes after which it should be cool enough to frost. When you frost your cake, make sure the frosting covers every inch of the cake since any gaps can cause the cake to easily lose its moisture.
Wrapping your cake  Whether it’s cupcakes or cake slices, always make sure to wrap them well with cling film. This creates a protective barrier for the cake and prevents it from losing its moisture. Make sure the cake is thoroughly wrapped and check for holes or exposed areas. Adjust your wrapping accordingly.  Alternatively, you can use plastic wrap, it helps keep the moisture locked in and prevents the cake from drying out. They are perfect for storing cake sponges that have not been frosted.  Additionally, they are effective when it comes to wrapping cakes with a perfect seal since they are very malleable.  If you have the cake box handy, place the cake inside the cake box and wrap the box with plastic wrap. A cake box can be an excellent choice to store cake since it is versatile and can be used to transport the cake.  The main idea behind storing a cake is to ensure that it does not lose moisture or air. So if you prefer storing your cake in something solid,  using any type of air-tight container can also be great to store your cake. If the cake is sliced, you can even use Tupperware.

Storing your cake in a fridge 

Although it might not be the best way to preserve a cake, keeping your cake in a fridge can be tricky. If not done correctly, it can lead to the cake losing all its moisture. Now let’s look at a few best practices when it comes to storing cake in a fridge: 

1. Refrigerating the cake

When stored in a fridge, a cake with a ganache frosting can be stored for 3 days at room temperature and a whole week if refrigerated. It is important to note that the ganache icing is likely to harden if the cake is refrigerated. If you are planning to use whipped cream frosting, you can store the cake for up to 3 days, but remember whipped cream can perish really quickly and can become runny if left in the refrigerator too long. When using whipped cream, your best bet is to apply it after taking the cake out of the fridge, giving it added sweetness and fluffiness. If the cake has cream cheese frosting, fresh fruits, or custards it will last up to 1-2 days. On the other hand, fruit cakes covered with marzipan and icing can last for much longer. When serving a cream cheese frosting cake from a refrigerator, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving. Always avoid refrigerating cakes with food colouring as the colours are likely to bleed.

2. Freezing the cake

For long-term storage, freezing your cake may be a better option. Generally, cakes freeze well for up to 4 months. It is always good practice to wrap the sponges separately and place the frosting in an air-tight container before freezing it. For added protection, you can even add a layer of foil around the cling film. When placing your cake in the freezer, make sure there is plenty of space so that the cakes aren’t squished. 

Another simple way of keeping your cake moist

If you are still concerned about keeping your cake in the fridge, your best bet is to take a more traditional approach. If you did not know already, your cake can be kept moist by simply applying some syrup. One of the most preferred and effective syrups for keeping a cake moist is simple syrup. It is simply made with some water and granulated sugar and is great for keeping a cake moist. To add some flavor, you can even add butter, lemon, or rum extract to the syrup. When you have finished baking your cake, use a pastry brush and apply some syrup to the entire cake. This will not only seal the moisture of the cake but also add a little more sweetness to it.

FAQ —

How to prevent the cake from getting a soggy bottom?

A soggy bottom is caused by humidity from the warm cake itself or from the environment the cake is placed in. To avoid your sponges from becoming soggy, let them completely cool down on a wire cooling rack before your frost or store it. Doing this will allow the excess moisture to evaporate first.

How to rescue a stale cake?

If you still found your cake to be stale after storing it in a fridge or counter, don’t be disheartened. Run the cake in a food processor and sprinkle the cake crumbs onto your new cake batch, or even on some ice cream. Another trick would be to roll it into balls and dip them in chocolate to make cake pops.

Can syrup make the cake soggy?

If you add a little too much syrup to your cake, chances are that it will indeed end up uncomfortably moist. To prevent this from happening, make sure you only add a thin layer to each sponge before stacking them up. Check to see if the sponges have adequately absorbed the syrup before applying your frosting.

Final thoughts —

Baking a moist cake can be simple, but keeping it moist can be challenging. However, following a few simple steps to store your cake, be it in a refrigerator or on a counter, can help your cake remain moist. A good piece of advice is to consume the cake as soon as possible, after all, why leave all that deliciousness for later.

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