How to Store Cake in Your Fridge Quickly and Easily
Updated: Jan. 23, 2024
This genius hack for how to store cake will have your dessert ready to serve whenever you want it!
You open your cabinet full of storage containers and wonder which is best for storing your leftovers. With so many options, figuring out a plan of action can be hard. It’s difficult to figure out how to store any leftover food—meat separate from side dishes separate from sauces. And don’t get us started on storing baked goods.
Luckily, we’ve found a hack on how to store cake in your fridge when you haven’t quite finished. And we’ve got to say, it really is genius!
How to Store Cake
We’ve all been there. You’ve got leftover cake you’ll want to eat tomorrow, but digging it out of a deep food storage container can be messy. Thanks to TikTok user @crappy2happy, we have a cake trick we should have thought of a long time ago.
Flip your container
@crappy2happy Hack 5 is an oldie but a goodie! #cakehack #hacks #hacktime #lifehacks #lifehackstiktok #adulting #didyouknow #mustknow ♬ Elf – Main Theme – Geek Music
I’m guilty of this. I grab my largest food storage container and stuff my leftover cake to the brim. Then, the next day, when I’ve got a wicked craving for some sweet dessert, I attempt to slice the perfect piece out of the container while making an absolute mess. Why did I put myself through that?
Here’s a hack we just can’t get enough of: flip the container. Yeah, that’s honestly it. Think of it as buying a cake from the store. The flat piece stays on the bottom with the dome on the top. Doing this makes it easier to slice and serve cake after the fact. Just remember to leave a note on the container so no one flips it right-side up by accident. Total cake disaster!
Don’t forget about storing your leftover frosting, too.
More tips
- Freeze your cake: You can store frosted, unfrosted and even individual cake slices. Who says you can’t plan far ahead for dessert?
- Let it cool: Allow your cake to completely cool down before placing it in the fridge.
- Pay attention to the ingredients: If your cake contains any dairy (frostings included), it needs to be refrigerated.
- Cut into slices: Wrapping individual pieces can keep your cake from going stale or absorbing unwanted fridge smells.
- Storage: Always use airtight containers—they’ll keep your cake as fresh as possible for as long as possible!
No matter what kind of cake you’re enjoying, we’ve got the right tricks for you. Just don’t eat it all at once!
Cake Recipes You'll Love
Devil's Food Snack CakeMy husband and his friends request this devil's food snack cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events, too, as there's no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
Confetti Birthday Drip CakeThis is a moist and fluffy vanilla drip cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah
Margarita CakeThis margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. ?—Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache CakeThis decadent cake is what every chocolate lover dreams of!
Banana Upside-Down CakeFor a fun and distinctive way to use bananas, try this banana upside down cake. Every time I serve this treat, someone requests the recipe. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Spiced Chocolate Molten CakesTake some time to linger over this decadent dessert. There is nothing better than a gooey chocolate cake with a warm melted center. —Deb Carpenter, Hastings, Michigan
Lemon Poppy Seed CakeThis light and lemony Bundt-style lemon poppy seed cake makes for a delightful (and pretty!) summer treat. Serve it with fresh berries and whipped cream for extra fanfare, or enjoy it as is with your morning cup of coffee. It's as versatile as it is tasty!
Candy Land CakeMy friend asked me to make her son's 5th birthday cake, and when I asked her what he wanted on it, she said, "Oh, just put on gobs and gobs of candy." Instead of piling on candy haphazardly, I thought it should look like the Candy Land board game. The birthday boy, his friends and family members loved it! —Pen Perez, Berkeley, California
Black Forest Upside-Down CakeThe divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Gluten-Free Chocolate CakeThis easy gluten-free chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion, whether you need a birthday cake or just crave a chocolaty treat. Make the basic recipe for a simple, sweet dessert, or fancy it up with frosting, ganache or mix-ins.
Pumpkin Pie CakeMix boxed cake mix and pureed pumpkin to get this moist, flavorful cake. The frosting is a simple mix of vanilla frosting and cinnamon and you'll want to make this cake on repeat.
Cranberry Orange CakeThis cake was inspired by Italian-style cakes and is dotted with dried cranberries and scented with oranges and almonds. A glaze provides a little sweetness and the farina flour adds texture.
Olive Oil CakeGrab your favorite bottle of EVOO and break out the mixer. We'll show you how to make olive oil cake with a hint of citrus and almond.
Southern Lane CakeWhat’s the most sumptuous, indulgent cake you can bake for your guests? The answer is probably Lane Cake, a Southern classic with a rich history and even richer filling. This Lane Cake recipe takes some planning and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end.Â
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump CakeThis quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. mdash;Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Cranberry-Almond Pound CakeWhen you want an extra-special dessert for the holidays, it’s hard to beat a seasonal homemade cake. I like to drizzle mine with a simple but elegant glaze flavored with amaretto. —Jackie Howell, Tucson, Arizona
Lemon Ricotta CakeThis lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
Gingerbread CakeThe rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
Pineapple Carrot CakeThis pineapple carrot cake is sweet, tangy, fluffy and soft. It's perfect for snacking or when you want a dessert that isn't as sweet as other cakes or cookies.
Ginger-Glazed Lemon BundtTangy ginger, tart lemon and puckery cranberries make this melt-in-your-mouth cake as crisp—and gorgeous—as autumn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Unicorn CakeThis magical unicorn cake tastes as good as it looks. Baking in smaller pans creates impressive height, and a few simple decorating tricks turn it into a showstopping dessert. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa
Butterscotch CakeThink of butterscotch cake as German chocolate cake's auburn cousin. The amber-hued cake layers are flavored with butterscotch chips, as are the stripes of chewy, coconut-pecan filling between the cake layers and on top.
Apple Butter Cake RollThis is a new take on a pumpkin roll. Her spicy gingerbread cake might make you think back fondly to Christmas at Grandma's! —Debbie White, Williamson, West Virginia
Citrus Cornmeal CakeCornmeal adds a rustic quality to this delicate dessert flavored with citrus and almond. It makes a great holiday party hostess gift and is sure to be a staple in your recipe collection. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Citrus-Raspberry Coffee CakeOrange and lemon beautifully complement the raspberry flavor in this dense cake. Add a dusting of confectioners’ sugar for a pretty finishing touch. —Pat Harlow, Cataldo, Idaho
Chocolate Beet CakeThe first time I baked this cake, my son loved its moistness, and he couldn't taste the beets.—Peggy Van Arsdale, Crosswicks, New Jersey
Patchwork Quilt CakeThis cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate Hazelnut GateauGateau (pronounced ga-toe) is the French word for any rich and fancy cake. I think you'll agree that this dense chocolate dessert fits the bill, with just the right amount of sweetness. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
Mom's Citrus Buttermilk CakeEveryone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Mocha Yule LogThis eye-catching dessert is guaranteed to delight holiday dinner guests. Chocolate lovers will lick their lips over the yummy cocoa cake, mocha filling and frosting. For a festive touch, I garnish the log with marzipan holly leaves and berries. —Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
Hazelnut Pear CakeFrom the hazelnuts to the yummy browned butter glaze, this dessert is a little different from an everyday pound cake. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Sacher TorteGuests will be surprised to hear that this Sacher torte recipe starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange Dream Angel Food CakeA basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence, thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania
Coke CakeI get a great response every time I serve this cake, and it seems like I'm forever sharing the recipe! Folks are always curious about the ingredients, and when I tell them the cake has cola in it, they are really surprised. The unusual combination of ingredients makes it moist and delicious. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
Eggnog Pound CakeWhen you're having company, this cake—served with a custard sauce and a dash of nutmeg—inspires oohs and aahs.
Cranberry Crunch CakeNew Jersey is known for its cranberries, and this cake is a delicious way to use them. The marshmallows melt and seep through the cake, making it moist and very tasty. It’s great for brunch or just with a cup of coffee! —Adelaide Krumm, Manasquan, New Jersey
Reese's Chocolate Snack CakeMy family constantly requests this cake is constantly. I don't mind making it because it's surprisingly low-cal. And its yellow and orange toppings make it the perfect dessert for a Halloween party. —Eileen Travis, Ukiah, California
All-American Sheet CakeMy sweet and tangy sheet cake piled with fresh whipped cream and juicy fruit is so good, you might just want to eat it for breakfast. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Chocolate Chiffon CakeIf you want to offer family and friends a dessert that really stands out from the rest, this is the cake to make. The beautiful high, rich sponge cake is drizzled with a succulent chocolate glaze. —Erma Fox, Memphis, Missouri
Cola Cake with Strawberries & CreamWe Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
Shortcake with Fresh Rhubarb SauceEvery spring when her rhubarb was ready, my mother-in-law chopped it up for this moist cake. If your rhubarb is too tart for the sauce, just add in some strawberries. —Rena McCalment, Sharpsville, Indiana
Originally Published: January 12, 2023
