Coffee cake is a delicious treat. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert – or is that just me?
Half kidding but no matter how we all love it, chances are good there’s gonna be leftovers. But how long can they stay fresh?
The answer is not as simple as you might think. Its shelf life can be affected by things like the type of ingredients you use, how it’s stored, and other factors.
The good news is we’re covering everything you need to know. We’ll get into different methods of storing coffee cake and finish up with how to tell when it’s no longer safe to eat.
From room temp to keeping it in the fridge, we’ll give you all the tips you need to make sure your coffee cake stays fresh and delicious. Freezing coffee cake is not covered in this article but we do talk about it here.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to make that happen. Grab a slice, and let’s get started!
Keeping Your Coffee Cake at Room Temperature
Room temperature can be an option for storing coffee cake, assuming you keep a few things in mind.
Use an Airtight Container
Most coffee cakes can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days, as long as they are kept in a sealed container. The reason for this is pretty simple – the contents of the container are protected from external air.
Exposure is the big reason why your coffee cake with dry out and lose freshness. If possible, opt for something you can seal up tight.
Ingredient Types Matter
All coffee cakes are perishable at room temperature past a few days.
However some ingredients can be more susceptible to quick spoilage than others. Cakes that contain cream cheese (or sour cream) are more likely to go bad or suffer changes in quality at room temperature. Instead, it’s best to toss them in the fridge which is something we’ll touch on later.
Cakes that don’t have these ingredients and instead have things like eggs, flour and sugar will last longer at room temperature.
Avoid Direct Sunlight and Warm Rooms
Another tip is to avoid leaving your coffee cake in direct sunlight or in a warm room. Simple as it sounds, this can cause spoilage to happen quicker. Keep your coffee cake in a cool, dry place, and it’ll stay fresh for longer.
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Airtight Container | Use an airtight container to keep coffee cake fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature. |
| Ingredient Types | Cakes containing cream cheese or sour cream are more susceptible to spoilage at room temperature and should be stored in the fridge. Cakes with ingredients such as eggs, flour and sugar will last longer at room temperature. |
| Direct Sunlight and Warm Rooms | Avoid storing coffee cake in direct sunlight or warm rooms to prevent spoilage and ensure longevity of freshness. Keep in a cool, dry place. |
Keeping Coffee Cake in the Refrigerator
Refrigeration is also a great option for extending the shelf life of your coffee cake since the cold temps slow bacteria growth.
This is especially true for recipes that have more perishable ingredients like cream cheese.
Refrigeration Extends Shelf Life
Thanks to the cold (and with proper storage), you can expect coffee cake to keep for as long as 7 days.
Keep that Cake Wrapped Tight
Prior to putting your cake in the fridge, you’ll want to ensure you’ve prepped it properly.
To do so, wrap it tight in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Doing so will limit the cake’s exposure to air, keep moisture locked in and keep the cake fresh.
If you’d like to be doubly sure, place the wrapped cake in an airtight container.
Avoiding Cross-Contamination
To avoid cross-contamination, make sure to store your coffee cake separately from raw meats and seafood. This will prevent bacteria from raw meats and seafood from spreading to your cake.
Proper Placement for Temperature Control
Place your wrapped coffee cake in the refrigerator on a shelf, and not in the door. This will help maintain a consistent temperature. A constant temperature is beneficial to maximizing the life of your sweet treat.
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Storage Method | Keeping coffee cake in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life by slowing down bacteria growth. This is especially important for recipes that have perishable ingredients, such as cream cheese. |
| Shelf Life | Proper storage in the refrigerator can keep coffee cake fresh for up to 7 days. |
| Packaging | To maintain freshness, the cake should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigeration. It’s also recommended to place it in an airtight container. |
| Cross-Contamination | To prevent contamination, it’s important to store the coffee cake separately from raw meats and seafood. |
| Temperature Control | To ensure consistent temperature, the coffee cake should be placed on a refrigerator shelf rather than in the door. |
How to Tell If Your Coffee Cake Has Gone Bad
It might not break your heart, but when a coffee cake goes bad it does hurt a little.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Although it may not be the end of the world, it’s probably the end of the cake. So, if you think it might not be good, we’ll help you know when it’s time to say goodbye.
Sour Smell and Slimy Texture
The nose knows and that’s true for spotting spoiled coffee cake also. If you detect a sour smell or if you see a slimy texture, be cautious. The chances are good that bacteria have taken hold and the cake isn’t safe to eat.
Visible Mold
Another obvious sign that your coffee cake has gone bad is if it has visible mold. If you see mold of any kind, toss the cake at once, it’s not worth the risk.
Expiration Dates on Ingredients
Here’s a tip you might not always consider – double check the expiration dates on the ingredients.
Why?
Because knowing these dates will give you a rough idea of when the cake will no longer be safe to eat.
Take a Taste Test
If none of the above apply to your situation, you can always carve off a small bite to test. If it tastes sour or off, it’s best to throw it away.
Bottom Line: Trust Your Instincts
No matter what, if you have any suspicions about the cake’s freshness, it’s best to toss it out. Heck, even if the cake looks and smells fine, you might just have a gut feeling that something’s not right.
When in doubt, trust those instincts – your stomach will thank you!
| Factor | Indicator of Spoiled Coffee Cake |
|---|---|
| Sour Smell and Slimy Texture | If the coffee cake has a sour smell or slimy texture, it’s likely that bacteria have taken hold and the cake is not safe to eat. |
| Visible Mold | If the coffee cake has visible mold, it should be thrown away immediately. |
| Expiration Dates | Checking the expiration dates on the ingredients can give an idea of when the cake is no longer safe to eat. |
| Taste Test | A small taste test can also determine if the coffee cake is spoiled, if it tastes sour or off it should be thrown away. |
| Trust Your Instincts | If there is any doubt about the freshness of the coffee cake, it’s best to trust your instincts and throw it away. |
Should Coffee Cake Be Reheated?
You absolutely can reheat coffee cake. Not only is it easy but it’s also delicious!
To do so, wrap it in aluminum foil and toss it in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
This should be enough to keep the cake moist, tender and oh so tasty.
How to Keep Coffee Cake Moist
Despite our best efforts, sometimes coffee cake can dry out.
While it’s a bummer, it’s also something you can try to fix. A couple of easy remedies to try include adding a dollop of sour cream to your recipe when making it.
If you’ve already whipped a cake up, keep it in an airtight container if you’re leaving it out at room temperature. If transferring to the fridge, wrap it up tight in foil or plastic wrap first.