Preserving Your Special Occasion Cake: Storage Tips & Tricks
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A cake is often the highlight of any celebration — whether it's a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or baby shower. But what happens when the party ends and you still have half a cake left? The last thing you want is for your delicious cake to go to waste. That's why it's important to know the best storage methods to keep your cake tasting fresh for days after your event.
At Cake Trays, we bake every cake fresh to order and deliver across East London, including Romford, Ilford, Barking, Dagenham, East Ham, Stratford, Walthamstow, Chigwell, Woodford, Hainault, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, and nearby areas.
You can place an order online at https://caketrays.co.uk, call us on 0208 597 5629, or send us a message on Instagram at https://instagram.com/caketrays4eastlondon.
How Long Does Cake Stay Fresh?
Most cakes will stay fresh for 2–3 days if stored correctly, though some varieties like fruit cakes can last much longer. The freshness depends on the type of cake, the filling, and how it's stored. Buttercream cakes, for example, are more delicate than fondant-covered cakes.
Storing Cakes at Room Temperature
Best for: Plain sponges, cakes without cream or fresh fruit fillings.
How to store: Place your cake in an airtight container or cover it with cling film. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Shelf life: Around 2 days.
If you're ordering a cake for same-day enjoyment, this method works perfectly.
Check out our Birthday Cakes Collection here.
Refrigerating Cakes
Best for: Buttercream cakes, cream-filled cakes, milk cakes, or cakes with perishable toppings.
How to store: Place the cake in a cake box or wrap slices tightly in cling film before refrigerating.
Shelf life: 3–4 days.
Pro tip: Let refrigerated cakes sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving so the sponge softens.
Explore our Milk Cake Trays here.
Freezing Cakes
Best for: Leftover cake you won't eat within a few days.
How to store: Wrap individual slices in cling film, then foil, and place them in a freezer-safe container.
Shelf life: Up to 3 months.
Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving. This works well for tray bakes too.
View our Cake Bake Trays here.
Storage Tips for Special Occasion Cakes
Wedding Cakes: Store tiers separately if possible. Fondant helps keep them fresh for longer.
Heart Cakes: Because they're often heavily decorated, refrigerate to maintain structure.
Milk Cakes: Always refrigerate due to their soaked sponge.
See our Heart Cakes Collection here.
Same-Day and Next-Day Delivery
If you'd rather not worry about storage, order your cake fresh when you need it. At Cake Trays, we offer:
Sending a cake to someone special? Use our Cake Gift Delivery Service.
How to Order from Cake Trays
Visit our website: https://caketrays.co.uk
Call us on 0208 597 5629
Message us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/caketrays4eastlondon
Final Thoughts
Cakes are meant to be enjoyed, but with the right storage, you don't have to finish them all at once. Whether you keep your cake at room temperature, in the fridge, or freeze slices for later, these tips will help preserve flavour and freshness.
At Cake Trays, we make cakes for every occasion — and with our same-day and next-day delivery across East London, you can always enjoy your cake at its freshest.
Order your next cake today at: https://caketrays.co.uk
