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As a baker with years of experience, baking different types of cakes is one of the most rewarding things to do in the kitchen. I remember being ecstatic when I made cake batter from scratch for the very first time. Learning how to store my cake batter, though, has saved me a lot of time throughout the years.
As a general rule, store cake batter in a mixing bowl covered with plastic wrap inside the fridge for a day or two. Cover the mixing bowl airtight while releasing as much air as possible from inside the mixing bowl with your hand. This prevents oxidation of the cake batter over time.
There are different types of cake batters that are created on a daily basis. Some are simple and some are complex. Cake batters can be very fragile so knowing which cake batter you can store and which you can’t is important knowledge for any baker to have.
It is important to know whether or not cake batters can be left out and for how long, if it is a good idea to freeze cake batters or not, and most importantly for how long.
How Long Does Cake Batter Last
| Counter Top | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Can last for 1-2 hours if left out | Can last for up to 2 days in a sealed container | Can last for 10 to 12 weeks in an airtight container |
Even though cake batter can be stored in the fridge and in the freezer, cake batter by itself does not last a long time. Most cake batter ingredients such as eggs and milk can quickly spoil if left out for too long. Cake batter also contains leavening ingredients which can expire with time.
As a rule, cake batters usually must have one or two leavening ingredients in them. I always use either baking powder or baking soda in my batters which are considered dry ingredients. Sometimes I even use them both!
If you’re looking for a good set of airtight storage containers, I recommend getting the Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids.
I’ve used these containers for a couple of years now and I’ve successfully stored all of my food and baked goods in room temperature, fridge, and freezer. I’ve even used them in the microwave! These containers come in many different sets, so choose the right one for you. You can check out these containers on Amazon!
Since leaveners are activated by either moisture or heat, mixing these dry ingredients with your wet ingredients to form cake batter activates them inside the batter making them start working right away.
Storing your cake batters in the freezer or even the fridge for a while can deactivate your dry ingredients.
This is why if you care about the quality of the cake, it is generally recommended to bake cake batter mix as soon as it’s mixed. This will allow the cake batter’s integrity to remain intact with all of its agents working properly.
If you want to store your cake batter the right way, I would suggest measuring out your dry and wet ingredients separately and storing them in separate containers without mixing them.
This is another way that will help you save time without storing cake batter mix that already has activated ingredients.
*Side Note: If you want to learn How To Bake A Cake Without Vanilla Extract, I recently wrote an article talking about the Substitutes that you can use for Vanilla Extract, which you can check out here!
Can you let cake batter sit out?
Don’t leave cake batter out at room temperature for more than 1 hour. Most cake batters contain ingredients that can spoil quickly such as milk, and eggs. Leaving cake batter out at room temperature for longer than an hour will spoil the ingredients and ruin the integrity of the cake.
You might also ask me, can cake batter be mixed ahead of time? Although it’s not recommended, cake batter can be mixed ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. I stored my cake batter in the fridge many times when I was short on time.
However, if you will store your batter in the fridge or freezer, make sure you do it the right way according to the instructions below.
While I like to do my mixing by hand, I much rather prefer using a Stand Mixer instead. I recently wrote an article that talks about the 3 Best Stand Mixers that bakers can buy in each stage of their baking journey. After reviewing a few stand mixers, the Best Overall Mixer was the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. You can check out this stand mixer on Amazon!
How long can you store cake batter?
As a general rule, cake batter can last for around 10 to 12 weeks once stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Put the cake batter in a freezer bag and release as much air as possible. Seal the freezer bag shut and put it in the freezer.
The unstored cake batter will not last for long.
Remember, the key point is to store the cake batter in an airtight container or bag. Proper closure will prevent air from entering the container/bag, preventing oxidation. Oxidation promotes spoilage and will cause your cake batter to go bad at a faster rate.
*Side Note: If you ever wanted to know The Real Difference Between A Sponge Cake and A Butter Cake. I wrote an article about it that you can find here!
Can you refrigerate cake batter?
As a whole, cake batter can be refrigerated once properly stored in a container. Store cake batter in the mixing bowl covered with plastic wrap inside the fridge. Cover the mixing bowl airtight while releasing as much air as possible from inside the mixing bowl.
If you do not have any air-tight containers available to quickly store your batter in the fridge, your mixing bowl and some plastic wrap will work almost as well.
One key tip that is crucial for storing your cake batter with plastic wrap is making sure to cover your bowl thoroughly and press down the plastic wrap with the palm of your hand until it touches your batter as shown below.
If you do not touch the batter with your plastic wrap, a thin film of crust may form causing your soft and delicate batter to harden slightly.
How long can cake batter sit in the fridge?
As a general rule, cake batter can be refrigerated for up to 2 days to maintain its freshness. Store cake batter in a mixing bowl covered with plastic wrap inside the fridge for a day or two. Cover the mixing bowl airtight while releasing as much air as possible.
Once ready to bake, let it sit and thaw for 20 minutes or until room temperature.
If you end up using an air-tight container to store your batter in the fridge then I would recommend leaving a little bit of room between the batter and the top of your container.
This is important because cake batter can expand while in the fridge and you will want to give it some room to move.
Regular plastic wrap will do!
If you’re going to use the plastic wrap method, the plastic wrap can move freely, therefore, you will need to press down the wrap all the way to the batter as mentioned above without leaving any room for air.
Can you freeze cake batter?
As a whole, cake batter can be frozen once properly stored in an airtight container. Cake batter can last for around 10 to 12 weeks once stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Put the cake batter inside a freezer bag and release as much air as possible. Seal the freezer bag shut.
If you are ready to bake the batter that you froze, remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw for a few hours or overnight.
Once you’re ready to bake, let your batter sit on your countertop for about 20 minutes or until room temperature and it is ready to bake.
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about How To Freeze Brownie Batter The Right Way. This article talks about How Long Brownie Batter Lasts. You can check out this article here!
To Summarize…
Cake batter can be properly stored in many ways to help save time. However, it should be noted that storing the cake batter with separate wet and dry ingredients will overall be more beneficial for your cake’s freshness.
I would definitely recommend for you to bake your cake batter as soon as you mix it since that will enable you and your guests to fully enjoy your yummy creation!
