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How Long Does Carrot Cake Last? [Shelf Life Guide]

Many people think that carrot cake is a healthier alternative to other desserts because it contains fresh carrots and less sugar.

However, how long does carrot cake last? The answer depends on how you store it.

If you follow these few simple steps, your carrot cake will stay moist and delicious for weeks.

What is Carrot Cake?

what is carrot cake

Carrot Cake is a fun and colorful dessert that can be made in many different ways.

The cake starts with a layer of grated carrots mixed with sugar, oil, and vanilla extract to make the batter moist.

Then egg whites are beaten until they form stiff peaks before being folded into the carrot batter.

The mixture is then poured into an oven-safe pan lined with parchment paper or greased muffin tins.

Once baked, it will rise above the height of the baking pans creating that signature “sponge” effect characteristic of Carrot Cake.

Topping options include cream cheese frosting, cinnamon whipped cream (often called Seven Minute Frosting), walnuts or pecans for crunch, and raisins for sweetness and chewiness.

Yum.

There are several variations to this classic cake, including a vegan version that substitutes dates for the eggs.

How to Store Carrot Cake?

how to store carrot cake

Carrot cakes are a delicious and popular dessert.

However, they can be tricky to store, so it is essential to know how to do this before making one.

There are a few different ways that carrot cakes can be stored, and it is essential to think about the type of cake when deciding which option to use.

Option One: Cake Keeper or Box with Plastic Cover.

To store an unfrosted cake in these containers:

  1. Trim off any excess fat on the sides of the cake, so it isn’t up against the lid.

2. Place some wax paper between layers if there will be more than one layer stacked together.

3. Store at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to three days without frosting or six weeks if frozen (thaw first).

For frosted cakes, place them directly onto your serving platters after frosting them.

Cover with a cake dome or wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature for up to two days, refrigerate for three days without frosting, or six weeks if frozen (thaw first).

Option Two: Cake Container from Grocery Store.

If you don’t want to invest in one of these containers just yet, some grocery stores sell them as well.

These are great because they will protect your carrot cake until it is time to serve- but remember that the lid won’t have any ventilation, so make sure not to seal the container too tight.

This can be remedied by poking holes on top of the box using a straw before covering it with aluminum foil and securing it with tape.

Keep stored cakes refrigerated; this works best if the cake was frozen before being baked.

How Long Does Carrot Cake Last? Does Carrot Cake Go Bad?

how long does carrot cake last

Carrot cake is one of the most popular holiday desserts out there.

It’s a recipe that has been around for centuries and is still baked by home cooks every year.

The question, then, becomes how long does carrot cake last?

The answer to this question depends on what type you make and also how it was stored.

A typical store-bought cream cheese frosted carrot cake will have a shelf life from 2 to 3 days if kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

But if you make your own, it will last for about a week.

That’s because cream cheese frosting is made with raw eggs and must be refrigerated after the cake has been baked (typically at least 24 hours but up to 48).

This means that once the cream cheese frosted carrot cake goes into storage in the fridge, its shelf life can go as long as one month.

The unfrosted cake will keep in the refrigerator for about a week; frozen cake will last for 2 to 3 months.

If your cake is decorated and cut, it might be okay in the fridge for a week as well.

It depends on how much time you plan on storing them for.

If you want to store them for several months or more, they should not have any icing or frosting topping.

In these cases, I recommend using whipped heavy cream instead of buttercream when decorating – this way, there won’t be an issue with the icing going bad.

If you want to keep them in the fridge for a week or less, then it’s okay if they have frosting on top.

Just don’t put any dairy-based cream decorations such as whipped cream or even yogurt-covered berries and bananas.

How to Tell if Carrot Cake is Bad?

how to tell if carrot cake is bad

When it comes to carrot cake, there are many different ways to tell if it’s bad.

One way is by smelling the cake and seeing how strong its aroma is.

The stronger the smell, the less fresh it will be, which means that it has not been stored correctly or for long enough.

If a carrot cake looks dry on top of having an unpleasant odor, this could also indicate that it is past its expiration date.

Another surefire sign of whether a carrot cake expired or not would be if you notice mold growing in between layers of frosting.

This too can signal an issue with food spoilage because the yeast has grown due to improper storage conditions such as temperature fluctuations from being kept in warmer areas near hot appliances like ovens or stoves.

Aside from mold growth, you can tell if a carrot cake is bad by checking the frosting color – while it may look appetizing in appearance, that does not mean that what is inside will be.

If there are small grayish spots on top of the cream cheese or buttercream, this could also indicate whether food spoilage has occurred.

Conclusion

If you want your carrot cake to last up to a week, store it in the fridge.

The carrots will help keep the moisture inside of the cake and preserve its freshness.

It’s not necessary for refrigeration if you plan on eating all of it within a day or two because the sugar content is high enough that bacteria won’t grow as quickly.

However, we recommend storing any leftovers in an airtight container with some plastic wrap pressed against them before putting them into the refrigerator to be safe.

does carrot cake go bad

How Long Does Carrot Cake Last? Does Carrot Cake Go Bad?

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Shelf Life
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Carrot cake
  • Air-tight containers
  • Labels and markers

Instructions
 

  • Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  • Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
  • Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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