How to Store Cake Batter Properly: How Long Does It Last?

Baking various varieties of cakes is one of the most enjoyable things I do in the kitchen as a baker with years of expertise. I recall being overjoyed the first time I prepared cake batter from scratch. Knowing how to keep my cake batter, on the other hand, has saved me a lot of time over the years.

As a general rule, refrigerate cake batter in a covered mixing dish in the fridge for a day or two. Cover the mixing bowl with an airtight lid while expelling as much air from the mixing bowl as possible with your hand. This keeps the cake batter from oxidizing over time.

On a daily basis, several varieties of cake batters are produced. Some are basic, while others are difficult. Cake batters may be highly delicate, therefore understanding which cake mixtures can and cannot be stored is essential information for any baker.

It is essential to understand if cake batters may be left out and for how long, whether it is a good idea to freeze cake batters and, most importantly, for how long.

How Long Will Cake Batter Keep?

Although while cake batter may be kept in the refrigerator and freezer, it does not survive long on its own. Most cake batter components, such as eggs and milk, deteriorate fast if left out for an extended period of time. Cake batter includes leavening agents that might go bad over time.

Cake batters must typically include one or two leavening additives. With my recipes that include dry components, I always use either baking powder or baking soda. I even use both of them at times!

If you need airtight storage containers, I suggest the Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids.

I’ve been using these containers for a few years and have successfully kept all of my food and baked products at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer. I’ve even cooked with them in the microwave! These containers come in a variety of sets, so choose the best one for you. These containers are available on Amazon!

Since leaveners are activated by moisture or heat, combining these dry ingredients with your wet components to make cake batter activates them within the batter, causing them to begin functioning immediately.

Dry ingredients may be deactivated by storing cake batters in the freezer or fridge for an extended period of time.

As a result, if the quality of the cake is important to you, it is typically suggested to bake cake batter mix as soon as it is combined. This will keep the cake batter’s integrity intact while ensuring that all of its agents are acting correctly.

If you want to keep your cake batter properly, measure out your dry and wet components separately and store them in separate containers without combining.

There is another approach to save time without keeping cake batter mix that has previously been activated.

*Side Note: If you want to discover How To Make A Cake Without Vanilla Extract, I just prepared an article on Vanilla Extract Substitutes that you may use, which you can see here!

Can you leave the cake batter out?

Do not keep the cake batter at room temperature for longer than 1 hour. Most cake mixtures involve perishable components like milk and eggs. Letting cake batter out at room temperature for more than an hour can deteriorate the ingredients and compromise the cake’s integrity.

You may also wonder whether cake batter can be mixed ahead of time. Cake batter may be mixed ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer, however this is not suggested. Since I was pressed for time, I kept my cake batter in the fridge.

Nevertheless, if you want to keep your batter in the fridge or freezer, be sure to follow the directions below.

Although I like doing my mixing by hand, I greatly prefer using a stand mixer. I just posted an article on the 3 Best Stand Mixers for Bakers at Every Stage of Their Baking Journey. After an examination of many stand mixers, the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer was named the Best Overall Mixer. This stand mixer is available on Amazon!

How long can cake batter be stored?

In general, cake batter may be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for 10 to 12 weeks. Place the cake batter in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can. Place the freezer bag in the freezer and seal it securely.

Unstored cake batter will go bad quickly.

bag, which prevents oxidation. Oxidation accelerates deterioration and causes your cake batter to go bad quicker. Keep in mind that the main aspect is to keep the cake batter in an airtight container or bag. A proper closure will keep air out of the container.

*Side Note: If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a sponge cake and a butter cake is. You may read about it in my essay here!

Can cake batter be refrigerated?

If properly kept in a container, cake batter may be chilled. Refrigerate cake batter in a mixing basin covered with plastic wrap. Cover the mixing bowl with an airtight lid while expelling as much air as possible from within.

If you don’t have any airtight containers to immediately keep your batter in the fridge, a mixing bowl and some plastic wrap will do.

One important trick for keeping cake batter using plastic wrap is to cover your bowl completely and push down the plastic wrap with the palm of your hand until it touches your mixture, as shown below.

If you don’t touch the batter with your plastic wrap, a thin crust will develop, making your soft and delicate batter to firm somewhat.

How long may cake batter be stored in the refrigerator?

In general, cake batter may be refrigerated for up to 2 days to keep it fresh. Refrigerate cake batter in a mixing basin covered with plastic wrap for a day or two. Cover the mixing bowl with an airtight lid, let as much air out as possible.

Let it to rest and defrost for 20 minutes, or to room temperature, before baking.

If you use an airtight container to keep the batter in the fridge, I suggest allowing some space between the batter and the top of the container.

This is vital since cake batter will expand when refrigerated, and you’ll want to give it some breathing space.

If you use the plastic wrap technique, the plastic wrap may move freely; thus, push down the wrap all the way to the batter as described above, leaving no place for air.

Is it possible to freeze cake batter?

Cake batter may be frozen in its whole if properly preserved in an airtight container. Cake batter may be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for 10 to 12 weeks. Place the cake batter in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Close the freezer bag.

If you want to bake the frozen batter, take it out of the freezer and set it in the fridge to defrost for a few hours or overnight.

Let the batter to lie on your countertop for approximately 20 minutes, or until it is room temperature, before baking.

*Side Note: I just published an article on How to Freeze Brownie Batter Correctly. How Long Does Brownie Batter Last? is the topic of this article. This article may be found here!

In conclusion

To save time, cake batter may be appropriately preserved in a variety of methods. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that keeping the cake batter with separate wet and dry components would be more advantageous for the freshness of your cakes overall.

I would strongly advise you to bake your cake batter as soon as you finish mixing it so that you and your guests may completely enjoy your delicious creation!