With their distinctive ring shape, sophisticated patterns, and moist texture, Bundt cakes aren’t only a feast for the eyes, but also the taste buds. If you’re planning to make a Bundt cake for a special day but you’re short on time, you might wonder whether you can make it a day ahead.
You can easily prepare Bundt cakes in advance as long as you keep them sealed and protected in an airtight container. To maintain the freshness of the cake, you should also keep it in the refrigerator. Luckily, they can last for several days without changing the flavor or losing their spongy texture.
In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about preparing Bundt cake in advance. Let’s jump right in!
How Long Does a Bundt Cake Last?
Technically speaking, Bundt cakes are fairly similar to regular cakes, as the difference between them is basically the shape of the pan where the cake is baked.
Since they use the same ingredients and cooking methods, Bundt cakes have the same texture and longevity properties as normal cakes. Here’s a quick look at how long you should expect a Bundt cake to last in different settings:
In Room Temperature
Ideally, a Bundt cake can last anywhere between 2 to 4 days at room temperature. However, other environmental conditions can also affect the cake’s texture and flavor.
For instance, covering your unfrosted Bundt cake or keeping it in an airtight container can help it maintain its freshness for longer.
However, if you live in a relatively warm and humid region, the cake will start to lose its freshness in as little as 2 days.
In the Fridge
If you want to extend your Bundt cake’s life and maintain its freshness, you should keep it in the fridge.
This allows the cake to stay fresh for around 5 to 7 days, depending on the cake ingredients and how you store them. Technically, the cake can stay edible for even longer, but the texture and flavor of the cake will change, even with good wrapping.
To make sure that the cake stays in top condition, you’ll need to wrap it in cellophane/plastic wrap, inside an airtight container.
If the cake has icing on it, you should put it in the fridge for around 15 minutes to harden the icing before wrapping it in plastic wrap. This comes with several advantages, including
- Prevents it from losing moisture and drying out
- Protects it from picking up odors from the refrigerator
- Preserves the cake’s shape
However, you should keep in mind that Bundt cakes are best served at room temperature, so you’ll need to take them out of the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before serving them.
Can You Freeze a Bundt Cake?
The short answer to this question is yes! One of the best advantages of Bundt cakes is that they hold up very well when you put them in a freezer.
In fact, you should expect a frozen Bundt cake to last up to 6 months inside a freezer. However, for optimal freshness and texture, you shouldn’t freeze the cake for longer than 3 months.
How to Properly Freeze and Thaw a Bundt Cake
After baking your cake, you should first let it cool down completely before freezing.
Once the cake is quite cool to the touch, you should wrap it in plastic wrap, then cover it inside a suitable box and pop it in the freezer. For iced cakes, refrigerate them for 15 minutes beforehand to harden the icing.
To properly defrost a Bundt cake, take it out of the freezer and into the fridge while leaving it wrapped and sealed in its airtight box.
Slow overnight thawing for around 6 to 8 hours minimizes condensation that undermines the cake’s texture. Now that the cake is thawed, you can take it out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! A brief guide that shows you how to make a Bundt cake a day ahead and the best ways to store the cake until the serving day.
As you can see, the answer highly depends on the ingredients used to prepare the cake and its toppings.
The secret to a fresh Bundt cake on serving day is keeping the moisture in, that’s why you should keep the cake sealed in an airtight container if you’ve baked it a day ahead.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.