How long does cake last?

Checked 24 Oct 20267 official publishers, 12 sources

Store-bought: 7-10 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer for best quality and 4 days in the pantry.

Official stance

“Do not Eat raw dough or batter This includes dough or batter for cookies, brownies, cakes, pie crusts, tortillas, pizza” CDC

“CDC investigated outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023.” CDC

“Canning Bread and Cake is Unsafe ... it does not destroy the organism that causes botulism.” Extension

Storage times for cake by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Store-bought 4 days Extension Sources disagree: 3-7 days FoodKeeperExtension 7-10 days FoodKeeper Extension 6 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension Extension
Baked, unfrosted Not stated Not stated 2-4 months best quality Extension
Baked, frosted Not stated Not stated 1 month best quality Extension
Angel food cake Not stated Not stated 6-12 months best quality Extension
Chiffon sponge cake Not stated Not stated 1-2 months best quality Extension
Fruit cake 6 months FoodKeeper 12 months FoodKeeper 6-12 months best quality Extension Sources disagree: 12 months FoodKeeper
Cheesecake 2 hours max CDC 5-7 days FoodKeeper 3-6 months best quality FoodKeeper
Cake batter Not stated Not stated 1 month best quality Extension
Cake mix 12-18 months FoodKeeper Extension Also stated: 8 months (Prepared flour mixes (pancake, muffin, cake)) Extension Not stated Not stated
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Store-bought3-7 days7-10 days6 months
Nebraska ExtensionStore-bought3-7 days7-10 days6 months
Utah State University ExtensionStore-bought4 days-6 months
University of Illinois ExtensionBaked, unfrosted--2-4 months
University of Illinois ExtensionBaked, frosted--1 month
University of Illinois ExtensionAngel food cake--6-12 months
University of Illinois ExtensionChiffon sponge cake--1-2 months
University of Illinois ExtensionFruit cake--6-12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fruit cake6 months12 months12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Cheesecake-5-7 days3-6 months
CDC 2025Cheesecake2 hours--
University of Illinois ExtensionCake batter--1 month
Nebraska ExtensionCake mix12-18 months--
Utah State University ExtensionCake mix8 months--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Cake mix12-18 months--

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • “Freezing does not refresh baked goods; it can only maintain whatever the quality of the food was before freezing.” Extension
  • “Icings made from egg whites Cakes, cookies Frothy, weeps” Extension
  • “Precooked breads, cakes and cookies can be thawed at room temperature.” Extension
  • “Bakery mixes: cake, muffin, cookie, and pancake Use for up to 6 months past the date marked on the package.” Extension

What the sources say

For commercially baked cakes and muffins, FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart give the same times: 3 to 7 days in the pantry, 7 to 10 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.12

FoodKeeper counts the fridge time from opening.1

Utah State University Extension lists 4 days in the kitchen at 70 °F for purchased fresh rolls, cakes and cookies kept in polyethylene bags or cartons, and 6 months at 0 °F for frozen ones.3

The University of Illinois Extension freezer chart splits cake by type: 2 to 4 months for baked unfrosted cake, 1 month once it is frosted, 6 to 12 months for angel food cake and for fruit cake, and 1 to 2 months for chiffon sponge cake.4

Cake batter gets 1 month in the same chart, which also notes that freezing does not refresh baked goods.4

FoodKeeper gives fruit cake 6 months in the pantry, 12 months in the fridge after opening and 12 months in the freezer.5

For cheesecake, FoodKeeper lists 5 to 7 days in the fridge after opening and 3 to 6 months in the freezer.6

Cake mixes last 12 to 18 months in the pantry in both FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart, while Utah State lists 8 months for prepared flour mixes for pancakes, muffins and cakes in their original container.823

University of Wisconsin Extension says bakery mixes, cake mix included, can be used for up to 6 months past the date marked on the package.11

The National Center for Home Food Preservation notes that icings made from egg whites turn frothy and weep after freezing, and that precooked cakes can be thawed at room temperature.910

CDC advises against eating raw cake batter and reports outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023.12

Utah State University Extension also warns that canning cake is unsafe, because the process does not destroy the organism that causes botulism.3

Rules that apply here

Freezing and refreezingThawing safelyBest-by and use-by dates
BreadPumpkin pieCream cheese

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 197: Commercial cakes and muffins. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Commercial cakes and muffins. DOP_Pantry: 3-7 Days; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 7-10 Days; DOP_Freeze: 6 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cakes and muffins, baked commercially 3 to 7 daysCakes and muffins, baked commercially 3 to 7 days 7 to 10 daysCakes and muffins, baked commercially 3 to 7 days 7 to 10 days 6 monthsBread, brownie, cake or cookie mixes 12 to 18 months
  3. Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Other bakery products (fresh rolls, cakes and cookies purchased) polyethylene bags or cartons 70°F kitchen 4 daysOther bakery products (frozen rolls, cakes and cookies) polyethylene bags or cartons 0°F freezer 6 monthsPrepared flour mixes (pancake, muffin, cake) original container 70°F basement 8 monthsCanning Bread and Cake is Unsafe ... it does not destroy the organism that causes botulism.
  4. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Baked Cake (unfrosted) 2 to 4 monthsBaked Cake (frosted) 1 monthAngel Food Cake 6 to 12 monthsChiffon Sponge Cake 1 to 2 monthsFruit Cake 6 to 12 monthsCake Batter 1 monthFreezing does not refresh baked goods; it can only maintain whatever the quality of the food was before freezing.
  5. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 203: Fruit cake. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Fruit cake. DOP_Pantry: 6 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 12 Months; DOP_Freeze: 12 Months
  6. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 198: Cheesecake. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheesecake. Refrigerate_After_Opening: 5-7 Days; DOP_Freeze: 3-6 Months
  7. Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
  8. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 215: Cake, brownie, bread mixes. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cake, brownie, bread mixes. DOP_Pantry: 12-18 Months
  9. Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Icings made from egg whites Cakes, cookies Frothy, weeps
  10. Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Precooked breads, cakes and cookies can be thawed at room temperature.
  11. Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Bakery mixes: cake, muffin, cookie, and pancake Use for up to 6 months past the date marked on the package.
  12. Raw Flour and Dough | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Do not Eat raw dough or batter This includes dough or batter for cookies, brownies, cakes, pie crusts, tortillas, pizzaCDC investigated outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
  13. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.