How to Store Red Velvet Cake & Cupcakes

How to Store Red Velvet Cake & Cupcakes
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Red velvet cake or cupcakes are delightful treats that can be enjoyed all year round! Red velvet cake is a classic Southern dessert that’s loved by many. The moist, chocolatey treat is perfect for just about any occasion, from family dinners to office potlucks. But since I always make too much, I know how important it is to store it properly. Following these tips will help keep your cakes looking beautiful and tasting fresh no matter what occasion they’re served at! So, how to store red velvet cake and cupcakes?

To keep red velvet cupcakes and cakes fresh, you should store them in the fridge. While unfrosted cupcakes can stay up to 4 days on the counter, they are also better refrigerated, which is imperative for all cupcakes and cakes with buttercream frosting. If stored in the freezer, they will last up to 3 months. 

Whether you plan on eating them immediately after baking or saving some leftovers for later, understanding how to store red velvet cakes and cupcakes is essential if you want them to remain fresh and flavorful. I’ve answered your burning questions about how best to store these yummy treats. Now, it’s time to get baking! Enjoy!

Does Red Velvet Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

If you plan on keeping your red velvet cake leftovers for more than a day, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator. While they can last up to three days on the counter, it is best to put them in the fridge immediately. Just make sure to cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before putting it in the refrigerator. This will keep the cake moist and prevent bacteria from growing on it. [1]

The same goes for frosted cupcakes as well. If you plan to eat everything in the next day or two, then you can store them in an airtight container and leave them on the counter, providing the room temperature is higher than 70 °F (20 °C).

Can You Freeze Red Velvet Cake?

Freezing your leftover red velvet cake can help keep it fresh for up to 3 months! To do this, wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container before freezing it. 

When you want to eat it, let it sit overnight in the fridge and then out at room temperature until thawed (this usually takes about an hour). If you plan on storing individual slices of red velvet cake instead of the whole thing, I would wrap each slice individually before freezing them all together in an airtight container.

How to Store Red Velvet Cupcakes With Frosting?

Frosted red velvet cupcakes are best stored in an airtight container right inside your fridge. If your cupcakes are frosted with buttercream or cream cheese frosting, then they should also be kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them – even if they’ve only been sitting out for a few hours! This will keep them fresher longer and will also prevent them from drying out or becoming stale due to exposure to air or humidity. 

To ensure that your cupcakes stay as moist and delicious as possible, I like to place a damp paper towel at the bottom of my container before putting the cupcakes inside. This helps trap moisture so that your treats stay nice and fluffy! 

I especially make sure that each cupcake is individually wrapped with plastic or aluminum foil before putting them into an airtight container and sticking them in the fridge. 

RELATED:

Can You Freeze Cupcakes? Here’s How!

How to Store Red Velvet Cupcakes Without Frosting?  

If you don’t plan on frosting your cupcakes immediately, don’t worry—they won’t go bad if left out overnight (depending on how humid it is outside). 

However, if you’d like to store them for longer than a day or two, place them in an airtight container at room temperature or slightly below room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources like ovens or radiators (like in a cool pantry). This will prevent bacteria from growing on top of your cupcake and keep it fresh for up to 4 days. [2]

If you plan on keeping them around longer than 3-4 days, stick them in the refrigerator – this will help keep them fresher for longer! 

Have you ever had to deal with red velvet leftovers? How did you do it? I would love to read about your red velvet adventures in the comments below!