A boxed cake can typically last 1 week to 2 months if stored properly. The exact shelf life depends on the ingredients, how it is stored, and whether it has been prepared and frosted.
What is a boxed cake?
A boxed cake, also known as a cake mix, is a pre-packaged powder containing most of the dry ingredients needed to bake a cake. The main ingredients are flour, sugar, baking powder, and flavorings. To prepare a boxed cake, you just add wet ingredients like eggs, oil, and water according to the package directions.
After baking, boxed cakes are very similar in texture and flavor to cakes made completely from scratch. They provide a quick and easy way to bake a convenient homemade cake.
How long does an unopened boxed cake mix last?
An unopened box of cake mix has a very long shelf life of 9 months to 1 year past the “best by” or “use by” date on the package. As long as the box is unopened and stored properly, the dry powdered ingredients will remain fresh for up to 1 year in the pantry.
Make sure to store unused boxed cake mixes in a cool, dry place off the ground. Heat, humidity, and moisture can cause the ingredients to spoil more quickly. Keeping a box of cake mix tightly sealed in the pantry is ideal.
Look for any signs of moisture, clumping of the powder, mold growth, or rancid odors before baking with an older mix. If it smells stale or shows these signs of spoilage, it’s best to discard the boxed cake mix.
How to tell if an unopened boxed cake mix is still good:
- Check the “best by” or “use by” date on the package
- Make sure the box is still completely sealed
- Check that the powder inside looks and smells normal, not clumped or smelling rancid
Does a prepared boxed cake last?
Once you prepare a cake from a boxed cake mix, it will not last as long. However, a baked cake made from a mix will still stay fresh for around 5-7 days if stored properly.
Here are some tips for extending the shelf life of a prepared boxed cake:
- Let the cake cool completely before covering it to prevent condensation
- Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
- Refrigerate the cake to help it last longer
- Enjoy the cake within 3-5 days for the best quality
- Freeze the cake for longer storage of up to 2 months
Avoid leaving a prepared cake out at room temperature, as this will cause it to stale and dry out within 1-2 days.
How to tell if a prepared boxed cake has gone bad:
- Drying or cracking around the edges
- Mold growth
- Stale or crumbly texture
- Unpleasant sour odor
Does an iced or frosted boxed cake last?
Icing or frosting helps keep a cake moist and fresh for longer. An iced or frosted cake made from a boxed mix will typically last for around 1 week in the fridge.
The icing acts as an airtight seal to prevent the cake layers underneath from drying out. Make sure to use an icing or frosting that is made with a dairy ingredient like cream cheese or butter, as this has antimicrobial properties to prevent mold.
Avoid using icing containing egg whites or whipped cream on a cake you want to store, as these will deteriorate more quickly. An American buttercream or cream cheese frosting are great options for icing a cake to extend its shelf life.
Store the iced cake in the fridge and consume within 5-7 days for best quality. After this time, the cake layers themselves can start to go stale or dry out.
How to store an iced or frosted boxed cake:
- Allow cake to cool completely after icing before refrigerating
- Cover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in a cake box
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week
- Do not freeze cake if it is frosted or iced
Can you freeze a boxed cake?
Freezing is a great way to significantly extend the shelf life of a cake made from a boxed mix. An un-iced boxed cake can last in the freezer for around 2-3 months.
To freeze a cake baked from a mix, first let it cool completely after baking. Then wrap the cake tightly in a few layers of plastic wrap and place it inside a freezer-safe container or bag. This prevents freezer burn.
Freeze the cake for up to 2-3 months at 0°F. Make sure not to freeze a cake with perishable icings or frostings, like cream cheese frosting. These need to be refrigerated and will turn watery in the freezer.
When ready to eat, thaw the cake overnight in the fridge. Then frost and decorate as desired. Wrapped tightly, a thawed boxed cake will last another 3-5 days in the fridge.
Tips for freezing boxed cake:
- Cool cake completely before wrapping for freezer
- Use plastic wrap and freezer bag or airtight container
- Freeze for 2-3 months at 0°F
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before decorating
- Only freeze unfrosted cakes, frost after thawing
How long does boxed cake last at room temperature?
Leaving a baked cake made from a boxed mix at room temperature will significantly shorten its shelf life. Room temperature encourages mold growth and makes cakes stale faster.
Here is how long boxed cake will last at room temperature:
| Boxed Cake Type | Room Temperature Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Unfrosted | 2-3 days |
| Frosted | 3-5 days |
For best quality, store bakery cakes and unfrosted cakes at room temperature just for short-term same day serving. After that, refrigerate or freeze them.
How to store boxed cake:
Follow these tips for storing boxed cake to maximize its freshness and shelf life:
- Pantry: Unopened boxes last 9 months – 1 year in a cool, dry pantry
- Fridge: Prepared cakes keeps for 3-5 days tightly wrapped in the fridge
- Freezer: Unfrosted cakes can be frozen for 2-3 months
- Room temperature: Only keep cake out up to 2-3 days max
- Airtight container: Use plastic wrap or an airtight cake carrier
How to tell if boxed cake has gone bad?
Look for these signs that a prepared boxed cake has gone bad and needs to be discarded:
- Mold growth
- Cracking or drying around the edges
- Stale, crumbly, or mushy texture
- Unusual sour or off smell
- Strange color changes
If your cake shows any of those signs of spoilage, it is not safe to eat. Stick to the recommended storage times to prevent foodborne illness.
Conclusion
Boxed cake mixes provide a very convenient shortcut to baked goods with a decent shelf life. Unopened, the dry mixes last around a year in the pantry. Once baked, boxed cakes stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week when properly stored. Freezing also extends the shelf life for 2-3 months.
Keep boxed cakes refrigerated or frozen and tightly wrapped. Avoid leaving them out at room temperature for more than 2-3 days. Follow the storage guidance to enjoy your quick homemade cakes while keeping them tasting great.