Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or just the fact that you made it through another Monday, a cake from Costco can be the cherry on top of your celebration. But once the candles are blown out and the singing stops, you might be wondering, “Does this delicious behemoth of a cake need to be refrigerated?”
Let’s cut through the icing and get down to the cake of the matter. The answer isn’t as straightforward as a slice of pound cake, but don’t worry, I’m here to lay it all out for you, crumb by crumb.
First off, the need to refrigerate a cake depends largely on two things: the type of cake and the type of icing it has. Most Costco cakes come with buttercream or cream cheese frosting, and these types of icing can be a bit finicky when it comes to temperature. According to the food safety guidelines from our friends at the FDA, perishable goods, which include dairy-based frostings, should be kept at or below 40°F to prevent any uninvited bacterial guests from crashing your party.
On the other hand, if your Costco cake is covered with fondant or has a simple sugar icing, it might have a bit more leeway. These cakes can often stand at room temperature for a couple of days, assuming your room temperature doesn’t mimic a hot summer day.
Let’s talk specifics. Most Costco sheet cakes are smothered in that delectable buttercream. Buttercream and cream cheese, while delicious, are dairy-based and susceptible to spoilage. The CDC warns us that leaving perishable foods out for two hours or more is a no-go, and that time shrinks to just one hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F. So if you’re serving cake outdoors on a hot day, you’ll want to keep that time window in mind.
If your cake is filled with custard, whipped cream, or fresh fruit, the need to refrigerate becomes even more urgent. These fillings can be a playground for bacteria if left unattended at room temperature.
Now, if your Costco cake does need refrigeration, here’s how to do it without drying it out:
Even refrigeration has its limits. A frosted cake can last in the refrigerator for about a week—if it’s covered. After that, you might start to notice dryness and a decline in flavor quality. If you have more cake than you can handle in that time (a rare occurrence, I know), you might consider freezing it. Yes, you can freeze cake! Wrap individual pieces or the entire cake in plastic wrap and then foil to protect it from freezer burn. Properly stored, your cake can last in the deep freeze for a few months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge slowly when you’re ready for another round of celebrations.
Remember, the goal is to enjoy your cake and eat it too—safely! So the next time you pick up a Costco cake, give it the TLC it needs in your fridge, and you’ll be sure to keep the good times rolling, slice after slice.
