How Long Does Buttercream Icing Last In The Fridge?
Butter cream, stored ahead of its time, is usually done to use it in decorating your cake. If you store it properly in a fridge then butter cream can last up to a month. If you store it in a freezer, its shelf life extends to up to three months.
A Cake With Buttercream Icing Buttercream frosting will keep about one week in the refrigerator when stored correctly, with a lid that is sealed. A store-bought buttercream icing can usually last for about six months when stored in the freezer. Buttercream can last from 24-hours to seven days depending on the temperature of the room the cake is stored in. After three days, the top layer of a cake covered with buttercream frosting can be refrigerated, but should be covered tightly to keep moisture from escaping while in storage.
To learn about Can Jam Go Bad, check out my article where I cover everything you need to know.
Avoid keeping your pie in the fridge when possible, as refrigeration causes your pie to dry more quickly and may impact its flavour. There is nothing stopping you from keeping a perfectly decorated buttercream frosting cake at room temperature for up to three days. Refrigerate decorated cakes, keeping it in the fridge until the frosting has started to set. After this, it can be covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out completely. Buttercream frosting can be frozen when made ahead of time. In fact, if it is covered in American buttercream, and no other perishables are on or in the pie (such as fruit filling, heavy whipping cream, or fruit on the top), these cakes can sit at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days. Buttercream lasts longer if you refrigerate it, so that is the better choice, and then let the icing rest, covered, or room temperature.
| Storage | Uses |
| Buttercream can last from 24-hours to seven days depending on the temperature of the room the cake is stored | Used on cakes and cupcakes as a coating |
| In a fridge then butter cream can last up to a month | Used as a decorating cream |
Buttercream can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, but is best when refrigerated rather than sitting in an open area, where it may attract bugs or dust particles. If you do not seal it tight, it will lose moisture to the air within the airtight container. In terms of bacterial growth, you are not going to have any problems for up to a week, but in the real world, whipped cream has a tendency to attract insects, and also may not be protected against dust or smokiness particles that may land on top. Buttercream does not actually go bad, per se, but it may develop freezer burn, or begin to develop strange smells from your refrigerator.\\
It is one of the most popular icings in cakes and cupcakes, as it can be made in advance and stored for up to two weeks at room temperature without losing its luster or its taste. Store buttercream in the freezer using a plastic Ziploc bag or an airtight container to keep the flavors and texture intact. To store the Buttercream, cover with plastic wrap (cling wrap) and press the wrap lightly on the top of the Buttercream to prevent any skins from forming.
By the way, if you’re interested in Can Hummus Go Bad, check out my article on that.
You can even put a sheet of plastic wrap right over the top of the fluff before placing a lid on your container, giving the buttercream an additional layer of protection. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the topping or buttercream before placing the lid on the container, so that it does not absorb any freezer smells. How to Properly Store Buttercream For Short Periods is to use a leak-proof plastic or glass container. To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged buttercream once opened, store it in an enclosed glass or plastic container.
Using a sealed container or a freezer bag, you can keep your buttercream frosting in the freezer up to 3 months. Allow it to defrost overnight in the fridge on the day you wish to use it, then bring to room temperature before whipping again. Making your buttercream months ahead or having an excess of the frosting on hand to utilise later is a handy time-saving technique. If you would like to store your homemade leftover buttercream icing for later, or have made it days in advance, it is best to make sure that its quality is preserved properly. Buttercream frosting needs to be kept refrigerated until you are ready to use it, even if you are planning on using it within one or two weeks of purchasing it. Simply store it in an airtight container and let it warm up to room temperature before using to prevent ruined flavors. To regain your buttercreams foamy texture once it has warmed, beat the mix back together. It is also important to keep your frosting out of contact with items with a strong smell, like fish or meat, in the fridge. When the finished buttercream is still good, and you have no plans of using it within 2 days, keep it refrigerated to maintain its long shelf life.
Check the buttercream daily, and throw out any that has turned brown or looks like it has gone bad. You can tell that your buttercream is starting to deteriorate if you notice discoloration of your frosting, or if you see any signs of mold growth. Buttercream icing needs to be stored away from strongly-scented food items such as garlic, onions, fish, etc. You are better off keeping buttercream icing on a shelf of the fridge, not on the door, because the door of your refrigerator experiences many temperature fluctuations, which may have an adverse effect on the quality of the buttercream icing.
Buttercream icing can absorb smells, therefore, it must be stored in a sealed container or bottle in the refrigerator. If you leave your buttercream icing out in the refrigerator without covering it, it will get exposed to air which will lead to this crusty texture in the buttercream icing due to its high sugar content. Most royal icing seems to only last a month in the fridge before it ruins because of its high sugar content, making the icing cookies prone to bacterial growth. You can defrost it by leaving it unwrapped in the refrigerator for several hours, and while your left-over icing will not return its original texture, it will still taste good.
If you made your buttercream with milk, it will have a nice flavor and stay fresh longer if you store it in the fridge. The shelf life of buttercream is almost identical if you purchase store bought buttercream vs. making your own. Many times, you will keep your pie fresher longer if you store it in the fridge, but different pie crusts will last different amounts of time.
How do you know if the buttercream is bad?
Buttercream-frosted cakes will ultimately develop a green bottom and the frosting may even become runny. The flavor and fragrance will also become sour. The top can potentially develop mold or a thick layer of cream.
How long does buttercream icing last on a cake?
Buttercream frosting allows a cake to stay at room temperature for three days. Additionally, the buttercream will serve as a moisture insulator for a cake that tastes absolutely divine. The cake can be stored in the refrigerator after three days, but it must be covered to preserve moisture.
How long does homemade frosting last in the fridge?
In the refrigerator or freezer, most frostings can be kept. Frosting from the store can keep for three to four weeks in the fridge and two to three months in the freezer. In the refrigerator, homemade frosting can last up to a week; in the freezer, it can last for about a month.