Know how long are cupcakes good for after making a homemade batch or buying some from your favorite bakery. This is important info so you can keep your cupcakes fresh for the longest amount of time.
Soft, moist cupcakes are a delight to eat, and it's no wonder you'd want to keep them delicious for as long as possible. The good news is that this is completely possible by storing them correctly.
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How long are cupcakes good for?
So, how long are these sweet treats good for once you pull them out of the oven or bring them home from the bakery?
This depends on a couple of different factors, including if you've frosted them and how you store them.
If you keep them in an airtight container on the counter, they'll stay the freshest for up to two days. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can keep them for longer, but you'll notice that they'll begin to dry out and become stale and eventually be no good to eat any longer. Something like fudge can last 3-4 weeks in the fridge, and 3-6 months in the freezer.
The moisture in these small cakes is the perfect place for bacteria to grow, and since there isn't much fat in them, they tend to dry out fairly quickly.
Frosted cupcakes
Store frosted cupcakes in a container on the counter or refrigerator, depending on the type of frosting you use. I love this mini chocolate cupcake recipe, which is perfect for freezing!
Since the frosting is already on top, they won't stay fresh for as long as unfrosted cupcakes.
You can keep them for one to three days before noticing a difference in taste and texture since the frosting can make them soggy.
Unfrosted cupcakes
Keep unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge for up to five days.
Since they don't have frosting on top, they'll stay fresh for a little longer than those that have been frosted.
Can you freeze cupcakes?
You can definitely freeze cupcakes! It's a great way to keep them fresh, and you can store them for up to three months.
This means you can make a new batch well in advance, freeze them, then pull them out of the freezer when you're ready to thaw and serve.
You can freeze them with the frosting on top or not, however, unfrosted cupcakes are easier to save because there's no chance of messing up that pretty piped frosting.
In order to freeze cupcakes, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then put them in a large freezer bag or plastic container. This is a double protection against freezer burn, which you definitely don't want!
The process is very similar to freezing brownies, if you make a large batch in advance!
Do cupcakes need to be refrigerated?
Not all cupcakes need to be refrigerated, however, you can keep them in the fridge if you'd like.
Storing them in the refrigerator keeps bacteria from getting to them, but it also dries them out more quickly. If you plan on keeping them for more than two days, go ahead and put them in the fridge.
If you plan on eating them within two days, you can keep them safely on the counter.
Should I store the frosting separately?
Storing the cupcakes and frosting separately is a good idea if you aren't going to eat them right away. This is similar to the process when freezing a cake.
Keep the frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days and the cupcakes in their own container on the counter or in the refrigerator as well.
How can I tell if my cupcakes are bad?
If you've kept your cupcakes for a few days and you want to make sure you can still eat them, there are some things you can check.
Look for mold growing on the tops or around the sides. You should also check the lid of the container where you're keeping the cupcakes.
Take a sniff and see if you can detect any off-odors.
Take a bite and check for weird tastes.
It's also possible they might just be stale, and in that case, it's up to you if you want to eat them or make a new batch.
Check out these cupcake recipes
Make a large batch of any of these cupcake recipes, that will be perfect for freezing to enjoy later!
Conclusion
It's important to know how long cupcakes are good for so you can properly store them and keep them fresh.
If you have any left over and want to keep them for as long as possible, consider storing them in the fridge if you plan to eat them within a couple of days. Keep them in the freezer for up to three months if you plan on saving them for later.
You can store them frosted or unfrosted, but unfrosted ones will stay fresh longer.
Depending on the type of cupcakes and frosting, store them on the counter or in the refrigerator for the best results.
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