Can You Wrap A Warm Cake in Cling Wrap? (5 Best steps for preserving freshness)

Bakers understand the importance of having cling wrap on hand. But one commonly asked question is, “Can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap?” Cling wrap goes by a few different names. It’s often called Saran wrap, Glad wrap, food wrap, plastic wrap, or cling film. In this article, we’re going to discuss the dos and don’ts regarding wrapping baked goods with this handy kitchen utensil, and we’ll provide you with a list of steps regarding its use with cakes that come straight out of the oven.

You can typically wrap a cake that’s just come out of the oven with cling wrap, as it’s unlikely that your cling wrap will melt upon contact (cling wrap melts at 212°-250°). In fact, cling wrap will Allow your newly baked cake to trap moisture inside the cake, making it just the right consistency when you’re ready to eat it later!

So, can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap? Yes! Keep reading to learn more!

Can You wrap a warm Cake in Cling Wrap?

So can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap? Yes, you can. Covering cakes with cling film or plastic wrap is a good way to protect and preserve the cake. 

The cling wrap serves as a protective barrier, trapping moisture and making the cake fresh for a long time. So when you wrap your cake with cling wrap, you’re preventing the cake from drying out. 

In fact, many bakers consider cling wrap to be the best way to store cakes and pastries over time. Cling wrap, combined with the powers of refrigeration, can allow your baked goods to remain fresh for over a week! Using cling wrap is an excellent way to store warm cake.

How Long To Let Cake Cool Before Wrapping In Plastic Wrap?

If you’re wondering, “Can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap?” The answer is yes! However, you may want to allow your freshly baked cake to cool down for a few minutes before wrapping it. But how long is enough for the cake to cool down?

After baking, leave the cake on the pan for around 10 minutes. Once it cools down, cover it completely with plastic wrap. Then leave it on the counter or in the refrigerator overnight. 

That being said, wrapping your cake immediately shouldn’t damage the cake. Just make sure the external temperature of the cake isn’t greater than 212° Fahrenheit.

How to bake a cake and preserve it with cling wrap

If you’re looking to bake a cake of your own and use cling wrap to preserve its moisture and flavor, follow the steps listed below.

Step 1: Bake your cake:

The first step is to complete the cake-baking process. This process will vary depending on the type and consistency of the cake you’re attempting to bake.

Step 2: Cooling of the cake:

For best results, as soon as you take the cake off the oven, don’t proceed to wrap it immediately. Give the cake 5-10 minutes to cool down. 

Step 3: Remove the baked cake from the pan:

Once the cake cools down, it’s time to separate it from the pan. Loosen the sides of your freshly baked cake from the pan with a knife and flip it over.

When you flip the cake over on your hands or baking rack, it should come off with ease. Don’t try to pull the cake from the pan. Let it come off on its own. 

Step 4: Cover with plastic wrap:

Covering or wrapping the cake with plastic wrap doesn’t only protect the cake from debris. It helps to lock in the moisture left in the cake, preventing it from becoming dry and stale.

So, wrap your newly baked cake with one layer of plastic wrap. After wrapping the cake, stick it in a Ziploc bag. 

You need a Ziploc bag to help lock moisture in the cake. With both the plastic wrap and a Ziploc bag, you’ll be able to get the job done. 

Step 5: Leave your cake in the fridge or counter overnight:

What determines where you can leave your cake overnight is the fillings used in the cake. If you use perishable fillings such as fruits, eggs, and dairy, try to avoid leaving them on the counter overnight. 

If you do, there’s a chance the cake might go bad before dawn. The best place to keep cakes with perishable fillings is the fridge. Keep the wrapped cake in the refrigerator overnight to prevent spoilage. 

However, if the cake doesn’t have any perishable filling, you can safely leave it on the counter overnight. 

Will Cling Wrap Keep Cake Fresh?

Yes, wrapping cake with cling film can keep it fresh for a considerable period. After wrapping, you can keep the cake on the counter or fridge. 

Wrapping cake is one of the ideal ways to prevent the cake from absorbing a weird smell or flavor from the fridge. It will help ensure the cake maintains its original flavor throughout its stay in the fridge.

Another incredible thing that the cling film wrapping does to cake is to lock in moisture. It will help prevent the cake from drying out. 

However, it’s advisable to wrap cakes with cling film before transferring them into a Ziploc bag. The reason for doing this is to provide extra protection for the cake. 

The Ziploc bag will ensure you achieve your goal of 100 percent moisture loss prevention for the stored cake.

Can You Cover a Cake With Foil While Baking?

Yes, you can. You can loosely cover your cake while baking when you discover that it’s spoiling too fast. Now, what does covering do? When you loosely cover your cake that’s browning too fast, the foil will help to deflect some of the heat away from the cake. 

Aluminum foil isn’t as effective as cling wrap, and the cake may still dry out if you leave it wrapped in foil after removing it from the oven.

Does Freezing Cake Dry It Out Or Make It More Moist?

No, there’s no way freezing cake will cause it to dry out when stored properly in the freezer. On the contrary, freezing helps retain moisture in cakes. It helps prevent cakes from losing steam. 

Make sure you prep the cake properly before sticking it into the freezer. You might even discover that the cake tastes better when you thaw it after freezing for weeks or months. 

A Handy Tip: Wrap your cake in multiple layers before sticking it in the freezer. If you’re using a cling film, endeavor to place the cake in a Ziploc bag before placing it in the freezer.  

How Long Does a Cake Last?

When you preserve the cake at room temperature, it will only last or stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Within 3 to 4 days, your room temperature stored cake’s moisture would have evaporated, leaving the cake drier. 

Also, keep in mind that the type of frost used will determine how long you can store your cake at room temperature.  

Now, how long does a cake last in the fridge? 

Store-bought cake might last somewhere around one or two weeks in the fridge. On the other hand, the homemade cake may last for 7 days or less in the fridge. 

The ingredients used in the cake will determine if it would have a longer or shorter shelf-life. 

So, how long does a cake last in the freezer? You can keep your cake in the freezer for 3 to 6 months when wrapped properly. 

How To Preserve Cake Without Refrigeration?

Room temperature storage is the only way to preserve cake without refrigeration, though the cake’s shelf life depends on the ingredients used. 

So, how do you preserve a cake without refrigeration? It is simple.

Wrap your unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, securing the bottom, top, and side layers. 

After wrapping, place the cake in a Zip-top bag for extra protection. Covering cakes with plastic wrap and a zip-top bag helps keep the cake fresh for days. 

Now place the cake on a counter. It should stay fresh for almost 5 days. 

Can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap? – Summary

So can you wrap a warm cake in cling wrap? Yes, so long as the cake’s external temperature doesn’t exceed 212° Fahrenheit.

Allow your cake to cool down before covering it. Once it cools down, wrap it with cling film thoroughly. 

The job of the cling film is to keep the cake fresh. It helps to prevent moisture from evaporating from the cake.

Wrapping with cling film is also a great way to prepare your cake for freezing. And keep in mind that a frozen cake can remain fresh for up to 3 months.