This quick guide will provide in-depth information on buttercream icing’s shelf life under various settings to answer the query, “how long does buttercream icing last in the fridge.” In addition, we’ll go over how to store buttercream icing safely, as well as how to defrost frozen icing properly.
How Long does Buttercream Icing Last in the Fridge?
If kept in an airtight bag or container at or below 40°F, buttercream icing stays in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks.
If you want to keep it fresh and flavorful for a long time, you should always store it in an airtight container.
If carefully stored in the refrigerator and covered with an airtight lid, a cake with buttercream icing keeps for about a week.
Shelf Life of Buttercream
The buttercream will be kept in the fridge for about a month if you store it tightly. However, the buttercream will lose its fluffy texture if you allow the air to get in. If you do not store it in an airtight container, it cannot go well in as little as three days.
Buttercream that is covered with a cake can be kept in the fridge for about a week. However, some cakes do not need refrigeration. In these cases, you should store the cake in the fridge for at least three days after it is decorated. Buttercream can also be frozen and kept for more than a month.
Buttercream can be stored for two weeks in the refrigerator, or it can also be kept for up to three months if it contains milk. The shelf life of buttercream depends on its sugar content. When storing it, you should use an airtight container or plastic wrap. In case of storing it in the fridge, use airtight plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
Although buttercream can be stored at room temperature, it is better to keep it refrigerated. The colder the temperature is, the less likely it is to spoil. However, if you are not planning on using it for a long time, you should use it within a week. If you don’t use it, the buttercream will become stiff.
Signs of Spoiled Buttercream
Luckily, there are several ways to tell if your leftover buttercream has gone bad. These include a weird smell, watery texture, and a sour taste. In some cases, mold can also form on top of the frosting. If you think you might have a bad batch, you should toss it.
Another telltale sign is if your buttercream has lumps in it. This usually indicates that you have too many eggs in your frosting. Over time, the yolks become oxidized and have a bad taste and odor. Other causes are incorrect mixing techniques or a lack of fresh ingredients. Either way, you should re-mix the frosting or swap in half of another batch.
Whether your buttercream has curdled or has lost its elasticity may be due to temperature changes. Buttercream needs a constant temperature of 72 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to remain stable and smooth. However, it may become stiff and gummy if the temperature is too high. This can happen when the butter melts too quickly or is left out of the fridge.
While buttercream can last several days without refrigeration, it will lose its color and shine after a few weeks. But if you store it properly in an airtight container, it can stay as long as a week or two. Alternatively, you can freeze the buttercream and thaw it later for use.
What is the Optimum Temperature to Store Buttercream Icing in the Fridge?
You should always store the buttercream icing at 40°F or below in the fridge. Buttercream icing should always be stored at a lower temperature to maintain its freshness and quality for a long time because bacterial growth occurs more quickly between temperatures of 40°F and 140°F.
How Long does Buttercream Icing Last at Room Temperature?
Therefore, buttercream frosting is stored in an airtight container for two to three days at room temperature. This may seem like a long time, but you shouldn’t worry because the airtight container will prevent air from entering your icing, extending its shelf life. Additionally, the buttercream icing’s high-fat content prevents it from going bad while remaining at room temperature for an extended period.
How to Tell if the Buttercream Icing has Gone Bad?
After tasting some of your buttercream icings, if you taste anything sour or acidic, that is a sign that your buttercream icing has gone bad. Additionally, spoiled buttercream icing will gradually lose its color and become watery; if you notice discoloration, this is a sign that the icing is spoiled. If mold is on your icing, it is a sign that you should throw it away.
Additionally, if your buttercream icing is curdled or contains lumps, that is a sign of poor buttercream icing.
Smell testing can reveal whether buttercream icing has gone bad if you detect anything unpleasant or sour.
How to Store Buttercream Icing?
Buttercream icing should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight bottle or container since it might absorb scents. Additionally, the airtight container will guarantee that no air enters your buttercream icing, maintaining its freshness for a considerable time.
Away from foods with strong aromas, such as seafood, garlic, onion, and buttercream icing.
Since there is a lot of temperature variation at the refrigerator door, which might hurt the quality of buttercream icing, it is preferable to keep buttercream icing on a shelf rather than the door.
Since the lowest shelf of the refrigerator is the coldest and has a temperature range of 38 to 40 °F, buttercream icing should be kept there. You have your buttercream that is frothy.
When ready to use the chilled buttercream icing, let it come to room temperature. It would be best to whip the buttercream with a hand whisk or an electric whisk once it has reached room temperatury.
How Long does Buttercream Last in the Freezer?
If properly stored, buttercream can stay fresher for up to two months in the freezer. Additionally, if it contains milk and butter, it can remain edible for that long, even when spread on any cake. Store it in the freezer using an airtight container or a plastic Ziploc bag to preserve its flavor and texture.
The quality or flavor of leftover buttercream is unaffected by freezing, but there may be some complications. For instance, while freezing buttercream, you must ensure it remains completely frozen. If not, it can thaw before you finish decorating your cakes. Ensure that the buttercream is frozen in an airtight container as well. The buttercream is best covered with foil after first being wrapped in plastic. This keeps the buttercream’s surface free of ice crystals or air bubbles.
How to Store Buttercream Frosting?
If you have leftover homemade buttercream frosting that you want to save for later use or if you made it days in advance, you should store it properly to preserve its quality.
Follow these steps to put homemade frostings in the refrigerator:
1. Put the frosting in an airtight container after removing it from the original box.
2. To ensure no air pockets are inside, securely cover the container.
3. Frosting can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. When inside the fridge, keep it away from foods with strong flavors or smells.
5. When you’re ready to use it again, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature to return to its original consistency.
Does Buttercream Frosting with Heavy Cream Need to be Refrigerated?
The answer to this question will vary depending on how you intend to serve the buttercream. Yes, it needs to be refrigerated if you plan to eat it right off the plate. It is okay to leave it outside the refrigerator if you intend to immediately top it with another dessert, like cake, pie, or cheesecake.
How Far in Advance can I Make a Cake with Buttercream Icing?
Most cake recipes take a long time to prepare. Here are some recommendations for when to begin baking your cake. The cake batter should be started 2-3 days before baking. You can begin preparing the frosting 24 hours in advance. To avoid contamination, keep it wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
How to Get Rid of Air Bubbles Present in the Thawed Buttercream Frosting?
So once your thawed buttercream icing reaches room temperature, re-whip it using a hand whisk or an electric whisk to get that fluffy buttercream again. You can remove all the air bubbles from the buttercream icing by whipping them, leaving only smooth, fluffy buttercream icing behind.
How to Thaw Buttercream Icing?
Simply remove frozen buttercream icing from the freezer and set it in the refrigerator to thaw. This will lessen temperature shock and preserve the texture of the buttercream icing. You should transfer the buttercream icing a day before. This is because the thawing process can take up to a day, depending on how much buttercream icing you defrost. Take the buttercream icing out of the refrigerator once it has defrosted so it may come to room temperature.
Conclusion
After thoroughly examining the shelf life of buttercream icing under various circumstances, we addressed the query “how long does buttercream icing last in the fridge” in this short guide. We also talked about how to thaw frozen icing properly and store buttercream icing.
