Buttercream can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks or frozen for up to two months. Buttercream should be kept in an airtight container in a cold, dry location when not refrigerated. This will be in good condition for up to 3 to 4 days based on its type.
Buttercream is a popular choice for frosting. It goes well with many desserts because of its taste, cream, and richness.
To keep buttercream fresh and safe to consume, it is necessary to know how to store it correctly. When you store buttercream the right way, it stays fresh and has the right consistency. It also doesn’t let harmful bacteria grow in it.
Does Buttercream Frosting Need To Be Refrigerated?
Generally, if you are determined to use the buttercream frosting within 3 days, keeping it at room temperature is okay. By this time, this will not be rotten or damaged. However, if you want to keep your buttercream frosting fresh for around 14 days, you can keep the frosting in the fridge inside an airtight container.
However, ensure you keep your buttercream frosting from fragrant foods like meat, fish, or something like those. The freezer is the ultimate option when you want the timespan beyond 14 days. If stored correctly in an airtight container, you can keep the frosting for 2 to 3 months.
Types of Buttercream Frosting and Their Freshness Limit
There are different types of buttercream available in the market. They have different freshness limits based on their type. Some of the most popular buttercreams are discussed below with how many days they can survive without fridging.
American Buttercream
The best option is American buttercream. It has a rich, creamy flavor and just takes a few minutes to prepare. American buttercream is also a nice choice since it can be stored at room temperature.
They will be fine if you keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Buttercream has butter and a little milk, but the high sugar content prevents the milk solids from going bad.
German Buttercream
The taste of German buttercream is sweet and light. This is a great choice if you want a frosting that isn’t as rich. Although this buttercream may be difficult to prepare, the final product is well worth the effort.
It will be fine at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can keep it for up to 10 days if refrigerated. Aside from this, it can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
Swiss Buttercream
The texture and flavor of Swiss buttercream are lighter than those of American buttercream. It takes some practice to make this frosting, but you’ll want more once you do. Compared to other buttercreams, Swiss buttercream does well in warm weather.
You can store the buttercream uncovered at room temperature for up to 2 days. It is best to store Swiss meringue buttercream in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Italian Buttercream
Italian buttercream is very stable, light, and fluffy. Sugar syrup has a role in this. It is simple to work with and makes an excellent cake filling.
It’s fine to leave Italian buttercream out at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. You can make Italian buttercream up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge, or you can freeze it for up to a month. If you don’t use it right away when it’s nice and creamy, you need to take a few special precautions.
If the buttercream is frozen, it should be put in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
French Buttercream
The egg yolks used to make French buttercream are beaten and then poured with hot syrup. Use the buttercream immediately, or put it in a big zipper-lock bag, squeeze out the air, and seal.
Whether it’s in a jar or icing on a cake, you can keep it at room temperature for a day. French buttercream can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks and in the freezer for up to a few months.
Here is a table that shows how long each type of buttercream stays fresh.
| Buttercream Type | Storing time (Without refrigerating) |
| American Buttercream | 3-4 days |
| German Buttercream | 2 days |
| Swiss Buttercream | 1-2 days |
| Italian Buttercream | 2-3 days |
| French Buttercream | 1 day |
How Long Can You Store Buttercream Refrigerating?
If you want to keep buttercream for a long time, the best place to do so is in the fridge or the freezer. However, you can’t go and utilize buttercream from any of those sources. Make sure the buttercream has cooled to room temperature before using it.
The buttercream may be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its flavor or texture. If you want the best results, take your buttercream out of the freezer the night before and let it defrost in the refrigerator.
After your buttercream defrosts, you’ll need to whip it again to get rid of any lumps or clumps and make it smooth again.
How Long Does Buttercream Take To Set In The Fridge?
If you want to know how long the buttercream needs to be set, it shouldn’t take more than 20 to 30 minutes. A crumb coat takes about 20 minutes, and the second layer of buttercream takes a little longer to set. If you don’t have much time, you might want to put it in the freezer for a short time.
Buttercream Vs Heat
Buttercream frostings don’t do well in warm weather because they are made with butter. When heated, the fat in the buttercream separates, and the frosting melts. Because they contain egg whites, Italian and Swiss buttercream will eventually separate when heated.
German and French buttercreams, made with egg yolks, should not be left out in warm weather because they will melt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cake With Buttercream Frosting Need to Be Refrigerated?
No. Three days is the maximum time that a cake frosted with buttercream can be left out of the fridge before it goes bad. As an added advantage, the buttercream will be an insulator for the cake’s moisture. After three days, you can put the cake in the fridge, but you should cover it to keep the moisture in.
Does Buttercream Frosting With Heavy Cream Need to Be Refrigerated?
Nope! Heavy cream (or milk or cream) buttercream doesn’t need to be refrigerated straight immediately. With a lot of sugar, these things can stay fresh on the counter for a few days.
Does Frosting Go Bad if Not Refrigerated?
If you leave buttercream frosting out at room temperature for up to three days, it won’t go bad, but not all frostings are the same. Some frostings, including cream cheese and whipped cream, need to be refrigerated as soon as they’re made.
Wrapping Up
You may keep buttercream at room temperature for a few days (not if you’re using French or German buttercream).
But you should never forget to put your leftovers in the fridge! You may keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
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