FridgeLife

Baked Goods Shelf Life

Plain baked goods keep a few days on the counter and go stale faster in the fridge. Anything with custard, cream, cream cheese or a lot of egg, such as cheesecake, pumpkin pie and cream-filled pastries, is perishable and belongs in the fridge within 2 hours. Nearly all of it freezes well.

16 foods · times shown are for the most common state of each food; tap a food for every state, storage tips and spoilage signs.

Cakes

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Cake
Fresh
1 week2–4 months1–2 days
Cheesecake
Fresh
5–7 days2–3 monthsNot safe
Cupcakes
Fresh
1 week2–3 months1–2 days
Frosting
Opened
2–3 weeks2–3 monthsNot recommended

Cookies & bars

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Brownies
Homemade
1 week3 months3–4 days
Cookies
Homemade
Not recommended6–8 months1–2 weeks

Dough

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Cookie Dough
Homemade
2–4 days2 monthsNot safe

Griddle

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Pancakes
Cooked
3–4 days1–2 monthsNot safe
Waffles
Cooked
3–4 days1–2 monthsNot safe

Pastries

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Cinnamon Rolls
Fresh
1 week2 months1–2 days
Croissants
Fresh
1 week2 months1–2 days
Donuts
Fresh
1 week1 month1–2 days

Pies

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Fruit Pie
Cooked
1 week2–4 months1–2 days
Pumpkin Pie
Homemade
3–4 days1–2 monthsNot safe

Quick breads

FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Banana Bread
Homemade
1 week3 months3–4 days
Muffins
Fresh
1 week2–3 months1–2 days

Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature. Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers. Freezer times are best-quality windows at 0°F (−18°C).

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