Who doesn’t like having a piece of their favorite cake as an evening snack? But when it comes to baking one on your own, things at times can be pretty tricky.
While baking, I always find measuring every ingredient with measuring spoons & cups difficult. I often miss out on buying one or two things. So, I prefer to use ready to go mix for cakes.
Cake mix are handy, and their final outcome is a yummy fluffy cake. However, can cake mix go bad?
This is the most frequent question people ask me when I tell them I use cake mix for baking such delicious cakes. I am sure all your confusion will be cleared after reading this article.
Does the Cake Mix Really Go Bad?
Dried and packed products usually take more time to spoil than liquid ones. Cake mix can usually stay long on the shelf for a year or more as they are packed properly and remain moisture free.
As the product’s expiration refers to best by date, it means the ingredients would give the best of their flavor to that date, but even afterward, they will retain their overall quality. Opening the packaging doesn’t even reduce that time.
Storage of the product also matters a lot. I usually keep the cake mix in a dry place at the corner of the cabinet so the package remains untouched and doesn’t get wet or moist. So, in short, cake mix cannot go bad even after a certain period of its expiry date.
How Long Can We Safely Use the Cake Mix?
Whenever we pick any packaged food, the first thing we notice is the expiry date. And do these mixes really get expired? Most of the mixtures can stay on the shelf from half to a whole year. However, they are quite safe to use even after their shelf life.
Moreover, to be on the safer side and to get the best textured and tasteful cake, it is advisable, and even I also prefer to use the cake mix within 4-6 months past the shelf life expiration mentioned on the package.
Does Homemade Cake Mix Last Longer than the Commercial One?
As I love experimenting, I once tried to make a cake mix at home and preserve it for later use. I combined all the dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and powdered sugar, added the required flavor, and stored it in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container.
It was good enough to use for two to three months. If you are a frequent baker, homemade cake mix can be a good option as it saves a lot of money.
However, I must admit that the commercial ones are more convenient and stay longer than the homemade ones.
Suggested readings:
- How long does cake last in the fridge?
- Can you freeze cheesecake? (the right way)
- How to put sprinkles on the side of a cake?
- Why did my cake sink in the middle?
How To Distinguish A Spoiled Cake Mix?
As I am fond of baking, I keep trying different cake mixtures. Once, I bought a cake mix, and when I opened its box, its smell was not like the usual one, and I found out that it was spoiled; even two months were left in its expiration date.
Apart from the bad smell, if you find any of the following signs in your cake mix, it’s better to get a new one.
The first and foremost is the mold; if you find a mold or any wet cluster in the dry mixture, it means the moisture has made its way inside the box, and it is better to discard it.
It would be best if you also tossed the mix in case of finding any bugs in your cake mix. At the same time, avoid using cake mix that has been there for more than two years. They are more likely spoiled.
What To Do With The Leftover Cake Mix?
During discount schemes, I usually buy big boxes of cake mix. Most of the time, I utilize the complete pack in one go.
However, if I have to bake a small cake, I take out the desired quantity and pack the remaining mix properly and keep it for later use. You read it right; you can save the unused cake mix for later use.
The only thing you need to do is to pack it entirely and keep the plastic or wrapping bag in an airtight container. I usually transfer the leftover mix to the zip-lock bag and store it in the jar.
Final Verdict:
Baking is fun, and those who love baking know baking cake is itself a mood. Any time you can be in the mood for cake making, and if you don’t have the complete ingredients, the mood can be ruined.
Cake mix is a mood saver. You can use it conveniently to give your sweet tooth a treat.
So, next time you become worried that your cake mix might be expired as it has been in the cabinet for around a year, this article will help you make wise decisions.
The expiry date ensures that the product will give the promised quality. However, cake mix stays longer than its shelf life and can provide a good result even after the expiration date. So Happy Hassle-Free Baking!
