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Photo:Diana Chistruga

a recipe photo of the Banana Bran Muffins

Diana Chistruga

We’ve all been in this situation: You’ve just finished baking somechocolate chip cookiesand after you’ve eaten one (OK, three), you need to store them. But do they go in a cookie jar on the counter or do they have to be refrigerated? And what about other baked goods like anapple pieorlemon barsor thatloaf of bread? No matter the baked good, keep reading to find out if it’s safe to leave them out at room temperature or if they need to be stored elsewhere.

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To ensure your cupcakes, bars and loaves stay fresh, follow this chart for proper storage. For items left out at room temperature, store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. This advice only applies to baked items. For unbaked dough or batter, refer to the recipe’s make-ahead instructions.

Baked GoodRoom TemperatureRefrigeratorFreezerBars (such as cheesecake bars or lemon bars)n/a7 days2-3 monthsBreads and Rolls (with meat or hard-boiled eggs)n/a7-14 days3 monthsBreads and Rolls (without meat or hard-boiled eggs)2-4 days7-14 days3 monthsBrownies (Note: Brownies with a cream cheese frosting or cream cheese swirl should be refrigerated.)3-4 days7 days3 monthsCakes and Cupcakes (Note: Cakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated.)3-7 days7-10 days6 monthsCheesecaken/a5-7 days3-6 monthsCinnamon rolls (Note: Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated.)1-3 daysn/a3 monthsCookies2-3 weeks2 months8-12 monthsCream Piesn/a3-4 daysn/aFruit Pies1-2 days5-7 days8 monthsMuffins3-7 daysn/a3 monthsPies (not including fruit or cream-based pies)2 hours3-4 days1-2 monthsRelated:Learn the Right Way to Measure Ingredients for BakingBottom LineWhile most baked goods can be left out at room temperature, there are some exceptions. Always store cakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator along with breads featuring meat or hard-boiled eggs. For baked goods that are stored at room temperature, place them in an airtight container.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Baked GoodRoom TemperatureRefrigeratorFreezerBars (such as cheesecake bars or lemon bars)n/a7 days2-3 monthsBreads and Rolls (with meat or hard-boiled eggs)n/a7-14 days3 monthsBreads and Rolls (without meat or hard-boiled eggs)2-4 days7-14 days3 monthsBrownies (Note: Brownies with a cream cheese frosting or cream cheese swirl should be refrigerated.)3-4 days7 days3 monthsCakes and Cupcakes (Note: Cakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated.)3-7 days7-10 days6 monthsCheesecaken/a5-7 days3-6 monthsCinnamon rolls (Note: Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated.)1-3 daysn/a3 monthsCookies2-3 weeks2 months8-12 monthsCream Piesn/a3-4 daysn/aFruit Pies1-2 days5-7 days8 monthsMuffins3-7 daysn/a3 monthsPies (not including fruit or cream-based pies)2 hours3-4 days1-2 monthsRelated:Learn the Right Way to Measure Ingredients for BakingBottom LineWhile most baked goods can be left out at room temperature, there are some exceptions. Always store cakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator along with breads featuring meat or hard-boiled eggs. For baked goods that are stored at room temperature, place them in an airtight container.

Related:Learn the Right Way to Measure Ingredients for Baking

Bottom Line

While most baked goods can be left out at room temperature, there are some exceptions. Always store cakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator along with breads featuring meat or hard-boiled eggs. For baked goods that are stored at room temperature, place them in an airtight container.

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

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Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Tell us why!

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