How to store commercial cakes and muffins

How to tell commercial cakes and muffins have gone bad

General signs for baked goods: bakery, the group USDA lists commercial cakes and muffins under.

• Fuzzy green, white or black spots anywhere on the surface
• Musty or sour smell instead of a baked, yeasty scent
• Hard, dry crumb that crumbles instead of springing back
• Sticky or slimy patches on cut surfaces
• Filling that separates, weeps liquid or smells sour

More on baked goods: bakery. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Keep bread and cookies in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for a few days, or freeze in an airtight bag for longer storage. Refrigerate anything with cream, custard or fresh fruit filling, and let frozen baked goods thaw at room temperature before serving.