Keeping Honey Chocolate Cake

Our answer

Nigella's Honey Chocolate Cake (from Feast and on the Nigella website) is a moist cake that keeps quite well. This is partly thanks to the honey in the cake as the honey helps to retain moisture in the cake and prevents it from staling too quickly. Cakes will also stale more quickly after they have been cut, as they have a greater area exposed to the air.

The Honey Chocolate Cake, iced and un-cut, should keep for 3 to 5 days, though will be at its best within the first 3 days. After the cake has been cut it will keep for 3 to 4 days. The cake should be stored on a cake stand covered with a dome, or in an airtight container or cake tin. Try to keep the cake in a cool, dry place.

The cake is best frozen un-iced. To do this, wrap the cake tightly in a double layer of clingfilm, followed by a layer of foil. Freeze the cake for up to 3 months. To thaw the cake, unwrap it and stand it on a wire rack at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours before icing.