I’ve shared quite a few simple syrup recipes and figured it would be helpful to share a simple syrup 101! This covers all kinds of questions, including my most frequent question of “how long does simple syrup last?”
It’s best to keep your simple syrup in the fridge in an airtight container, since leaving it out at room temperature can cause it to spoil in as little as one week, warns Kitchen Sanity.
Does Simple Syrup Go Bad?
The short answer is yes. You’ll know it has gone bad once it is no longer clear and starts to look cloudy in appearance.
When this happens, it has started to grow mold and should be thrown out.
This can be harder to tell with darker flavored syrups like chocolate or blueberry, so follow the guidelines above and use flavored+n syrup within 2 weeks of when it’s made.
I find it’s super helpful to label my container, so I know how old it is and when I need to use it by.
How Can It Be Used?
I’m sure it’s no surprise, but my favorite way to use it is to brush it on cake layers!! It adds both moisture and flavor and truly makes any cake irresistible.
I highly recommend leveling each cake layer before adding the syrup, so they can easily absorb the liquid.
You can use a silicone pastry brush or a plastic squirt bottle to generously soak each cake layer with syrup. The entire top of the cake layer should look moist once you’ve added it.
I usually brush my cake layers right before I assemble a cake.
If you want to make and freeze cake layer in advance, I recommend thawing them and then adding the syrup just before you frost the cake.
I use this technique with my death by chocolate cake and it really takes the cake to the next level.
It also tastes amazing in cocktails and coffee. The sky is really the limit!
How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?
FAQ
Does simple syrup go bad unrefrigerated?
Can bacteria grow in simple syrup?
How long can you keep syrup at room temperature?
How long does simple syrup last in the fridge?
In general, a basic syrup with 1 part sugar and 1 part water will last around 2 weeks in the fridge. Rich simple syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) stored in the fridge will last longer, usually for a month or even longer.
Does yogurt go bad if kept in the refrigerator?
Yoghurt should be kept in the fridge as it is a dairy product that tends to deteriorate more quickly when not refrigerated. In the freezer, yoghurt will last up to a month without losing its flavour. Place it in an airtight container to prevent frostbite.
Should simple syrup be refrigerated?
Its water content makes it a breeding ground for all kinds of undesirables, so it’s a must to keep it refrigerated. Note that rich simple syrup, which contains twice as much sugar, will last for longer. It still should be refrigerated, but you’ll notice that its shelf life is much greater than basic 1:1 simple syrup.
Does simple syrup expire?
Simple syrup is a commonly used sweetener in cocktails, baking, and other culinary applications. It is a mixture of sugar and water that has been heated until the sugar dissolves. Although simple syrup is easy to make and has a longer shelf life than regular sugar, it still has an expiration date.