Hi!
I need your help - I have several questions. We are making a Bible cake (with the open book cake pan) for a baptism. We'll be making the cake tonight. Frosting and decorating tomorrow (Friday). They are picking the cake up on Saturday to serve on Sunday after the Baptism.
1. First of all, should I freeze the cake tonight - or just leave it out since we are decorating tomorrow?
2. We are using CK buttercream icing on the cake. Is that going to be OK to put on Friday if it isn't served until Sunday? Or....should we wake up really early on Saturday morning and frost then?
3. We are using some gumpaste decorations (cross, booties, etc...) and some fondant - like the ribbon for the Bible. We will be making them tonight. We thought the ribbon would be better with fondant - but now that I'm thinking about it, would it be better to use gumpaste for the ribbon? Does it matter?
4. If we place the decorations on the cake on Friday - will they stay hard until Sunday? If it is refrigerated - won't the condensation mess things up as far as coloring and pearl dust?
Thanks so much for any help you can give us. We appreciate it!!!
Hi,
I can't help you with all your questions I'm afraid as I don't decorate with buttercream.
However, you can leave the cake out, just make sure you wrap it with foil to stop it from drying out.
It doesn't matter whether you use fondant or gumpaste for the ribbon, both will work well. However the fondant will be softer and therefore easier to cut
Never, never put fondant or gumpaste decorations in the fridge, the condensation with make them soften and look like they've melted.
i am assuming that you are baking on thursday? because i would say that if you have the time, you might want to bake on friday, especially if you are going to leave the cake out on the counter. i personally feel that, that is quite a few days between baking and serving. as for the bow, if you want the loops to really stand up, i would use gumpaste or 50/50 gumpaste/fondant mix.
1. First of all, should I freeze the cake tonight - or just leave it out since we are decorating tomorrow?
You should freeze the cake - it'll be easier to ice, and you won't get as many crumbs in your icing. Also, it'll be that much fresher when you serve it Sunday.
2. We are using CK buttercream icing on the cake. Is that going to be OK to put on Friday if it isn't served until Sunday? Or....should we wake up really early on Saturday morning and frost then?
The icing will be fine - especially if you refrigerate after you ice it.
3. We are using some gumpaste decorations (cross, booties, etc...) and some fondant - like the ribbon for the Bible. We will be making them tonight. We thought the ribbon would be better with fondant - but now that I'm thinking about it, would it be better to use gumpaste for the ribbon? Does it matter?
You can use either, I would assume. Unless it's going to be in a position where you need it to remain stiff (curled, etc.) fondant would be best.
4. If we place the decorations on the cake on Friday - will they stay hard until Sunday? If it is refrigerated - won't the condensation mess things up as far as coloring and pearl dust?
I would put the decorations on the morning you are going to deliver the cake, and keep it refrigerated until then. Leave the cake out to come to room temp before putting decorations on, just in case you get condensation - you don't want any colors in your decorations to bleed onto the cake.
Does your filling require refigeration? I've never used CK frosting, but isn't it shelf stable?
1. no need to freeze. I routinely bake cakes Thursday for Sat/Sun. wrap in plastic wrap until you are ready to ice. It will be fine.
2. you can ice friday and it will be fine.
3. I agree the ribbon would be easier to cut in fondant.
4. I would wait to put the gumpaste decorations until Sunday, just in case! 
Wow - great tips everyone! I am so grateful for your expertise - I really am. I feel a bit more confident now. You are angels!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%