Hello Everyone!

I am making a pansy theamed cake for a lady celebrating her 95th birthday. I need to deliver it on Aug. 12th. This will be my second biggest cake. I have made one wed. cake befor and was able to take some vacation time from work so I had lots of time. However, that will not be possible this time so my question is:

1. How far in advanced can I make and stor the flowers?

2. What would be the best way to stor them?

3. If I completed the cake on Thursday or Friday would it keep well until Sat.? And how would I stor the cake? In the fridge?

I have so many questions! This cake is going to be very big, for a party cake. It will serve about 150 to 170 people!

I would be very greatful for anyones advice and help!

Thanks, Sharon

If you complete the cake on Friday, it will definitely be fine. Thursday...someone else will have to answer that one.

However, on the flowers, you can make them now! I have flowers I made over a year ago and they still look new! I store them in those little plastic drawers (you know the ones about 8 inches tall for 5 drawers), so they are protected from the dust and the sunlight.

For the royal icing flowers you can make them any time. Once dried store them in a place free of dust.

As for storing the cake. That depends on what type of cake you are planning on making.

What flavor? mix or scratch?
What filling?
What icing?
Fondant?

Those four things can make a big difference on the storage and shelf life of a cake.

Leily

I will be making a 16x16 2 layer chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting and no filling. On top will be a 10x10 cake set to look like a table which will also be coverd with buttercream. I will also have a teapot and 4 teacups that will be coverd with fondant.

Would storing the cake in the fridge make the buttercream dry? What would be the best way, should I cover it with something? How about the fondant covered teapot and cups? What would be the best way to stor them?

The weather hear in Washington has been very hot and muggy. If it is still that way in Aug. How is that going to change how I stor the cake?

Sorry for all the questions but I am still new to cake decorating and this will only be the second cake that I will be paid for, so I am a little stressed!

Thank you everyone for all of your help.

Sharon