I am about to decorate a half sheet cake with bavarian cream filling (the prepackaged kind), and crusting cream cheese frosting. Its for my daughters birthday on sunday and I want to be able to get it out of the way because I have alot of food prep to do tomorrow. I always make my cakes the night before so I never had this problem. Please help!

Some people will tell you it is ok on the counter, but I think it will taste much better if it is chilled.

You don't think it will go bad or get funky, do you?

I vote - It will be fine!!! The frosting seals it in!

I wouldn't leave it out with the cream filling and cream cheese icing ... I would only take it out of the fridge for a couple of hours.

Well I've been told different things - I prefer sometimes to keep the cake in the fridge when the ingredients include butter or pudding or something...... but I've also left cakes w/ jams or jellies in them out of the fridge...... I've done both and so far havent' died!! Do what you feel is best. If it's really hot where you are though (as it seems to be everywhere) I would say to put it in the fridge..... sometimes it's better safe than sorry!

I agree with JoAnnB, I think the bavarian cream filling would taste better chilled.

If you bought the filling that is an sleeve and keeped on a shelf the cake would be fine but you have cream cheese frosting. The should be put in the fridge because of the frosting. You can leave out on table for a few hours depending on the weather. The filling will not be a problem becuase of the presevatives put in it (that way you when bought you can store in your pantry.)

How about leaving it out until tomorrow afternoon, like 24 hours from now and then refrigerating it, will it be alright that way? Or does it have to go to the fridge right after decorating it?

To me, it depends on the kind of cake and filling...
I would not feel as ease if the filling is creamy kind. and it will sit on the counter for two days.. Esp. that it is Summer time. I have done it before, but the filling was not the creamy kind..Colette Peters said that Buttercream is fine at room temp. by itself for two days. Use your judgement.

It's not sitting out for 2 days. I will be taking it to my parents tomorrow(where the party will be and there I was thinking to put in the fridge until sunday). My house is air conditioned, so its not hot. I just have a super small fridge and have no room for such a large cake.

One more question: Do ya'll know if jams/preserves are perishable? I use strawberry/peach and raspberry preserves for cake fillings/flavored buttercreams...do they need to be refrigerated or is it safe to leave them out at room temp?

Safe at room temp, IF they're purchased like Smuckers or any store brand but if it's something you made in your kitchen then the Department of Health doesn't allow it.