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How soon should you bake the cake before decorating it?

post #1 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:28pm
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I'm curious as to how far in advance of decorating a cake can you bake the cake and still have the cake taste reasonably good. And, how far in advance can the cake be decorated before the event?
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post #2 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:36pm
I usually do it the night before because I'm a procrastinator! And I'm always rushing in the end! I think most people bake up to 2-3 days before and frost maybe 1-2 days ? Once you frost it, it should stay fresher and seal in the freshness.
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post #3 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:40pm
I did a wedding cake 2 weeks ago for a Friday night. I baked them all on Wednesday and frosted and decorated them late Thursday night and delivered it on Friday morning. The bride told me it was delicious.
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post #4 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:41pm
I always try to bake as close to the due date a possible, however, if you need to bake ahead of time, bake 3-4 days in advance, wrap and freeze for a short time. I don't see the harm in decorating the day before or two days before if the decorating detail is time consuming.
When the going gets tough-----whip it a while, it will fluff up!
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When the going gets tough-----whip it a while, it will fluff up!
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post #5 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:41pm
It depends on whether you are making a box or scratch cake. Box cakes have chemicals that help preserve their freshness. A box cake can be tasty for up to a week after baking. I would not leave a scratch cake for more than 3-4 days. Frosting a cake or wrapping it in fondant will seal in some of the freshness. I try to bake (or un-freeze) 1-2 days before delivery so people get as fresh a product as possible-- you never know if your customer will have leftovers and how long they will keep them around! icon_smile.gif
How to Price Your Cakes
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How to Price Your Cakes
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post #6 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:45pm
Many people have different schedules for dealing with this. No particular way is the only right way. Do whatever works for you.

I bake the day before, and ice/decorate the cake within 24 hours. I never refrigerate or freeze my cakes. My clients pick up the cakes within a few hours of when I finish.
Anna (105 lbs lost since June 1, 2009)
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Anna (105 lbs lost since June 1, 2009)
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post #7 of 9
7/22/07 at 6:47pm
I use doctored mixes. If a cake is due on Saturday, I bake Thursday and freeze, then decorate on Friday. If I know I have something else to do on Thursday, I will bake Wednesday. thumbs_up.gif
-Jen
www.freewebs.com/jenscustomcakes
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-Jen
www.freewebs.com/jenscustomcakes
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post #8 of 9
7/22/07 at 7:38pm
My normal schedule is bake/ice/decorate on Thurs for a Sat wedding. howver, I have baked/iced/decorated as early as Tuesday .... and rec'd comments from wedding guests on how it "....was the best tasting cake" they'd ever had!
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Cake Cutting Guide: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/cake%20comb
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/
www.cateritsimple.blogspot.com
http://debiswritingcollection.blogspot.com/
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post #9 of 9
7/23/07 at 5:54am
I try to time it so the cake purposely sits for at least a few hours after I stack and crumb coat so that it settles.

I also want it to sit for at least a few hours (if not overnight) prior to delivery, just so I know everything is set and secured.
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