This week I made an adorable fairy priness cake with a gumpaste fairy on the top. Super cute. She was suppossed to pick it up today, and said she would pay cash when she got here. I just got home from running errands, and got this email:

IS THERE ANY WAY TO POSTPONE THE MAKING OF THIS CAKE? MY FATHER PASSED AWAY
YESTERDAY AND WE DO NOT THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO HAVE THE PARTY THIS
WEEKEND, BUT WILL HAVE IT NEXT WEEKEND. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVIENCE.

I don't mean to be insensitive, but the cake is ready! And I am booked next weekend! What do I say so that I make it clear that the cake is ready, but so that I don't come of as uncaring?

Wow! This is sticky. Is there any way to remove the gumpaste figure and freeze the cake for next weekend?

If not, then send her an email expressing your condolences and explain that the cake has already been made and you are unavailable next weekend. Maybe she will pick up the cake anyway. If not, if it was "me", I would just get stuck with the cake.

HTH and sorry this happened.

Can the fondant be frozen too? Or would I have to peel it off, and then redo it next week?

gumpaste and fondant can be frozen but can you get it in your freezer/ and take it out the evening before allow about 12/14 hours/ DO NOT TOUCH IT it WILL look wet but it will dry out.....dont worry.. not sure about the marshmallow fondant though. Good luck I hope all works out.

Thanks. I'll propose that to her. It makes me feel so slimy to talk business when someone has died, but at the same time...I provided a service that needs to be paid for. Yuck!!!!

I have frozen fondant figures (the animals on my jungle cake in my pics) before and when I defrosted them they were a little wet but eventually the moisture evaporated/absorbed and they were fine. But I don't know about the whole cake. Maybe you can disasemble it and freeze what you can (accents, flowers, ball borders etc.) and just put some fresh fondant on it next weekend and the defrosted accents. Sorry this happened .

I would express my condolences and tell her you can completely understand why a party would feel inappropriate, and that you'll be happy to store the completed cake in your freezer for her until next weekend. Then quickly mention that it should thaw just fine in time for her to pick it up. In other words, let her know you're going to freeze it, but not in a cruel way, you know? Kind of politely alerting her to the fact that it may not be quite as perfect after freezing, although I believe it will come out just fine! You're right though, sticky situation. At least you care enough to be tactful. Some people would really not be as thoughtful!

I don't have any advice for you but wanted to say sorry for your terrible situation. That stinks!!!

I like what Melvira said, because that gives her a chance to meet you in the middle. Most people would not expect a small business to eat the full cost of that. So sorry! <<<Cheryl

Have her pick it up, pay you for it, and freeze it at home. Tell her how to freeze and thaw. It isn't your responsibility to hold on to an already decorated cake until they need it. The situation stinks, but I still wouldn't hold it for her. If you can freeze and thaw it, so can she. JMO!

That's it! That's it... what Jen1977 said.

OK, well, I talked to her and I decided to just freeze it. I feel bad because she was pretty upset. Maybe I am a sucker, and I hope she will pay me, but I just did what seemed like the right thing to do. Let you know how it turns out! Thanks for all the advice!

You aren't a sucker--you are being compassionate and she will appreciate and remember this!!

Ummm. one more thing...since I am freezinf it, do I wrap it in plastic wrap? And then do I leave it on then it defrosts? Or take it off?

So sorry for this situation but I think you handled it very well. By handling this situation in a sensitive and caring manner, she will remember this situation with a positive outlook and be sure to place future orders with you.

Wrap it well. If you can undecorate at least the figurines and leave those out and tear apart your tiers to wrap them individually, it will be better. Use plastic wrap, and foil. Generously wrap. Remove from freezer and leave all packaging on it. The condensation will stick to the wrap instead of the cake.

I just checked out the info on baking 911 for you. It says you can freeze a fondant covered cake unless it has a custard or cream filling. It also said to cover with plastic and then foil. Thaw in the wrapper in an air conditioned room as this will keep down the condensation. Also says you can use a fan to help dry up the condensation. By the way, this was a very nice thing you did for your customer.