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How early is TOO early?

post #1 of 20
2/9/12 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
So I just had a lady slightly freak out because she thought her cake was not going to be "fresh". The party is Saturday afternoon, and I told her I would have it ready Friday afternoon. She wasn't happy with that, and told me she didn't want it until Saturday. Doesn't she realize either way I will be making it on Friday?!?

Isn't it pretty standard for people who do this as a business (not a hobby) that cakes are baked on Thursdays, decorated on Fridays and eaten on Saturday?


When we have a cake for a birthday or holiday, we are still eating it four or five days later and it's still good!
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post #2 of 20
2/9/12 at 12:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoriMc

So I just had a lady slightly freak out because she thought her cake was not going to be "fresh". The party is Saturday afternoon, and I told her I would have it ready Friday afternoon. She wasn't happy with that, and told me she didn't want it until Saturday. Doesn't she realize either way I will be making it on Friday?!?

Isn't it pretty standard for people who do this as a business (not a hobby) that cakes are baked on Thursdays, decorated on Fridays and eaten on Saturday?


When we have a cake for a birthday or holiday, we are still eating it four or five days later and it's still good!



you would just have to explain to her that in order to decorate it the cake needs to be fully cooled...this is as fresh as it gets! the bakeries and walmart freeze them for who knows how long icon_rolleyes.gif
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #3 of 20
2/9/12 at 12:53pm
Oh my! The three day rule is the best one! I have tried in the past to "push it" to one or two days for family and it just doesn't work! It never settles right or blows out! She sounds like trouble IMO.........
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post #4 of 20
2/9/12 at 1:07pm
All my Saturday cakes are baked Thursday, decorated Friday and delivered or picked up on Saturday.
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post #5 of 20
2/9/12 at 1:23pm
I do the three day rule as well! But since I'm a new baker- I have to admit that I thought that was crazy until I tried it too- once you fill and coat the cake it locks in moisture though- so you can explain it that way....
I've learned so much from my mistakes..... I'm thinking of making a few more!
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I've learned so much from my mistakes..... I'm thinking of making a few more!
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post #6 of 20
2/9/12 at 1:28pm
Just wondering...3 day rule... so bake thurs. decorate friday....does that mean you torte and let settle also on friday, and then cover it on friday too? just checking, as I'm always second guessing myself If i'm letting the cake settle long enough before covering! icon_smile.gif
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post #7 of 20
2/9/12 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mystsparkle

Just wondering...3 day rule... so bake thurs. decorate friday....does that mean you torte and let settle also on friday, and then cover it on friday too? just checking, as I'm always second guessing myself If i'm letting the cake settle long enough before covering! icon_smile.gif



I don't cover cakes with fondant, so it's not an issue for me. Maybe someone else can answer??
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post #8 of 20
2/9/12 at 3:15pm
im baking right now for my grandaughters birthday cake on saturday. i too follow the 3 day rule. when i first started caking i tried to do it on 1 or 2 days. holy moly no way!! i always had blow outs and my fondant decorations never were dry.
i actually some of the fondant decorations last night. finished what i could this morning. im baking now-once cooled i will torte, fill and crumb croat. tomorrow i will finsih the cake with final coat of buttercream, add deocrations and hopefully be done by tomorrow night. id much rather work on cakes all night than during the day (but thats just my prefernce)
while my cakes have been baking ive made my cake boards and put fondant on my large cake board.
of course i say all of the above as if ill have no problems! hahaah
i think the general public is used to going to the store picking out a cake and having the baker add some writing to it. so in their mind their cake is a freshed-baked cake.
i dont think the realize those cakes have been sitting there for a few days-and taste like it was defrosted from a freezer.
you have every right to justify your decision for the 3-day cake rule. if she still has issue-tell her to come visit us here......we will be more than hapy to explain!!
good luck
Wilton Method Instructor. If you're lucky enough to be on a beach...you're lucky enough.
DANCE as though no one is watching you, LOVE as though you have never been hurt before, SING as though no one can hear you, LIVE as though heaven is on earth...souza
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Wilton Method Instructor. If you're lucky enough to be on a beach...you're lucky enough.
DANCE as though no one is watching you, LOVE as though you have never been hurt before, SING as though no one can hear you, LIVE as though heaven is on earth...souza
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post #9 of 20
2/9/12 at 3:18pm
I bake Thursday night. I wrap the cakes in saran wrap while they are still hot. (I let the 2 tiers cool on top of eachother so it helps flatten.. If that makes sense) They take about 6 hours to cool fully. So I torte in stack in the AM. Crumbcoat. Then leave for work. And come home around 2-3 to cover in fondant, decorate and have ready for the AM pickup.
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post #10 of 20
2/9/12 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mplaidgirl2

I bake Thursday night. I wrap the cakes in saran wrap while they are still hot. (I let the 2 tiers cool on top of eachother so it helps flatten.. If that makes sense) They take about 6 hours to cool fully. So I torte in stack in the AM. Crumbcoat. Then leave for work. And come home around 2-3 to cover in fondant, decorate and have ready for the AM pickup.



i'm sorry to say this...but wrapping in saran while they are still hot is a hot-box for bacteria to grow icon_sad.gif this is why cakes should be fully cooled before wrapped.
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
Reply
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #11 of 20
2/9/12 at 4:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by step0nmi

Quote:
Originally Posted by mplaidgirl2

I bake Thursday night. I wrap the cakes in saran wrap while they are still hot. (I let the 2 tiers cool on top of eachother so it helps flatten.. If that makes sense) They take about 6 hours to cool fully. So I torte in stack in the AM. Crumbcoat. Then leave for work. And come home around 2-3 to cover in fondant, decorate and have ready for the AM pickup.



i'm sorry to say this...but wrapping in saran while they are still hot is a hot-box for bacteria to grow icon_sad.gif this is why cakes should be fully cooled before wrapped.



I saran wrap mine while they are still warm and then either put them in the frig or freezer depending on when they are needed. If they are going to be in there more than over night I will saran wrap (lots of wrap) and then also foil wrap them. Wraping them while still warm locks in the moisture. I have never had a problem with the cakes going bad or anyone getting sick.

I have had cakes in the freezer for over a month and they never know the difference, but I wrap them alot! If a customer wants a last minute cake, I will use one of these and they have to take what I have. Depending on how last minute they are, they are also limited one how much decorating I will do.
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post #12 of 20
2/9/12 at 4:28pm
Remember, the customer is always right. Simply tell her that she certainly have a freshly baked cake on Saturday but unfortunately it won't be decorated, but it will be freshly baked. Her choice.
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post #13 of 20
2/9/12 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeniseNH

Remember, the customer is always right. Simply tell her that she certainly have a freshly baked cake on Saturday but unfortunately it won't be decorated, but it will be freshly baked. Her choice.




LOL!!!!!! Lovin' it!
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post #14 of 20
2/9/12 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeniseNH

Remember, the customer is always right. Simply tell her that she certainly have a freshly baked cake on Saturday but unfortunately it won't be decorated, but it will be freshly baked. Her choice.



Thats a good one. I wonder what she will say then.
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post #15 of 20
2/9/12 at 5:31pm
The cake I'm making now is for Saturday. I had to bake yesterday (Wed) because customer is picking up tomorrow (Fri) because I will be out of town Fri-Sat. She seemed fine with it! I just told her how I recommended she store it until Sat. So, in this case it's the 4-day rule!
Learning as I go . . . and lovin' every minute!
Cake Designs by Erin
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Learning as I go . . . and lovin' every minute!
Cake Designs by Erin
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