I made a 3 tier wedding cake last weekend for an anniversary party that was postponed due to a death in the family.  How do I store the cake for a week so that it will still be edible on this Saturday?  Thanks in advance for your advice!

Blessings,

Cara

ALast weekend? As in well overEIGHT days at this point? And where's it been since you finished it?

AIf it hasn't been frozen this whole time, I don't know that it would be salvageable for the party. I hear mud cakes last a while, but I don't know if 2 weeks is even over their limit for freshness. Bake again, would be my suggestion.

Unless it's already in the freezer, then DD is 100% right, the trash is the only place that cake should be going.

where did shanter's post go?

Even if it was just this past weekend, I'm going to assume it was made on Friday, that's already 4 days of sitting out. Add in the day to defrost and day of the party, that is almost a week which is simply too long, imo.

Unless it is a fruitcake or a mudcake.

Noooo! Make a new cake! I would not give a customer a cake that old.

we just need more information -- 

Sorry I wasn't more specific.  It was made on Friday the 17th for a party on the 18th.  It has been in the fridge since we found out early on the 18th that the party was postponed.  It was only at room temperature from Friday evening when we finished it (around 9:00 P.M.) to Saturday morning (around 10:30 A.M.).  So, let's try again on that question...

What sort of cake is it? As in any fillings etc. :)

Just a regular white cake with buttercream frosting?  No fillings.

I'm sorry to say, but if it didn't go in the freezer that morning, I think I'd have to donate the cake (immediately). Not thinking in terms of food safety - I can't speak to that - but because the cake won't be fresh. How awful would it be if the cake is stale and the party chatter is about guessing it's the same cake because it's stale? This is horrible, but something that happens. I'd be inclined to make them another darn cake for free and I wouldn't be happy about my decision until after it was all done. lol

If they are well to do, as in the price of this cake is pocket change for them, I might let them pay for the second cake. But if they aren't, I'd probably just grin and bear it.  And this is regardless of whatever contract I had with them. This would be a real challenge for me because the thought of giving away free cake makes me crazy, but I believe that's how I'd handle it.

Best of luck

Technically I think the cake wouldn't actually spoil, it's not like cream cheese has been used or anything, but I have to agree with sixinarow and howsweet. The cake will be stale and a wedding is a good chance to gain future customers, you have a lot of people in one room all talking about your cake while they eat it. I know I've gone to weddings and have eaten some phenomenal cake and friends and family of mine have taken business cards home and ordered birthday cakes from them. I don't think I'd want my name associated with old cake. 

I guess the next question is - do you just make a new cake for free for them? Or do you charge them a price because the first cake was already done on time? It's awful circumstances for the bride and groom, I think I'd do it for free, but I'm a sucker like that. It's a hard one, I don't envy you :(

at the consult as i've said often i tell peeps that the cake being made/delivered is not contingent on the wedding taking place--that it is up to them to store it--that i'm one person not a big conglomerate that can just absorb cakes into massive walk-in freezers -- i don't do encores --

i do sympathize with the family's loss--

i think the key to a successful sojourn in the freezer is the decor--and how you will defrost it--nice & gradual of course--

it might work--but i would be freaked out enough that i'd have to bake another one just in case i needed it so that's why i tell them paragraph #1  

not to mention i'd have to cut into cake A to see if i needed cake B which means i just screwed cake A--it's almost hopeless--you just about have to do it over--but i promise you'll do it over then you'll try the first one and it will be fine and i would hate myself--it's just a lose lose situation to me

I'm in the same boat as HowSweet, I would probably donate the cake somewhere asap, and rebake.
My contract does cover postponed cakes, but for a death in the family I would try to go the extra mile.
For any other reason, I won't keep the cake for them. I will deliver it somewhere other than the agreed upon address if need be, but it still gets delivered, and it is there responsibility to freeze it.

It's only ever happened to me twice, once the bride's mother passed away in a car accident, I wasn't about to pile on more bad news by saying 'tough luck'. The other time it was a case of the client giving me, and confirming, the wrong date. That time it got delivered anyway.

I will never deliver a cake that isn't fresh though, I care too much about my reputation.

What about keeping the tiered cake - somewhere where it will hold its shape and decor (if possible!), and then bake them new cake for the party?  You could just do plain rounds/slabs.  I would talk to the host and offer this solution, but they would still have to pay for the new cake I am baking.  I don't think it is fair that they would assume that you would be out of pocket (and bake them a new 3 tiered cake!) for them cancelling the party.  By all means work with them to find a solution, but it is not your fault that the party is postponed.

Good idea!

A

I agree, speak with the host and just use the decorated cake as a display cake. Bake sheet cakes for serving.

carassweetcafe, what did you decide to do?

Sorry, don't know why I'm typing in bold...

Before I say what I did, yet a little more information.  The customer in this situation is my son's teacher and a friend that we attend church with.  So my decision was probably swayed by that.

This is what I did...

I own a bakery/cafe.  So my customers were treated with the bottom tier of the cake on Tuesday (explaining to to them the situation.)  They were delighted.  I took the middle layer to a bank down the street that is one of my best customers.  They were equally delighted.  The top tier is still in my fridge here at the shop.  My employees are munching on it.  Same delight.

I am remaking the cake for the party at no additional charge.  I really wish I had seen the recommendation about leaving the original cake in tack before I cut it.  That was indeed a fabulous idea.  Would have saved me a bundle of trouble.

Thank you for all of the recommendations.  I know I can always get such wonderful, honest responses from you guys.  Although I don't post often, I do read a lot of your posts and appreciate the responses.  Thanks, again, for your help!  I will definitely come up with a "policy" for future reference!  Blessings to each of you!!!

A

At least you got something good out of it. Giving the cake away to your customers will most likely get you some more business. Of course you felt like you should make a new cake it the host is a friend to you, they should be very thankful.