Instead of throwing myself off the balcony, I decided to post my disaster here and have a chill before trying to resolve how to bake and mature a rich fruit cake over night!!

 It must be fruit as they want to keep the top tier for anniversary or christening

Any ideas to help save my sanity?

Oh wow, sorry that happened to you. Errm, at least it happened today and not tomorrow....riiigght?

I hope you can figure something out! Best of luck, keep us updated

Was it covered with sugarpaste?  Can it be scraped off and recovered, or is it all in pieces?

Chocolate....

ASince your top tier is fruit cake, I am assuming that you are not in the us, lol. I think your only option would be the nearest bakery or 24 hour supermarket. I would pour the best brandy I own over it, along with a fabulous sugar syrup and redecorate. It won't be your fabulous cake, but in a year or so when they taste it they will blame any shortcomings on storage factors, etc. I think.

Thanks for the warning, I will be double careful!

AHow about decorating a dummy cake in the same size as the top tier. Since they are saving it for at least a year, you can bake the replacement as soon as you are able and give it to the couple. I would simply explain to them what happened, but not until after the wedding.

If you are unable to get a dummy in the right size, simply make rice krispy treats (or buy pre-made treats and warm them in the microwave) and press them into the same size cake pan to make your own dummy. Just remember to line the pan with plastic wrap.

Good luck and please let us know how things turned out!

I agree with hmcakery- they probably would enjoy a fresh cake in a year anyhow.:)

will do what hmcakery says, do a dummy and bake a new one to deliver to them at a later stage.  they wont be cutting it an any case and you are not spoiling the design in any way. If you think they will be unhappy maybe add a voucher for a celebration cake

i think the bride might need to know since there's 24 hours till go time-- i'd use my instincts to either call the bride or her 'important wedding helper person' but someone needs to know --at least by time of delivery--don't leave it without informing someone--

what if they run out of servings and they cut it--do as much damage control as you can--

if i spoke to the bride i would say, Your cake will look exactly as ordered and i'm taking care of everything for you however i will use a different cake/dummy inside for tomorrow and deliver the fruit cake tier afterwards because blablabla

it's a tough call but since i don't do those kind of cakes that need to mature that's my gut reaction--she should know this far out--if it happened day of--i'd speak up at delivery time at least--

what if aged aunt louise is able to attend the wedding after all and the bride decides to cut the top tier in her honor or to give her to travel back with and then she's all disappointed 'cause it's not what she ordered--

they need to know i think

oh,we are talking no fondant or marzipan and just crumbs - not a chance of salvage (except from my husband who insits on the 20 second rule for his own consumption!!) lol

I have gone for it and baked another fruit cake - I called the brides mum and explained and we have agreed that after the wedding the cake will be returned to me for 'storage' and I can strip it and mature it over the year and redecorate for their anniversary. phew, that phone call went sooooo much better than I expected :) I willpost a picture tomorrow, once it has been set up at the venue.

Thanks for all of your input and suggestions - that was a learning curve!!

AYou could try making a boiled fruit cake, if you have time to redecorate again as well? They don't need maturing time like a normal fruit cake and will be fine to eat tomorrow?

I think it turned out alright in the end, despite my nightmare last night! Thanks for all your suggestions and support, it helped.

AThat looks great, well done! :)

ABeautiful cake ....well rescued x