How soon is to soon to bake the cake...and how long can I wait to put the fondant on...how do I store it?

Question

How soon is to soon to bake the cake...and how long can I wait to put the fondant on...how do I store it?

Answer 1

This is usually my schedule for making a cake:

Day 1: bake, cool and wrap in plastic wrap.

Day 2: Level, fill and crumb coat.

Day 3: Cover with fondant and decorate.

You can bake, cool, level, fill and crumb coat all on the same day if you would rather.  The fondant needs to go on the next day though.

I always get my fondant-covered cakes done the day before they're due.  I tell people to leave it out of the fridge until after they're done displaying and serving it, and then to put the leftovers in the fridge, or freeze if they need to store it longer than three days.

The fondant will keep the cake moist and fresh.  Be sure that you use a filling that doesn't have to be refrigerated.  Regular buttercream doesn't have to be refrigerated, even though it has some milk.  Fill and crumb coat the cake the day before you cover it in fondant, so that it has a chance to settle.  That will eliminate ugly bulges, ridges or wrinkled sides on your cake.  

Answer 2

you can make the cake 2 days ahead of time.  wrap them in plastic wrap before you ice them.  when you are ready to decorate, unwrap the cakes, frost with buttercream icing, then apply the fondant the day before.  whatever you do, do not, do not refrigerate.  it will only dry the cake and create moisture on the fondant.  store in a bakery box.  do not put plastic wrap over a decorated cake, especially in the summer.  it can create moisture quickly, which will drip on the cake.  good luck with your creation!  

Answer 3

you can bake a cake well in advance and freeze it of you like. If not freezing it just make sure you wrap it air tight and refridgerate. It will last for DAYS. You should put the fondant on a few hours befoore serving it - it can sit on teh counter for a few hours with no issues.