What's the best way to freeze and defrost cakes for future decorating? How far in advance can I bake and without freezing? How should I store?

Hi there, if you want to freeze a cake, let the cake cool completely and wrap it with saran wrap and then in foil and put it in a freezer bag. You can keep a well wrapped cake for at least 3 months. To defrost, take it out from the freezer two days ahead ( for saturday cake, take it out on thursday night), then take it out from the fridge on friday morning and let it come to room temperature. Do this with wrapping on. Don't take them out.

All my sponge cakes shelf life is 7 days. Carrot cake 14 days. If I'm not busy, I bake two days ahead. For saturday, I bake on thursday, torte and fill on thursday night. Let it settle overnight. Friday morning check for any bulges and then cover the cake with bc or fondant and decorate.

HTH.