I am making a cake for a friend of mine. It is actually for her daughter's birthday party. I am making a square pound cake with strawberry filling which will be covered in fondant and decorated to look like a birthday present with fondant ribbon, tag, etc.

My question is... How early is too early to make this cake? I don't normally worry about it too much because once the cake is covered in fondant it seems to hold in the freshness and moisture, but it is going to be filled with a strawberry filling so now I am worried. The bigger problem is that she wants to pick it up on Saturday, but the party is on Sunday.

So, how early can I bake the cakes, and then when should I fill, cover and decorate it so that it is still fresh by Sunday!!??

Thank you in advance!!

Bake it now. As long as the filling is shelf-stable, you can assemble it tomorrow and it will be fine. You could probably fill and ice it today, but I'd do it tomorrow. Then you can decorate it Sat.

At least that's what I'd do.