If you apply your fondant a day or so before the cake is due, does the buttercream icing keep the fondant from drying out? My cake is due on Sunday but Saturday is full that I cannot work on it so I need to work on it Friday. Help.

I would cover the cake. I have left them uncovered before and the mmf did get hard. Not rock hard but definitely dried out. So now I always box them or try to keep them covered.

I've rubbed the surface with a tiny amount of shortening on my fingers. It will make it a little shiney, but keeps from drying out too much.