lots of questions. i'm a newbie. I use simple syrup with bacardi rum. (1) how soon after putting on cake can i put bc and fondant ? i was taught to wait overnite. will it hurt if i do it sooner? (2) after 2 days at room temp, it smells a little and gets a bit sticky, as if going bad. what am i doing wrong? (3) how long in advance can i make a cake ? (4) how long in adv if stored in fridge vs. freezer? thanks!
if u store it in the fridge you should only keep for about a week and a bit and then make a fresh batch. i am not sure about the freezer... for some reason i am thinking it might not freeze because of the sugar content.. or it may crystlize...or something weird. maybe just make as much as u think you r going to need. and in my experiance, i only waited long enough for the syrup to absorb before icing
i usually decorate it the day before the event. i meant 2 days after the event, it seems to be going off a bit. that means its been out for 3 days or so, since after decor, it doesnt go back in fridge. is that normal shelf life ?
I keep my simple syrup for approximately a month in the frig--I have never had a problem with it.
In regards to yor questions:
1) I let the simple syrup soak in for a few minutes while I tort my remaining layers; then I dam, fill and crumb coat immediately.
2) What type of bc are you using?
3/4) You can bake your cakes in advance and freeze. I have had cakes in the freezer for a few weeks with no problems. Make sure you double or triple wrap with plastic wrap, and I put foil over that. Others also put it in a freezer bag. I have stored cakes I am working on in frig for a day or two. The frig tends to dry out cake so I would not leave it in there too long, unless the recipe says to store it in the frig.
HTH
Sheryl
well normally simple syrup is supposed to be refrigerated. you really shouldn't store it at room temp. my guess is that because you aren't refrigerating it, it is going bad. to save you from having to make more each time you decorate, its best to keep the syrup in the fridge and refridgerated it should have a shelf life of a week to a week and a half.
I use simple syrup with bacardi rum in it...I do store it in the fridge, but my Puerto Rican cake the longer it has the syrup in it the better it tastes, so I am wondering whats different. For the cake with the rum the more days the cake has the syrup with the rum the better tasting the cake gets. I usually have to make that cake 3 days ahead so it takes all the flavor..
Edna 
let me describe how it is when i say 'bad'... a slightly different smell and when you cut a slice of cake and as u pull it away, it trails tiny strings of syrup behind, like a spider web. is that normal, 2-3 days after the occasion?
My syrup molds also even in the fridge. I actually found this thread because I was going to ask about it! Who'd think that sugar and water would mold. Whatev. Glad I'm not the only one.
If you aren't doing so, you should always let your simple syrup cool to room temp before storing it in the fridge. If you put something airtight in the fridge that is super hot, you run a very high chance of botulism or other bacteria growing in the syrup, because it hasn't been cooled correctly. I've made simple syrup hundreds of times following this procedure and have never seen rancid/moldy simple syrup in my time.
-Kristy
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