i was just wondering how long is best to cover a cake in fondant before it is needed, i am doing a 3 tier wedding cake for july 21st and the brides mum asked me last night if it was finished, if i decorate it now would it be ok on the day xx

Wow... July 21st... And they want it now? I'm quite certain it'll be moldy by the time the event gets here! I'm sure you'll get many differing answers but I bake on day 1, decorate on day 2, and deliver and stack on day 3.

First of all, the cake would be inedible if it was finished already. The fondant does help in keeping the cake covered and keeping it from getting stale, but there is a certain point were the fondant will start to get hard and take the moisture. I would say only about 3-4 days before.

Did they order fruitcake? That should be baked 6-10 weeks ahead.

Otherwise bake no more than 3 days ahead if possible.

But welcome to the world of brides mums who panic all the way to the "I do's"

One month ahead! Gross! What is the Mother thinking!? All I have read is a cake covered in fondant is good for 3 or 4 days ahead of date needed. Remember though if you are doing any decorations in fondant that need to harden, you need to do those ahead and let air dry.

I presume the mother of the bride thinks the wedding cake will have the same shelf life as shop bought cakes (which is so wrong). I work on a seven day shelf life ie bake Thursday, decorate Friday for the wedding on Saturday.

Thanks all, it is a fruit cake, and i thought the fondant would be awful if i did it now xx

fondant only skins over ie is always soft to the bit.

The shelf life of factory produced fondant in the UK is 12 months