Sorry this might be long. I apologize in advance and thanks for helping.
I have to do a 5-tier cake for a friend's daughter's wedding. I have done 3-tiers and a smaller version 4-tier before though I've been away from big baking due to getting back to workforce with a new job. I am a home baker who is not really in business at the moment. However, I'm getting a little confused on timelines for baking, decorating and assembly.
Because I'm not as free as before due to my job, I plan to start baking and freezing about 3-4 weeks early, then defrost and start the crumbcoating and icing a week to the wedding, BUT the main confusion is how to handle the last part after the decoration. The cake has silhouette painting as part of the decor so putting it in the fridge is not an option lest condensation messes up the painting. I plan to stack at the reception venue. And I am also attending the wedding so I need to get everything sorted before the Saturday.
I hope it makes sense. Just so confused. Please help. Thanks.
That seems a long time one week (7 days) to have cake sitting out with frosting on it before the wedding. I have had a frosted cake sitting out at room temperature for 3 days while it was being eaten and it was fine. I am not expert so I will be following this thread to see what others say on this subject. Since I don't work with fondant I have no idea how long that can sit out either. The experts here will be able to give us more information about how long a cake can sit out like that and still be fresh tasting.
This sounds like a very big job especially since you work. I have read that baking and freezing is a good thing and normally locks in the freshness of a cake. I imagine you will be exhausted once you get done.
I agree w/remnant3333. 7 days at room temp is way too long. 3 days at most is what you should shoot for. Fzing the layers either as is or putting together tiers - filling and crumb coating - is fine before fzing. You could even finish icing it & fz if stored in cake boxes that are then wrapped in plastic bags. Once removed from the fzr, condensation is minimized by keeping them in the box until they come to room temp.
Thanks remnant3333 and kakeladi. I was initially thinking of defrosting to do crumbcoating a week early and putting back in the fridge to finish decor.
I'll crumbcoat and then freeze as you're suggesting. I have not had to freeze after icing so didnt think I could do that. I usually put in the fridge if I'm not vovering with fondant straight away. That should help with the time and then I can fondant cover 2 or 3 days ahead. I see an all-night work ahead. Pheew. Thanks a lot.
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