If I bake a cake frost and ice it for a birthday party how far in advance can I do this?!

[greenio]

Thinking about making a birthday cake two days in advance could this work?!

Yes I bake my kids cakes up to 4 days in advance. They are always fine

Depends on the type of cake!

Just a vanilla sponge. Then buttercream frosting between them and icing over it.

I frequently bake and freeze the cake in advance. If doing a crumb coat of buttercream its easier to put on it whilst frozen too; then i will ice it on the day.

Thanks @elaeocarpus can I ask a silly question. How long does it take the cake to defrost if you freeze it (extremely novice baker here!)

@greenio depending in how thick/large the cake is-in the current temps probably a 3 hours to defrost if on taken out of freezer and left on the table- i tend to take them out in the morning of tge day needed- assuming i need it for afternoon or evening .

If you've iced/crumb coated with a buttercream or cream before freezing i would defrost it slower, in the fridge, so the icing doesn't melt, so probably overnight in fridge then take out in the morning to finish defrost and come up to temp after a few hours.

Icing them is alot easier whilst they are cold too.

You really don’t need to go to the bother of freezing it. A few days ahead is no problem. The icing seals the moisture and keeps the cake fresh. I’m a cake maker and usually bake Tuesday for Saturday. I never freeze cakes.

You don’t need to freeze it. I bake Tuesday for Saturday also

Rule of thumb for Madeira is a week to decorate and a week to eat. Sponge is a little less forgiving and you get 3 days either side.

Personally I don’t like the texture of defrosted homemade cake. Although shop cakes are generally fine so I’m not sure what makes the difference. I would just wrap it airtight in cling film until ready to frost.

Once buttercream goes on it needs to be in the fridge as that is the thing that goes off quickest.

Thanks all. I am currently putting buttercream in a cake I made yesterday for tomorrow fingers crossed it all works out!

Hello again! Any ideas if I can fix slightly cracked icing ?!

Back in the fridge then smooth another layer of buttercream over? Or a warmed up pallet knife to melt and smooth? Do you have a pic?

This! Thank you