How Long Will by Iced Cake Last?

[Normal4Norfolk]

DD is 5 this w/end and I've over-committed myself to making a 2 tier fairy garden cake. why?, WHY?!

Anyway, I'm going finish it with buttercream and fondant icing. How long do you think it will keep nice and fresh tasting for?

The sponge will be lemon and plain.

Oh, and another question, I'm going to tier a 6 inch cake on top of an 8inch cake. Do I need to dowel? What if I just put the top tier on for the couple of hours it'll be on show?

It'll stay fresh for quite a few days once it's got the icing on, I'd usually bake on tues or weds for Saturday, and the cake's always good for a few days after that too.
You should dowel. It might be ok it to, but then it might not! Don't take the chance. You can use drinking straws cut to size if you don't have any dowels, they're perfectly strong enough for layering sponge cakes.

As long as you dont cut into it you can ice a couple of days before, if you have freezer space you could do the cakes today, freeze them and then ice them closer to the weekend. I would put a dowel in just to prevent the top tier sliding off. You can always do fondant decorations in advance too. Good luck!

No fondant decorations involved - just stack loads of sugar flowers! I know my own limits.

I made the lemon sponge last week and put it in the freezer. Have only just decided today I need a 2nd tier. I've got 1.25kg of fondant - hope that's enough.

Will try the straws, thanks.

Will decorate it tomorrow then. I don't know how I get in to these muddles. Still... it can't possibly go as bad as the 3D VW beetle cake I made last year. Surely...??? Eek!

Do the dowels need to poke through in to the top tier too, or just rest inside the bottom tier?

No, the top cake should be on a cake board, the dowels/straws go from the top of the bottom cake down to the board at the bottom of the bottom cake. Then the top cake and board sit on top of the straws, so the weight is supported on that rather than resting on the bottom cake.

Oh shit. Really should have checked this before doing the cake tonight. It's got to last until Saturday!

I'm an idiot.

I put dowels through entire bottom cake, and about 2 cms through the top cake. No 2nd cake board.

And I didn't leave the buttercream to set properly on the top cake so its all squishy.

Hmm, could you gently lift off the top cake, trim the dowels, put it on a board and replace it?
Failing that, just don't touch it till needed and keep your fingers crossed!

Thanks Lizzie.

I left it as it was and it survived nicely with no sinking or slipping. Even after a 5 minute car journey!!

Not perfect, but I was quietly well, not that quiet pleased with myself.

Great job! Bet your Dd was over the moon!