The Best Time To Frost Your Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes are a lot of work, and it's important to get the timing right. You don't want to be decorating a cake with fresh flowers on the morning of your wedding! So how soon should you frost a wedding cake?

Well, it depends. If you're making a cake with perishable ingredients, like cream cheese frosting, you'll need to keep it in the fridge. But if it's a simple buttercream cake, it'll be fine out of the fridge for a day or two.

If you're making your cake a few days in advance, you can wrap the cooled cake layers in plastic and store them in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to decorate. Then, once your cake is assembled, you can add a crumb coat—a thin layer of frosting that traps crumbs and creates a smooth base for your final layer of frosting. After that, you can add your final layer of frosting and any decorations.

If you're using fondant, make sure it's completely dry before freezing your cake. And if you're planning to freeze your cake for a long time, consider using a specialised cake saver freezer container to prevent freezer burn and keep your cake tasting fresh.

How long can a wedding cake be left at room temperature?

How long a wedding cake can be left at room temperature depends on its ingredients, the temperature of the room, and how long it's been stored in the fridge.

Most frosted cakes are fine at room temperature for a day or two. However, if the cake contains fresh fruit or has frosting made with whipped cream, cream cheese, or mascarpone, it should be kept in the fridge.

If the room temperature is hot, a cake with buttercream frosting will only last a few hours before it starts to melt. Fondant is more forgiving and will survive a little longer.

A general rule of thumb is that a cake should be served within three days of baking to ensure freshness. If it's not going to be served within this time, it's best to freeze it and then defrost it a couple of days before serving.

If you're making a cake ahead of time, it's a good idea to wrap the layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble and frost the cake. This will help keep the cake moist and make it easier to handle when it comes time to decorate.

How to prevent a wedding cake from drying out

To prevent a wedding cake from drying out, there are several steps you can take before and after baking.

Before baking, you can use even-bake cake strips. These are dampened and placed around each cake pan to prevent the outside from heating up too quickly, providing a more even bake.

After baking, it is important to let the cakes cool completely. Then, wrap the cakes in plastic wrap, ensuring they are well covered, before placing them in the freezer. You can also add an extra layer of protection by wrapping the cakes in foil or placing them in a freezer bag. This will help to prevent freezer burn and stop condensation from forming on the cake.

If you are planning to transport the cake, it is best to keep it chilled in a refrigerator before moving it to a cake box. If you are travelling a long distance, consider using dry ice to keep the cake cold during the journey.

When you are ready to decorate the cake, remove the layers from the freezer about an hour beforehand. This will make the cake easier to handle and prevent the frosting from becoming too hard to spread.

Finally, if you have any leftover cake, cut it into individual slices, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in an airtight container. This will keep the cake fresh for up to one month.

How to store a wedding cake in the fridge

To store a wedding cake in the fridge, you'll first want to ensure it has been properly prepared for refrigeration. If the cake is placed on a cardboard bottom, transfer it onto a foil-covered cardboard or a plastic plate. This will prevent the cake from absorbing any cardboard smell or taste.

Next, chill the cake in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes to harden the frosting. This will prevent the frosting from sticking to the plastic wrap when you wrap the cake. After the cake has chilled, wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap, ensuring that the wrapping is absolutely airtight. If necessary, you can add an additional layer of tin foil to prevent freezer burn.

Once the cake is thoroughly wrapped, place it in a clean area of your freezer drawer. When you are ready to serve the cake, slowly defrost it in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, and then bring it to room temperature. This will help to minimise condensation forming on the cake, which can leave permanent marks on the icing.

If you are storing a sliced wedding cake, press a piece of plastic wrap against the exposed cake, ensuring it sticks, before covering the cake.

How to transport a wedding cake

Transporting a wedding cake is a delicate process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure the cake arrives in perfect condition. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this intricate process:

Pre-Transport Preparations:

Before thinking about delivering a wedding cake, consider whether to transport the cake tiers individually or stacked. Unless the cake has a central dowel for support, it is advisable to transport no more than two tiers stacked. For taller cakes or more complex designs, consider using a central dowel secured into an MDF board, allowing the individual cake tiers to be stacked securely and preventing movement during delivery.

Packing the Cake:

Ensure that each cake tier is correctly dowelled and placed in a sturdy and secure cake box. Choose boxes that are tall enough and lined with non-slip mats or bubble wrap to prevent movement during transport. Use a box larger than the cake to accommodate sugar flowers or other decorations. Secure the lid tightly to prevent any weather-related incidents. Preparing an emergency kit is also essential. This kit should include smoothers, spare dowels, florist tape, cocktail sticks, spare ribbon, a glue stick, royal icing, straws/posy picks, wire cutters, scissors, a spatula, pliers, wipes, gloves, vodka, spare fondant, and decorations.

Contact the Venue:

Get in touch with the venue's events team a couple of weeks in advance to discuss setup instructions and ensure they are prepared for your arrival. This will help you anticipate any potential challenges, such as tricky setups, parking issues, or specific time slots for suppliers.

Transporting the Cake:

Always place the cake on a flat and level surface, such as the boot or footwell of your vehicle, and not on a car seat. Line the boot with non-slip matting, especially for buttercream cakes, to prevent sliding. Refrigerate the cake for a few hours before delivery and pre-cool your vehicle by turning on the air conditioning to the maximum setting. Allow extra time for deliveries and drive slowly to avoid accidents. Aim to set up the cake at least two hours before the ceremony.

Arriving at the Venue:

Once you arrive, check the cake for any movement or damage. If there are any issues, use your emergency kit to fix them. Ensure you get proof of safe delivery and setup by taking photos, videos, or obtaining a signature from the event coordinator. Provide the venue with a hand-off sheet that includes flavours, allergens, non-edible items, and any other relevant information.

How long before the wedding should you start making the cake?

Making a wedding cake can be a lengthy process, so it's important to start well in advance. Here are some tips to help you plan how long before the wedding you should start making the cake:

Planning and Preparation:

Firstly, you need to decide on the design and flavour of your cake. This will influence the time required for preparation and decoration. Research and plan the cake design, flavours, and fillings in advance. Determine your budget and find a suitable recipe. If you're making a multilayer cake, consider the time needed for baking and stacking the layers.

Baking the Cake:

Baking the cake itself can be done a few days in advance. Some sources suggest baking no more than three days before the wedding to ensure freshness. However, if you need to bake earlier, you can freeze the cake layers and defrost them a couple of days before the event. This gives you time to decorate and ensures the cake is fresh for the wedding day.

Decorating the Cake:

The decoration process can take several hours or even days, depending on the complexity of the design. If you're using fondant, it's recommended to apply a crumb coat of buttercream first to help the fondant stick and keep the cake moist. The cake should be chilled before decorating to make it easier to handle and to prevent the buttercream from running.

Final Touches:

After the cake is decorated, it's important to store it properly. Most frosted cakes are fine at room temperature for a day or two. However, if the cake contains fresh fruit or has perishable fillings or frostings, such as cream cheese or whipped cream, it should be refrigerated.

Timeline Summary:

• 4-6 months in advance: Book your wedding cake baker if you're ordering from a bakery.
• A few days to a week in advance: Bake the cake layers.
• 2-3 days in advance: Start decorating the cake.
• 1 day in advance: Finalise any perishable decorations and store the cake appropriately until the wedding.

Remember to practice your cake-making and decorating skills beforehand, especially if you're less experienced. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure a beautiful and delicious wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions