Should Cakes Be Prepared The Day Before They Are Decorated?

Cakes are essential for any event, and it is crucial to ensure that the layers are room temperature and not warm to prevent frosting from melting. Baking a cake a day before can keep it fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature, 5-7 days in the fridge, and up to 3 months in the freezer.

It is possible to decorate a cake 4 days in advance, but it is best to do so as close to the day of serving as possible. If the icing or frosting has perishable ingredients, it is recommended to store the cake.

Baking cakes can be done up to two days in advance, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the fridge or at room temperature. Cupcakes can be baked one day in advance and stored (frosted or unfrosted) at room temperature. Fresh frosting tastes best, so assemble and frost the day of serving.

Sponge cakes can be made anywhere between two days and two months in advance of eating it. The most important aspect of baking a cake is how it is stored. Decorated cakes should be fine for two days in the refrigerator, but try to do the baking/assembling as close to decorating day as possible.

For other cakes, it is better to make them the day before so all flavors can meld. For cakes using cream and syrup, it is generally better to make them the day before to allow for a smoother texture.

The 4 Day Cake rule suggests not doing any decorating on the delivery day, leaving time for any “what if’s” or “just in case”. Most people bake up to 2-3 days before and frost for 1-2 days, ensuring the cake stays fresher and seals in its freshness.