5 Tasks to Do in Advance for Stress Free Cake Decorating
Planning when and how you’ll complete all the tasks for your cake decorating projects can be overwhelming. Leading to stress and frustration, But fear not! There are many activities you can prepare in advance, that’ll help you get out of that trap of working on tasks at the last minute, or into the early hours of the morning. This will make the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. For each task, in brackets, I’ve included how far in advance I complete them.
Covering Your Board with Fondant: (1-2 weeks)
Covering your board with fondant is a task that can easily be done in advance. It gives your board time to dry and you’ll have a firm foundation ready to go when it’s time to assemble your cake. You’ll no longer have to worry about denting the fondant when transferring your cake onto your board. This saves time and gives you a clean and professional-looking finish.
Making and Colouring Buttercream or Ganache: (1-week fridge, 1-month freezer)
Buttercream and ganache are key elements of all of my cake designs, and preparing them ahead of time significantly reduces stress when it’s time to assemble the cake. Mix up a batch of your favorite buttercream or ganache. If you’ll be using it soon, press cling film/plastic wrap onto the surface of it and store it in the fridge. Freeze portions into freezer bags to save space. You can also pre-colour your buttercream or ganache using gel food colouring, saving even more time.
Making Fondant Decorations/Sugar Flowers: (1 – 2 Months)
Fondant decorations can make your cake unique, but they can be time-consuming to create. To avoid last-minute panic, set aside some time in advance to make and mold your fondant decorations. Whether it’s flowers, figurines, or intricate designs, having them ready to go will streamline the decorating process and give you more time to focus on the details. Store fondant decorations in a cake box covered with the lid as storing them in a plastic container will cause them to sweat and soften. Always make extras in case of any breakages.
Buying Ingredients and Materials: (2 Weeks)
Running out of essential ingredients or finding out you don’t have the right tools halfway through a decorating project is a major source of frustration and anxiety. Avoid this by making a comprehensive shopping list well in advance and stocking up on everything you need. This includes not only ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs but also materials like piping bags, tips, cake drums and boxes. And the one I usually forget, dowels! Being prepared eliminates stress.
Baking and Freezing Cakes: (1 Month)
Baking cakes ahead of time and freezing them is perhaps the ultimate time-saver for cake decorators. I’ll admit I don’t do this purely because I don’t have the freezer space! On the odd occasion I’ve managed to squeeze a cake in the freezer, there’s been no noticeable deterioration in its quality.
Choose recipes that freeze well, bake your cakes and once they’re cool, wrap them tightly in cling film/plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. On decorating day, simply thaw the cakes overnight in the fridge, and you’ll be ready to assemble and decorate without the stress of last-minute baking.
Completing tasks that can be done in advance, such as covering your board with fondant, making and colouring buttercream or ganache, making fondant decorations, buying ingredients and materials, and baking and freezing cakes, means you can avoid stress, and frustration and enjoy your craft even more. With proper planning and a little extra effort upfront, you’ll be able to enjoy the creative process be proud of your results, and watch your skills develop.
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