How Far in Advance Can You Bake a Cake?

Life can sometimes get in the way, and we don't always have time to prep for occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and promotions. Fortunately, there are some time-saving tips that will help you get ready to celebrate! Discover how far in advance you can bake a cake, as well as decorating and storage tips at Betty Crocker.

Un-iced: If you don’t need to ice your cake until the day, you can bake your cake at least 2-3 days ahead of time. But you will need to store it carefully. Ensure that you wrap the cake and have it stored in an airtight container so it doesn’t lose moisture.
Iced:The icing will lock moisture in, but if you’re making buttercream or cream cheese icing, it will only have a couple of days before it will need to be refrigerated or frozen. Ideally, make an iced cake on the day to keep it fresh.
Refrigerated: Your cakes will last longer in the fridge, but for an event, you won’t want to push it longer than about 3 days. Make sure you wrap them carefully and take them out for an hour to return to room temperature before you serve.
Freezing:If you decide to freeze the cake, it can last for up to 2 months in the freezer if properly stored. You will need to thaw your frozen cake overnight before you decorate and serve it.

How Do You Properly Freeze a Cake?

Most cakes will freeze well provided the right steps are taken to protect them during the process. If you are freezing before you have decorated or iced the cake, ensure that the cake has had time to cool fully after removing it from the oven. From there, wrap your cake in a layer of plastic wrap first, followed by a layer of tinfoil.
If your cake has already been cut into separate layers, follow the same process, but wrap them all individually.

Can I Decorate a Cake 2 Days in Advance?

Yes, you can. It's best practice to decorate the cake as close to the day of serving as possible, but it will also store well in the fridge. If the icing or frosting has any perishable ingredients, we recommend storing the cake in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible.

How Long Will a Sponge Cake Last Covered in Icing?

Covering your cake in icing is a good method of preserving a cake ahead of time. This is because the icing acts as a barrier between the cake, allowing less air to get to the sponge. Using this method your cake should last for around 4 - 5 days if stored well.

Can Buttercream Icing Be Made Ahead of Time?

If you are short of time, buttercream icing can also be made ahead of time, we recommend only making this 1 - 2 days before the day of serving to ensure that it is as fresh as possible. Buttercream can be left in an air - tight container in the fridge until needed. On the day of serving, remove the icing from the fridge and leave it to sit at room temperature for around an hour before decorating.