When making a cake for a big event, important client, or even just a family gathering, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have enough time to accomplish your cakey goals! As an instructor, one of my most frequently asked questions is about the cake-making timeline: How far ahead should or can I make this? That’s what this post will help answer!
Image via Irene Samson
The timelines below attempt to answer this big question, but keep in mind everyone works at their own speed. My estimations are based on someone who is comfortable with cake making and decorating, but not working at warp speed.
If you’re new to cakes, be sure to add extra time as a cushion. It’s better to have a few spare moments to admire your creation than to be rushing around at the last minute.
No matter what you’re making, working in advance can save time.
Here’s what you can make ahead of time, so you’re not trying to do it all at the last minute!
Baking cakes
Cakes can be baked up to two days in advance, stored 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)s in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
Making batter and frosting
Some batters can be made well in advance, stored in the freezer, and pulled to thaw the night before baking. See one of my previous posts for tips on freezing batters and doughs.
Most fillings and buttercream frostings can be made up to three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the filling or buttercream before placing the lid on the container to prevent it from picking up fridge odors.
Stacking your cake
Cakes can be filled and crumb coated up to a day in advance. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and store in the fridge or at room temperature depending on the stability of the filling.
Edible decorations
Fondant or gum paste decorations can be made weeks in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Chocolate decorations can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Piped buttercream flowers can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the freezer. See this previous post by Felicity and Krystle for tips on piping buttercream flowers.
Common cake-making timelines you need to know
1. Cupcakes
Image via Jennifer Shea
Prep: 10 minutes
Gather supplies: Pans, baking cups, scoop or spoon to fill baking cups, decorating tools, etc.
Bake: 30-40 minutes
Gather ingredients, prepare batter,and fill baking cups (15-20 minutes).
Bake according to your recipe’s instructions (15-20 minutes per dozen).
Cool: 10-30 minutes
Cool cupcakes at room temperature (30 minutes) orin the fridge (1o minutes).
Decorate: 5-30minutes
Spread frosting on with an icing spatula or pipesimpleswirls (5-10 minutes per dozen).
For piped flowers or other, more elaborate decorations, allowtime forfilling piping bags, tinting buttercream, and cleaning and switching out piping tips as needed (20-30 minutes per dozen).
Store or Transport: 5-10 minutes
Storing cupcakes or preparingthem to be transported can take up a chunk of time you weren’t planning on, since each individual cupcake will have to be moved to a container or bakery box (5-10 minutes).
Total: 1 -2 hours
2. Single-layer cakes
Image via Bluprint instructor Corrie Rasmussen
Prep: 10 minutes
Gather supplies: baking pan, baking tools, decorating tools, etc.
Bake & Cool: 65 minutes – 2.5 hours
Baking and cooling times will vary depending on the size of your cake. For common sizes, like 6″ rounds, 8″ rounds or sheet cakes, plan on 35-55 minutes of bake time.
Cakes can be left to cool at room temperature (60-90 minutes) or in the fridge (30 minutes).
Ice: 45 minutes – 1.5 hours
Crumb coat (5 minutes) and final coat (10-20 minutes) with buttercream or ganache.
If your kitchen is warm, account for 30-60 min for the cake to chill in the fridge after being iced.
Decorate: 35 minutes – 2+ hours
For buttercream decorations: 35 minutes – 1.25 hours
- Simple piped border (10 minutes)
- Piped buttercream flowers (10-30 minutes)
- Writing on the cake with chocolate or buttercream (5-10 minutes)
For fondant decorations:1-2 hours or more
- Kneading the fondant (5 minutes)
- Color the fondant(5 minutes)
- Roll the fondant out (5-10 minutes)
- Cut it into shapes (5-15 minutes)
- Drying time, for any pieces that need to be solid before using (30 minutes for thin pieces, up to 24 hours for thicker, sculpted pieces) Check out my earlier post for tips on how to dry fondant quickly!
Whether you’re making buttercream or fondant decorations, account for 10-30 min of “fussing” time to apply the decorations, move things around and experiment to see what looks best.
Store or transport: 5-30 minutes
If you’re storing a cake at home for personal use it, account for a few minutes to move the cake to a large container or to cover it with plastic wrap.
Prepping a cake to be transported takes longer: Packing the cake (10 minutes), packing delivery supplies (10 minutes), moving the cake safely to the vehicle (10 minutes).
Total: 2.75 hours – 6.75 hours
3. Multi-layer cake
Image via Bluprint instructor Jenny McCoy
Prep: 10 minutes
Gather supplies: baking pans, baking tools, turn table, cake board or plate, icing spatulas, bench scraper, decorating tools, etc.
Bake & Cool: 65 min – 2.5 hours
See single layer cake for baking and cooling details.
Assembly: 30 minutes – 1+ hours
Level, split and trim your cakes (5-10 minutes). Pipeor spreadfilling onto each of the layers (10-15 minutes).Crumb coat (5 minutes) and final coat (10-20 minutes) with buttercream or ganache.
If your kitchen is warm, account for 30-60 minutes for the cake to chill in the fridge after being crumb coated.
Decorate: 1– 2.5+ hours
See single layer cake above for decorating details; the same details apply.
Keep in mind that crumb coating and adding a finishing layer of buttercream to a multi-layer cake takes longer since the cake is taller. Rustic finishes will come together rather quickly (5-10 minutes), while frosting a cake with sharp, crisp edges will take much longer (20-30 minutes).
Store or transport: 5-30 minutes
See single layer cake for storing and transporting details.
Total: 2.75 hours – 8.25 hours
As a seasoned baking instructor and enthusiast with extensive experience in cake making and decorating, I understand the intricacies of creating a stunning and delicious cake for various occasions. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience, teaching others the art of baking, and continually refining my skills in the world of confectionery.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article to help you navigate the intricate process of planning and executing a cake for any event:
-
Baking Cakes:
- Cakes can be baked up to two days in advance, stored 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) in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
-
Making Batter and Frosting:
- Some batters can be made well in advance, stored in the freezer, and thawed the night before baking.
- Fillings and buttercream frostings can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge.
-
Stacking Your Cake:
- Cakes can be filled and crumb coated up to a day in advance, stored in the fridge or at room temperature depending on the filling's stability.
-
Edible Decorations:
- Fondant or gum paste decorations can be made weeks in advance and stored at room temperature.
- Chocolate decorations can be made up to a week in advance and stored at room temperature.
- Piped buttercream flowers can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the freezer.
-
Common Cake-Making Timelines:
-
Cupcakes: 1-2 hours
- Prep, bake, cool, decorate, and store or transport.
-
Single-Layer Cakes: 2.75 hours – 6.75 hours
- Prep, bake, cool, ice, decorate, and store or transport.
-
Multi-Layer Cakes: 2.75 hours – 8.25 hours
- Prep, bake, cool, assemble, decorate, and store or transport.
-
These timelines provide a comprehensive guide for planning each stage of the cake-making process, considering factors such as preparation, baking, cooling, decorating, and storage. Keep in mind that individual working speeds may vary, and additional time should be allocated for those new to cake making to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
