How to work ahead
Time management is a key ingredient to cake decorating success. I have found a way to work ahead. Recently, I used this method and was able to complete 3 cakes, all with detailed fondant accents, in just a few hours. (all the fondant work was completed ahead of time) All I had to do was ice my cakes, and place the completed, shaped fondant on the cakes. This method kept the fondant flexible. I was able to fit the fondant decorations, to several cakes into one plastic 12 X 12 case. The 12 X 12 cases stack nicely. I am not sure how long the fondant will keep like this at room temperature, but mine was able to stay nice for 4 days. I will do an experiment and see how long the fondant will keep fresh using this method and I will come back later and comment.
Materials:
1-12X 12 clear scrap book case
plastic mat cutting boards from the dollar store (2 for $1.00!)
press and seal wrap
1.Lay out your completed fondant work, on the nonstick cutting boards.
2. Using press and seal wrap, wrap the entire board and press, sealing well.
3. Stack and layer your finished, wrapped work in the clear plastic 12 X 12 case.
4. Snap the lid closed and place in a save area until you are ready to use.
I use the dollar store plastic cutting boards for just about everything. They are great for sliding under fondant in order to lift it when working on smaller cakes. They are also great for slipping in between torted layers of cake in order to separate the layers.
Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
19 Comments
Awesome tip – I’ll definitely try it – I usually make my decorations way ahead of time, so this method will ensure that they stay nice and fresh and away from any sort of dust that may be in the environment. Good job!!
DJ - Fun Fiesta Cakes
Great tip! Time management when making cakes is something that I really struggle with so I’ll definitely have to try this out. Thanks! :-)
Kim the "Cakeist", https://www.facebook.com/KayJaySpecialtyCakes
Great tip, thank you! I will be sure to use this soon!
Tara, Nova Scotia, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valleys-kool-cakes/131353476890032
Great tip and good thinking. Thank you for sharing.
Angie
BlueRubyCakes
Angie, Georgia
Awesome! I love it! And I already have those cases. Thanks for sharing.
~Trish~ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cake-Creations-by-Trish/179786815391412
Where do you find the clear cases? Thank you, for the information. I have a time issue, when it comes to decorating cakes. This technique is so beneficial to me. Maybe now I could take more than 1 or 2 orders.
The 12 X 12 cases can be purchased in any craft store. The are used for storing 12 X 12 sheets of scrape paper. You could probably use any shaped plastic container that would fit your needs.
Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
This past weekend I actually had 7 cakes and 20 cake pops to make so I did what you did and started early…press and seal is the best! I had put it over my decorations that were on a cookie sheet, but I’m going to go out and get a bunch of these bins! It’ll be so much easier to keep all the decorations for each cake separate and stacked neatly. Great idea!!
Tiff - MA www.facebook.com/sweetbeecakery
Just wondering if you have any problem with the fondant getting soggy in the plastic? I have always thought that the best way to store made ahead fondant accents was to let them dry first and then place them in a cake box until they are needed.
I must hold my hand high and admit that time management skills are my weakness. But then I also hope this will improve with experience. Thank you for sharing this tip; I never thought to make decorations ahead of time like this. Now to track down this Press ’N Seal in Australia. Thank you!!!
Raquel @ Not Just A Cake, Western Australia, https://www.facebook.com/Its.Edible.Art
