How Long Do Cakes Stay Fresh For?

[DarceyK123]

I'm useless in the kitchen but am an avid fan of Extreme Cake Makers.

On there they say it will take 3-4 days to make, then they cover it, decorate it and deliver it to the venue.

But I always think 'won't the cake be stale by then?'

Was going to have a go for my grand daughters birthday, any tips on keeping it fresh for a few days?

[emmie]

i have cake, nice Madeira etc and it keeps quite well in the bread bin, mine doesn't last longer than a few days, cause i eat it, but should be good for more than a few days.

[taichiperson]

What is it covered in and what type of cake is it? I would think that different types of cake have different shelf lives - ie fruit cake lasts 'forever' but a little fairy cake might only last a couple of days. Size too would have an impact - and what do you mean by 'covered'? A cake covered in marzipan or butter icing would probably stay fresh for longer too.

[atalanta]

It used to be customary for the top tier of a wedding cake to be kept in order to become the first Christening cake for the couple. That meant that the cake, ( rich fruit cake of course ), was expected to be perfectly edible at least a year later.

[DarceyK123]

OH I see, told you I was rubbish.

They usually cover them with sugar paste.

Like Emmie I don't usually have cake long enough for it to go stale.

[gness]

I'm a huge fan too, Darcy....the cakes are fascinating but I'd be so reluctant to cut into one!

If you get yours (sponge)completely covered soon after baking with no gaps for air then spend a couple of days decorating it and having fun you should be fine for a week....

I sometime buy good fruit cakes....feed them a bit and then do the part I love doing.....the decorating...x

[gness]

I've now spent far too long looking at cake decorating videos.. :-(

[maggiebee]

Now you've put me in the mood for baking. Off to make a fruit loaf and a banana loaf. Foot of snow outside so I certainly will not be venturing out.

[DarceyK123]

Gness, totally agree, the cakes are wonderful ( obviously I'm not going to attempt anything like that!)

but you're right, the bakers spent days on these creations, the customers smile, nod and say it's lovely and then cut it up.

I did see one episode where the bloke refused to cut it and kemp it

[DarceyK123]

Kept^^

Maggie save some for me.

[maggiebee]

Will do Darcey but you'll have to be quick!