How to Make + Decorate Cakes Ahead of Time

A guide to storing cake layers, buttercream, chocolate ganache, and cake decorations ahead of time while keeping them fresh and ready for decorating day. You'll also learn my favorite way to store decorated cakes + how to create a cake timeline to keep everything on track. See the full written blog post on this topic here: sugarandsparrow.com/making-ca...
Entire Cake Basics Series: sugarandsparrow.com/category/...
How to Level & Torte Cake Layers: sugarandsparrow.com/level-and...
My Cake Recipes and Decorating Tutorials: sugarandsparrow.com/
Follow Me on Instagram: / sugarandsparrowco

[@andranetteotis519]

I really needed this. I'm just starting to bake and ending up being overwhelmed. Now I know I can properly store unfrosted cake and be ready. Thank you

[@SugarandSparrow]

So happy to help, Andranette!

[@tobfat]

Same!

[@frentbow]

This video is so useful. I love baking but have lessened due to chronic fatigue. Using these methods will help me pace to conserve energy while being able to make a delicious cake. Thank you

[@emdash1000]

The day-by-day example was great!! Not getting ahead of the game is always my downfall! Thank you, Whitney!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! Happy to help!

[@nicolegarrison7638]

I tried finding somewhere that could make my son's "first trip around the sun" cake. And I'm too picky. I wanted something unique and made just for him. SOO I'm just taking it on myself because it'd be what I want. I'm already doing his whole party myself. Balloon arch, decorations, food, I even rented a vacation rental to be able to house family comfortably. So this will be nice in the kitchen I will have access to, and with my timeline. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

[@emmahoover5087]

This timeline is really useful. It’s sometimes hard to know how much time to allow, and this sets things out really clearly.

[@justlittleolme7977]

Thank you! This is so helpful. I always end up pulling all-nighters to get the cake done because: - I want it to taste fresh - I’ve never really known how to bake or make decorations in advance so they’re good on the day - I always take on too much and am time poor as a result. I’ve sent this video to myself as a reminder. Thanks 😊🧁

[@mrswray]

As a stay at home mom who loves to bake cakes for my kids this is so helpful!

[@shayn8206]

Thank you so much for this!!! I love your cake and business tips!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@meleika8274]

This is a really great video. Thank you for breaking things down this way. Finally getting back into baking so this is a great refresher.

[@toni-annbrown117]

Wow this was a great video. I'm a pastry chef and there is so much my teacher never told us so I'm doing my own research thank you

[@gloshwins4454]

Thank you so much for these tips. You deserve a subscribe immediately.

[@aimeerodriguez1695]

Wooow! This video was AWESOME! Thank you so much for these tips!

[@alkittie8]

This video is amazingly helpful. I'm a homeschooling mom of 5, and I have really started enjoying making special cakes for my kids for their birthday parties. There's so much to do before a party, and now I'll be able to enjoy the cake-making process even more by pre-making all the components. THANK YOU!

[@latonyawhite2774]

Your video was super informative. Baking stresses me out because it's so much to do at one time. I had no idea I could bake ahead of time to cut out the stress of doing it all in one day. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay, La'Tonya! I'm so happy you've found these tips useful and I'm cheering you on in your baking! It's so much less stressful when you spread out the tasks

[@kauseressaji876]

Brilliant! Much needed tips. Thank you

[@jasmineperez3821]

Thank you! Finally found out why I struggle stacking my cakes!

[@melaniemcqueen3995]

Thanks for uploading! I always use your chocolate cup/cake recipes too!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!

[@mumejames]

This timeline is super useful, thank you so much! I need to have a cake ready by Sundat the following week so I really needed this ❤️

[@brianacarter2443]

This video is sooo useful ! Thank you so much . I really needed to see this !

[@patriciaf.v.8889]

Thank you very much. You're a lifesaver!

[@debbieisom9398]

Thanks for this advice it’s really helpful!

[@cristinamoreno3699]

Thank you so much for the info! Love to hear I don't need to stress out more on my bday

[@tippy651]

Thank you so much for making this video. I love baking but cakes always stressed me out to the point that I mostly stopped making them unless it was requested. Now I think it'll be fun again!

[@rheanelken2918]

Couldn't sleep, so of course I am burning my retinas watching YT (should help, right?!) ... Anyway, just came across your channel, and wanted to mention how much I appreciate the details here, but delivered in an accessible way, as well as the beautiful products you make. I look forward to watching and learning more from you! 🌻✨

[@SugarandSparrow]

Thanks so much, Rhea! That is so encouraging!

[@aureliastefany3751]

Thank you so much❤ i really needed this❤

[@TheShantyPyle]

Loved this video! Thanks so much for all of the great info!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay, Nicole! Happy it was helpful!

[@SarahBenjamin04]

Thank you soo much for your valuable advice..was looking forward to this info! Glad I found you!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! I'm so happy this video was helpful. Thanks for the kind words!

[@zaelynperry8531]

you just saved my life, working 7 days a week with my kids not eating store bought cake. I will be able to bake their cakes without pulling an all nighter. Hats off to you

[@ThomasLaneDesigns]

So informative and now thanks to you I have a plan. Your amazing and many sweet thanks!

[@haleyspence]

This is so f'ing helpful. I really want to get good at cake decorating and love every step individually, but the whole project is always so overwhelming I rarely delve into it and this was inspiring AF.

[@MsGinahidesout]

THANK YOU for this! I've been baking a long time but didn't know this!

[@januaryflame90912]

Thank you for the tips 🥰🥰🥰🥰 You have a lovely voice!!!❤

[@TheNena444]

Thank you very much!!! Love your videos!

[@no-wire-hangers]

This was wonderfully informative. Thank you.

[@userk4730]

Thank you for the timeline. I make bento cakes and I am always overwhelmed because I try to always do everything in one day. I will be trying this thank you ❤️

[@Momluvbug2010]

This is exactly what I needed to know Thank You so much I watch so many videos and no e of them explained any of this ❤ I'm so appreciative to you

[@sarahs7253]

Thankyou!! This answered the questions i had!!❤❤❤

[@gbk1t]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@asaessentials1207]

Such a huge help ... thank you!!

[@igbo_girl]

This timeline video, simple and straight to the point must be the best calebsave video on my cake playlist ❤❤❤

[@magboos08]

This was so helpful. Thank you.

[@crystalmccallum6857]

Very informative. Thank you! Now I have a time-line.

[@queenmbonte6613]

Waow this whole idea of preparing things ahead of time is so wonderful. Thanks so much for this brilliant idea 🙏🙏🙏

[@laurazeller2014]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@mikaelaandsisters]

This will help me a lot. Thanks for this.

[@MarianaLOGEN]

Amazing . So informative

[@patriciaf.v.8889]

I have only one question. Doesn't the cake sweat once you remove it from the refrigerator? Thanks again. It's a really helpful video!

[@yvonnemulenga7811]

This is beautiful keep it up 👏

[@MommasKitchenGrabby]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Merb.]

Woah! Helpful!

[@karenwarnecke5894]

thank you so much..................extremely helpful.

[@sonyaalvarez7326]

I recently saw this video. I see that it has been going on for a few years, but it is perfectly explained. Thank you for sharing it. I loved it.❤

[@flomewober5436]

Thanks for your advice

[@christinemorgan5899]

Thankyou so much Really helpful and you explain it so nicely

[@gemcisful]

I love this video thank you

[@carlagreathouse2761]

Glad to know I've been doing this right!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay Carla!

[@spoketomyheart5800]

Answered questions I have searched and searched for and no one answered. Thank you

[@lesliesmith7168]

Game changer! Thank you!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay!!

[@amelicious_cooking9914]

Thank you for sharing.👍🏾💯

[@cakevalika6172]

wow! want to learn, thanks you for your show

[@katharina1439]

Very good tips♥️ thank you

[@leonankosi2130]

So helpful thank you so much

[@lynaecovington3766]

Thank you so much for this🤗no more stressing for me thank you thank you thank youuuuuu!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay, Lynae! So happy to help!

[@rcole9365]

Thank you so much. I need this information so bad

[@sabrinagaga518]

You are the best cake design teacher on KZbin. Great quality video. Thank you very much you make me want to bake again

[@SugarandSparrow]

Thanks so much, Sabrina! That's so encouraging!

[@debtink5756]

OMG thank you so very much I have just found your channel and I think it’s fantastic as a beginner I find it very helpful I can’t wait to buy your book thank you again lots of love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay, Deb! I'm so happy you're finding this channel helpful and I'm so excited for you to get the book!!

[@zainabbibi7713]

such a helpful video ...Thanks x

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! So happy to help!

[@twyla.rstanley8786]

Thank you so much you just made my new cake business a whole lot easier that my stress level just dropped 💯 o my God thank you. For this life saving tip. Thank you again I'm looking for more videos thank you I just subscribed to your channel. I'm so excited for me and my home business you have made such a difference in my life. I'm making changes in my life personally but today finding you I believe is a God sent this is icing on the cake...🤗🎂God bless you🫶🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾 and more great success to you.

[@raeleenemunro9893]

Thank you so much for the preparation day plan, it is awesome. One do have one small query - I was wondering when I would crumb coat cake if taking the cake out of town on a Thursday but cake not needed until Saturday, it also will have fondant decorations. Thank you in advance.

[@fathimanarzana2143]

Hi good morning very useful tips thank you so much God bless you 🙏🙏🙏

[@SugarandSparrow]

Thanks so much! Happy to help!

[@roedolflubbe5563]

This was great, thanks

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! So happy to help!

[@mikek2006]

New subscriber here, Where did you get those airtight containers from (for the buttercream/ganache), they look awesome?

[@thegreergal]

Thanks so much!!!

[@mariakhalid8306]

Very well explained

[@SugarandSparrow]

So happy to help, Maria!

[@pinknana.2228]

new subscriber here.. i am glad i found your channel. so informative ❤

[@cindyalexis616]

This was awesome thank you so much wanted to know should I wrap my crumb coated filled cake with plastic wrap before I put it in the refrigerator the day before I finish decorating it

[@roseannllaneta7380]

Thank u so much ..Godbless u and Lovelots from Philippines 🥰💖

[@SugarandSparrow]

Thanks for the love!!

[@jossiejeya424]

Very informative, thank you for sharing. Will there be condensation

[@seleneluna2969]

I needed all this info...tfs

[@SugarandSparrow]

So happy to help!

[@DearJane.O]

Thanks alot Whitney. How can I properly store fondant and for how long can it last?

[@1BR77]

After finishing the cake on Friday do I put it back in the refrigerator until Saturday when needed?

[@anammajeed93]

Hi! Do you start crumbcoating the cake while it´s frozen or should it be at room temp?

[@FaizaRahmani-]

Thank u sister

[@moodycakes]

I love the natural look of your video. Thank you for giving us tips in baking world. New sub and new follower here. Keep connected. Regards from Germany 🇩🇪 💖.

[@SugarandSparrow]

Thanks so much!! That is so encouraging :) love from Portland!

[@patricia19551]

Thank you so much.

[@SugarandSparrow]

Of course! Happy to help!!

[@thegracedlifenetwork8812]

Am so wowed, please do you have video on your chocolate drip, fondant rose and all?

[@FluentInFelicity]

I rarely comment on vids but this was really helpful, thank you!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay, Felicity! So happy to help!

[@lawanacroskey7994]

Thank you for the example timeline. This was so informative.

[@SugarandSparrow]

Of course! I'm so happy it's helpful!

[@want4onlyone]

Thank you so much

[@SugarandSparrow]

Happy to help!

[@freckles8932]

Thank you

[@miacieminski1632]

You meed some wilton cake strips! I just started baking and learned the trick from Preppy Kitchen.

[@icuratememories]

Clever ideas, thank you for sharing. How thick are your layers?

[@debbieisom9398]

What did you do with the cut off piece?

[@queenmbonte6613]

You just got a new subscriber.

[@SugarandSparrow]

yay! Thank you!

[@kejicakesnmore]

Hi... Your videos are the best I will like to ask if I can decorate a cake with a whipped cream and freeze a day before the delivery?

[@debbieisom9398]

That frosting looks amazing can you share?

[@decz4457]

New subscriber here! I like the way you explain everything. Not too fast compared to the one I saw from another you tuber. And very well explained. 😊

[@confidentdrinker]

This video is so informative, Whitney - I especially love the timeline! One question about frosting, though: American buttercream comes together so easily, what is the advantage of making ahead? Seems like by the time you let it come to room temp and rewhip, it's longer than the initial process, plus you have to clean the mixer twice (ha). Is this to allow the colors to develop or something? Thanks!

[@SugarandSparrow]

Yay! So happy to help! Yes - making buttercream ahead is great for allowing colors to deepen. Some richer colors really benefit from having a day or more to develop. I like to make my buttercream ahead just to have everything ready to go when I'm ready to decorate. Even though buttercream is super easy to make it feels like all the hard work of baking is done when I make the elements ahead and then I can just relax and enjoy the decorating. You can absolutely make it right before you decorate though!

[@GrammaPatriot]

Thank you for these tips! Can you tell me what size the purple drip cake was and how many cakes (im thinking three). Thank you!

[@msg4141]

Interesting that you suggest chilling the unboxed cake in the fridge. Do you not get condensation when taking it from the fridge? And if you do how do you deal with that. Thank you.