Probably a really stupid question - I am making DS's birthday cake for his party tomorrow. Am planning on icing the cake tonight when he is asleep. Can i make the butter icing now and then ice tonight in 5-6 hours time or should I only make the icing right before I will be putting it on the cake?
Also should I refridgerate iced cake overnight or just leave out - perhaps losely covered?
No stupid questions! You can definitely make the icing now, just don't put it in the fridge, or it will be too hard to spread. Make it, then cover it, and when you want to use it later, give it a good stir around with a spatula or similar. Or even leave the beaters in the bowl, cover with cling wrap, then give it a quick beat when you go to use it (but maybe not if he's sleeping).
The cake can stay out of the fridge all night, covered (loosely as you say, not to destroy your hard decorating work!), unless the butter icing is made with milk. If milk, then fridge. Water, then can stay out. (for obvious going-off reasons). If you put it in the fridge, just take it out an hour or two before you cut it tomorrow, just to soften the icing a little.
Thanks girls. Ended up now being able to actually make the butter icing until shortly before I was going to ice the cake anywhow. So much for forward planning lol. Have put iced cake in the fridge to keep dog away from it and butter icing had small amount of milk in it. Dog had already tried to take a swipe out of it before I iced it! Mammoth task as I had decided to do a 3D Thomas cake so had both butter and fondant icing as well as heaps of cutting and shaping to do! Not really expecting a 2 year old to appreciate it tomorrow though lol!
At least the idea of forward planning was there! You did set yourself a mammoth task didn't you? But, I am sure that it turned out beautifully. And don't worry, I'm sure he'll appreciate it in the future when he sees the photos! Good job!
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