Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Can a cake last for a couple weeks if covered in fondant or icing? How far in advance can you bake it to keep? Also, does it need to wrapped in cling film, how would you store it?

A decorated sponge cake will last between three and five days in a cool room depending on the recipe before beginning to show signs of staling. Some chocolate mud cakes like this one http://www.cakeflix.com/blog/how-to-make-chocolate-mud-cake will last a lot longer. Paul’s moist chocolate cake has a shelf life of five days but I’ve had it around for much longer. Madeira cakes will be good for two weeks. You can bake any cake and freeze it down until need. Just type in the search box freezing cakes and it will take you to lots of answers, tips and hints on freezing and storing cakes ahead of time. There is additional information by searching ‘freezing moist chocolate cake’. Here http://www.cakeflix.com/questions/cake-keeping-time is an answer from Paul which is relevant to our question, and also if you search ‘madeira cake’ you will see many questions and answers.
I hope this helps.

Once it’s iced store it in a cardboard cake box in a cool dry place. Don’t use a plastic airtight cake caddy as it will sweat! If you are freezing the undecorated cake then leave the parchment on (if you line your tins) and wrap in a few layers of cling film and a freezer bag.

Thanks for that, it’s very helpful! Planning on baking my first wedding cake in advance.
When defrosting a cake with or without ganache, would you leave it in the fridge overnight or on the kitchen counter?

I leave mine on the kitchen counter still covered up and in a box. I wouldn’t recommend leaving an unganached cake in the fridge, they have a tendency to dry out a bit. Good luck with the wedding cake, if you need any more information everyone is here for you. x