Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Cary's B-day is on Saturday so, of course, I'm making cake. I make really good cake (if I do say so myself), I just don't do it all that often since I don't love cake enough to warrant the PITA of actually making one. When I do make cake, it's usually of the unfrosted, snack or bundt type. Except for birthdays, I just don't do the layered, frosted type.

Here's my question -- To refrigerate or not to refrigerate?

On the one hand, I don't want the cake to get stale and I'm afraid the fridge will do exactly that. On the other hand, it's handy to be able to make a cake the day before. I'm planning an orange and chocolate swirled layer cake with chocolate frosting between the layers and up the side of the cake, orange frosting on top. The frosting will be French buttercream. This year I do have plenty of time to make the cake on the day of the birthday, but would prefer not to. I have a covered cake stand, so cat shenanigans are not a concern. Do I make and frost it the day before and let it sit on the counter under the dome overnight, or do I really need to refrigerate it? If I refrigerate, will it harm the quality of the cake? Would making a simple buttercream (with 10x sugar and no eggs) be a better idea if I leave it out? Or, should I just suck it up and make the cake on the day?

*A song that will be in your brain all day (Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Just overnight? Covered on the counter is fine.

Definitely don't refrigerate it. Leaving it overnight will be fine.
Another thing you can do is wrap the unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and heavy duty foil, leave them overnight, then frost them the next day.

Cool, thanks! I was a little concerned about the eggs in the frosting, but I suppose there's more than enough sugar to protect it.

JB,

As an equally compelling earworm, I present you with the CakeWrecks Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e10Zo-2KEIM

Dude, where did you think I found the first song? Thanks for the link; I haven't listened to that in a long time. I know my brain will play it for me many many times tomorrow while I bake Cary's cake, though.

I always think chocolate cake tastes better the next day, and I never refrigerate my cakes.

Ditto.

Actually I like to freeze my chocolate layers for a week or so before assembling...it's a great way to age them.

JB, take pictures!

Amy

I think Geekboy is already charging the batteries on the camera.

Ok now I want CAAAAKE!!!!