? for bakers

destinationAZ

I always have a hard time figuring this out. If you are baking for an event/party, how far in advance do you start? We are hosting a party this weekend (Saturday) and I have some baking to do (birthday cake, cake pops and cookies). I hate waiting until the last minute when I'm trying to get all of the aspects of the party together but I don't want to start the baked goods so early that they aren't fresh. Help me manage my time! tia.

Arterr0

I would try to make the cookies as close to the party as possible, so maybe the day before. For the cake and cake pops, you could bake the cakes several days in advance and freeze the layers, or bake up to two days before and wrap them really well in plastic wrap until you're ready to decorate. I would probably try to decorate no earlier than the day before.

BridgetMc

I think you could definitely make the cake pops a few days ahead, since they're coated with chocolate or whatever and won't lose moisture. 

You could make the cake layers in advance, wrap them well, and freeze them. I probably wouldn't frost the cake until the day before.

And for the cookies, it depends on what type they are. Shortbread types stay fresh for a few days, but things similar to chocolate chip are best very fresh, in my opinion.  However, almost all cookie dough can be made in advance and frozen.

BridgetMc

Arterr0:

I would try to make the cookies as close to the party as possible, so maybe the day before. For the cake and cake pops, you could bake the cakes several days in advance and freeze the layers, or bake up to two days before and wrap them really well in plastic wrap until you're ready to decorate. I would probably try to decorate no earlier than the day before.

Yay for giving almost the exact same advice!