Ask Nancy Archives
Do you have a baking, decorating or celebrating question for Nancy? Now is your chance to have it answered.
Check here each month, Nancy will select ten questions submitted by viewers and posting her answers here.
Storage Questions
After icing a cake, must I place the cake in the refrigerator or can I leave it out over night?
Theresa - from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Where and how should I store Candy Melt™ candies? How long will the candies last?
Carmen Santos - from Cayey, Puerto Rico
What kind of fillings are safe to use for cakes that will be on display for several hours?
Melody - from Moorpark, CA
When using fresh strawberries as a filling instead of preserves, how do you keep them from bleeding?
Shirley - from Chicago, IL
What is the best way to thaw a cake that has been frozen so that condensation does not form on the icing? How do you calculate the amount of time needed to thaw a cake?
Cheryl - from Downingtown, SC
Is it better to put your freshly baked cake in the freezer right after it cools, before you put your first layer of icing on? Will this make it easier to ice your cake?
Brooke - from Madison, MS
Can you freeze a cake that has already been covered with fondant?
Cari - from McPherson, KS
What is the best way to transport a stacked construction wedding cake with 4 or more levels?
Renee - from New Wilmington , RI
How long can I keep cakes iced with cream cheese icing at room temperature?
Sofia - from Guatemala, Guatemala
Hi, Nancy, I love your show and I have just started cake decorating. I was wondering how long can I keep rolled fondant that has been tinted with different colors?
Bridget - from Marystown, MN
Is there anything I can do to make buttercream icing hold its shape better in warmer weather and for outdoor weddings?
Linda - from Keokuk, IA
How far in advance can cupcakes be made, decorated and stored before a baby shower?
Deborah - from Newark, DE
How long does royal icing last, and can you freeze it?
Kim - from Suwanee, GA
I have two weddings coming up. I am trying to save money by making mints ahead of time. Do you have an easy recipe for mints that I can put into molds, with different colors, flavors and shapes thanks!
Sarah - from Nortonville, KS
You said that freezing royal icing is not recommended. Why? What happens if you freeze it?
Ricki - from Redding, CA
I tried to freeze my leftover buttercream icing and after I defrosted it to use it, it had a funny taste. What is the best way to freeze buttercream icing?
Elizabeth - from Paris, KY
I need to bake four cheesecakes for my mom's birthday. I want to bake 2 days before the party. Can I freeze the cheesecakes, and if I can, are there guidelines for freezing?
Dawn - from Prophetstown, IL
After covering a cake with fondant, can I put it in the refrigerator? I have a cake covered with fondant and the filling is strawberry and whipped cream. What should I do?
Cassia - from Torrance, CA
I need to make a cake for a Saturday morning party. I will be making a pineapple butter cake, with a buttercream icing crumb coating, then covering the cake with fondant on Friday night. Should I keep it in the refrigerator over night?
Ashwini - from Middletown, CT
How many days in advance can I make cookies for a birthday party?
Dayn - from Missouri City, TX
When I store icing, is any container with cover good to use?
Diane - from Fall River, MA
Hi! I wanted to know, how can I freeze cupcakes? Is it better to freeze them with or without the icing?
Paola - from Mexico City, Mexico
I want to try to decorate a cake using Color Flow decorations. How do you store the Color Flow icing while the outline is crusting? I’m going to be using several colors. Do I prepare all the colors needed and try to keep them moist, or do I color as needed, and then how do I keep the icing moist?
Tina - from Cape Coral, FL
Nancy, can you freeze spritz cookies? I am having a cookie dough party and we are bringing rolls of homemade cookie dough to trade and then toss in our freezers.
Sheri - from Olathe, KS
How long can a fully iced and decorated cake stay in the freezer before the taste is affected?
Jeanne - from Connelly Springs, NC
When you use cream cheese in a frosting, can you then leave the frosted item out with no refrigeration?
Julie - from Southgate, MI
Where can I buy foam to transport cakes? When I call around, no one knows what I'm asking for.
Viv - from Lancaster, TX
Can I freeze leftover buttercream icing?
Brandy - from West Terre Haute, IN
How do you transport ice cream cakes?
Peggy - from Tampa, FL
I just made a “trial” train cake (the real one will be made in July). Two questions: 1) What’s the best way to transport this cake by auto? 2) I found a strip of underbaked cake when I sliced it. The toothpick came out clean. What caused this?
Sylvia - from Lutz, FL
Help! How do I transport the Choo Choo Train Cake which is on a cake board? I have to travel 85 miles by car with it.
Sylvia - from Lutz, FL
How long will a fondant bow keep? How far ahead can I make it?
Susan - from Naperville, IL
I baked cookies on Sunday. I have them on my table to prepare them for royal icing on Tuesday. The cookies are for Saturday. It’s ok if they are kept at room temperature?
Gretel - from Union City, NJ
If I can’t get around to decorating a cake, can I store it in the freezer? If yes, what’s the best way to do this?
Isela - from Mexico City, Mexico