What should you avoid doing to a finished cake lined with fresh fruit?

Avoiding freezing a finished cake lined with fresh fruit is essential because freezing can negatively impact the texture and appearance of both the cake and the fruit. When a cake is frozen, the moisture from the fruit can form ice crystals, which can lead to a soggy texture once thawed. Additionally, the freeze-thaw cycle can cause fresh fruits like berries or slices of citrus to lose their firmness, making the cake visually unappealing.

In contrast, refrigerating the cake can be appropriate for short-term storage, as it helps to keep both the cake and the fruit fresh without altering their quality significantly. Covering the cake is also generally recommended to prevent it from drying out or picking up odors from other foods in the fridge. While slicing the cake is part of serving it and does not directly damage its quality, it can expose the inner layers to air, making it less ideal for long-term storage. Therefore, freezing is the least advisable option when dealing with a fresh fruit-topped cake.