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Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
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Elizabeth720
LIF Infant
Member since 10/05 192 total posts
Name:
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Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
I am an inexperienced baker but would like to make a Very Hungry Caterpillar cake for my son's first birthday. I have seen a few different things on how to shape this cake (make a couple of bundt cake, cut into thirds and piece together to form the caterpillar shape).
But , I have a few questions:
- How long should I let the cake set before frosting it? Does it need to get a little "stale" - like sit overnight - so that it is easier to frost?
- I plan to use box cake mix and bought frosting in the tub (yes, I am cheating). What is the best kind of dye to add to the frosting for the most vivid colors?
- Any general tips to provide on frosting a cake?
Thanks in advance for your response!!
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Posted 10/6/11 10:36 PM  |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
The cake should be cool before frosting it. You dont have to wait overnight but if you do you can put a slice of bread on top to make sure it doesnt dry out.
I find that the gel food colorings give off the brightest colors but the squeeze drops will do just fine you just may need more.
As far as tips a frosting knife will help you get the smoothest look, if you dont have one or dont want to buy one use a butter knife rather than a spatula to smooth everything out.
Making a bundt cake and slicing the pieces would probably work well, I'd try googling it to see what other people have done.
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| Posted 10/6/11 11:04 PM |
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LightUpOurLife
Totally in love
Member since 8/06 12785 total posts
Name:
Bonnie-Jean
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Re: Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
What Kristin said plus:
line the platter with the edge of aluminum foil slightly under the caterpillar. All the way around. When you are done icing it, slide the foil out from under it so the platter is nice and clean.
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| Posted 10/6/11 11:54 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
Posted by LightUpOurLife
What Kristin said plus:
line the platter with the edge of aluminum foil slightly under the caterpillar. All the way around. When you are done icing it, slide the foil out from under it so the platter is nice and clean.
It would be even easier with wax paper, which is what we usually do. I'd be nervous that the foil would rip or the cake would slide with it.
Personally, I like to leave the cake to set overnight- for a few reasons. I find it's easier to shape, resulting in less crumbs, resulting in less of a need for a crumb coat. I also work 9-5 in an office so I'm wrecked and I like to take my time with each step of the cake.
Since you are using canned frosting, I'd try and use gel food coloring- like pp mentioned it gives you a brighter color while using less drops. Liquid food coloring takes more and can make your frosting (particularly canned frosting) too runny which makes it harder to frost.
I always like to give my cakes a "crumb coat" before actually frosting them, especially with cut cakes, to ensure there's no crumbs in the top layer of frosting. Though, it is a little more difficult on shaped cakes, as well. I use this wide, flat tip in a decorator's bag so pipe on the crumb coat. It's just easier and neater than using a butter knife/spatula. Everything I've mentioned you can get at Michael's.
I actually got gel food coloring at Target, also.
Wilton Cake Spatula.
Wilton Crumb Coating Tutorial
Message edited 10/7/2011 10:48:39 AM.
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| Posted 10/7/11 10:47 AM |
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Elizabeth720
LIF Infant
Member since 10/05 192 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question About Frosting a Cake/Cake Decorating
Thank you so much for your responses ladies! Very much appreciated.
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| Posted 10/7/11 12:19 PM |
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