Not good at icing Christmas cake - any ideas

bellamonkey

I have made my Christmas cake and marzipaned it. I have bought some icing to roll out and put on top. I have some star cutters and bought some silver balls and white glimmer sugar but I need some inspiration. I am not very artistic, so need some ideas that would be easy. Photos would be even better. Hope someone can help me. Ta x

thriftlady_2

Well you could always do what I do and not ice or marzipan it at all.

Or if that is just too dull you could buy some of those big candied fruits and stick those over the top. Something like this.

Or make or buy instant royal icing (really easy to use) and spread that over your cake using a palette knife to swirl it on to look like snow- all peaky like this.

greenbee

This thread is old, but has some nice ideas!

stef240377

If using the roll on icing how about this one as you said about the star cutters http://www.flickr.com/photos/zigwamp/3176240430/.

I am no good with getting a smooth finish with royal icing but have managed to do a couple of cakes with the peaks effect.

This is a birthday one - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/photo.php?pid=2276617&id=634980718

This is my one from last xmas - http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?&id=634980718&s=18&hash=bed1eeb484aacf31062cb8f2df5f4f6c#/photo.php?pid=2295805&id=634980718&fbid=69552965718

This years one for a family party tonight stealing the polar bears from Kirsties home made xmas - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4204799&id=634980718

Hoping those links work now.

tandraig

good you got roll out icing! and the other bits and pieces. ok, if you want a formal pattern then cut a circle of paper as big as the top of your cake and fold it into sections 8 is about the best number unless your cake is huge and i am assuming its round? then lay it on top of the cake and mark the icing by pricking through the paper with a clean darning needle or suchlike. then just folow the marks with the silver balls. in each section place a star which you have cut from icing and then either painted with food colouring or dusted with the glittery stuff! you could then put a larger version of the star in the centre.
Or.........just toss all the silver balls and glittery stuff on the top randomly!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Cut a circle of icing the size of your cake (the tin should provide a good template for this), or the size plus the height of your cake for a 'skirt' - rather like a two ring bullseye.

Lay on top of thin layer of melted jam/water mix on marzipan. To get a nice finish, sprinkle a little icing sugar on top and 'polish' in a circular motion from the centre outwards. Take your time and the texture goes all silky and it gently falls over the edges. It's rather relaxing, imo.

Have a cuppa whilst deciding what to do next.

1. Stars - cut them out and stick them with icing sugar/drops of water to make glue, in a starry sky (random) pattern. Add silver balls for further away stars, sprinkle with sparkly stuff.

or

2. Cut out double quantity of stars. Gently squish points between thumb and forefinger to get them to flare out on half. Stick normal star on top at centre of shape. Gently warm in palm of hand until slightly cup shape. Glue on cake. Glue silver balls in centre. Use brush, add little icing sugar glue to tips and sprinkle sparkle dust. Voila. Xmas flowers.

bellamonkey

WOW WOW WOW - some brilliant ideas, I knew I could rely on you all. Not sure what to do yet................. but will keep you in touch. Thank you soooooo much. I am almost in tears with joy. I know, I need to get out more.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I'm living it vicariously through you - my two hate mince pies, detest Christmas Cake and just want a bowl of normal ice cream for afters. DD2 is more excited about tangerines and satsumas coming into season than mince pies back in the shops.

tandraig

funny thing is - I dont like cake! christmas or otherwise! will prob buy a gorgeous looking raspberry brulee cheesecake in Aldis for my cakeloving son and the kids! for dessert for myself I will prob have a glass of wine and some grapes!

pretz_2

is this one any good - http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3003/star-sparkle-cake

lisa26_2

First things first.........NEVER put water near sugar paste (roll out icing), it ruins it!!! To make the icing stick to the marzipan or to stick things to the icing use clear alcohol eg vodka. I would suggest you cover the cake with the roll out icing, don't worry too much about getting it perfect, then using any leftover icing, cut out starts, stick them to the icing on the cake and stick a silver bal to the point of each star. Simples!!!