Homemade Cakes thread

AnnieH

I had my coffee morning today. We raised £120 for Multiple Sclerosis. The ice cream cupcakes went in about 5 minutes flat!
I was asked to make some ice cream cones, and cake pops for a school fair. Also a lady asked me if I'd make a castle cake for her daughter. I've not made a cake for money before though, so not sure whether to say yes.

Pink_Mummy

Amazing cakes everyone, soooo inspirational!! Ive decided to take the plunge and start out ) I am doing a mini cake decorating course at the weekend.. Cant wait!!

I was just wondering if you could all give me some advice on equipment that you use?? Like for the letters etc and also for the different swirls of buttercream???

Thanks so much x

Pink_Mummy

Also, just wondering where you get your recipies etc from?? Thanks so much

AnnieH

Pink_Mummy wrote: »

Also, just wondering where you get your recipies etc from?? Thanks so much

You cannot go wrong with Hummingbird Bakery recipes. I've never had one go wrong from them. The books are worth their weight in gold for anyone who loves to bake.

Pink_Mummy

nuttymummy, can I ask how you did the letters on your fabulous cakes please?? Thanks so much for your help xx

VfM4meplse

AnnieH wrote: »

I've not made a cake for money before though, so not sure whether to say yes.

You are very talented, do it!

Pink_Mummy

Great thank you Annie,

Also what piping tools do you use?? And what are the essentials for decorating?? Thanks soooo much for your help

AnnieH

Pink_Mummy wrote: »

Great thank you Annie,

Also what piping tools do you use?? And what are the essentials for decorating?? Thanks soooo much for your help

All you need is an electric mixer of some kind (whatever your budget allows - I'm hoping for a freestanding one for my birthday, but just have a cheap hand held one ATM) and a decent palette knife. You can create fab swirls, or make icing nice and smooth with one. Once your confidence grows, you can experiment with piping nozzles. I love my Wilton 1M nozzle though, as it gives big swirls with lots of definition.
Oh, and you need a camera so you can show us your creations

awesome2_2

Annieh Well done on raising so much money you cakes look lovely what sweeties did you use for the frog eyes? You should definatley make the castle cake.

Becs1980 If you go on to youtube there are hundreds of vidoes showing you how to ice cakes. If you type in "icing a cake with fondant" you will be spoilt for choice. You asked why the icing goes in to te dip in your cake if you are using icing sugar made with water I would level the cake by cutting the top layer slightly horizontaly or turn the top layer upside down. If you are using ready to roll icing a thin layer of buttercream around all of the cake once sandwiched together will even it out do this then put your ready to roll on top.

HTH

AnnieH

awesome2 wrote: »

Annieh Well done on raising so much money you cakes look lovely what sweeties did you use for the frog eyes? You should definatley make the castle

Thanks chuck. I'll try the castle, but wouldn't know how much to charge. What a minefield! You don't want to rip someone off, but then you don't want to diddle yourself either.

The sweeties I used were like Parma Violets, but a lot paler. I colored in the eyes with a food colour pen. Bakerella uses sweetie necklaces for the eyes on her froggy cake pops.