Simple instructions for icing a cake

smiler34

Hi, I am wanting to make my babies christening cake to save money but need some simple instructions on icing a cake. Also is there a different method if its a sponge or fruit cake? and does anyone have any ideas of sources for cheap cake decorations?

Thanks xx

Gingernutmeg

For a sponge cake, the usual method is to fill the cake with jam or jam and buttercream, place the cake on a cakeboard (put a blob of buttercream underneath to act as 'glue'),carefully spread a little of the buttercream over the cake, and use ready-to-roll fondant to ice it. Just roll the icing out so that it'll cover the cake completely, using icing sugar to ensure it doesn't stick to the counter or your hands, and then carefully lay it over the cake.Very gently, using your hands, press the icing so it sticks to the cake a hugs the corners. Using a very gentle rubbing motion, sort of 'buff' the icing with the palm of your hand. Carefully cut off the excess icing using a blunt knife, and then it's fairly standard to just pipe a little royal icing around the gap where the icing meets the board.

The method is the same for fruitcakes, but it's more traditional to cover them with a layer of marzipan first. Roll out your marzipan and brush the cake with warmed apricot jam. It's easier to marzipan a cake by placing the cake onto the marzipan and cutting round it, so that you end up with all four sides and the top covered. This is much quicker than trying to fit the marzipan over the cake like the icing, as better quality marzipans aren't as flexible. You'll need to put the cake on the board and just leave it to dry out for a couple of days. You *could* ice it straight away, but the oils of the marzipan can sometimes bleed through the icing making it look unpleasant. Then ice with the fondant icing as you would with a sponge cake. If you want royal icing (the hard stuff) then the quickest way to ice it is to do the 'snow scene', trying to get royal icing flat and smooth is a real pain, and a very tricky job. Also, don't forget to add a little bit of glycerine to the icing, otherwise it'll set like concrete!

For cheap decorations, it's best to keep it simple. Some nice white, pink or pastel yellow ribbon tied in a sash around the cake, finished off with a nice bow always looks pretty, You could put a small posy of fresh or silk flowers on the top to match (don't push the fresh flowers into the cake lol, get a little dish!). I find sewing and haberdashery shops are a good source of these. Most cake decorating shops will have a stock of 'christening decorations' ranging from the traditional storks etc to more modern things. Or, you could go trendy - pink ribbon and dolly mixtures would look very sweet.