Cake advice

gwen80

I'm trying to make a cake for a baby shower. I'm attempting to make a square cake, which I will then cut into the shape of a bib (circle and another bit out of the top). I was thinking of making some sort of victoria sponge. However having done a little reading, it sounds like a madeira cake would hold up better to being cut up (I had no idea victoria and madeira were different, but there you go!).

If I make a madeira cake, is there any reason I can't fill it with either cream and jam or cream and raspberries? I was then going to make a raspberry buttercream to cover it with so that it's pink. Any advice appreciated for this novice baker!

Thanks

nuatha

Madeira is more suitable for carving. I made two of my wedding cakes in Madeira, I split and filled both with (vegan) buttercream and a raspberry jam.
I'd be wary of using fresh raspberries inside the cake, they have a very short shelf life and contain a lot of moisture - though would be fine made a few hours in advance, I wouldn't want to risk making it the night before.
HTH

loveka

As above. I would not fill it with cream, as a Madeira cake is quite heavy so is more likely to squash the cream. The cream will come out of the sides and mix with your buttercream! Also cream doesn't 'go' as well with Madeira as with Victoria. Jam and buttercream would be better.

I would probably make an American frosting to cover it if you want something different to what's in the centre. Otherwise pink buttercream on the outside and white on the inside. Or all pink.

Hope it goes well, if you are a novice keep it simple and it will look very impressive!

HOWMUCH

I go for Madeira with jam between will cut lovely

krlyr

I'd maybe serve with a dish of fresh cream and raspberries to add to the cake

NewShadow

You could just cover the top of the cake in white icing or thick cream and 'pipe' round the edge with the raspberries - lots of bibs are white with pink edging.

VfM4meplse

It also worth looking at the "What have you baked today?" thread. PurpleD is the resident expert when it comes to decorating, check out her snaps.

gwen80

Thanks for all your replies. I followed a Delia recipe in the end and I'm not sure if it was a Madeira or a Victoria... I managed to carve it a little to make it into a bib shape, so that worked ok. Filled it and covered the top in buttercream with raspberry jam in it. Courtesy of Dr Oetker I managed to ice a little message ont the top. I hardly baked at all, but quite enjoyed it, so I'll try and do more in the future.

Thanks for your tips!

Gwen