My first birthday cake attempt....Help!

cpht · 08-12-2010, 06:25 AM

Good morning!
I just wanted to share with you all my very first attempt at decorating a birthday cake.

Could some of you pros give me some tips? How do you get perfectly white icing? Also, how on earth do you get the icing so smooth? Any suggestions on how to liven up the flavor of a white cake for a girl's birthday, wether it be flavoring in the batter, or a filling to go in between the cakes? Also, we love the buttercream frosting, but mine turned out SO SWEET! Would anyone like to share their recipes?

Here's the link to my blog with the post about my cake:
http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.co...ke-anyone.html

Thanks in advance for any tips you would like to share. I can see already that the roses are going to be my nemesis!

kenbo · 08-12-2010, 06:55 AM

Sorry that I don't have any answers for you but your cake looks great. I'm sure that there are plenty of members here that are going to be able to help you out. I know absolutely nothing about cakes and icing. Whiten the icing? I'd probably use bleach.

Smooth the icing? I'd probably use an electric sander.

And that is why I don't bake.

Good luck with you icing dilema. Looks like you've got the decorating thing down to a system.

Kenbo

**Rasha** · 08-12-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpht

Good morning!
I just wanted to share with you all my very first attempt at decorating a birthday cake.

Here's the link to my blog with the post about my cake:
http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.co...ke-anyone.html

Well, I can tell you this much: That is an adorable cake!

Angela · 08-12-2010, 02:21 PM

I'm not a good cake decorator. I mentioned somewhere else that I disguise my lack of decorating talent with sprinkles. Lots of sprinkles. Your cake looks great! Sorry I don't have any tips for you.

Arachnea · 08-12-2010, 02:38 PM

What an awesome looking cake!
Have you tried google-ing your problem? Whenever I'm in doubt, I go to allrecipes.com for tips and recipes for various things. For example, you might want to check out Royal Icing

Here's a helpful link for you:
http://www.joyofbaking.com/RoyalIcing.html

Hope that helps,

Jess

DangerMouse · 08-12-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenbo

Whiten the icing? I'd probably use bleach. Smooth the icing? I'd probably use an electric sander.

Oh come now, everyone knows you whiten the icing with Behr paint! (it sure doesn't work on walls!) and you should ALWAYS use a PLANER to smooth the icing! Electric sander..... now you're just being silly.....

DM

thecraftypenguin · 08-12-2010, 05:47 PM

Very cute! I like the decorations. I'm new to cake decorating too. My next goal is to try fondant...

This is the buttercream I use:

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
1 or 2 tbs milk
______________
http://the-crafty-penguin.blogspot.com/

DoilyMania · 08-12-2010, 07:18 PM

I can make cake but decorating is not my strong side. I get idea what i want to do but making it is totally different story. I am not good at it. :P

auxi · 08-12-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpht

Good morning!
I just wanted to share with you all my very first attempt at decorating a birthday cake.

Could some of you pros give me some tips? How do you get perfectly white icing? Also, how on earth do you get the icing so smooth? Any suggestions on how to liven up the flavor of a white cake for a girl's birthday, wether it be flavoring in the batter, or a filling to go in between the cakes? Also, we love the buttercream frosting, but mine turned out SO SWEET! Would anyone like to share their recipes?

Here's the link to my blog with the post about my cake:
http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.co...ke-anyone.html

Thanks in advance for any tips you would like to share. I can see already that the roses are going to be my nemesis!

That's really pretty!!! I can't believe you just started cake decorating. To get white icing you have to use shortening instead of butter. If you want your icing to be smooth, you can use fondant, but some people don't like how it taste. Or you can lay a paper towel over the iced cake - paper towel should be as un-textured as possible - and pat over it. Did you use un-salted butter for your buttercream? That could make it extra sweet. There's so many things you can do to 'liven up' your batter. You could replace some of the water in your recipe with lime juice - that's soooo good! Fillings are wonderful and you can get really interesting with them (Nuts, chocolates, coconut, fruit jams, etc.) Oh, now I'm craving cake!! Haha! Have fun experimenting. And by the way, Wilton has an online forum, you might check it out. Way to go on the beautiful cake!