Kitchen

[MagnoliaMs]

On 8/27/2014 susan kay said:

Make sure that the cake has cooled down. I know that some people freeze theirs before they ice it even though I've never done that. I do a light glazing by putting some icing in a cup or small bowl, then add a bit of water. Apply a VERY thin layer on the cake before you do the final icing. Also, whatever you spread the glaze with, take it from one side of the cake to the other, without constant lifting. That will help to minimize the crumbs, too.

Thanks, susan kay. How long does this first thin layer need to set?

[jackthebear]

http://cakewhiz.com/cakewhiz/post/How-to-frost-a-cake-smoothly.aspx

this is a neat idea on how to get the frosting smooth, I have an offset spatula but never thought of the taping tool

[luvdoodles]

Very good tips here because I always have that problem. That's why I never make a cake when we have company. I will make one for my family because they really don't care as long as it tastes good. I will experiment with my family again.

[Sooner]

I find that is often a problem on cake mix cakes, not so much on scratch made cakes

[susan kay]

MagnoliaMs, not long....just enough time so that it "sets". Off the top of my head, I would say between 5 and 10 minutes, but to be safe, try 10-15 minutes. It's kind of an "eyeing" thing where you can tell it has set somewhat. BTW, I have definitely had my share of crumbs in the icing. I think that everyone does it at some point!! A decent amount of icing, though, will hide anything!!

[MagnoliaMs]

On 8/27/2014 susan kay said:

MagnoliaMs, not long....just enough time so that it "sets". Off the top of my head, I would say between 5 and 10 minutes, but to be safe, try 10-15 minutes. It's kind of an "eyeing" thing where you can tell it has set somewhat. BTW, I have definitely had my share of crumbs in the icing. I think that everyone does it at some point!! A decent amount of icing, though, will hide anything!!

Thanks again, susan kay. I let my cake cool all afternoon. Then, I thinned my icing for about a minute in the microwave. It went on beautifully. I kept checking to make sure it was cool enough to put the first layer of icing on and when I touched the top of my cake some of the top came off. You gotta' love it. Icing didn't take the top off this time, but I did all by myself.

[MagnoliaMs]

On 8/27/2014 susan kay said:

MagnoliaMs, not long....just enough time so that it "sets". Off the top of my head, I would say between 5 and 10 minutes, but to be safe, try 10-15 minutes. It's kind of an "eyeing" thing where you can tell it has set somewhat. BTW, I have definitely had my share of crumbs in the icing. I think that everyone does it at some point!! A decent amount of icing, though, will hide anything!!

Thanks again, susan kay. I let my cake cool all afternoon. Then, I thinned my icing in the microwave for about a minute. It went on beautifully. I kept touching the top of my cake to make sure it was cool enough for the icing and some of the top came off. You gotta' love it. The icing didn't take the top of the cake off this time, but I did all by myself.

[sfnative]

On 8/27/2014 Sooner said:

I find that is often a problem on cake mix cakes, not so much on scratch made cakes

I totally agree. I've never had this issue on any of my cakes and I previously owned a cake only bakery business.

It's great that you'll be able to take an inexpensive course at Michael's. Good luck and enjoy!

[BichonEmma]

On 8/27/2014 Sooner said:

I find that is often a problem on cake mix cakes, not so much on scratch made cakes

I keep a box mix or two on hand for my 9 year old, she's still learning to bake and being able to make a cake all on her own gives her a confendance a boost. We frequently have them un-frosted because of this.