Need Hand Holding and Advice (Cakes)...

**nickimacrae** · 23-05-2012, 10:51am

I'm hosting a garden party and open studio event in a few weeks o fundraise for the big Camilles Appeal exhibition next year, eek!

I'll need to make stacks of cakes to sell as we're doing teas on the lawn . in the bell tent, as well as other stuff.

Now my baking has got better over the last year and I have some tried and tested things I can do like cheese scones, corgette tea loaf, various muffins, but what I'm not experienced at doing is icing cakes!

I've been watching tutorials on icing cupcakes with buttercream and should manage OK, but I'm worried about the consistancy and air bubbles? Is there a fool proof recipe for buttercream?

Also how far in advance will it be ok to make and ice cupcakes? Is day before OK, or on the day?

I've got a few school events coming up between now and then and I want to try and practice with stuff for those

Also question about freezing muffins, loaf cakes, etc... I've done it before but always when going away and leaving things for the family - so I never get to see how sucessfully they defrost or taste the texture etc? Is there any difference to the finished cake? Can I fill the freezer from now in or is it just better to have a bakeathon at the last min??

Thank you!!!!

**minigirl** · 23-05-2012, 10:59am

For icing cakes I'd say the day before would be fine, I always do that. I make my icing in a food mixer and use 700g icing sugar and 300g butter with 1-2 tbsp boiling water, this always comes out perfect, that amount will ice about 24 cupcakes. If you squish it well into the piping bag you shouldn't get any air bubbles.

Not sure about freezing cakes, I've never tried that.

**jamsplat** · 23-05-2012, 11:06am

Frozen sponge type cakes defrost fine, my MIL always has plenty in the freezer and I can attest to the fact they are still yummy after thawing

icing the day before should be fine if you've got somewhere cool to store

**Oana** · 23-05-2012, 11:20am

I'm truly awful at baking so wont give you any tips but good luck

**nickimacrae** · 27-05-2012, 09:06am

Girls, sorry being slow! Thank you so much!!

I'm going to make all my fairy cake bases over the next few days and freeze them then, I've made room in the freezer

MG I've been using your icing recipe to practice and second time managed to make some half decent cupcakes - I just need a proper big icing nozzle now!

Ordering a 1m and a 2d off Ebay