pls help... very beginer question : )
hi, i was just wondering if anyone can give me some tips on covering cakes with buttercream. i would like to know the best tool to use to get a very smooth finish and the best thing to do so you don't get little cake bits when spreading.
sorry - these are pretty basic but i'm still learning
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deah on
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Cake crumbs - If you cake is tearing as your spread your butter cream, the buttercream is probably too stiff. Try to thin it out a bit. Alternatively, you can apply a crumb coat (thin layer of thin buttercream) and let it sit or refrigerate it for about 10 minutes then apply your regular coat of buttercream.
Tools - offset spatula (small and large depending on the cake size), bench scraper, viva paper towels (if you use a crusting buttercream)
I would suggest if you can to purchase Sharon Zambito's DVD on Perfecting Buttercream. There's lots of information there and it improved my BC skills drastically. http://www.sugaredproductions.com/_product_85116/buttercream_dvd
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Rawlings on
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Elisabeth
The key to making smooth buttercream is the buttercream itself. Mastering buttercream is one of the hardest things to do in cake decorating. Find a buttercream that will slightly crust when cooled and thin it to a nice spreading consistency. I use tip #789 and a 16" bag and start in the top center and work my way around in one continious motion untill the icing over laps the edge slightly. Then goto the bottom and work your way up. I use a regular icing knife to smooth it out evenly. I like to smooth out the top first then goto the sides then finish off the top. Dont worry if theres a few air bubbles or uneven spots, just toss it in the fridge for 3-5 minutes to crust and touch it up with a Viva paper towel. After a few cakes and you get the consistency mastered you wont have to use the paper towels. There are great buttercream recipes under forums, good luck
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Permalink Reply by Karen Marie on
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There are some excellent videos on www.youtube.com that will teach you just about anything you want to learn....
When you are ready to ice your cake make sure it is completely cold or it will tear and as Deah said thin it out a bit for the first coat which is called a crumb coat. It coats the crumbs so they wont get into your final layer.
Edna De La Cruz has some great recipes and tutorials on making and applying buttercream on her site it is www.designmeacake.com
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Permalink Reply by jeri c on
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I have most of Sharon Zambito's videos and will swear by them. She is very good... so is Edna and so is Jennifer Dontz. You really can not go wrong with any of them. I prefer a small angled spatula and the MUST tool is a bench scraper. Would not be without mine!
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Permalink Reply by jennifer henke on
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I am wondering what a bench scraper is
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A dough or bench scraper is a tool used by bakers to manipulate dough and to clean surfaces on which dough has been worked. Cake decoraters use it to smooth cakes as well
jennifer henke said:I am wondering what a bench scraper is
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This is one type Jennifer...some have wooden or plastic handles
http://www.globalsugarart.com/search.php?search=bench+scraper
jennifer henke said:I am wondering what a bench scraper is
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I have one similar to this. You can normally pick them up in any kitchen shop or someplace like Bed, Bath and Beyond for $8 or less. If you see one with an attached handle make sure the handle isn't wider than the scrapper section because you won't be able to hold it at the correct angle on the sides of the cake. Don't buy one like this http://www.pastrychef.com/BENCH-SCRAPER_p_1113.html
Karen Marie said:This is one type Jennifer...some have wooden or plastic handles
http://www.globalsugarart.com/search.php?search=bench+scraper
jennifer henke said:I am wondering what a bench scraper is
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I have the Ateco one that Karen Marie posted and I love it. Works so great and is the right height for a 4" cake. I have a wider one but hardly ever use it unless I am doing a taller cake.
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ok I have one of those. Just never heard them called that. I havent used mine yet though.
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I went for years with one in the drawer and never used it much but in the last 4 or 5 years... I would not be without mine!
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