Okay...I'm new at this whole cake decorating thing, but I really enjoy it. I work to much to go to the decorating classes so I need a lot of beginners help. There are a few techniqes I'm not sure about and I'm at a complete lose on the cake language, so I figured I'd just aske a bunch of questions in one forum...so please bare with me.
1. What is MMF?
2. Does BC stand for butter cream?
3. How do you get your cakes not to raise in the middle?
4. How do you do a layer cake without breaking the top layer or getting it on completely off center?
5. Is there a certain way to make your icing smooth?
Well that's all I can think of right now...I'm sure there will bw more later. I really love this site, everybody is so creative. Thanks for any help you can give me!!

Hi amber6258 and welcome to CC. I will see what I can do to help you out.
1. MMF stands for Marshmallow Fondant
2. BC does stand for Buttercream frosting.
3. The easiest way I have found to reduce the
"hump" in the center of the cake is to use
Bake Even strips. There may still be a hump
and most decorators level their cakes with a
cake leveler or serated knife.
4. What type of layer cake are you talking
about? Same size layers or different size
layers?
5. There are several ways to smooth your icing.
You will hear about Melvira's method, there is
an article about it here on CC. There is also
the Viva method where you put the icing on
the cake and then smooth it with a Viva paper
towel. I always put my icing on with an Icer
tip. When I use the Viva method I also use my
Fondant smoother to go over it.
HTH,
Bradymom

Welcome to CC!

I think you will find this post helpful
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926.html

Yeah I meant same size...I haven't even begun to think of different sizes yet. LOL What are these strips your talking about...I did get a cake leveler, those things are awesome. I just read somewhere that you didn't know what you were doing if your cake raised in the middle. Thanks for helping me....I appreciate it.

A couple of notes:
1. BC does stand for Buttercream, but you may see it used for Betty Crocker in a thread about cake mixes

2. I hope to heaven you still know what you're doing if you get a 'hump' on your cake! I bake normally, then as soon as it comes out of the oven, take a clean tea towel and press it down on the cake to make it level. Many others prefer the Bake Even strips (you can get at any decorating supply store, I got mine at Hobby Lobby), or cutting off the uneven part with a leveler or knife.