I have to do a cake this weekend for my daughters baptism. I want to shape it like a Baptism dress my question is do I have to freeze the cake before carving it? I never froze a cake before can I get some tips on how to? will it taste refridgerated? I want to add filling should I freeze the filled cake or fill it after I carve it?

Please Help
Any and all tips on carving and freezing are welcome.

Thanks
Jackie

You don't have to freeze the cake to carve it but refrigerating or freezing enough to firm it up a bit helps keep it from crumbling when carving. I've also had problems carving sometimes when it is too frozen and the knife doesn't want to go through it. I usually use a bread knife and it slices through great. As for filling ~ that would depend on what you are filling it with. Some fillings you wouldn't want to freeze.

Good luck!
Debbie

I think putting it in the fridge is sufficient too...that's what I do anyway. After you carve it in the shape you need, then torte and fill it. This is a good time to do a crumb coat, even if you don't usually do one!

Thanks for the advice I will try putting in the fridge for a while before cutting it. I'll post pictures once it's done.

Sculpting cakes is what I do best and I have never frozen or refrigerated a cake before hand. My question to you is what kind of cake are you carving? I prefer a dense cake (adding extra eggs will add to the density of an ordinary cake mix but the added protein will also make the less tender - but a good trade off for sculpting!). Sculpted cake batter is much different than the usual cake batter. Also, I use an electric knife to cut the initial carving then use a serrated paring type knife for the more intricate cuts. Since this is you first time, it won't hurt to semi freeze the cake until you get the hang of sculpting. Good luck and remember to have fun!!!!

I just did a book cake for my coworker and I froze the cake first before carving. It worked out great. I refined the carving when it was thawed.