Help! Buckling And Oozing!
Decorating By chanielisalevy Updated 9 Mar 2007 , 1:00pm by springlakecake
This is a repeat request for help! I have made over 500 cakes but this past year I noticed a reat deal of buckling on sides of cake (I think it is when I wrap fondant around sides instead over whole cake (??) but 2nd more pressing problem is the fondant is breaking down and melting on the underside and oozes out of the bottom of the cake as a thick syrup. Any ideas? I tried posting a picture of both problems but couldn't get picture to post. will try again.
Need some info for a correct diagnosis here.
What's under the fondant--buttercream, simple syrup, apricot glaze?
I don't think buttercream alone would break down fondant.....I"m not sure that what you're seeing is fondant breakdown. I think it may be moisture from the cake or whatever's under the fondant being squished out and running down between the cake and fondant covering.
I agree about wrapping the sides as part of the problem. If the cake isn't super, super sturdy--like un-torted/filled poundcake or fruitcake--any weight put on the top will mush down the cake and cause the bulging of the cake and buckling of the fondant.
I'm guessing that the cake in the photo had a lot of weight on the top, so it suffered. I think that if the whole cake had been covered in one sheet of fondant and what's on top had been on a covered cake board (with several dowels under it in the cake), it would have been fine.
Hope this helps.
Rae
Thank you so much for your reply! Your answer is the first that actually makes sense to me. I loved your suggestions and will be trying them next time. Thanks!
What kind of fondant do you use? have you changed recipes or brands?
Would the fondant break down if there was excessive moisture? I am not sure, I have never seen that!
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