How long does it take you guys to frost and simply decorate a 8'' round? I just want to know how much of an amature i am.

debbie,
I too am a newbie and am curious what the experienced ones will say. I did an 8" round, 4" high filled cake last weekend for Easter, bc basketweave with 3 different colors and coconut grass and jelly beans on top. To ice it smooth (I used the upside down method, which I love!)- total time, basketweave and all was about an hour and a half.

Simple Borders, flowers, writing....10-20 minutes.

After crumb coat has chilled, about 10-15 minutes.

Don't worry Monica, I take a long time to do my cakes also. I have to walk away for a minute and come back to see what else needs to be done. I'm never quite satisfied so I think that's one reason it takes me so long.
Tabby

You know, that you mentioned it, I am going to time myself. I usually look at the clock when I start getting the cakes ready like torting, soaking in simple syrup, brushing off crumbs, etc.

But to just ice it simply, I haven't timed myself. I have to do that.

honestly, i've never thought to time myself and I love decorating so much, i have never even been aware of 'about' what time it was when I started, so i can't even guesstimate.

all I know is everytime I make a cake it seems like I spend most of the entire day doing it........guess time flies when you're having fun!!! I'll have to time myself too sometime....I'll probably freak out once I realize how much of my life has actually gone into making cakes!!!! LOL

Holy moly! 10-20 min???
I AM slow!! Any cake I do never takes me less than 3-4 hours. And depending on the design, it's usually an all day affair for me. That does NOT include baking time. I count mixing batter, making frosting, coloring frosting, filling frosting bags, covering cake board, crumb coat, frosting cake, filling and/or torting cake, getting design on cake & doing borders. In between all that I'm cleaning as I go, washing dishes & tips as I go and I rarely stop for any breaks.

I suppose doing some of those steps ahead of time would help but I always do it all on the same day.
KimAZ

My 10-15 minutes was only to decorate a cake with final coat, borders, some small details and writing. It does not include mixing, baking, chilling, torting, making the frosting, crumb coating, etc.

That really depends on your design..Mine usually takes about 3-4 hours..I take my sweet time when I do it..

ok it takes me 45 mins to 1 hr just to frost, that includes crumb coat and final coat. if i counted baking and decorating its probably 3-4 hours which it took for my whipped cream buttercream practice in my gallery. i know its simple but it was my 1st time and that time includes mistakes and fixes and just trying to get things perfect. i hate when my frosting is not smooth, like last night i was frosting a cake for class and it took me like an hour because i kept seeing things that wasnt perfect. I have alot to learn.

All of you who take 3-4 hours to decorate better feel good about yourselves because it takes me longer.

I would be between 1 and 4 hours decorating dependant on the design.
I am getting faster, but also more of a perfectionist which slows me down again!