Crisis! Please Help Me Salvage...

Decorating By MandMCakeDesigns Updated 22 Apr 2007 , 3:40am by MandMCakeDesigns

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MandMCakeDesigns Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:35pm
post #1 of 10

Hi, ladies. I was asked to do a cake this weekend about a month ago. There was a Ladies Retreat at my church that I had already paid for, so being new at this, I was hesitant to try a cake the same weekend. The lady assured me the cake was small, so I committed to do it.

Needless to say, a cake for 30 turned into a cake for 50. ...I am tired, don't feel so great and I fell asleep and let my BC crust over for too long. It is all bumpy and cracky and I can't get it smooth. What's the best way to fix it? Can I frost over it or should I just call the lady and ask it if can have fondant over it? --which I know would be unprofessional, but I am REALLY new at this and only do cakes for friends....

I just need help....PLEASE tell me I don't have to bake it over or anything horrendous like that....

9 replies
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KoryAK Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:40pm
post #2 of 10

no you certainly don't have to bake it over. I use a non-crusting buttercream so I don't have any great tips of uncrusting it but as a worst-case scenario you can always remove the icing and redo it.

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itsloops Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:41pm
post #3 of 10

Wow!
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with BC. I'm not sure how to fix so I'll bump you.

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Ariginal Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:42pm
post #4 of 10

Would a hot knife or spatula do it?

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3tiers Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:42pm
post #5 of 10

I agree - I have had to do that before. Just scrape the icing off and go over it with fresh buttercream. Good luck!

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rezzygirl Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:43pm
post #6 of 10

Yes you can frost over it very carefully. If you have a quick icer tip that would be best. Or You can take a paper towel, soak it in warm water and wring it well. Then lay it all over the surface of the cake. That should moisten it up a little. Run a spatula under hot water, shake off excess water and smooth icing. HTH

-Rezzy

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Doug Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:44pm
post #7 of 10

several options:

most drastic -- scrape off the icing and reice

less drastic --

spatula heated in hot water, wiped and then used to smooth -- sort of melts the icing smooth -- must keep reheating

or

a trick I learned from my Wilton teacher -- a clean (used for nothing else) spray bottle full of HOT water.
Mist the cake and use the hot spatula -- the water rehydrates outer layer of frosting and also helps keep spatula from sticking.

OR

just don't wipe the spatula after heating it in hot water.



I prefer the spray bottle as can get lighter, more even mist of water than w/ a wet spatula.

just be careful to spritz only a little bit.

then let it recrust some and use the melvira method or viva paper towel method.

viva method: http://www.cakecentral.com/article10-How-To-Create-Faux-Fondant-The-Paper-Towel-Method----Viva.html


melvira method:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-49423-method.html
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-47753-method.html

HTH

( P.S. -- anyone know where I can get a GLASS spray bottle -- have already melted two plastic ones heating them in microwave!)

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MandMCakeDesigns Posted 21 Apr 2007 , 9:54pm
post #8 of 10

Thanks so much! I already tried the hot, dry spatula, so I will try the rest and see how it goes. I'll let you know how it works out..

p.s. Doug--- have you tried a beauty supply store-- like Sally Beauty Supply or some other place that sells stuff to hair stylists? Probably your best bet--- or at least you can stock up on cheap plastic ones... icon_lol.gif

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mizshelli Posted 22 Apr 2007 , 12:51am
post #9 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug

( P.S. -- anyone know where I can get a GLASS spray bottle -- have already melted two plastic ones heating them in microwave!)




Dollar store baby....the one by us sells glass ones. Try there icon_biggrin.gif

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MandMCakeDesigns Posted 22 Apr 2007 , 3:40am
post #10 of 10

So the cake is finished. I broke down and covered it in fondant. I worked with it for awhile and it just kept getting worse. She won't mind the fondant and I figured it was the best and quickest way to a cake I will be proud to deliver. It was going to have fondant buttons and baby booties on it anyway, so it seemed to fit. So even though I feel a little like I "copped-out" the cake is cute...it's in my photos under Molly's shower cake.

Thanks for your help!

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