how do i make my cake so smooth like in the wilton cake book pic.s? i hate it when mines not smooth it looks bad to me!
Use a crusting buttercream. Smooth it out as good as you can then let it crust over (about 15 mins) then take a Viva paper towel. Don't use a different kind because they have a pattern that will show up on your cake. With the Viva papertowel smooth the cake. Sort of like you are going to iron the cake with your hand or fondant smoother. Pull off the paper towel and you have a nice smooth cake.
I've heard that Wilton using royal icing on their cakes then sands them to get them that smooth.
Also, if the Viva doesn't make it smooth enough for you, try a piece of computer/copy paper after the viva. Same method as the viva - lay on cake, rub your hand or fondant smoother over the viva or/and computer paper.
Or if you don't have any Viva towels handy, you can use parchment paper, using the same technique. Just make sure the bc has crusted.
Let us know what you tried and if it worked!
Danielle
Glad you asked that question. I have a terrible time with getting my cakes smooth too. I tried the parchment paper and it didn't work for me. The icing just "wrinkled." I've never tried the Viva paper towels, but I've used other brands to purposely leave the pattern on the cake. It covers the flaws and leaves an interesting design. I've had some luck fixing small imperfections using a spatula dipped in hot water. Wipe off the excess water and the heat melts the buttercream. It's not perfect though. I'm anxious to try the Viva!
While I have never used parchment paper to smooth with I know with Viva you have to be sure your towel does not have any wrinkles in it or they will show up.
One other thing that I have found to be wonderful to use is to first ice with the icing tip which will give you the right amount of icing to use. Then smooth it out with a flat edge scraper. I got mine at a cake supply store. This will make your cake pretty smoth and even so when you use the Viva towel you don't have much to smooth out.
You have to be sure your icing is crusted or the towel will stick and make it worse then before.
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