Sorry if this seems like a stupid quesdtion, but I am new to baking. How do you keep your cake board from getting dirty while icing the cake? I tried putting the cake on a new board, is this all I need to do or is there an easier way to do this? I just thought that you only use on cake board per cake, but here lately I have been using 2. Thanks in advance for your help.

If I'm using a board that extends beyond the bottom of the cake (as in, it's not a stacked tier), I generally just wipe off the icing that gets on there before it has time to set.

Those base cake boards are always covered with some sort of foil or something which wipes off easily for a clean finish.

Are you covering you cake board with anything? You can buy board cover (comes in a long roll like aluminum foil) in various colors. You can get icing all over the board if you want and it wipes right off. I buy it at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Some Wal-Marts have it too.

I cover all my boards in freezer paper (shiny side up), any icing wipes right off without leaving any residue.

Just wipe off the icing as soon as it hits the board....be careful of the foil covers, as they tear easy, gently gently scoop off and just wipe with a clean cloth. I don't use a damp cloth because it can cause the paper dollie to wrinkle....

I have seen where you can put pieces of waxed paper under the cake edge and when done icing just pul them out...!!! Might work. I seemed to pull some of the icing from the cake off too. Just take your time, patience and practice helps.......and Welcome to CC....I see you are fairly new here.....

Most of the time I cut a cake board that is the exact size of my cake. then I set the cake and board on top of something smaller.

of course, I need to start paying attention to my boards. even with doing this, the final board ends up with something on it. and I dont always want a shiney 'foil' surface for my cake to sit on. I think I am going to start putting a fondant strip, or such ON the board about 2 inches out from the cake. anything to make it more attractive, because with my icing and cakes the boards always have a 'grease' ring... even if I dont get icing ON the final board.

I did a cake on regular board doilie.....didn't look finished and so I covered the edges with fondant......what a difference in the look of the cake.....when at all possible I cover with fondant. Foil tears when cutting and you are right the grease from the icing sometimes bleeds.....

Thanks Thanksharla......

I was also wondering if sometimes you could use gift wrap to cover the cake board? I see a few cakes that have a patterned cake board that looks like it could be gift wrap. Here's an example.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1655892

That look like an oil cloth....I did that for a watermellon cake....but you can use gift wrap, just cover it the a clear contact. The paper doesn't hold up well and moisture is it worst enemy....

I had that problem when I started out, too. I played around with different options until I found one that worked for me - I hated ruining my cake board by having icing all over it or tearing it when I was trying to clean it.

I put my cake on a cake board of the same size and use a single small strip of double-side sticky tape to secure it to a larger board covered in contact paper. Once I've finished icing, covering the cake with fondant (if using fondant) and decorating it, I remove it from the contact paper covered board and move it to the main board and have several strips of double-side sticky tape already in place to secure it.

I then finish with a border or anything else I was worried about getting damaged in the transfer process.

I just started covering my cake boards too. I used a disposable table cloth. They're cheap and come in any color you want!

Wow! Thanks Terrylee. I will definitely invest in some contact paper. I always wondered how you could have patterned paper but without the grease stains. Thank you everyone.

Florist foil doesn't tear. Remember to have your cake on its own cardboard circle before you place in on your base because clear contact paper and some colored foils aren't food safe.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!