Hi Everyone,

This question is mainly for UK bakers, because I'm from the UK.

What I wanted to ask was, I'm going on a cake decorating course in September, so right now I'm just practising cake decorating, not selling them, in the UK what are the main types of cake people use for cakes?
I know that Pound cake is popular in the USA, but what is mainly used over here?
Is it Sponge or Madeira, or something else?

I do carved novelty cakes mainly, and use sponge cake and I find that when I "dirty ice" the cake with buttercream, it totally rips the cake apart because its so soft!

Any help, tips, advice is great, Thanks!

Hiya

I'm in the uk too and although i dont make an awful lot of cakes most people ask for 'just normal sponge with jam and buttercream' for birthdays unless i give them some suggestions. Even with wedding cakes, less people like traditional fruitcake these days. I don't know if thats true of a busy baker though.

I also make lemon sponge with a lemon curd filling and chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache filling.

I got a great recipe from someone off here for a high density sponge that holds together well when its carved. I can pm you the recipe if you like?

Lyndsey x

If you would like to share the recipe thats great! Thank you Lyndseyb52

May you pm me the recipe too Lyndsey?

It seems to be Vanilla with different flavoured buttercreams. What kind of sponge recipe are you using? I find a vanilla buttercake recipe or something similar to a victoria sponge works fine. I let the cake get as cool as possible without freezing/refridgeration and I'm as gentle as possible with it. I dont crumbcoat though I just use ganache so it sets up nice and firm.