Need Help Asap Already Icing Cakes!!
Decorating By chrissysconfections Updated 1 Feb 2007 , 11:00pm by Steady2Hands
Ok, here's my problem. I torted and crumb coated the cake last night and let it sit overnight. Got up first thing this morning and started icing the cake with SewSweets crusting buttercream recipe. Now that the cake has sat about 30 mins +/- the icing is getting this crackling effect. What do I do!?!? You can see every single swipe the knife made!! I had this happen before but I was able to re-ice the cake mins before it went out the door and it looked good....problem is I can't do that this time. The cake is for a party tomorrow night and I have fondant details to put on yet.
Also I can't use borders on the bottom of the top tier....whats the best way to get a clean look?
I've attached a photo so you can see what I mean.
TIA
Your photo didn't attach. Did you use the Viva papertowel to smooth your icing? I find that I don't have any problem with cracking when I use this method. Also, is your cake on a sturdy board? If not, that may cause cracking. Maybe someone else can offer other suggestions.
Good luck!
Cindy
Oh dear 
I have never had this to happen. I wish I could help you out. Here's a BUMP to get this thread back to the top. Surely someone has an answer.
You might try re-posting your pic. I don't see it.
Good luck!
Sorry Cindy ~ you must have posted your reply just as I began typing mine. 
yes I did try the viva towel method and the one that used the paint roller....neither worked.
I will try to attach the photo again...thanks for letting me know!
I don't know, but if I were you, I'd be reaching for the clear sprinkles right about now :O) - -They hide imperfections...and whatever the fondant accents you've got will draw the eye to those as well. I bet it will turn out just fine.
Sorry this happened to you!
I think it looks fine! It's such a dark color that you dont notice it. If you are putting on fondant decorations, that will draw the eye away from the frosting problems. PLUS - its buttercream, which is never perfect and people know that.
Did you let your cake rest before you torted it? I always bake mine the day before at least and just let it sit. It makes a real difference. If you did let it rest how dense a cake is it? If it is a light and fluffy one your frosting could have made it settle a little more. It doesn't take much to make these little cracks. The least little movement with the cake settling if frosted too soon or cake is too light will cause these little cracks.
I put pudding in the DCH cake mixes and I did let them sit overnight before putting a "good coat" of frosting on. They sat about 30 mins after cooling before I put the crumb coat on.
Cakemommy is right on the button. You have let it sit too long before smoothing it. (been there done that) I only let mine set for just a few minutes (maye 3 to 5) before smoothing. IF you wait till it has completely crusted, it cracks. (and the darker the icing the more prevalent it is.)
I was wondering also about it sitting too long before smoothing. That might possibly be the culprit. That's another reason I love using the sponge paint roller. I use it on my icing immediately. A couple of rolls and it's done. 
exactly when and how do you use the sponge paint roller?
I use mine right away. There have been a few times (very few) that the icing will stick to it but by the time I finish with the rest of the cake, I can go back over the trouble spot and it will be fine.
As far as using it, ice the cake and then roll over it with the sponge paint roller just like you would when painting a wall. It's rather fun. It makes icing a cake go very fast.
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