I run a cake business from home. AMA

[JamesDelayneysTattoos]

Thought this might be interesting.

Wow!!! You are very talented!

What a lovely thread

Thank you JamesDelaneysTattoos!! Yes I have become more and more aware recently about how much people bitch behind others backs. It is quite unpleasant. I tend to walk away from those conversations as i just see no place for it and its really not me. Im happy to share what i know with others etc. I went to CI last year for the first time and have entered in 2 categories this year. As you say it is such a high level but i thought why not give it a go!! And it will give me some bits for my portfolio! Might see you there!

This is one of my dahlias and roses.

pancakesandsyrup they are gorgeous, the veining and colouring is spot on. I have flower envy 😍. I read what I like, share if I’m in a position to do so and ignore the other stuff. My life is busy enough without arguing with strangers on a bloody cake page 😂😂

2 categories for your first time, crikey, you’re a braver woman than me, lol.

Both the cakes and the flowers look amazing.

Thanks for the cake pops tips .

Can I just add you sometimes get cake decorating classes at the local college and they're a lot cheaper, but not sure about the quality.

Fingers crossed you get on GBBO!

IF i ever get on GBBO I’ll make some reference to naice ham or something mumsnetty to let you all know it’s me 😂

Isn't there a rule that you can't get on GBBO if you have ever earned your living as a baker?

bishybarnybee yes there is but I don’t earn a living doing it. My home business is fine, I’ve spoken to the producers and they said it’s ok.

How do you stop yourself from licking the icing bowl!

How do you bake those lovely, dense, moist vanilla cakes? I paid a lot for someone to make DD a birthday cake. It looked amazing but the cake itself was dry and tasteless. Ended up binning it.

Lol i like flowers but NOT modelling. I hate it. Brave or stupid...meh..is my motto! I make my own veiners as its far far cheaper than to buy.
What would you say has bedn the most difficult thing setting up your business?

@JamesDelayneysTattoos - do you know how to make the sort of icing that sets really hard - the sort that is used to ice biscuits with?

I love making gingerbread biscuits at Christmas, and want to ice them, but the icing I make (icing sugar and water) just seems to stay sticky, and doesn’t harden.

Thank you in advance.

Is there an easy way to convert your standard vanilla sponge cake recipe to a chocolate cake? Is it as simple as substituting some of the flour for cocoa powder?

Can you REALLY freeze sponge?? Is it ok once it defrosts? Sounds weird to me but would be useful if so!

user I have 5 dc at home, they do bowl licking duties. I do taste every batter before it goes in the tin though just in case.

mynameisnotsteven that’s such a shame, sadly quite common. The trick imo is to use the weighted eggs method for vanilla, bake in 3 thinner layers rather than a 5 inch deep cake and I always brush on some home made vanilla syrup whilst it’s still warm. Perfect every time.

SDT the icing you’re referring to for cookies is Royal icing not water icing. You can but it ready made, or in icing sugar form or make it yourself using egg whites and icing sugar. I make my own because it’s cheaper. I make Royal iced cookies, I love doing them.

sameandsameagain you don’t really get the depth of flavour if you simply substitute flour for 50g cocoa powder. YOu can do that for speed and perhaps melt a bar of dark chocolate and add that in too but really a nice chocolate cake is not tricky. Similar ingredients except you blend cocoa powder with boiling water and add it in at the end.

pancakesandsyrup in my experience, the most difficult things have been getting my prices right, managing my time around the family and keeping on top of my accounts.

Thank You! - iced, of course!

And yes you really can freeze cake. It’s delicious when defrosted as it’s extra moist but not watery. I’ve had clients freeze left over fully buttercreamed cake and it’s been lovely when taken out. You just have to pack it properly to avoid freezer burn, and let it come to room temp naturally.

What is the best stand mixer? Do you think they are worthwhile for your average household over a hand mixer?
I want one but I’m not sure if I really need it.

Do you enjoy those "nailed it" websites where people post their baking disasters as much as I do? (I bloody love em)

ilikedogs yes I’d say they’re a worthwhile investment because it frees up your time to be doing something else.

I have a Kenwood chef that I’ve had for 8 years but it lives in the garage now and only comes out if I need reinforcements as Dh bought me a gorgeous ice blue kitchen aid for my birthday a couple of years ago. Mine works very hard and is still going strong.

Lots of bakers love the Kenwood XL which gives you a bigger bowl.

It comes down to price I’d say if you’re buying for a domestic kitchen. The Kenwood is a trusted brand, good quality and easy to get parts for if you ever need them. Cheaper than a Kitchen Aid. If Dh hadn’t bought me a kitchen aid I’d still be happily using my chef.

olennaswimple oh my yes, I love those. Sometimes I could easily post on them myself 😂😂

Some friends and I were saying the other day when we see cakes on Pinterest, or insta, Oh I’d love to make that, looks simple enough...... fast forward to 15 hours later, a she’d load of good fondant, kids haven the had their dinner and you still can’t get it right 😂😭

Hi, how do you make super fluffy lemon drizzle cake? I keep coming across this from home bakers and can't make it myself! Is there a good recipe? Thanks!

When you say you made a few thousand profit, is that after paying yourself an hourly wage?

firewall I use a lemon drizzle by Restoration Cakes, it uses ground almonds. I would add syrup to the warm cake when it comes out of the oven too.

www.restorationcake.com/lemon-drizzle-cake/

Thank you. I will try that one, it looks delicious. If only it wasn't so late, I fancy some cake now!