When should you Ice the Christmas cake and what do you use?

[zippee]

LAst year I think I used the wrong icing, it never did go that hard. So whats the right way to do it? Marzipan and all?

Thanks

A marzipan layer, brush with apricot glaze to make it stick, then royal icing I think.

I prefer the soft icing/ready roll (sugar paste) so I brush cake with boiled apricot glaze, marzipan, brush marzipan with brandy, sugarpaste.

I've already iced one of mine, 7 more to go

Thanks everyone, so I can do it anytime between now and christmas? how long do you leave between marzipan and icing and how thick should it be. Where do you keep yours once iced?

what's the nearest to xmas you can do it?

Probably about 2 -3 weeks from christmas maybe even after that x

I prefer a ready made M and S xmas cake. You can't make one nicer so why go to the trouble?

I have been known to marzipan and ice the cake on CHristmas Eve It was fine. I usually use the soft royal icing that you buy ready rolled.....tis so simple - just unroll icing from tube and place over cake

does it matter how close to xmas you make the actual cake?

No, it doesn't matter how late you make the cake but they are better made weeks/ months in advance and 'fed' with brandy or something every now and then.

but if you're not putting brandy in then it doesn't matter?