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Original poster

Weird Birthday cake request

39 replies

TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 10:00

DS (soon to be 14) has asked for a Birthday cake with regal icing and a custard filling.
I see cakes with custard filling (which don't seem very Birthday cake-like) and I see cakes with regal icing. In my head I can easily just bung some icing on top, but will that work? Does it sound gross?

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 20/03/2023 10:05

I know you said cake as in 'one cake'

But either a range of small cakes some with one filling some with icing

Or two tier cakes? I have seen these for birthdays

heldinadream · 20/03/2023 10:07

Sounds quite yummy to me! Can you use a very thick custard to sandwich together two layers of cake and then royal ice it? I think that could work. Then decorate with the usual candles etc.

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 10:30

I've no idea, I am notorious for baking bad cakes!

OP posts:
Whenasuitcasejustwontdo · 20/03/2023 10:43

Slightly different, but I’ve made Nigella’s custard cake before which is very easy. it could be a good base for the custard element.

canihaveacoffeeplease · 20/03/2023 10:50

If you did a thickened custard as you would for a custard slice for a filling between 2 layers of Genoese type sponge, I reckon it would work, hold together and be iceable with royal icing too?

Fivemoreminutes1 · 20/03/2023 11:21

Is regal icing the same as fondant?

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 11:57

Fivemoreminutes1 · 20/03/2023 11:21

Is regal icing the same as fondant?

Yes

OP posts:
UniversalTruth · 20/03/2023 12:02

I think the problem might be a logistical one - the weight of fondant wouldn't be supported with a custard filling I wouldn't think. Nigella's one linked to upthread sounds like it could work if you made normal vanilla cake sandwiched with custard powder flavoured buttercream icing, just make it a bit stiffer than it looks in the picture for Nigella's.

Nutsycuckoo · 20/03/2023 12:05

The custard filling won't be up to holding the weight of the fondant. Use a thick creme patissier filling with a dam of white chocolate ganache (to prevent any seepage), a thin layer of ganache all over, fondant on top.

hehe1234 · 20/03/2023 12:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Mumsanetta · 20/03/2023 12:30

If you Google Boston cream pie cake you will get lots of recipes that might be a good way to cover the custard element of the request. Nigella’s birthday cake mentioned upthread is a good take on the Boston cream pie.

But the cakes are very light and airy (I’m thinking because of the addition of cornflour) and I suspect they would not be able the weight of the regal icing. If you wanted to try, you would need to pipe a buttercream or white chocolate ganache dam to hold the custard icing.

Fivemoreminutes1 · 20/03/2023 12:33

You could buy several packs of these and make a tower!

Paturday · 20/03/2023 12:53

Are you sure the kind of icing he means?

Royal icing is spreadable and generally sets rock hard.

Sugarpaste/fondant is rolled icing and one brand name is Regalice.

Will make a big difference in how you go about making the cake.

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:02

Paturday · 20/03/2023 12:53

Are you sure the kind of icing he means?

Royal icing is spreadable and generally sets rock hard.

Sugarpaste/fondant is rolled icing and one brand name is Regalice.

Will make a big difference in how you go about making the cake.

He's talking about regal/fondant icing, not royal (the rock hard stuff).

Sorry, I thought regal icing was another name for fondant icing, but I'm not baker.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:04

Use a thick creme patissiere filling with a dam of white chocolate ganache

Say what?! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:05

He doesn't like butter icing (heathen!) hence this alternative.

OP posts:
FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 20/03/2023 13:07

You'd have to stabilise it from the inside so I'd suggest using white chocolate ganache - pipe your filling in alternating concentric circles (dam of ganache, ring of custard, ring of ganache, ring of custard etc etc till you reach the middle).
Coat the outside in white chocolate ganache before applying fondant to give it extra strength and support the weight of the fondant.
Good luck!

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:07

I've just had a look at the Nigella one, and while it does look lovely and pretty straight forward the filling is essentially a custard flavoured butter cream. That's not really what he wants.

OP posts:
Inmyownlittlecorner · 20/03/2023 13:07

Nigella has a recipe for custard cake.

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:08

#NeverMadeAGanche !

OP posts:
FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 20/03/2023 13:11

Quick & easy white chocolate ganache:

  • use 2.5 parts white chocolate to 1 part double cream (cheap supermarket chocolate works best)
  • blast chocolate in microwave, stirring every 30sec, till melted. Stand aside
  • blast cream in microwave till gently bubbling (cover bowl with cling film and use a big bowl to allow room for expansion)
  • pour cream onto melted choc and leave to stand for a minute or two
  • whisk like heck for several minutes until smooth
-stand aside for a few hours to firm up (should be the texture of smooth peanut butter when ready to use)
Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:13

Ah thanks FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman, you're kind.
I don't have a microwave, but I can easily look this up can you make ganache in the air fryer?

OP posts:
FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 20/03/2023 13:16

Air fryer: no.
Pan on stove: yes. (Melt chocolate over a pan of boiling water though, or it'll just burn and go horribly grainy).

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 20/03/2023 13:21

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 20/03/2023 13:16

Air fryer: no.
Pan on stove: yes. (Melt chocolate over a pan of boiling water though, or it'll just burn and go horribly grainy).

Boo to no air fryer (I was joking btw).
Grainy chocolate - I can do that!

Seriously, thanks.

OP posts:
FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 20/03/2023 13:22

No worries.
Good luck! Im sure it'll be fabulous and your son will love it 😊

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