How to transport cakes

[Lavender14]

Hi! So I'm by no means an expert but I like to bake and up to now I've been attempting cakes that have either smooth buttercream or rolled icing so very easy fixed in a pinch if the cake accidentally touches the side of the cardboard cake box during transportation.

Thing is I've seen this cake I really want to try for ds birthday coming up and I think I could do it, but I'm worried about how I would protect the 'furry' effect on the icing when moving it to the place we're having his birthday party? Any tips or advice? How do others stop their cakes from touching the sides or moving inside the box?

I put cakes on a cake board in a cake box - both cardboard. I don't live in the UK but I imagine you could get them at Lakeland

I do usually do this but I always seem to manage to touch the sides of the box to the cake even though I'm careful to lift and hold from the bottom. It's maybe me being clumsy.

Don’t the sides come undone on box? Lid off, undo a side and slide it out.

Same with putting it in. I’ve done hundreds of cakes this way.

Is it because you’re using flexible cardboard boxes? I ended up getting a large plastic Really Useful box for cake transportation. I’d put the cakes on a large strong base, then put that into the large plastic box. The box was big enough so I could lower it down inside the box without twisting my hands awkwardly and touching the icing.

A board that’s 2 inches wider than the cake diameter will keep it free of the sides when you travel.

Big cake tin used upside down - so cake on the lid and tin put over the top.

I have something like this

taller cakes can be an issue though, I should have bought one with a higher lid!

Yes I've been using quite tall cardboard boxes. I'm able to get them in and out fine and put the box together around the cake and take it apart again fine, it's more the sides are flexible enough that they bend and touch the side of the cake while I'm holding it in the car. Maybe need to try just putting it in the boot was always worried it would slide about. A hard plastic container would absolutely do the job but I don't have one that would fit a cake with more than 2 layers. I will also try using a bigger base to put the cake on.

@Talipesmum would you have a recommendation for the plastic box you use if it's a tall one?

I’m sorry, I can’t remember which size it is and it’s well buried under the eaves at the moment. I went to hobby craft and picked one that looked tall enough!
it was one of this brand, you can get them in rymans, Robert dyas, Argos, hobby craft etc
https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/home-storage/storage/plastic-storage-boxes/?prefn1=Brand&prefv1=Really%20Useful%20Products

I put them in the footwell rather than the boot. Or on the seat (heat off) with seatbelt around.

I’ve literally never had this problem with cardboard cake boxes.

I am clumsy so it may very well be that I'm the problem more than the box! They were quite flimsy boxes so I might try and see if I can get something more sturdy next time round.

I use the same one about 20 times.

I reuse the same boxes loads of times, standard cake boxes. But I always match the board size to the box, board should be 2" clear all around cake and as the boards I use are mainly round I have bought square boards to match box sizes as it makes the box much firmer if you have a square board covering the base of it. You only hold it from underneath then so the sides should have no pressure at all on them causing them to touch the cake. Make sure cake is well stuck to board and put it in the boot with box against back seat and back of the cake facing driver, that way should the worst happen and you have to brake hard if it does slide then only the back of it will hit the box.

Next question, how do you ensure the cake is well stuck to the board? Is putting some buttercream on the base enough or do you use something different? I've definitely not been using big enough bases for my cakes there's usually about a cm around the edge so that must be where I'm going wrong as well!

Yes good dollop under middle of buttercream or ganache, in very hot weather melted chocolate won't soften like buttercream would

I have a tall cake cover/tub I bought in aldi one time they were doing a baking middle aisle

😲

Ex cake maker here. I have safely transported many cakes including 3+ tiers with sugar flowers ready stacked and assembled.

Board should be at least 2" bigger than the cake (could be more if you want space to put lettering on the board). Box needs to be the same size as the board. So e.g. 8" cake, 10" board and 10" box. The board won't be able to move around at all. Stick the cake to the board using buttercream or a bit of royal icing, or ganache if you have it.

Hobbycraft or similar will sell the box and board and you can clean off the board afterwards and reuse it (and no, I never did this for actual clients but always do for family cakes as I ice the board anyway).

When travelling, the cake goes in the boot, flat, either on a non slip mat or with coats or something packed around it to stop it moving around. It never ever travels on someone's lap as if you need to brake in a hurry it will inevitably slide.

This is all really helpful thanks I can definitely identify what changes I can make to stop it happening! Normally just bake for people coming to the house so it's not very often I need to move a cake but now I'll hopefully be able to do it like a pro!