So just how the hell does one ice a cake with royal icing?

[LynetteScavo]

With out getting really messy, creased sides?

Have, and read cake decorating books,and googled, and it all looks so easy.But it isn't!

Somebody, please help!

I was thinking of it. Is it more difficult? Should I start at the corners or the edge? I'm really getting in to this now!

After smoothing the top, start at the corners, cupping your hand in the same way and stroking the icing upwards while at the same time easing the icing into the base and fanning out the excess with the other hand. Do a little bit on each corner at a time, rather than finish one corner before moving on to the next one. Then do the sides, and polish as before.
You'll have to get a smoother if this is going to be a regular thing!

Mablemurple, it's all in preparation for a cake I'm going to make in June.(I'm planning to do one small round on top of one large round) After that I may never decorate another cake again!

I must thank you for clearing up my dry skin. I was getting soooo stressed about this flippin' cake!

I feel I've gone through some sort of right of passage into womanhood.

My mother thinks it's a fluke that that cake turned out so well . She said she'd believe I could ice a cake when she's seen 2 more. Sometimes I could strangle her!

Look out for me posting my master piece (or disaster!) mid June.

Wow, your cake looks lovely and smooth.

Thats it I really must practice now

This thread is just in time - going to do cake for DD2's christening this Saturday(have never decorated one in my life!) Using a sponge and was hoping not to use marzipan -can I just apply warmed jam and then add fondant as others have described?

Just use apricot jam - they sell special smooth jam (i think they call it glaze) next to the icing powder. We'd love to see a photo of your cake! - Good luck

You can also use ordinary apricot jam, add a little hot water to loosen it up and push it through a sieve. Might be cheaper than buying a special glaze.
Lynette - good luck with your June cake. Ignore your mum and think positive thoughts! If you don't want to do a square cake, an oval shape is unusual, looks very sophisticated and is just as easy as a round one to ice. You can hire a tin from a cake decorating shop.

Forgot to add that if you are putting a cake directly on top of another cake, the top cake should be put on a thin board the same size as the cake itself before icing it. You should also support the top cake by inserting plastic supports cut to size (level with the top of the iced base cake) into the bottom cake - these can also be bought from a cake decorating shop. Make sure that the top of the base cake is flat - after the cake has cooled, level off the cake as best you can, then turn it over and use the bottom of the cake as the top, iyswim.
Don't forget to post a picture of the cake.

I iced my 1st cake today practice run for dd's birthday next month. wasn't as hard as I thought, maybe just beginners luck. pic on profile.

Cake is now on profile.

Many, many thanks, mablemurple!

Lynette, that cake is FABULOUS!!! Wow!