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Original poster

where and what to buy for cake decorating.

634 replies

Twit · 23/10/2009 10:31

I have just started to decorate my own cakes, I was given a cake decorating book for my birthday after constantly complaining about the quality of birthday cakes in the supermarket.
My question is this; where [online] would you recommend I buy my bits and pieces, and what should I buy?
I have had a look around and am feeling overwhelmed by the choice. What colour paste should I go for? I am also a bit confused about edible sparkle/glitter powder. Some websites say it it inedible, some say it is non toxic and you could eat it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twit · 27/10/2009 18:18

I don't have a Lakeland near me, are they online too?
I'd seen that cake tin and thought it would be a good idea[although very expensive] as I could bake lots of small cakes for the little twits all at once. [or one massive cake for me dh]
Actually 'tis a good hobby for me as I cannot eat flour so will not be tempted to nibble.

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:18

I never knew that about the Lakeland parchement roll before though. I have been cutting away for All This Time sheesh. Think of the hours of labour I could have saved myself.

Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:19

Twit, check the dimensions of your oven before you buy. I have two friends now (one with an aga) who have bought them and been unable to shut the door when they are in.

Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:20

yes, they are online

Original poster
Twit · 27/10/2009 18:22

34cm deep 45cm wide?

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:25

silverwood tin. Looks like it will fit fine Twit.

Original poster
Twit · 27/10/2009 18:30

[gets excited]

what are your thoughts on
a] the cupcake tin [big one]?
b] silicone muffin/fairycake cases?

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:39

I've just had a looky. I don't really like the big cupcake tin, it looks a bit weird and I'm not sure how often you would use it. £27 is quite a lot of money for something you would only use a few times a year. Much better to get some really good quality 6, 7 and 8 inch sandwich tins.

I struggle with silicone tbh. I got a heart shaped cupcake mould from John Lewis a few years back and it is a bit pants, the sides of the cakes always come out sort of squinchy, and half the time I never manage to get them out whole.

Original poster
Twit · 27/10/2009 18:42

I have to say I preferred the shape of the cupcake tin on the cakecookies etc website, but agree, it is alot of money for something I might use a few times.

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 27/10/2009 18:48

yes, I have to rein myself in all the time and give myself a seriously talking to when I go online to buy various bits of kit are there is SO much choice and you have to really think about how much use you are going to get out each bit of kit.

I did find several PME cutters in TK Max a few weeks back reduced from £7 to £2.50 OBVIOUSLY I had to buy those

alypaly · 27/10/2009 18:51

get an airbrush and then you can paint it whatever colour you want really quickly. its briliant for doing stencils too.

Original poster
Twit · 27/10/2009 19:28

[strokes chin]

stencils eh?

OP posts:
DebiTheScot · 27/10/2009 19:39

ooo I could do an oval christmas cake, sounds like a goo plan.
So what do I need and how do I make baubles that look like the ones on the ebay photo?
I've made £65 in ebay sales this month so can justify 1 of them (if there's any left) esp as it seems like it's essential to being with it in the mn cake world!
(if any of you live near me don't make them too though )

Thanks for the cooling strip thing tip Oliham, looks good. We're moving house soon (we hope) and there's a built in oven there so if they still don't come out right in that oven I'll get them.
I use the recipe in the book I have which is 50 Easy Party Cakes by Debbie Brown (which going by your photos I think you have too) and cook it at somewhere bewtween 140-150C in a fan oven.

We have a good cake shop fairly near here in Farnham. It's recommended at the back of my cake book. I'ma bit scared to go there though in case I spend way too much money!

DebiTheScot · 27/10/2009 19:40

goo plan?? Think I meant good

alypaly · 27/10/2009 19:49

Twit ...have you tried them ,they are so easy and quick if you are in a hurry

alypaly · 27/10/2009 19:50

you can also sprinkle the sparkly dust around a template or stencil....like clouds or just an aura round something...it looks really professional

Cockavita · 27/10/2009 20:06

Slubber - they made me do it - the cock bit. I had no choice.....

Olihan · 27/10/2009 21:14

Nah, not oval, haven't got an oval tin. Needs to be square or rectangular to justify purchase of silverwood tin .

Moosy - if you take your side lining paper (aka Lakeland Mini Parchment Roll) and fold up about 1cm at the bottom then line the sides so the 1cm sits on the base of the tine, them put your base paper on top then you basically seal the whole inside of the tin and there's no seepage.

Debi, I don;t like Debbie Brown's Madeira recipe personally. I find it over rises really easily and is a bit stodgy. I use 2oz each of S/R flour, butter & sugar to every egg then add an extra 2oz of S/R flour and a tbsp of milk plus a tsp or so of vanilla essence and cook at 120 degrees in a fan oven.

Alyplay, I've seen some airbrushed cakes and they look AMAZING. How easy is it though?

Slubber, calyx cutters make quite nice flowers too. So not only did you get a bargain you also get a multi tasking cutter. Pure genius.

Bella, I'm liking the sneaking of the tin through the joint account. I'm building up my stock of round tins by casually adding one a month to the housekeeping .

Moosy · 27/10/2009 22:34

Lakeland have 3 for 2 on cake tins at the moment so I've been buying up a few - I have a nice collection of round ones now - they're good and heavy with loose bottoms too.

Olihan, thanks that does make sense with the overlap. I will try your madeira recipe too, I made one today from a Lindy Smith book I've just bought and it had extra plain flour rather than SR and no milk and it does feel rather heavy and dry. I cooked it at 155ish in a fan oven so that might be partly why. I'll see what it's like inside when I cut it open tomorrow.

Cockavita · 27/10/2009 22:51

Moosy, I have those from Lakeland. I must say they are fab. I have square ones and round ones.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 28/10/2009 08:23

good to hear fine things about these cake tins.. I have just ordered some.. also ordered the pork pie tin as it will make a nice mini cake shape.

am loving lurking on thi thread and reading all the tips and chat

Moosy · 28/10/2009 08:56

I've just bought the pork pie tin (started to read the recipe leaflet, got as far as "Jelly", heaved and threw it away), and I also have their 6", 8", and 9" round deep tins and 2x 7" sandwich tins. They say they're dishwasher proof but I found they had rust coloured water round the edges when I took them out so I wash them by hand now - I don't want to risk ruining them.

Baking Christmas cake #1 today

alypaly · 28/10/2009 09:15

can someone tell me how to copy a picture from my documents to put on here please...i am a numbskull?

Moosy · 28/10/2009 09:41

Click on My Mumsnet at the top, then log in. Then you can click on Set up public profile page. Once that's set up you can click on Share Photos - it has instructions when you get there and isn't very difficult.

alypaly · 28/10/2009 09:43

thx Moosy.....from the living braindead