**ALYPALY** **SLUBS** **STEALTHSQUIGGLE**

[bellavita]

could I have your help please, well actually pretty please

I have made a few cakes now which have turned out really really well. I could do with a bit more patience when it comes to modelling stuff, but it usually turns out ok. My last cake was my christmas one and I used the bauble thingy (cannot for the life of me remember what it is called now) and painted them and the cake did look nice.

However, my lovely friend has called tonight (who has seen my efforts and who has also sampled lots of my homebaking) and has asked if I will make a cake for her parents golden wedding anniversary in April . At this stage that is all the info I have been given as she is coming round on Friday for a proper chat - and I am assuming she will want me to guide her as to how the cake should look.

Blimey, this is turning into an essay... So, what I am asking is, can you recommend a decent book to buy? I do have a couple of nice books but they don't have anything in them with regards to weddingy type cakes.

Can you point me in the right direction?

Hi there no probs with hi jack

I use lots of books and peoples personal photos..like the dogs.

3 books i really like are
Say it with Sugar by Kate Venterwww.amazon.com/Professional-touches-Lesley-Herbert/dp/1853911682This is not actually the book ,but it is a good compilation of her cakes and techniques.

The ultimate book of wedding cakes by Lesley Herbertwww.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Book-Wedding-Cakes/dp/1853917028

And Professional Touches by Lesley Herbertwww.amazon.com/Professional-touches-Lesley-Herbert/dp/1853911682

Have got lots more books for comedy cakes,but often i like to use real photos of people and hand paint in relief in icing on the top of the cake

Thank you aly - will go and look at those links now.

Love your fisherman cake. Thats brilliant for your first attempt.You are obviously arty

Nah, not arty in the least, just find it very theraputic . I really need to do some classes on cake decorating.

i find making roses for wedding cakes really therapeutic when everyone else is in bed

Bellavita, I take it that you managed t get your pan together?

I must make a confession silverwood, I haven't really had a go yet. I got it out of the packaging a while back but on the bed rather than a steady surface and sort of had a go - there is a diagram which shows how to do it thankfully . Now putting the extra inserts in might be another matter......

whats a silverwood cake pan....is it the one that you change the sizes to suit

That's the one aly!

bella....bought one of those years ago....couldnt remember what they were called.thanks. be careful when you are using it, as it will need double lining because it is relatively thin in comparision to the more solid tins. I used to find my cakes burned very quickly using that tin. It has now been confined to the loft.
but true

I use mine all the time. Temperature needs to be a bit lower, and cooking times are sometimes a bit shorter, but it's fantastic. If I am cooking a 12" square fruit cake I sit it on a bit of cardboard and wrap corrugated cardboard around it - but then you have to do more or less that with any tin for large fruit cakes.

Anyway - Bella - you called - I am flattered

Wedding cakes - traditional, or different? How far up north are you (I am just thinking of my shelf full of cake books, including lots that DH bought me for Christmas from my Amazon wishlist). Personally, I might be tempted to search flickr for a selection of pictures to discuss with your friend and then get a book once you have a better idea of what she wants.

good point stealth...I was flattered too..not many people ask for me in person!!!!!!

stealth - Helloooooooo

Tbh, I don't think my friend is not gonna have a clue about what sort of design she wants.

How does this flickr thing work? Do I just type flickr into google?

Yay - have found it

Aly,

The newer pans (since 2006) are thicker, more robust and deeper.

Sorry - was offline there due to e-on incredibly unreasonably turning it off before attempting to fix the line which was down a couple of fields away.

How are you doing with flickr? There are lots of cakes on there if you look - including loads of Australian ones for some reason.

thanks silver wood,but i hve got sooo may of the old tins now of all different shpes and sizes that i am loathe to buy another. I used it twice and got burnt cakes both times so Im sticking with my old ones,with the double thickness bottoms

Have found a couple of simple but effective cakes show my dear friend so here's hoping she is going to like them.

I think this one would be good for a wedding anniversary (and she has lots more lovely ones as well)

Blimey stealth, how on earth would you cut that? I am afraid my talents wouldn't tun to something as stunning.

bella there is so little work in that one. If you can do the fisherman you can do that one

My friend has been. She wants something very plain and simple and has seen this one.

Her mum had actually made an 8" fruit cake for the immediate family to have (not iced or anything) and my 12" cake is for the "do" that her mum and dad are having. I have offered to ice her mum's smaller cake the same as the big one I will do. I have got until the end of April.

My friend is really conscious of the fact that I work too and doesn't want to "put upon me" hence the simple design.

My next question is though how the hell do I multiply up the ingredients which are meant for a 7" square cake to a 12" square cake as it isn't quite double?

I want to use Delia Smith's Classic Christmas Cake recipe as this is the one I have made a few times and I know it works.

12 inch square

800g Raisins
675g sultanas
575g currants
350g glace cherries
275g mixed peel
275g flaked almonds
2 tbsp lemom rind,coarsley grated
90ml lemon juice
120 mls brandy/half in cake and half injected in after cooking
725g plain flour
3.5 tbsp mixed spice
350g ground almonds
650g dark brown sugar
650g butter
60ml black treacle
10 eggs
tsp almond essense

cooking time 5.25-5.75 hours gas mark 1
140 degrees C
fits 12 square o 13 inch round