Cake icing ideas, what type.

ash_scotland88 · 28 Oct 2011 at 19:48

Next tuesday is the partner's birthday and as usual I'll bake a cake.

Hopefully got the cake recipe sorted, a lemon drizzle one that hasn't failed on me yet but adding a drop of vanilla instead of lemon into the mix. But just wondering what type of icing to do for the top?

Currently it's a toss up between Royal Icing
http://www.decoratingcakes.org.uk/royal_cake_icing.htm

or a creamy icing:

http://www.decoratingcakes.org.uk/creamy-frosting.htm

Only thing with the creamy icing is for his birthday cake I have two fillings, a preserve and a butter cream type filling. I think it's something his gran always did so it's something I've carried on for him.

I see a lot of the "proper" recipe uses almond paste, as a lining or flavouring, but due a nut allergy can't do it here.

So, yeah, any suggestions on type of icing to use? Think it'll just be a circle cake so doesn't need to cover a fancy shape.

233 · 28 Oct 2011 at 19:55

Not a clue m8 but if i remember i'll ask the wife when she comes in for some thoughts(she's a pastry chef to trade)

ash_scotland88 · 28 Oct 2011 at 20:04

Something easy mind! =P

glitch · 28 Oct 2011 at 20:07

ash_scotland88 said:
Hopefully got the cake recipe sorted, a lemon drizzle one that hasn't failed on me yet but adding a drop of vanilla instead of lemon into the mix. But just wondering what type of icing to do for the top?

So it's a lemon drizzle cake, only without the lemon or the drizzle. So, sort of like a basic sponge cake then?

ash_scotland88 said:
Only thing with the creamy icing is for his birthday cake I have two fillings, a preserve and a butter cream type filling. I think it's something his gran always did so it's something I've carried on for him.

Although this makes it sound more like a Victoria sponge.

ash_scotland88 said:
So, yeah, any suggestions on type of icing to use? Think it'll just be a circle cake so doesn't need to cover a fancy shape.

Forget icing, you'll make the cake too heavy. Try whipping some double cream (with a little icing sugar and vanilla paste/extract) to stiff peaks and spread that on the top. Grate some good quality milk or white chocolate over it and Robert is your mother's brother.

233 · 28 Oct 2011 at 20:07

a nice custard buttercream perhaps?

glitch · 28 Oct 2011 at 20:15

Foxtrot26 said:
a nice custard buttercream perhaps?

That would work wonderfully well if the preserve in the middle of the two cakes was rhubarb!

ash_scotland88 · 28 Oct 2011 at 20:28

glitch said:
So it's a lemon drizzle cake, only without the lemon or the drizzle. So, sort of like a basic sponge cake then?

Yeah, but was just saying it was an adapted cake recipe and one that hasn't failed me on texture so was planning on changing the taste to suit a more birthday cake style taste.

glitch said:
Forget icing, you'll make the cake too heavy. Try whipping some double cream (with a little icing sugar and vanilla paste/extract) to stiff peaks and spread that on the top. Grate some good quality milk or white chocolate over it and Robert is your mother's brother.

Really?

I'm also sure I've bought some shop bought cakes with two fillings and icing on the top.

glitch · 29 Oct 2011 at 13:29

ash_scotland88 said:
Yeah, but was just saying it was an adapted cake recipe and one that hasn't failed me on texture so was planning on changing the taste to suit a more birthday cake style taste.

I wasn't criticising your choice; I was trying to get my head around what you were actually making.

Personally I think a lemon drizzle sponge makes for a superb celebratory cake!

ash_scotland88 said:
Really?

I'm also sure I've bought some shop bought cakes with two fillings and icing on the top.

Yes, really.

As it's a birthday cake you're going to need to make the topping spectacular, which suggests a thick layer of icing on the top, or at least some heavy decoration. And I think that would ruin the effect - I like a birthday cake to be light and airy and able to be demolished by the recipient, not something you can just about manage one slice of before you have to lie down for a nap.

I'd go for a light whipped icing (cream, buttercream, ganache, etc) and top that with shaved or grated chocolate, or even some fruit.

bsoltan · 29 Oct 2011 at 15:09

Creme cheese frosting is probably my favourite.

- Philadelphia cheese
- Butter
- Sugar
- Bit of vanilla if you like

A bit like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/carrotcakewithcreamc_86392