I put down wax paper in a clear glass cake pan, used a choc cake mix, waited until the cake was room temp then frosted with my own icing (1 stick of unsalted butter, 1 block of cream cheese, 1 cap full of vanilla and 1 box of powdered sugar)

First off the cake was very rounded, how do I get away from that? and then the icing seemed to relax and fall all over the place no one wanted to eat it because it was ugly.

I've made cakes before for my family that turned out great, could it have tanked because I was wanting it to work out? I couldn't get a color down right with my food coloring and with the frosting acting so weird I was very discouraged I've been very excited about this I just dont want my kids cakes to turn out very ugly

If anyone can give me some pointers about a frosting recipe that I can make and maybe give me some pointers about what I did wrong, Thanks

P.S. I would have never thought to take a photo of that cake so sorry theres no documentation of it.

Hello there! Welcome to CC!! I've seen a couple of your posts around and you've got a lot of questions! What I found helpful when first starting out, if you can't take classes then just start reading previous posts. There are SO many and you will find them very helpful! Usually get more info this way then waiting for direct responses. Also, Wilton's website www.wilton.com has some cake making basics and great recipes. These things may be helpful for you to read and figure out what your doing wrong or what you can do next time!
Good luck to you!!!

I've heard others here talk about bad luck with cream cheese frosting, that might of had something to do with it. It doesn't seem to give much control. Really the only way to figure out what works best for you IS trial and error. Your doing the right thing by experiementing.

If your cake domes you can always cut the dome part off and use it for cake balls...but that is a whole different subject!

Cream cheese icing can be difficult to work with...try a plain buttercream icing. when you are comfortable with that, then try adding cream cheese to that.

What type of colors are you using? Liquids or pastes? The paste seem to work better, as they do not dilute the icing consistency.

Thanks everyone!

Sorry I've asked so many questions I'm in a time crunch and there's a lot of reading on here, I have a full time job and two kids so you all know how getting to do something for yourself is....anyway have a great weekend!

Andrea

Andrea,

For practice cakes, I would say start out using the Wilton Class Buttercream. It really is easy to work with for a beginner. Let me know if you want the recipe and I will email it to you.

Also, I would suggest cooking your cake at 325 instead of 350. Still, make sure your toothpick comes out clean. It makes a flatter cake.

I don't think you are asking too many questions. That's what this site is for. As for the Wilton website, it would be helpful. Check this out:

http://www.wilton.com/cake/cakeprep/icing/index.cfm

Also, what kind of food colors are you using? It would be good to start with some good quality paste colors. Good brands are Wilton or Americolor.

Hope this helps. Please don't be discouraged from posting questions.

Thank you so much gdixoncakes you made me fell much better about my Q's I would love that recipe and I'll go check out that site right now I was using liquid dye so that may be part of the problem I'm going to have to buy some paste, Thanks again.

Yes, the liquid colors will change your consistency. The gel colors work great!!

Andrea,

I used the same cream cheese recipe the other day and it was great. However, I didn't add color to it. The liquid color was probably the downfall of your icing. Also, you said that you used a glass pan. You usually need to lower the oven temp when using those pans to begin with and then you still get a dome... Try a metal pan next time and use the 325 temp and just cook a little longer. If you use Duncan Hines cake mix, there are baking directions printed inside the box for the lower temp.
Hope this helps...Don't give up, believe me we all make mistakes...That is how you learn.