Im fairly new in the cake decorating game. The doctor I work for (actually his wife) has asked me to make a birthday cake for their friend who is turning 40. The party is Sat night. She wants a red velvet cake which Im making from scratch. Thanks to a recipe I got off this site. Im just really nervous. I haven't made that many scratch cakes and Im worried about it tasting ok. I would be mortified if no body liked it. I have followed the recipe to the letter. I feel this is the biggest deal of my small career so far. Any words of wisdom /encouragement would help a lot. Thanks

You'll do fine! When you level the top of your cake, you can eat the scraps and you'll know it was delicious.

Post a photo of it when you get it done!

Deanna

You will do fine! Would you be more comfortable if you tried the recipe yourself first? Do you have time to do that? If not, ask others on this site what they thought of it. I'm sure your decorating skill will knock their socks Off!!!! Best to ya!

You will do just fine! A person that requests Red Velvet cake in the south will more than likely be in love with any recipe you make from scratch!

If you have doubts, you live in the same town as one of my dearest friends and I'm sure she'd do a taste test for you!

I agree, about tasting it yourself first. if you haven't baked already, save a spoonful of batter and make a cupcake along with your layers, unless you level your cake enough to get a decent taste and feel of the texture.

I always get nervous around pick up/delivery time. what if?...... but i always get positive feedback and usually repeat orders and/ or referals. don't worry, it'll turn out better than you expected!

eriksmom - LOVE the idea about making a cupcake along with the layers!

[quote="eriksmom"]I agree, about tasting it yourself first. if you haven't baked already, save a spoonful of batter and make a cupcake along with your layers, unless you level your cake enough to get a decent taste and feel of the texture. quote]

{quote="TooMuchCake"] You'll do fine! When you level the top of your cake, you can eat the scraps and you'll know it was delicious. quote]

I like both your idea, I usually use the top as I tester, I try do get my DH but he does not like the cake skin, so I will try and make a little cupcake on the side from now on!
Thanks

Marybible you will do great with your cake.

Good Luck

The reason I don't use the scraps as a tester is 1. the scraps taste different to me than the actual cake and 2. most important, you can't tell the texture by the skin.
i didn't do that with this cake i turned out today, and my sister said it tasted the same, but the texture was different than the last. it was a spice cake, and i used the extender recipe with sour cream, because i've been doing wedding cakes lately and had sour cream on hand. so it changed the texture. now i know, especially with specialty flavors like spice. she said it was good, just more firm.
anyway, this is the lesson i learned today.

Red Velvet cake can be a little dry if it is overbaked, when it gets near done keep an eye on it so it doesn't overbake. I learned that the Hard way.
I am sure it will be fine, and this will be the beginning of lots of referrals and a whole bunch of people that will stop buying at the grocery store!

GOOD LUCK!!!

thanks to all of you. I didn't have time to "try" it on my own first. I probably should have. I guess trying something new for a person paying you money is not a good idea...LOL. And the cupcake idea is great. I did try a little of the part I leveled off but there wasn't a lot where I could get a good taste of it either. I dropped off the cake this morning for a party tonight. So Im keeping my fingers crossed....I am so used to box cake mixes that making one from scratch makes me extremely nervous. I have a picture that I will post shortly. thanks again.