Hello,

I need to grocery shop in the morning for all my supplies for a cake I'm making for Saturday. I am using calidawn's buttercream recipe to ice and decorate the cake but the recipe does not indicate how many cups it makes. I need 10 cups of icing. Also, what does everyone use to thin this icing recipe when writing letters with it and how much piping gel do you usually add? Thanks.

I have not measured it but Calidawn's recipe has the same basic ingredients as a double batch of Wilton frosting so I would guess it makes about 6 cups. I have thinned it with a little water and it tasted fine although you could use milk if you wanted.

I have not tried doing anything where I added piping gel so I do not know the answer there. I find this recipe does seem softer than the all crisco version so you would not need as much water or piping gel in Calidawn's recipe.

Hope that helps a little.

Cindy

Hi, JoJo4! I never use anything to thin this recipe down. I have used Cali's recipe for several cakes and it is thin enough to me already. I haven't ever used piping gel to thin anything down. But who knows, it might work out. Her recipe does make approx 6 to 6 1/2 cups. So maybe an extra batch of it would be good for you. That way, should you need more for anything else, you will already have it on hand! Hope this helps!
Tanya

Good morning,

On the 2 cakes I have made I used calidawns recipe. It made about 6 cups and everyone raved about how wonderful it tasted. I added 2 tbsps of milk to thin it. It is very soft and fluffy and oh so yummy. My kids keep asking Mom when ya gonna make another cake.

I am very new to cake decoarting and am so excited I found this recipe. My first attempt at a cake was a buttercream transfer so I am very excited I followed calidawn's instructions and used the icing she suggested. I was wondering if I would need to think it down because I've iced and decorated with it and it was fine. All this tips are very helpful, thank you. I feel very overwhelmed with all the differing opinions on this site. Everyone does so many different things I just don't know what the "right" thing is and am so afraid I will do the "wrong" thing and everyone will hate my cakes!! ha ha But I know now that I just need to find "my thing" and go with it and do what works best for me. I am going to practice icing and smoothing a cake today (never done smoothing before - will be using the Viva papertowel method) and will do some practice writing and decorating and I'll see how it goes. Thanks for your support.

It is overwhelming to look at all the different posts here and hear differing opinions but you are right. You have to find your 'thing' and what works for you.

Just like cooking anything there are many variables such as weather, general climate and, I believe, a difference in water and other ingredients.

Even professionals (which I am not) have successes and messes and you learn from both.

Cindy

JoJO,

I have only made 2 cakes with no lessons. The viva paper towels are great, I was amazed. I would spend so much time trying to smooth a cake with the spatula drove myself crazy. I then read about the viva paper towels on this site. I have also only used calidawns recipe It works for me...LOL I am so excited I start lessons next month. Happy Baking
Denise

Good afternoon All,
I also use the viva paper towels, but I have also used a wooden roller to help smooth the icing, it is a small roller with the handle in the middle, but if you apply too much pressure you can dent your cake =0) Good Luck!
~Sweet =0)