I was asked to make a cake for a friend's father and looked for a recipe that I could substitute Splenda as the 'birthday boy' had just been diagnosed as diabetic. So the icing was French Buttercream... I told her explicitly that the cake had to be kept refrigerated because of the high butter content of the icing. She failed to tell me that she was driving 30 miles to a restaurant with the top down on her car. The cake was made with Splenda also and the cake and the icing both tasted great when I made it. But because of the heat, the icing was pretty foul by the time it was served at the restaurant (where it was not refrigerated when she arrived - and this was an expensive restaurant where the meal before dessert lasts at least an hour and a half) and she has been telling our neighbors that my cakes taste awful! I was so upset when I found out what she was saying! How do you make people understand that they have to follow your directions about storing a cake especially when they ask for something special like a diabetic cake?

I'd tape the instructions on a sheet of paper to the top of the box... you told this person that the cake needed to be kept cool .. it's her own fault .. you did right

With some people you may have to go so far as to have them sign a sheet when they pick up their cake saying that they understand the special instructions. Just like they do at the pharmacy!

I had special labels printed that I stick on top of the box. It says "Please keep refrigerated!!"

I use these on my cheesecakes and carrot cakes with cream cheese icing.
They don't peel off easy, so it can't get lost!

I'm sorry this happened to you. Maybe you should call her and tell her that someone told you what she's been saying and you never had that problem before. Then ask her is she followed your instructions?!?! (Hint, hint)

It's definitely not your fault. Not to get nasty or anything, but if she can go telling people that your cakes taste bad, maybe you should clear yourself, by telling them why it tasted bad.

Don't worry, you know your cakes are great!

That's awful, I'm so sorry. It's so hard when you can't defend yourself!

Thanks to all! It makes you feel better just to have a sympathetic ear. Luckily all the neighbors she told are friends of mine and know what my cakes are like. I've only made 6 cakes so far but they have all tasted great and the comments from friends and neighbors about the looks and taste of them have been very encouraging. I took my husband's advice and just ignore it because everyone that she told thinks she's nuts!

this is why i have a big black marker and write everything out so this way they cant come back and say that you never told them

Oh I'd be so mad if someone insulted my cakes especially if it was their fault it was ruined....I'd too call and ask her if she followed the instructions and make sure she knows that it would have been fine if she just listened and did as you asked.

How disappointing for you...putting all that work into making a specialty cake and then having someone NOT PAY ATTENTION to your instructions. I would be very upset too, but maybe simply telling people if someone doesn't follow instructions to keep a product fresh and tasty, you can't help that! Sorry this happened to you.