have never done this before..... I'm making a dark chocolate cake with banana BC filling, iced in plain BC. My friend's daughter wants chopped walnuts covering the sides and i was wondering if there's a certain way to do this... or some kind of trick to it...lol.

I know if anyone can help me, it's you guys!

I just popped into your thread to see the answer to this. I've wondered about this myself

Just saw a similar thread a few days ago actually, here's the link http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-561474-sides.html+sprinkles - check out JanH's link to Cooks Illustrated.

Ok, I think I remember reading this somewhere...you frost the sides of the cake only, then pick it up, turn it on its side (so you are holding the top and bottom) and roll it in the nuts (spread them out on waxed paper). When you're done, you just frost the top

Of course this probably wouldn't work too well with a big cake.

I just did that with a carrot cake and cream cheese frosting. I did it by hand. Just took a handful of chopped walnuts and pressed them against the sides. Then I cleaned the ones the fell and did another section. It worked out pretty well and didn't take very long.

Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Thanks so much! I know i should have searched for something, but im kinda in a pinch for time! Now, my round cake is on a square board.... (had to cut a larger rectangle into pieces because i got sent 12" rounds and i only have 10" boxes....grrrr.) I will probably have to flick the extra nuts off as i go, but holding it over the bowl is definitely gonna help....never thought of that!

alright, back to caking i go. i have 2 cakes to finish before bed....

***cmyoung5- i ♥ your avatar! I've got to find that in a poster size for my kitchen!

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I feel much better now!

Here's one I just did this morning(and posted) in the pics. I filled and frosted only the sides. I then took the cake and rolled it in a plate of nuts. It was much easier than patting them on the sides, but that's still a good way to do it. Just make sure your icing isn't crusted. I then kinda smashed them into the icing to make sure they didn't fall off.

Thanks cwcopeland...that's exactly how I was trying to explain it

I always did it by the handful and pressing it on the side, but I'm definitely going to try just icing the sides and rolling. Sounds like it might be alot easier and maybe even get the nuts on more evenly. Thanks so glad I read this post.

Your're welcome cmyoung.

I'm glad I came across this post too and it's weird that I just did that cake this morning. I've done it by handfuls before and thought this would be easier. I can't wait to try another cake. I think they turn out pretty and people who like nuts really go "nuts" over them.

OK. I'l quit being corny.

Thanks nikki!
When I saw this I had to have this as my avatar...I have many Jessica moments in my life

Chrisy

Yay! all done! It looks really good (pictures of all my cakes from this week coming tonight!) I did it by handfuls over a piece of wax paper. worked great. Only problem..... i don't have a food processor..... i use my coffee grinder to chop nuts all the time... and every time, i forget how fast it goes.... they're a bit finer than i'd like, but it'll do!

**if you ever use your coffee grinder for nuts, don't wash it out afterwards. when i have company and serve them coffee, everyone thinks it's a special blend from a fancy coffee shop. it's just folgers.... yummmm.....

good topic