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Please help!! Mistake cost me $275, embarrassment and more

post #1 of 28
2/22/09 at 8:14am
Thread Starter 
I feel terrible that I disappointed this family.

Please help me figure out what went wrong. icon_sad.gif The first pic is the cake they ordered off my website. As far as I can tell, I didn't do anything that different. But clearly something I did caused this. I've never had this happen before, but now I''m terrified it will happen again.

This is all I can think of:
1) It was a very rainy, humid day (but I've done that without probs before)
2) I used a fruit filling (but I've had that without probs before)
3) I used Satin Ice instead of Pettinice (but I've done that without probs before)

At first I thought it was just air bubbles and as I tried to puncture them with a pin and smooth, it just got worse and worse.
icon_cry.gif

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Here is the cake not quite finished, but you see the problem:
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post #2 of 28
2/22/09 at 8:56am
It looks to me like your dam failed to hold up the layers.
I've never known humidity to cause that.
Excessive weight without proper support, yes.
Warmth melting the dam, yes.
If it was a blow-out, the entire side would be pushing off, not just where the layers meet.

Theresa icon_smile.gif
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post #3 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:04am
I agree with Theresa..It looks as if the weight of the cake was too heavy for the dams.You also may not have had enough support either..If the weight of the cake isn't supported well..it will do this!! Humidity wouldn't have cause a ripple effect exactly where each layer is so it was not that.Bummer though...Great cake!

added to say..This is why I always make these type of cakes a 2 day process.Layer and stack the cake and crumbcoat and leave over night in the fridge to settle.The next day if there is any buldging etc..you can fix it without wasting icing or fondant.I have learned that valuable mistake myself!
Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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post #4 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:07am
Are you sure that the family is disappointed? If not, you can explain to them that something happened to the structure of the cake and as it is not up to your standards you will give them a discount. Unfortunately, I can't figure out what went wrong. HTH.
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post #5 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:07am
Definitely looks like the filling was seeping out from between the layers andcollecting behind the fondanrt. I've had this happen too, so I refuse to use fruit fillings now! I was also experiencing a lot of trapped air problems, but since I've started spackle coating my cakes it rarely happens. So sorry this happened to you, the original cake was so cute!
AKA: bonjovibabe
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AKA: bonjovibabe
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post #6 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:14am
I can see the bulging you are talking about, but the cake is still great. Did they say that they are disappointed, or do you just feel like they might be because this happened?
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post #7 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your reply. Sorry for my ignorance.. by the dam, you mean the buttercream around the edge of the fruit filling? It was apparently oozing out at each of the 4 layers, wasn't it? The fondant just kept stretching and stretching - I had to cut the bottom off repeatedly.

I outlined the edge of each layer with buttercream and then added the fruit filling in the center. Then covered it all with a crumb coat. Do you know a better way to do it?

Maybe I put too much filling in? How thick should it be?

The bottom layer looked like that before I added the top, it was well supported, fwiw.
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post #8 of 28
2/22/09 at 9:22am
Yes, that is what we mean by "the dam", and yes, it is possible that you put too much filling in.

I start my dam at least 1/4 inch away from the edge of my layer. If I plan to use a thicker layer of filling, I start even farther in, and double the size of the dam.

When using soft fillings, it is always best to allow the cake to settle for at least 30 minutes before applying the final coat of icing. I do this, then crumb coat, then allow the cake to settle overnight, befrore applying the final icing coat.

Theresa icon_smile.gif
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post #9 of 28
2/22/09 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks that's very helpful.
And yes they were very disappointed - they were expecting a cake that looked like the first photo. I didn't charge them for it. The kids were thrilled with it though
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post #10 of 28
2/22/09 at 4:17pm
also it looks like the first cakes tiers are not as high as the new cake, could be that the new cake was heavier due to that.
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post #11 of 28
2/24/09 at 9:50am
howsweet-wow, you gave them THAT for free? That is alot of work! And they took it?!! If someone didnt deliver to my expectations, especially when it is a cake and not a piece of furniture that I will have to endure for years...I would have definately paid them something, even if it was 50% Oh well we live and learn. good luck!!!
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post #12 of 28
2/25/09 at 10:39am
BOY THIS IS REALLY BOTHERING ME!

Cake isn't absolute perfect so they get it for free!!!!!!

I hope this couple is having trouble sleeping at night.





Sorry, that was a little harsh. (what can I say, I'm a red head and have a temper)
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post #13 of 28
2/25/09 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I appreciate those sentiments. They did pay me the $50 delivery charge. It would have been nice if they'd given me something more. But I held myself out as a professional -- not as someone inexperienced in fruit fillings.
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post #14 of 28
3/5/09 at 9:33am
The cake is beautiful!

I just had this happen to me this past weekend. I normally use the wilton fondant and for the first time bought the satin ice. It left the same bumps on the cake and tore it in serveral places. Luckily though I was able to cover up the mistakes with decorations and no one could tell.

I live in Miami and the humidity could be to blame but my experience with SI wasn't great.

I'm sure this won't stop them from ordering from you. The cake is beautiful and they obviously see that you are a more than fair person.
Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.
Jim Davis, 'Garfield'

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand"
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Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.
Jim Davis, 'Garfield'

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand"
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post #15 of 28
3/5/09 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonjovibabe

Definitely looks like the filling was seeping out from between the layers andcollecting behind the fondanrt. I've had this happen too, so I refuse to use fruit fillings now! I was also experiencing a lot of trapped air problems, but since I've started spackle coating my cakes it rarely happens. So sorry this happened to you, the original cake was so cute!



What is spackle coating? I've never heard of it before. Is that a crumb coating, just worded differently?

Thanks!
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