Hi all - too a lurker if you like but have been reading through this thread for days (infact weeks!)

Currently in the process of baking for family and friends and building up a portfolio so this thread has been really good - thanks to all who have contributed so far !

I've been doing my research on here, youtube, other sites, ace of cakes, cupcake wars but one thing that i don't 100% understand is how you can use the likes of wires and other objects in cakes that clearly shouldn't be eaten?

Do you just let the customer know whats edible and whats not on delivery? Should you get a contract written up and signed with whats edible so theres no come back?

As i said i'm not yet at that stage and would love to use some wires out of the top of a cupcake to perhaps put stars on etc but i'm a little scared do you have to use certain wire?

Oh and one last thing - does anyone have any websites they recommend for cake boards? I've been getting mine from asda etc (because i'm still learning) but i really ought to stock up as getting a few orders now (soooo excited!!)

Thanks in advance x

Hi, I always use cake wire to put my sugar stars or flowers on and I NEVER put them directly into the cake. You can use a little plastic tube which are specifically for cakes (the name has gone right out my head at the mo)! and after taping the wires with green tape (or white or brown - again specifically for cakes) you tape all your wires together and push a little sugarpaste into the plastic spike which you then insert into your cakes.

I always explain to the customer about removing items before cutting like sugar flowers on wires and show them how to carefully pull them out of the cake. I usually explain how best to cut the cake and have even had to explain how to take the cake out the box, as one customer tried to put their hands in and just lift it out, without pulling down the flaps first on the box and sliding it out!!

I like sugarshack for buying online and not too bad prices either.

Glad to see my post going strong!!

After a couple of years of doing lots of crafts, I've come back to cake baking. I have a new job baking the scones and treats for afternoon tea at a local restaurant, which I'm really enjoying but the exciting thing is that the have said I can bake cakes for customers who request them and that I charge whatever I like and keep the money (minus £5 for VAT!) So here I am again!

I've already got 2 orders for Saturday!! A red velvet cake and a ruffle cake.

Looking forward to chatting to some UK bakers

Hi Kirsty, welcome to the thread.

I always use wires for flowers and stars and insert them into a posy/flower pick and then that goes into the cake. Always tell the customer to remove the posy before cutting the cake. When I make models, I use toothpick/dry speghetti. When you use a non edible onject in sugarpaste, it becomes non edible. So always let the cutomer know about it. Not only that, I tell about the dowels if its a stacked cake.

Regarding the boards, I buy them from Design a cake.

thanks so much for your help so far guys,... i need to get me some of that sugar paste - i've heard alot but am at the minute just working on basic buttercream and fondant.

Sorry if i sound dumb but whats the pros with sugarpaste over fondant? I've read about the fact its thinner than fondant but apart from reading its used on many peoples cakes i thought it maybe best i get some info on it. Does it go hard? I made a sonic cake the other day (still need to upload the pic so keep a look out for it !) and did grass hanging over the side but the fondant went hard and ended up just dropping off and breaking

Hi, as far as I know, sugarpaste and fondant are the same. Fondant - USA term and Sugarpaste - British term. Sugarpaste don't go too hard. If you use modeling paste or flowerpaste then it would go really hard.

Aww see how rubbish i am the different US/UK terms really confuse me

thanks for that

No your not!! Yes, it still confuses me sometimes!

Can anyone help me with giant cupcake pan ,which type recommend the wilton or silicone ? bs some silicones pan is small pls help me
many thanks

Hi everyone,
I am looking for some help with pricing my cakes. Do you know if there is anything on this forum that could help me?
Thanks
T xx

Hi all, just had an inspection from the council and was wondering if anyone has a cheap insurance company they use or if to bother as I'm doing a small amount??

hi kirsty1704 i always use cake-stuff.com for decorating supplies and boards.i have not found anyone cheaper,i always order in bulk to get free postage(postage is free on orders over £75 you have to enter a discount code at checkout see site for more details)

Hi welshboy, regarding isurance, I use the BSG insurance and they have 3 catogories. So you can use one that suits you.

Tracie, I also workout how much I spend for the ingredients and the other stuff - boards, boxes, ribbons. Then that amount X3 will be my price for the cake. But I just payed for the Cake Boss softwear which everyone talks about. Can't wait to have a go at it.

Hi all, this is a question to all who bought the Cake Boss online softwear. Yesterday I bought it, they sent me the email with the link to down load and since I didn't know how to do it I signed off from my hotmail and thought I wait for my DH to come home, so he can download it for me. Then again when I tried signing in, it didn't let me. While it was connecting to the hotmail, it got stuck. Everytime this happened. Does any of you had this problem?

I didn't have an issue when I downloaded it, email the company they are really helpful.

The software configures to whatever your computer setting is. So for us it will automatically be in £s so long as your computer is set to UK. You can choose whether you have your measurements in metric/imperial/cups...

My only issue with it is actually being bothered to load everything into it. Also, because I mainly have verbal contracts with people at work I just give them a quote there and then. I really should get motivated to actually use it...

Hi Lisa, thanks for the reply. We kept the computer shut for a day and just now switched it on and it just worked!!! I don't know what went wrong. Will upload the softwear maybe tomorrow. I sent a PM to them as well. Thanks again!

Hi everyone!

I'm Becky and I am trying to set up a home-business making novelty cakes and wedding cakes. I've just come across this thread and would love some help and support!! Finding it quite tough to find orders while getting the business set up properly, and looking after a hyper 11month old! So much to do! Really want this to work out as I love cakes and baking and really don't want to have to go back to my previous office based work. Any hints/tips for me?

Specifically I have the environmental health inspector health coming on Monday - any tips to keep him happy? I've filled in the "Safer Food Better Business" pack and have tried to follow all of the instructions but have no paid orders yet only jobs for family/friends!

Thanks x

Hi Becky, welcome to the thread. Word of mouth is the best way to go! THat is how I started. Did lot of cakes for friends and family and took lot of photos, so I could build up my portfolio. At the beginning, I found all the online advertisers who do free advertising and advertised with them too. If you can get a website done, which you can do for free.

Regarding the EHO visit, just keep your kitchen nice and clean. The rule and regs actualy defers from one county to the other. So good luck!!

Hi Becky, I've never been inspected because I'm just a hobby baker but plenty of people say they needed a fridge thermometer.

Best of luck with starting up

Hi, thanks for the responses. I think perhaps I've been getting overly worried about the inspection. Fingers crossed it will all go ok on Monday!

I've been building up the portfolio and website is getting there... im just too impatient and want it all finished already!

Hi guys, do any of you use cupcake wrappers? I got some in Asda the other day and they were SO much cheaper than the culpit ones and just as good!!

I've used them for my girly cupcakes in my photos if you want to see what they look like. They have a few different colours too.

Hi everyone, I need some help and advice, I am a hobby baker but have just been asked if I would make a 3 tier wedding cake for my brother-in-law's nephew's wedding in July - which I would love to do. I met with his fiance and she gave me a picure of the cake she would like me to make please see attachment below.
First off please can you help with the type of cake - the BrideTB has requested vanilla victoria sponge with vanilla buttercream and strawberry jam fillings - will this type of cake hold up to being stacked with dowelling rods inserted or do you think I need to make a denser type of cake (vanilla madeira)? - your help is needed.
The other issue is the cascade of roses - i am fine with making the roses, but am a bit concerned about how to attach that many as she would like to serve the cake at her wedding and will not be boxing up portions for her guests to take away. In the picture they look as if they have been attached with RI and not wired sprays placed in posy picks - do you agree, in which case, if I attach them with RI - someone is going to have to remove them all before cutting up to serve - does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can do this, I would really appreciate all the help and advice anyone can give me TIA

Hi there, I haven't made Victoria sponges. I am pretty sure you can stack anycake as the weight of the top tier goes on to the dowels you put in the bottom tier, not to the bottom tier. So make sure you dowel the bottom two tiers properly. By the look of the photo, I also think they have used RI to attach the flowers. I personaly would stack and decorate the whole cake prior to deliver. But make sure you make spare flowers, incase if you break flowers on the way.