ABashini, thats looks a cool one, will take a look at that then.

A[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3229999/width/200/height/400[/IMG]I can't check on people's messages as I'm out with friends, hope all OK I did my horse cake and shock horror left the house and forgot his tail! I'm so very annoyed words can't explain. Here it is, ran out if time to do rope round the bottom of cake and didn't bother icing board as was a favour.

AJo,thats really good. Nice colours.

A trip to Wilkos then I need to get me one of those,I need an ice cream scoop while I'm at it.My shopping list is nearly as long as my arm already Has anyone tried using an ice cream scoop for their cupcakes so they are all the same size?

I agree Nanny I'm learning lots and it is so nice to have people to talk to who get it and will give a proper opinion and help if needed. My family love my cakes but I do think they get sick of listening to me especially if I'm trying to learn something new. There is so much info on the internet I can sometimes get a bit lost so it's great when other people have tried things out and can give you advice. A big thank you to everyone 

Jo you cake is so cute and I love the colours great job. I wouldn't have even thought about the tail if you hadn't said.

AYep Roxylee, always use a scoop and level it off. Perfect size then.

Barbara and Jo, both cakes are beautiful!!! 

Roxylee, yes, I do but not all the time. Sometimes, when I use the scoop, there isn't enough batter to put for the last few cases. So, I use a small spoon to do it.

Lovely cake Jo!

AOh wow I love the ideas for big scrapers!! I might just pop into town and get a nice right angle like yours bashini! :)

I made a 'scone and butter pudding' with My stale scones! Omg it was amazing!

Anyone doing a marathon this weekend??:grin: There's one in in belfast on Monday, avoiding that! ....I could stand I the crowd and eat cake I guess......

I really love your cake too nanny

AMarathon, I made the trainer cake for someone who run the London marathon, is that good enough Gray? Ha ha

Ooo, bread and butter pud, one of my best puds, tomorrow cos we have din dins over sis in laws, i made a choc ganache trifle with pecan brownies I made the otherday covered them in thickened cherry juice flavoured with almond, then choc ganache custard, double cream, more cherries on the top and crushed flake. Disgusting eh? I should be ashamed!! Not!

AWould one of those AMAZING brownies survive in the post nanny??? :-D

AOh Gray, if you said earlier I would have gladly sent one over no problem, however they are sitting in the fridge awaiting cream tomorrow.

ALol :) you're so kind :)

Thickened cherry sounds divine! Do you use arrow root or gelatine or something like that? I was gonna try arrow root with raspberry coulis on top of white mud cake slices......

AOoo, delish.

Yes I did, I used cornflour, which is arrowroot isn't it?

Oddly enough a bought a jar of cherries in kirsch for xmas which was lovely albeit expensive, but I bought this jar of cherries in aldis, no where near the same quality but ok, I strained the juice and Heated it with the cornflour, and added almond extract, then poured it over my brownies.

AI think they are the same only arrow root keeps the sauce clear when corn flour makes it a bit opaque. I may have to give this a go you know! It sounds really lovely! I'll have to try not to burn all my pecans this time ha ha.

AThink you should Gray!!

AEveryone one has been talkative again today.

I use a right angled thingy to scrape my cakes too, think it was bashini that recommended that ages ago i picked one up from wilkis really cheap. I also always use an ice cream scoop. I just find it easier to get it off the scoop than a spoon without it getting everywhere. I have a few different sizes and love the small one for cake pops.

I had a nice trip to the Lakeland shop in Wilmslow today. Could have bankrupt myself buying stuff! I bought far more than I should but I am more than happy with my goodies can't wait to try some of them out!

I use arrowroot with fruit its tapioca starch and works well with sauces without making them heavy.  I use this starch for say a topping on a cheesecake, its sets semi jelly like - so see through. When I thicken up a fruit sauce in a trifle it works if you dont want to keep adding sugar.  Cornflour is a maize. Arrowroot needs careful prep.

AIt's very quiet on here this morning, everyone must be having a Sunday morning lie in.

Just a quick question when someone pops on, I bought a hemisphere 6inch tin yesterday from Lakeland for the top of my birdcage. How do I work out how much cake batter to use in it? I can't seem to figure it out so if no one has a solution I think I'll just guess (I'm thinking maybe it's around the same as a 4inch regular round?)

AMake it for a 6 inch round and use the excess for cupcakes :)

roxylee that  big scraper has rounded edges.  I think it would be a pain to try and keep  it properly straight.

Gray don't you have something better to do (like cake) than running away and then back again?

I didn't know Lakeland had stores I thought they were just online I will go one day and have a look.

Sugarluva, I live literally 2 mins from Lakeland! We could have met up! I love Lakeland :) They used to have a coffee shop but now it's all store but still lovely.

I wanted to make a birdcage for our easter cake. Didn't work out well at all! I made a banana cake and used my small pyrex ball. The middle didn't cook very well. I'd forgotten to use a flower nail! What flavour are you going for?

I'd go with Siany's suggestion, make more batter than you need and fill the tin 2/3 or more- depending on how much your batter rises. I'd suggest a flower nail, but only because my cake didn't cook through but a tin might be different from glass in the way it cooks in the oven!

ASugarluva, I those tins, very misleading the quantities it came with, I made my birdcage with it a few weeks ago, I'm sure it said 4 egg mix which was wayyyyyy too much so I used a 2 egg I think

A[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3230626/width/200/height/400[/IMG] This is my birdcage, its way to fat I made 2 6 inch sponges a 1 6inch hemispherical but talking to my cake Dec store it should be a 5 inch.

nannycook, or maybe add more cake at the bottom to make it higher?

ARoxy yes Lakeland have a few stores. It's like cake equipment heaven haha.

Jean I didn't realise you lived so close to there. I'm glad I don't live any closer to be honest I'd never leave the place! I was going to just order online but left it a bit late to risk delivery with the bank holiday so thought we'd have a trip there instead. And yes I might just make my 6 inch mix and use the rest for cupcakes, it doesn't tend to rise too much so should be good.

Nanny your bird cage is loveky. What do you mean about it should be 5 inch not 6 inch? I need to master making some little fondant roses I'm hopeless at them!

Your birdecage is lovely nanny. What is it you have used around the edge of the board it looks very pretty?

nanny, by the way that is LOVELY!!

AJean even so if it was just a case of adding another layer, it would still be too fat, I my opinion away, the young girl loved it and wouldnt cut it for days, so turned out OK I guess.

 Sugarluva I'll make sure I take the credit card when I go to Lakeland then haha. I use moulds for roses that small I got them off ebay for around £2-3 last year.