AWow siany that looks fantastic. What a clever way of making a 'cake' out of lots of little cakes and different figures. Builds a lovely scene.

Nanny that lace mat looks very pretty. So detailed though I'm amazed it came out at all! I really want to have a go at this whole lace thing but I know that with only making cakes for family and friends I'd never get anyone wanting one so it would be a bit of a guilty purchase.

Speaking of guilty purchases, does everyone know Lakeland have a sale on? I just found out and may have accidentally ordered 7 new cake tins (including the other 3 hemisphere tins I wanted). Oops!

A

I bought a cheap pair of secateurs from Tesco, about £3,and use them exclusively for cutting dowel. Works like a charm, clean cuts, done in seconds.

Hth :)

A

Is that the Ophelia mat? I've got that one :) I used it in gold on a soft pink 4 tier Chandelier cake dummy for a wedding fair recently. It's a beautiful piece but a pain to get it all dry I found. I kept breaking it where the slightly deeper bits hadn't dried until I worked out how to make it work for me. Plus, I managed to put it in at 180c instead of 80c. Twice. To the credit of the mat though, once it had cooled down from nuclear heat and I'd prised the completely crisp 'lace' from it, it was good as new!

AHa ha ha, so funny tiddy!!

Yep I can see you getting cake lace soon too.

Sugarluva, yes it is an expensive purchase, but once you have one or two mats you have them for ever I guess. Aw not a sale, awww, annoying that as purchased all the sizes in the hemispherical tins about 2 months ago, never mind cant win em all eh?

I did have a rant after first attempt but this was because I hadn't let it dry enough and it was a pain in the butt to get out as its so detailed, but had another go, this time I cooked it lowest setting poss on gas for 15mins, then turned oven off and left it for another 15mins To dry, let it cool and peeled it off, this time it was fine, so the Ophelia mat isnt a pain,it was me Lizzy.

ANooooo, just had a peek on Lakeland, they really are low in price aren't they, I knew I shouldn't have looked!!!

A{Runs to Lakeland}

ARun tiddy run!!

See it doesn't pay to be impulsive does it? If only I'd waited.

Get them all tiddy, they are now a fraction of what I paid!! Sobs heart out, well I did have my 500grm pot of cake lace free so cant moan can I?

A

Morning cake pals.

Thanks Lizzie I tend to spend most of my time in tesco's so will take a peak !

Really tempted by 'the mat' Tiddy but wonder if it will just end up an expensive gimic that i can't get on with ! Must try ganache soon too but still wonder what would taste like on plain sponge cake lots of people who ask for cakes off me think it would taste odd if not a choc cake underneath.

Morning!

I went straight to Lakeland to, still adding stuff to my basket. I don't know I've not even had my morning cuppa yet and I'm spending money 

Nanny they have this cake lace mat on sale 

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/18170/Lace-Look-Silicone-Icing-Mat---Rectangular

Here's another Nanny

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/18169/Lace-Look-Silicone-Icing-Mat---Square

AJo that is what I thought about ganache first too but I've used milk and dark Choc ganache under So with a vanilla sponge a few times now and it tastes yummy!

Roxy I bought that mat last time I was in Lakeland. I have only used it as an impression mat so far and not for lace because I don't have any of the lace stuff but it's very pretty. I was sure I only paid about £6 when I bought it in store though so I was confused about the 'sale' price when I saw it. I think it's worth the money though.

Sorry to have you all spending on Lakeland now! I seriously love that place!

AOh didnt see your second link roxy it's the first mat I have, the long thin one.

AThanks Roxylee will take a look at that.

Cant remember who said this, may have been Bashini, but do white choc ganache on plain sponge, I made some the other day as I had the cream, dont need it until next week so I froze it.

AQuick question, can you dust the lace with like a nice silver dust? Has anyone done that? Got a duck egg colour cake for week after next, though it would be lovely against that colour.

AStop encouraging me! I will be adding to my basket very soon :D The mat I have is a streetwise one. The bag cake is plain vanilla with ganache and as soon as its done and pics taken we shall be eating eating it so will let you know as I thought the same :) mind you me and the daughter did have a slice of off cut and dipped it in lol...was delish!

Nanny I think you can dust the lace or you can colour the icing when you have mixed it. I think you dust the mat then spread icing in and it comes out the colour.

Thanks Sugarluva for the tip on the lakeland sale have just bought all the hemisphere pans, mini victoria cake pan and wilton candy melts mainly to get the free delivery but I want to try making modelling chocolate so will use them.

Haha Tiddy like you need any encouraging 

No I dont! So now I have been....................can you imagine! 

A[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3239165/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

Just an update before I bore the pants everyone with this.

I made these 4 pieces out of 42grms, whoo hoo!!

AHa right, good tip for next time then?

What size was the mini tin Roxylee

You get a lot out of the cake lace icing then Nanny, this is the tin

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/15170/My-Kitchen-12-Cup-Mini-Sandwich-Tin

Sugarluva I never thought of using them as an impression mat, I don't know why I love impression mats have quite a few of them. Good idea and another use for them.

The postman has just brought me my cake lace, need to find time to try it later 

If your using ganache on a plain vanilla cake but dont want the dark chocolate taste then use white chocolate. Lovely its very creamy so doesnt add an additional taste thats not wanted.

Chasingmytail I havent made white chocolate ganache yet, can I ask what brand of chocolate you use for yours.

Give ganache a go in plain cake, my customers tell me they really like the contrast! I did a black, white and diamond theme cake last weekend, and the base tier was dark chocolate cake with white chocolate ganache which is also a really nice combo as long as your cake is not too sweet.

Flavouring the ganache is also lovely - try fruit flavours in white chocolate; blueberry, raspberry, passion fruit and mango all seem to go down really well. It also makes them a lovely colour! I also make truffles so I'm always fiddling with fillings, and the ones above are popular as truffles and cake fillings (obviously in different consistencies :) )! 

roxy - have you tried Callebaut Velvet? It's a less sweet white which I use exclusively now (unless I can find Valrhona in bulk...mmmmm)

No I haven't made white chocolate ganache yet Lizzy but will take a look thanks.

AOoh roxy I was eyeing up that mini tin too but thought that the 7 I had already bought was enough. It started off as oh I'll just order the hemisphere tins whilst they're cheap, then it was well I might as well spend £30 to get free delivery. I ended up spending £50, somehow I don't think my maths is very good!

Having said that though I love the Lakeland push tins. I've always used springform tins but I bought a 6inch pushkin last time and it baked my cake so well and came out so clean I want to buy one in every size now! I'm getting there... Haha

oh well thats really gone and done it now!

Firstly lakeland...moulds, tins, lace mats. Then Culpitt.....lace mix, more mats, dummies AND.............A DINKY!!!!

Best run and hide now! OMG! You lot are such a bad influence!  

Im sure I should be making cakes 

Haha Sugarluva, well we might as well get what we want while its cheap.I'm actually not keen on the springform tins, I have a couple of push tins but most of mine are just the one piece tins which I prefare.

Oh Tiddy you'll be like a kid at christmas when all that arrives