This isn't so much a disaster as it is a nuisance. No matter how much I try to smooth the edges of the my cakes they always bulge. I have attached a picture so you see what i'm talking about. If I smooth the sides, the bulge goes to the top, if I smooth the top then the bulge goes to the sides. I don't know what I'm doing wrong and this is bother me! Many times it's no big deal because it gets covered with a border but it still bothers me.
This is how I ice the cakes. I use the large icing tip and cover the tops and sides of the cake. Then, using a spatula, I even the icing out and smooth it as much as I can. I then let the cake rest until the buttercream crusts and smooth it out using a Viva paper towel and a fondant smoother.
Do you see anything flawed in my process? Any tips or tricks to get the dang edges sharp, or at lest not bulging? I will be forever thankful!!!
I'm not sure what your smoothing process is, but you could try smoothing the sides of your cake first and then taking an offset spatula and "scraping" the icing from the edge of the cake to the center on the top to get the excess icing off. Then smooth the top. Does that make sense? It may help lessen the bulging problem.
I'm not sure what your smoothing process is, but you could try smoothing the sides of your cake first and then taking an offset spatula and "scraping" the icing from the edge of the cake to the center on the top to get the excess icing off. Then smooth the top. Does that make sense? It may help lessen the bulging problem.
Yes. This. You want to put on more than you need, and remove to get smooth, not fight what it is on there, and hope to get it even and smooth.
I sometimes have to clean up that edge twice. First, after I hot knife the sides. Then, again, after I smooth with Viva, if I get that little 'ledge'. Just take your small spatula and push toward the center. If icing builds up in the center, scrape that off, too. I hate buttercream. LOL
Looks airbrushed...yes?
Beautiful color though!
I'm telling ya, if you want to perfect your smoothing and get even edges, invest in a Sugarshack DVD. Best DVD I ever bought for cake-ing.
which dvd would you recommend most? i know sugarshack has quite a few. i want all of them... then again, i'd like the money to buy all of them, too 
I also have the same problem with the bulging icing on the edge. I ice my cakes the same except I dont use the Viva papertowel to smooth. I use the high density foam roller but i've tried using the spatula to pull the icing in toward the center but when I smooth it again, the edges just return again. This also drives ME nuts!!!!
i know this is off topic, but i was wondering what color (&brand) you used to color that icing?
I started out with Americolor Electric blue then added small amounts of Wilton Kelly Green and Royal Blue.
No, it isn't airbrushed.
I know what you are dealing with, been there too...what really helped me was watching Edna's video tutorial, and then my cakes looks way better.
thanks for posting this, she made is look so easy!! Now, if only I could get some Viva paper towels!
I know what you are dealing with, been there too...what really helped me was watching Edna's video tutorial, and then my cakes looks way better.
thanks for posting this, she made is look so easy!! Now, if only I could get some Viva paper towels!
They don't have it in Canada unless they started carrying them in the last year, it is a Kleenex brand but when I was there last they still didn't have them. You can use a clean sheet of computer paper or even parchment paper instead. I ended up using the comp. paper myself when I was still there.
I know what you are dealing with, been there too...what really helped me was watching Edna's video tutorial, and then my cakes looks way better.
thanks for posting this, she made is look so easy!! Now, if only I could get some Viva paper towels!
They don't have it in Canada unless they started carrying them in the last year, it is a Kleenex brand but when I was there last they still didn't have them. You can use a clean sheet of computer paper or even parchment paper instead. I ended up using the comp. paper myself when I was still there.
They might be at Walmart, I'm going to check today
Ok, I have never watched one of Edna's videos and I was shocked to see what a hottie this woman is! Why did I expect a older woman? If my hubby sees this he is going to be wanting private lessons. lol Thanks for posting it.
Oh my gosh. Jamie I love your profile pic. The sicle and hammer in the obama symbol. I bursted out laughing when I saw that. Glad to know that there are still people paying attention to reality 
Ok, I have never watched one of Edna's videos and I was shocked to see what a hottie this woman is! Why did I expect a older woman? If my hubby sees this he is going to be wanting private lessons. lol Thanks for posting it.
lol, this made me burst out. I agree, when I opened the video I was stunned to see this very attractive woman!
You can use any paper towel you like but if you do not want the pattern embossed onto your icing than the viva paper towel or computer paper etc. would be your best choices. I've done it with other paper towels intentionally when I wanted the design on the icing though.
the stiffer you can make your icing and still work with it, the better your top edges will be.
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