I am just curious to know if any CC'ers have tasted a Duff or Cake Boss (Buddy's) cake? How was it?

Had a cupcake from Buddys, and cannolis, and cream puffs, and eclairs, and taramisu cake or however you spell that. Everything was very, very delicious. I would definitely go back again.

And I bake because I am extremely picky. I can honestly say I have not found a bakery near me that makes the stuff as good as what I had there.

I had cupcakes, fondant covered cake, and lobster claw things. LOVED the cupcakes, loved his chocolate buttercream the most, but spit the fondant out because it was nasty. Didn't like the pastry it was very hard and chewy, but the cream inside was very delicious.

I have not had either, BUT I can tell you I have treid Duff's new fondant-FABULOUS!!!!! Not only is it sooooooooeasy to work with but it tastes and smells YUMMYY!!!

I've tasted a few things of Buddy's also, and I would have to agree with mim1106 I didn't like the taste of his fondant. I wasn't that thrilled with his cupcakes either, kinda bland, but his canolli's OMG they were GREAT!!!

Very interesting. Sounds like Buddy has found his niche making cannolis. I would love to try something from his shop. I am picky when it comes to sweets also, so that's why I bake.

I have heard Duff's cakes aren't that great. There was an old thread on the Wilton form about a girl who got a gift card for his shop and got herself a birthday cake. She said it was awful. The cake was dry and it was covered with two layers of fondant and barely any buttercream. She said most of the cake (I think it was two tiers) was left uneaten, and she had the picture to prove it!

I heard there was an episode of Ace of Cakes where one of the employees was reading an article in the paper that someone had written. I believe the comment was that the cakes were pretty but didn't taste good.

I personally can't stand that show or most food people. I think it's sad that most of them end up selling out because they become the latest fad or trend. But that's a different story for a different time.

I've never had either one, but I am planning on moving up to NY @ some point and Buddy's wouldn't be that far. It is something I want to try though. I am also very picky about what I eat, and like most I'd rather bake it myself.

From what I understand, Duff's new fondant is essentially Satin Ice. Told this from staff in cake and candy supply store selling it.

I've never had either...but from watching tv...I think Buddy's stuff looks delicious.

I think maybe it's because he is often seen layering tons of chocolate fudge and stuff with his cakes. He calls out the flavors of cake, and the filling. Something about that says he cares what it tastes like, because he cares that it's a dessert first.

Not saying Duff doesn't care, I just think Buddy is maybe a bit more sensitive to making sure it's delicious.

I wonder why his fondant is not good? That makes me curious.

I tried samples of several of Duff's cakes at a bridal show. The cakes were all very dry. (I believe the cakes were all BC and not fondant covered.) Not impressed.

is it weird that I make cakes but don't eat sweets?? but at some point in my life I would like to try buddy's cream puff cake.. there's fruit on it

I'm fortunate to live close to Buddy's shop & have enjoyed many of their wonderful treats since I was a kid- definately pre Cake Boss! LOL!
As a longtime well known Italian bakery, You are not disappointed -the cannoli's are awesome! Filled at the time you buy them so no soggy shell. My favorite cake combo is the vanilla & chocolate cake with fudge filling... His fudge filling is great! As for the fondant, I've had people say they are not big fans - (hubby thinks it's bitter) - but then again not many people are fans of fodant. I believe they use Satin Ice there.
I would love to try the filling he made for his sister's baby shower cake '- with peanut butter & chocolate, sounded yummy!
A quick note - as we went to order my sons first b'day cake Buddy's mom (who is so kind & happy! And proud! At the time Buddy had recently won his 1st FTV challenge!) gave my little man his first Italian cookie - he is not a big sweets kid but boy did he eat it all up! Just another great example of their family...

I haven't tried either, but a neighbor grew up right around the corner and loves all of Buddy's stuff. Other people I know have gotten different things; like some, hated other things and tossed them out. Like everything, I guess everyone's taste preference is different.

Haven't tried either, but keep in mind that Buddy's an actual Bakery, and Duff's a cake "studio" i think. Buddy seem to really care about the quality of his cakes and pastry, whereas Duff... all I see are really talented "artist"... so I'm not shocked that there are more negative feedbacks with Duff's cakes... then again that's all just what I get out of the TV shows. I still love both's work and admire their success.

Well, I needed some black fondant and didn't have time to get anything but Duff's from Michael's. I opened it up and it was hard as a rock. I was frustrated and furious and ready to have a fit, thinking about driving a half hour back to the store. So I opened the 2nd container (I bought 3), same thing. Then something made me read over the container and it said you have to microwave the fondant before using it. HUH? Never heard of this before, but then again, I'm new enough, what do I know. So I tried it. It made the texture beautiful. Haven't used it yet as I need it for the weekend, but I did take a taste. It was almost flavorless. And that's a good thing, it lets the flavor of the buttercream come through. But I have no problem with the flavor at all. I took another taste and had the same reaction. So, I"m hoping it works well on our cake, and I'm looking forward to working with it.

Rae what is Deco Pac?

Deco Pac is the company that provides all of the plastic lay-on decos and cake layouts for grocery stores, Walmart, etc.
You have to have a business account to buy from them and you have to make the cakes according to the designs they provide.

Rae

Has anyone tried the Duff brand cake mix. Very expensive! Does anyone know if it is also a name brand repackaged like his fondant which is Fondarific Great to work with, but does have it's disadvantages too as was mentioned in the previous posts.

Has anyone tried his buttercream?

I have not tried the buttercream yet, but what I want to know is how did they get their fondant to taste like buttercream?? It's really yummy!

Hahaha! This is so interesting because I was just thinking to myself last night while watching some Ace of Cake re-runs. My husband even said "Man, that cake looks so dry!".It was at the end when they were cutting it and it was crumbing like sawdust! I am not surprised that he doesnt get good reviews either. Buddy's stuff def looks more tasty, but it still concerns me that he can move a huge, very thin, torted cake by himself and the hole thing stays in one piece.....Makes me suspicious that that cake is super tough and dry. Anyone have the same thoughts??

I wish sometimes I lived in Hoboken just to eat at Buddy's shop Carlo's Bakery. I have to admire that he had to take over the bakery at 17 when his dad died and the recipes are his dad's. He has bakers there that have been there for 30 years! I really want to try one of the cannolis and the fudge filling in the cakes.

I thought Buddy used Satin Ice. The buckets are all stacked up on the shelves on the show and he is also endorsing their website and doing a demo on it and says he used it for 20 years

http://www.satinfinefoods.com/testimonials.htm


I havent had either YET. Not interested in Ace of Cakes...seems like they are more concerned with the look where Buddy cares about the taste b/c he makes more than just a "pretty cake" JMO

The Duff's Fondant that I've purchased from Michael's is from Gartner Studios.

gartnerstudios.com/duff

Rae

Well, I tried my Duff's black fondant tonight. The container actually says "buttercream fondant". Don't know what that is supposed to be, but this is the best stuff I've worked with. It must have a very high shortening ratio because when I painted the vanilla on the fondant pieces to be glued on, it just beaded up every time. I never had to rebag any pieces I was working with either. I could cut many pieces and just leave them, they didn't change one bit. And it did go pretty far. I did two 11 x 4 inch tiers using the contoured pans because I was making two tires. I used 2 containers and got 2 cakes covered, plus cut the tread pieces and glued them on and still have a little left. It rolled perfectly, held up, didn't tear. Just fantastic to work with. I'm hoping I'll be as happy in the morning when I get up and see the cake. But I expect it will hold up beautifully.