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Perfectly smooth icing on sheet cakes...how?

post #1 of 32
2/5/11 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 
How do you do it?
Even the grocery store cakes are perfectly iced, but I can't seem to get my tops smooth, flat and blemish free, not even on my rounds.
I bought a giant painters edger, but I still can't get the hang of it.

Are all spatulas created equal or are there higher performance ones than Wilton (like there are better cake pans such as Magic Line).
Is my icing not the right consistency?

I shy away from sheet cakes for this reason, but I still get requests and I cringe when I do.

Is there a secret? I'll take any tips.
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post #2 of 32
2/5/11 at 9:19am
Have you tried using a plastic scraper? It also helps if the icing is smooth to begin with.
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post #3 of 32
2/5/11 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
I feel ignorant...but what is a plastic scraper, and is there one big enough to smooth a sheet cake?

what tool do the grocery stores or bakeries use?
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post #4 of 32
2/5/11 at 9:28am
Wondering the same thing...if there was a better trick out there...I HATE icing sheet cakes!
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post #5 of 32
2/5/11 at 9:35am
http://bakerycrafts.com/Home/Items/tabid/69/SrchStr/scraper/Default.aspx
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post #6 of 32
2/5/11 at 9:54am
If you're using a crusting butter cream ice your cake then let it crust about 5-10 min then lay a viva paper towel over the top and using the palm of your hand run it over the paper towel then lift it should have a nice smooth surface; repeat in sections and dont forget the sides. Hope that makes sense icon_smile.gif
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post #7 of 32
2/5/11 at 10:06am
i like the large wilton 15" spatula to go across the top of a sheet cake, but after smoothing the best i can with that i still use a viva paper towel and a fondant smoother on top, takes just a couple of minutes to get it perfect.
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post #8 of 32
2/5/11 at 10:33am
Viva & Crusting BC is what I do, I was hoping for something "magical" LOL!
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post #9 of 32
2/5/11 at 1:36pm
try using the Melvira method. She uses high density foam rollers on crusting b/c.
http://cakecentral.com/articles/126/quick-easy-smooth-icing-using-a-roller-melvira-method
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post #10 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:02pm
I've found I can get a smoother finish if I use a scraper like the ones posted in that link versus using an offset spatula. It's something about how you hold the scraper that gives me a more even finish. Even using a credit card works well too. I have a pic in my gallery of a cake with a red rose on it. That one was iced with bc, I used a credit card to smooth and then Viva'd it. It looks like fondant, it's so smooth.
"Focus on what you share in common, learn from what makes you different, support each other through struggles, and celebrate each others' success."

Check out my buttercream rose tutorial!
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"Focus on what you share in common, learn from what makes you different, support each other through struggles, and celebrate each others' success."

Check out my buttercream rose tutorial!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGa5j46Z05c
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post #11 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:06pm
You can try using one of these, a 16" stainless scraper by PME: http://www.cakedecoration.co.uk/merchant.ihtml?pid=9388&lastcatid=82&step=4
Or, a 12" plastic or metal school ruler will do the same thing essentially. Grab it by the top corners/sides, and drag across the top of your cake. Then smooth out the edges as usual.
It takes some practice, I don't do many BC cakes at all so I haven't practiced enough!
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post #12 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose_N_Crantz

Even using a credit card works well too.



I was watching the season premiere of Cake Boss last week and noticed Buddy's cousin smoothing the edges of a cake with what looked liked either a plastic card or a stiff piece of cardstock. I was surprised, but maybe it's more common than I thought.
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post #13 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:34pm
is there something special about 'viva' brand paper towels that makes them works better?
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post #14 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:40pm
Viva doesn't have a design impressed in it, it's perfectly smooth. You can also use computer paper.
A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!
Glenda
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A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!
Glenda
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post #15 of 32
2/5/11 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lynn1968

is there something special about 'viva' brand paper towels that makes them works better?



Viva makes a textureless paper towel which is what you want if using this method. icon_smile.gif
Dina
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Dina
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