Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I have been asked to do an ice bucket cake with a bottle of champagne in it..made from fondant…think I am Ok about that part, but not sure about the actual,cake?…should as just make sponges! carve and ganache?….is there an easy or tried and tested way before I make loads of mistakes?…..any halo or advice appreciated ,,,Linda

Hello Linda

A while back I made a flower pot cake which is a similar shape and used Jane Hornby’s easy vanilla cake recipe
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10860/easy-vanilla-cake It was lovely to carve and kept shape very well.
I used the following tutorials as carving guides http://cakecentral.com/a/step-by-step-3d-cake-sculpting-baby-in-a-flower-pot http://cakecentral.com/b/tutorial/flower-pot-cake-tutorial and this http://www.amandamacleod.co.uk/blog/veuve-birthday-cake/5198/ The carving is much helped if you chill the cake first, makes less crumbs and is easier to shape. I hope you find them helpful too.

Absolute genius madewithlove!……flowerpot cake, covered in grey sugar paste, sprayed in lustre and handles added…sorted!…….might not even need a trial run now, as I think it might be straightforward enough…she says…hope springs!…thanks again x