Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I am planning to make an anniversary cake for only 3 weeks time using a fruit cake base. I know it is best matured for 3 months but will it be OK baked, left overnight, then decorated? (I’m going to try the time-consuming ruffle rose technique so wanted to give myself plenty of time for decorating).

Also, after looking at Mrs Jones fruit cake recipe video, when she turns out of the tin upside down to the rack, obviously the cake has perfect edges and top, whereas when she turns back the right way the top is naturally a bit bumpy. Would it be OK to decorate upside down??!! Or is that completely wrong?

Thank you!

That’s fine as long as you don’t want to feed the cake while it is maturing. There’s no reason why you can’t use the flat side. Mrs Jones turns her cake the right way up in readiness for feeding and storing. When a cake is fed it is should be turned after each feeding for even distribution of the feed. There’s no right side or wrong side to decorate, the flat side is more even if you want the cake to look really smooth when iced.
Good luck with the ruffles.

Hi there
I’ve made fruit cakes before and baked them about a week before they were needed and so far I’ve had no complaints about the taste. Although, you can’t beat a good mature fruit cake.
Good luck with the decorating.
Donna

thanks for your speedy and helpful replies!

Sorry, just another question… If I decorate and finish a fresh fruit cake, will it continue to mature before delivery to the customer? Or will it only mature undecorated and wrapped up, if that makes sense?! Thanks 🙂

Hi, I think the cake term maturing may refer to feeding it with alcohol. Your cake will be sealed with your marzipan and icing, so will sit protected by them both. Like others I too have made and given fresh baked fruit cakes in an “emergency” – one of which was a Golden Wedding cake, they only had 50 years to remember the date! I was at the party and although the cake was lovely (I had put an extra slurp of rum in the making mix), only I knew it would have tasted better with a few feedings.
Don’t worry, we are all our own worst critics, people will be amazed at what you produce, and you will have helped make someones celebrations extra special.
Cheers
Ann

thank you for the encouragement – I think I’m worrying too much about being THE best – must try and relax and enjoy more what I love doing!! thanks 🙂