Too Hot to Handle

WOW what a summer we have had so far and it's only just begun! 

It's wonderful for our tans, our moods and much more but what about our cakes?! Many of you have asked in store how we cope with the heat so we though it best to provide you with a handy hints for tackling the heat this summer!

1) All Buttercream Cakes

If your cake is covered in buttercream only, add some meriwhite into your buttercream mix to allow it to stiffen further than your standard buttercream mix, this will help the cream to set and hold it's shape more, we recommend chilling your cakes and decorating them at the last minute. 

2) Stacked Cakes

Stacked cakes are all the fashion now, but as always with stacked cakes it's super important to dowel and support your cakes properly. We recommend using extra dowels this sunny season, if you would like to know more about stacking cakes check out our post here.

3) Modelling & Flowers

Our top tip is definately to invest in some petal base (it's like trex but smells & taste much sweeter!). Rub some petal base on your hands and work surface to discourage your paste from sticking, this will also mean you don't use far too much icing sugar and dry your icing out! 

4) Covering with Fondant

With this heat cakes covered in fondant can often blow, this is where the fondant comes away from the main cake at the sides, it often results in the cakes needed to be recovered. Although not completely avoidable there are ways in which you can avoid the chances of it happening.

• Use frozen or chilled cakes
• Don't overfill your cakes - apply your jam and buttercream, leaving a slight edge on the outside, then press your cake down before applying the fondant
• Leave to set overnight in a cool room (not cold!) this might mean keeping a fan on in the room (if safe to do so) during these hot summer nights

5) Transporting Cakes

Our general rules for transporting cakes can be found here. Our top take aways for mid-summer transportation are: 

• Limit the time the cake is in the car
• Keep the cake cool, aircon on where possible
• Try to allow the cake time to fully set (especially if it's stacked!) for a day before you transport it
• Take an emergency repairs kit with you just in case
• Drive slow, take it easy and if you need to you can pick up one of our 'Cake on Board' signs in store to avoid the frustrated drivers behind you!

Let us know of any handy hints you've used and how they've worked, don't forget to send us your cake pictures too!

(Main picture source: instagram!)