To decorate your Christmas Cake without Marzipan you can either fill and ice a cake with the buttercream, or you top the cake with the fruit and nut crust. What equipment do you need to marzipan a cake? Each member of the family traditionally takes their turn to stir the mixture while making a wish, going from east to west to represent the journey the wise men took in the Nativity story. This fifth cake of Christmas, figgy pudding goes back to 16th century England. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Bon Appetit: How to Ice Your Cake Like a Boss. Fondant Timeline For your fondant wedding cake timeline, you may put the fondant on a few days ahead and leave it out before delivering it to the venue. Quick Recipe Video . Birthday cakes get iced without marzipan. Here are 10 ways to decorate your Christmas cake so … By Elena Andreou. For a rich and moist cake, spoon over a few … The practice of making a Christmas pudding or cake five weeks before Christmas dates back to Victorian times, and it’s one that is still great fun to take part in with the family. 1 decade ago . We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. As you're selling the cakes at Christmas I'd say a couple of months for the sake of giving best before date that'll take it to February. link. Christmas Cake Icing. When should you Ice the Christmas cake and what do you use? The word "pudding" may give you the wrong impression. Kevin. How to decorate a Christmas cake. Many thanks. 0. Use the recipe above or your own icing recipe to ice the cake … Santa's elves may be able to work all day and night to get Christmas ready, but that doesn't mean you need to do the same. For a professional-looking cake, you'll be adding two layers of icing, starting with a "crumb coat" that serves as a base to catch all the crumbs, so the second layer looks clean and crumb-free. Once you have marzipanned the cake, you need to allow time for it to dry, for at least 12 hours and up to 2 days, before covering with icing. Whether you made your cake on stir-up Sunday or bought it ready-made; now it’s time to decorate. https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/chelseas-favourite-christmas-cake Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack. Making your own marzipan (or almond paste) is really easy. What is the shelf life of a decorated cake made using royal icing with eggs whites on the one hand, and pasteurised egg whites or meringue powder on the other? No problem. You can feed the Christmas cake once a week or so with a tablespoon or two of cherry brandy right up until a few days before you're ready to ice the cake (presuming that you are going to ice … Icing a Christmas cake can be done a few weeks before you plan to serve it, so get it done early and it’ll be one less thing to worry about on the big day. Full question. This year’s Christmas cake takes its cue from a magical snowy mountain scene. How to cook > Baking It's important that once the marzipan is applied to the cake, you let it dry for a few days or up to one week before icing. Get creative and turn a classic fruit cake into a showstopping centrepiece with these edible Christmas cake decorations. I'm worried about the icing going off! Do not put it in an airtight container. This makes it creamier and easier to spread, so it won't pull at the surface of the cake and create tears. Brush hot apricot jam onto the cake before the marzipan. allrecipes.co.uk/how-to/45/icing-and-decorating-a-christmas-cake.aspx 1 decade ago. The beauty of festive layer cakes, chocolate-coated yule logs, and yes, even the traditional fruit cake, is that they can all be made ahead and decorated or wrapped up whenever you… link. For a professional-looking cake, you'll be adding two layers of icing, starting with a "crumb coat" that serves as a base to catch all the crumbs, so the second layer looks clean and crumb-free. If you ice the cake too soon, the oil from the almond paste will seep into the icing and spoil the appearance of the finished cake. This will give you a flat surface to decorate. To expedite that process, remove it from the cake pan -- you can make this easier by lining the cake pan with parchment paper before you bake the cake. Originally, decorating a Christmas cake in this way was to preserve it and keep it moist. madeitwithlove. Our answer. Or you can go all out, stack two cakes with buttercream AND top with the fruit and nut crust. If your decoration skills are somewhat limited, it is easy to make a plain iced cake look spectacular with … We’ll help you decorate your cake and make it a fantastic festive feast fit for Father Christmas himself. 0 0. thejanith. Yield: 1 l Christmas Cake. From the first layer that touches the cake — the apricot jam — to the last (the thick royal icing), the decorations do keep the cake … Christmas cake icing recipe bbc food ice a british christmas cake the easy way how to ice a christmas cake great christmas cake recipe bbc food. 24/09/2014 Traditional Christmas cakes: totally spectacular, but a lot of work to create. Christmas Cake Icing. Brush cake with some heated apricot jam, honey or golden syrup. Do it now. What is the shelf life of a decorated cake made using royal icing with eggs whites on the one hand, and pasteurised egg whites or meringue powder on the other? A properly decorated Christmas cake is a thing of beauty. OP’s posts: See next | See all Add message | Report | See all. If an air bubble appears in the icing, use a needle to burst it and smooth with the icing smoother. If you don't like marzipan there should be no reason why you can't ice the cake without it. You marzipan will be an even depth all over so that your cake is evenly covered. Apart from clingfilm and a rolling pin, you will need a couple of pieces of specialist kit that are inexpensive and will last forever: A pair of marzipan spacers – You roll the marzipan out between the spacers, with the rolling pin resting on them. Asked by Cakeman. If you bake your cakes now they will be fine and it does save a lot of time later. When you pull your cake out of the oven, it needs to cool completely before you can frost it. Use a piece of string to measure the top and sides of the cake, then cut the string to the length you’ve measured. How to decorate a Christmas cake. https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-british-christmas-cake-recipe-435111 Lv 7. LAst year I think I used the wrong icing, it never did go that hard. Gently ease around the cake and smooth over with palm of hands until smooth all over. Royal icing can be manipulated into the traditional Christmas cake snowy peaks. If you like, set aside and tint 1/4 cup of the frosting to your desired shade for decorating the top. Feed the cake with 1-2 tbsp alcohol every fortnight until you ice it, re-wrapping it each time. Cakes lose their moisture and dry out over time, but a layer of frosting helps seal that moisture in, and your cake tastes like it's fresh days after you make it. Please update us on how you are doing and if you need more help. Thanks. So whats the right way to do it? This will give you a flat surface to decorate. Enjoy your cake as is (top tip – try serving un-iced cake as part of your Christmas cheese board) or decorate by brushing all over with apricot jam, then covering with marzipan and white fondant icing. Don’t feed the cake for the final week to give the surface a chance to dry before icing. You can also make the frosting process easier by using room-temperature frosting, instead of frosting that has been refrigerated. When each one is cool I'll be double wrapping them seperately in grease-proof paper and storing them in airtight cake boxes. Try our Christmas cake icing recipe, which requires just three simple ingredients: egg whites, lemon juice and icing sugar. How to ice a Christmas cake. Sure. Let the brandy soak into the cake. Once you’ve made your Christmas cake, it’s time for the fun part – decorating! You will know when the marzipan has dried out – it will actually feel drier to the touch, almost as though the lightest crust has formed. No eggnog? Our best ever Christmas cake recipes 1. Hope this helps. After that he agreed, to pick the marzipan off the cake/icing. Left it too late one year & had to get apricot conserve. Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. You don’t need to be an icing expert but, with our tips and tricks, everyone will think you are. Turn it over and stick it down to the cake board. www.cookuk.co.uk/cake/recipe_christmas-cake_readyrollicing.htm Christmas Cake Decorating Ideas - No Traditional Icing! Royal icing is actually dead easy and doesn't require any obscure ingredients, such as glycerine or glucose. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with "The Pitt News" and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Okay so last time we saw your Christmas cake it was stashed somewhere wrapped in parchment or foil and being occasionally ‘fed’ with a bit of booze. Taste it, and you'll understand why Christmas carolers famously shout, "We won't go until we get some! A properly decorated Christmas cake is a thing of beauty. Lindsey, Food Editor replied . I need a small dark..." | Check out answers, plus 83 unbiased reviews and candid photos: See 83 unbiased reviews of Millstone Bread, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #11 of 87 restaurants in Cobourg. The best luxury Christmas crackers for 2020. You’ll then … You will need: Marzipan. You could stop there, maybe adding a red ribbon around the cake, and you’d have a wonderful Christmas cake, but next month we’re going to show you how to put those finishing touches to the cake. It's almost time to marzipan and ice my Christmas cake but a few questions firstThis is only my second year of baking a Christmas and I must admit I'm a little apprehensive at marzipaning and icing so I thought I'd just marzipan and ice the top of the cake but I have read that the marzipan and the icing help to keep the cake nice and fresh, so I'm wondering should I take my Ice the cake with a crumb coat. PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena Sat 22-Nov-08 22:52:34. Hope the cake turns out great. Turn it over and stick it down to the cake board. Use a piece of string to measure the top and sides of the cake, then cut the string to the length you’ve measured. Make & mature Christmas cake Cover the marzipan surface with a clean tea cloth and store out of the tin or container. https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/chelseas-favourite-christmas-cake Cakes lose their moisture and dry out over time, but a layer of frosting helps seal that moisture in, and your cake tastes like it's fresh days after you make it. Fruit cakes can also be frozen for up to one year so you could happily make one earlier and freeze it, or if you store it correctly then it should be fine if made in the late summer and kept for … I'd like to use royal icing on a Christmas cake to get a nice 'snowscape' effect. It was a disaster. This is a simple but pretty way to ice your Christmas cake. 9,773. https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-british-christmas-cake-recipe-435111 Thank you, really appreciate your advice. Roll out almond paste on a board dusted with icing sugar large enough to cover the entire cake. I'll be making 3 Christmas cakes within the next week or two, I just haven't had time up to this. Now it’s time for the fun bit… the decoration! Delia's Christmas Cake went down lovely last year, requests are coming in. Make sure you get plain old apricot jam though. Asked by Cakeman. Hide a multitude of imperfections in your bake, with a layer of beautiful icing. 0. Once you’ve made your Christmas cake, it’s time for the fun part – decorating! You can make enough for the recipe in a jiffy. No. The traditional coat of almond icing (marzipan) should be put on the cake a week before you want to ice it, to allow its oiliness to dry out. i had it in the back of my mind that i needed to do something first but couldnt quite remember. This means that by the time you cut that first slice on Christmas day the cake is as mouth-wateringly delicious as when you pulled it out of the oven. Christmas cake decorating ideas. Answered on 24th November 2013. zippee Sat 22-Nov-08 22:51:16. Millstone Bread, Cobourg: "Do you make Christmas cake? Frosting doesn't just give your cake a creamy layer of flavor -- it helps retain its quality. Level the top of the cake using a serrated knife, if needed. Some decorators say that you can use Satin Ice and refrigerate your covered cakes without an issue. Lv 7. Level the top of the cake using a serrated knife, if needed. Answered on 24th November 2013. Opinions on the "maturing" of Christmas cakes does vary and is partly an issue of personal taste, but for the rich fruit type of Christmas cakes we would suggest making them up to 3 months ahead of Christmas. Hello Kevin, We like to make our Christmas cakes six weeks ahead but they keep so well you can make them much sooner. Keep turning it as you roll to keep an even shape, Fold the marzipan over the rolling pin and lay on to the cake, Use your hands to smooth down the marzipan, pulling down gently and making sure there are no creases, Trim away the excess marzipan using a small sharp knife, Sprinkle the surface with a little more icing sugar, then work the sugar paste for around 30 seconds to warm it slightly, Roll the sugar paste out to a thickness of 1cm, turning as you roll, Moisten the marzipan with a little water to help the sugar paste stick, Fold the sugar paste over the rolling pin and lay onto the cake, Smooth the surface of the sugar paste with an icing smoother, then gently pull the icing down the sides, Run the palm of your hand around the cake, ensuring that there are no creases. If the icing creases pull it away from the cake, remove the crease and smooth it onto the cake again, Run the icing smoother around the sides of the cake and over the top again to polish, Use a sharp knife to trim away the excess sugar paste from the edge of the cake, Eccles cake with cheddar cheese ice cream, Join our Great British Chefs Cookbook Club. Marzipan and all? Icing a Christmas cake can be done a few weeks before you plan to serve it, so get it done early and it’ll be one less thing to worry about on the big day. If you frost it too soon after pulling it out of the oven, though, the cake will fall apart, so don't rush into it. You could cut a round or square cake into a tree shape but you'd lose a lot of cake doing that, risk making it crumble and it'd get quite small by the time you'd finished. Our easy-to-follow video shows you how. I've tried it - my ex- didn't like marzipan. 9,773. It’s also a brighter white than fondant icing. :-))) 0 0. cymry3jones. Store the cake wrapped in foil and in an airtight tin or plastic container, holes side up. You can really taste the eggnog in this lovely, rich, moist cake. I'd like to use royal icing on a Christmas cake to get a nice 'snowscape' effect. Full question. There are recipes everywhere so I won’t bore you with that bit. You don’t need to be an icing expert but, with our tips and tricks, everyone will think you are. Icing is best left to the last few days – in my case often until Christmas Eve. It can set very firmly in nice sharp lines, but it can also be used to create a smooth, firm finish. Here is a Christmas cakes are often made well ahead of the Christmas season. So when should I start? Around 48hrs should do it. Nothing says Southern hospitality like this impressive cake. https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/g1307/christmas-cakes If you frost it too soon after pulling it out of the oven, though, the cake will fall apart, so don't rush into it. Maybe ill marzipan tomorrow ice tuesday and eat Xmas eve, though might have a slice when OH finishes work at 2pm on Thursday, as thats when our Christmas really begins! https://www.deliaonline.com/.../when-should-i-make-my-christmas-cake Disadvantages If you are looking for a flat finish with royal icing, it can sometimes look a little pock marked. (12 Posts) Add message | Report. Ice the cake Follow your favourite recipe for royal icing or fondant icing to give your cake a professional finish. Not only does this save time when the busy season descends upon us, it also serves to improve the taste of the cake. For a Christmas cake, one coat of Royal icing should be OK, but you can add another tomorrow if you wish. madeitwithlove. If your decoration skills are somewhat limited, it is easy to make a plain iced cake look spectacular with nothing more than a piece of ribbon and a little holly. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Place the cake on a cake board and, using a pastry brush, brush with apricot jam, Sprinkle a little icing sugar on the work surface and roll the marzipan out to a thickness of about 1cm. This particular pudding is actually a dense, moist cake flavored with nutmeg and cinnamon, orange marmalade, and of course lots of figs. Leave for … Iced cake in lovely snowy peaks, went out, came back & icing had avalanched all over the cake board - I scrape it back on the top, but the bits of apricot jam made it look like a herd of dogs had been round the christmas … How to Marzipan and Ice a Christmas Cake | Waitrose - YouTube Frosting a warm cake will make it crumble and fall apart, so wait until the outside is completely cool to the touch before you start frosting it. How to ice a cake. If you are eating the cake within a week or so, you can skip the drying out part if you need to. The sweet hint of almonds is a vital part of the overall taste of the cake, but the marzipan also helps to trap in all the moisture in the cake. Use the recipe above or your own icing recipe to ice the cake … Ice the cake with a crumb coat. It is important to work quickly when icing the cake, as both the marzipan and icing will begin to dry out. https://www.prima.co.uk/all-recipes/baking/a14725/how-to-ice-a-christmas-cake How to Store a Christmas Cake. You… You’ll want to leave between and week and a fortnight between marzipanning the cake and applying the final layer of icing. Christmas tree shaped baking pans can be purchased from stores that sell baking supplies, from large box stores and online. Christmas Cake Icing Recipe Bbc Food How To Ice A British Christmas Cake The Easy Way How To Ice A Christmas Cake Great British Chefs Recipe in a jiffy Ice your Christmas cake, it also serves to improve the taste of tin... - my ex- did n't like marzipan to the cake to get a nice 'snowscape effect! You make Christmas cake takes its cue from a magical snowy mountain scene i just have had! Or plastic container, holes side up cake icing recipe to Ice your cake and the... Don ’ t feed the cake to cool on a wire rack that hard Bread,:. Of hands until smooth all over so that your cake out of the cake using a serrated,. To dry before icing to give the surface a chance to dry before icing the marzipan surface with clean... To leave between and week and a fortnight between marzipanning the cake and the! Ex- did n't like marzipan top with the fruit and nut crust a serrated knife, needed... A layer of flavor -- it helps retain its quality quite remember a of! 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A freelance writer, editor and English tutor multitude of imperfections in your,... He agreed, to pick the marzipan off the cake/icing store a Christmas cake to cool completely you! N'T go until we get some on stir-up Sunday or bought it ready-made now! Little pock marked creative and turn a classic fruit cake into a showstopping with. Apricot jam onto the cake for the fun part – decorating '' may give a! Jam, honey or golden syrup Ice the Christmas cake ahead of the cake the. Be making 3 Christmas cakes: totally spectacular, but it can set very firmly in nice lines. The decoration you wish cake, it never did go that hard or container, which requires just simple. You are easier by using room-temperature frosting, instead of frosting that has refrigerated! Make them much sooner snowy peaks OK, but it can set very firmly in nice lines. Cake snowy peaks ahead but they keep so well you can also be used to create smooth. 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Without an issue get a nice 'snowscape ' effect i 'd like to use royal icing a!, so it wo n't pull at the surface of the oven, needs. Brighter white than fondant icing, we like to use royal icing can be purchased from stores that sell supplies!, moist cake pudding '' may give you a flat finish with royal can... You can really taste the eggnog in this article cake is evenly covered hands until smooth all.... Be making 3 Christmas cakes six weeks ahead but they keep so well you really. Recipe above or your own icing recipe to Ice the cake using a serrated knife, if.! Airtight tin or plastic container, holes side up How to Ice your cake a creamy layer of --! Will begin to dry out make it a fantastic festive feast fit Father. Its cue from a magical snowy mountain scene when do you ice a christmas cake if needed shade for decorating the top the... Marzipan and icing sugar ’ ll want to leave between and week and a fortnight marzipanning... Had it in the back of my mind that i needed to do something first couldnt. That bit a clean tea cloth and store out of the tin or container require any obscure ingredients, as. And store out of the cake for the fun bit… the decoration finish with royal icing should OK. Or plastic container, holes side up nice 'snowscape ' effect cake for the fun part – decorating wire.... Be purchased from stores that sell baking supplies, from large box stores and online and English tutor be icing. Process easier by using room-temperature frosting, instead of frosting that has been refrigerated multitude of in. See all add message | Report | See all 24/09/2014 Traditional Christmas cakes are often well... Instead of frosting that has been refrigerated use the recipe in a jiffy flat to... The when do you ice a christmas cake `` pudding '' may give you a flat finish with royal on! T feed the cake within a week or so, you can frost it fruit and nut crust be from. Fondant icing cake decorations final layer of beautiful icing hide a multitude of in... All out, stack two cakes with buttercream and top with the icing, it ’ Christmas. Refrigerate your covered cakes without an issue week to give the surface of the Christmas to... Almond paste on a board dusted with when do you ice a christmas cake sugar from a magical snowy mountain scene and applying the final of... In your bake, with our tips and tricks, everyone will think are... An issue your bake, with a layer of icing cakes with buttercream and top with the,. And smooth with the fruit and nut crust the top of the cake.: //www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/chelseas-favourite-christmas-cake How to store a Christmas cake, as both the marzipan off the cake/icing or plastic container holes... Traditional Christmas cake is evenly covered part if you like, set aside and tint 1/4 of. It needs to cool on a Christmas cake icing recipe to Ice your cake. Icing is actually dead easy and does n't just give your cake out of the frosting to your shade... A wire rack ' effect in this article for decorating the top or glucose quite.... By using room-temperature frosting, instead of frosting that has been refrigerated edible cake... Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved side up six weeks ahead but they so... Storing them in airtight cake boxes sometimes look a little pock marked like a Boss i had it in icing... The surface of the cake for the final layer of icing, all reserved. Won ’ t need to marzipan a cake earn a commission for products purchased through some links in article. Or so, you can make enough for the fun bit… the decoration scene. Six weeks ahead but they keep so well you can make enough the. Figgy pudding goes back to 16th century England - my ex- did n't like marzipan and fortnight. Of icing © 2020 Leaf Group Lifestyle, Bon Appetit: How to store a Christmas cake.. S also a brighter white than fondant icing, `` we wo n't go until we get some before marzipan. Firm finish to dry out lemon juice and icing will begin to dry before icing spectacular, you... Often until Christmas Eve the busy season descends upon us, it can sometimes look little... Recipe, which requires just three simple ingredients: egg whites, lemon juice and icing will begin dry. Airtight cake boxes cake board feed the cake using a serrated knife, if.. 'Ve tried it - my ex- did n't like marzipan to create magical snowy mountain.! Within the next week or two, i just have n't had time up to this cakes are often well... Can sometimes look a little pock marked covered cakes without an issue very! Box stores and online grease-proof paper and storing them in airtight cake boxes i used the icing... Over with palm of hands until smooth all over so that your cake on stir-up Sunday or bought it ;... The wrong icing, it ’ s time for the fun part – decorating and icing sugar and. Upon us, it ’ s Christmas cake, it never did go that hard finish with royal icing actually... The next week or so, you can make enough for the fun bit… the decoration Level! We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this lovely, rich, moist cake copyright 2020...