Really big fruit cake problem!!

[judywoody]

Ok, call me naiv and unprepared - I have recently started to build up a portfolio because I would like to get into cake decorating. My next project is a wedding cake. Because I still have other work commitments, I always have to start all the baking and decorating quite short noticed. Which is not a problem when it comes to sponge cakes. However, I will have to get that cake ready by Thursday - BUT she wanted a fruit cake on the bottom. I thougth - oh great - never made a fruit cake - exciting (also I didn't grow up in a country where we eat fruit cakes like that - Stollen is usually easier to make) so I only had little background knowlede apart from the recipe - which I didn't read properly to start with. This morning I read in the recipe that the fruitcake needs to age for at least a month...wah!!!!!!

What can I do? Are there any last minute recipes that are suitable for wedding cakes? In the recipe it states that you don't need to let it mature if it is only for a one tier birthday cake but it would not be suitable for a stacked wedding cake. What am I supposed to do? Freaking out? And it's a 14" aswell...it's huge!! Please heeeelp!!

[claireybear]

First, dont panic!

Have you thought about buying a fruit cake from somewhere like marks and spencer, then just doing the decorating of it this time?

C x

[judywoody]

Yes but you don't get such a big one - also, they are well over 50 quid and I can't afford it this month :-(

Also, they are all iced and it takes at least a week to deliver...

[claireybear]

Hmmm, I wonder if it would be worth contacting any other cake-decorators near you and asking if they can help you out with an undecorated fruit cake? Might be worth a try!

Otherwise, as you say an un-aged cake can be used for one layer and that is all you are using it for, maybe you should go for it and make it now? What is the worst that could happen - is it just a taste thing, or could it collapse or something?

[judywoody]

not sure - I guess it will be too soft? I think I'll contact a local cake decorator and maybe they can give me some advice? Don't want to buy one but maybe they can give me peace of mind?!

[claireybear]

Good idea, i will keep my fingers crossed for you that they can help!

You have got me fancying a slice of cake now lol! The cupboards are bare though - i will have to make do with a rich tea biscuit!!!!!

[Critchley]

One assumes that if the bottom layer is to be fruit then the top layer/layers are to be sponge which means that they intend to keep the bottom layer not cut it so problem solved, it will mature in its own time.

[judywoody]

not sure about that carol - she wanted fruit cake because she expect elderly guests and I'm sure they would like to try it...just read the problem is, that it will crumble more easily if not matured...

[Critchley]

:h. OK Cant help then. Sorry

[AnnieAnna]

I have a family receipe for (a fruit) Christmas cake which my granny said make long in advance and let it mature (alchohol was involved). I'm so disorganised (overworked) I always make it on Christmas Eve and it's fine. No one's ever complained. Yum yum.

Have you googled the Sainted Delia for her ideas?

[judywoody]

Oh yes - Delia is good but nor sure if her quick christmas cake is suitable for stacked wedding cakes..will check:-)

[nattynetty]

Found this recipe which doesn't need to mature http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Never-Too-Late_Christmas_Fruit_Cake.aspx it's only 10 inch so you'd have to increase the quantities by about 40% I guess :confused:

Otherwise have you tried Tescos or Asda to see if they sell large round fruit cakes?

[Daesul]

I've made wedding cakes before now that I only aged for about a week. As long as you have marzipan and a good layer of Royal Icing, it should hold the weight of the other tiers, especially if they are only sponge. And it'll still taste good.

[judywoody]

Oh great thanks - will look into that :-)
Tesco and Asda don't sell such large fruit cakes unfortunately...

[nicksyb]

Just asked the OH who is a chef :D

He said the only diffence would be the taste, aslong as you mix it properly it should be fine. I guess the taste just wouldn't be as rich and fruity as if you had left it for ages.

Hope that helps :)

[Amethystjewellery]

How long have you got before you need to ice it? If you have a week it should be fine. The risk of icing it sooner is that the alcohol will not have been properly absorbed and it might stain the icing/marzipan. You could use orange juice instead. ;)

[judywoody]

How long have you got before you need to ice it? If you have a week it should be fine. The risk of icing it sooner is that the alcohol will not have been properly absorbed and it might stain the icing/marzipan. You could use orange juice instead. ;)


That's interesting...it's only 2 days I'm afraid. However, if I put enough marzipan on it do you think it will stain the fondant?

[fairycakes1972]

Don't panic!!! Put the cake in the freezer over night and it'll help mature the cake!!! Apparantly it's a trick used quite frequently by cake decorators!!! It helps to stop the cake crumbly when it's cut which is apparantly the problem with 'new' fruit cakes!

As for the weight of the other cakes, make sure you dowel the cakes below to support them, as the cakes shouldn't take the weight of the cake above as you risk collapse!!!

[Kiamyka]

I also make mine days before christmas and its fine - stop worrying x

[Scorch]

That's interesting...it's only 2 days I'm afraid. However, if I put enough marzipan on it do you think it will stain the fondant?
You're going to make it, marzipan it and ice it all within days - the alcohol won't have time to seep through both layers, I reckon!

You might have to put dowels under your cake pillars, though, unless they come that way. Your marzipan and icing won't have time to set hard, and otherwise the pillars may sink in. If you can't dowel them, assemble it as late as you can, and it won't have time to sink!

[Galls]

Delia is definately in the *let it age* camp.. I've just made her celebration cake for my mum's wedding cake (in october...sorry)
I would suggest making a different type of fruit cake. My mum has just made one that had cocoa in it and that did not need to mature for as long. I've left her a message as she is out but if she gets back to me about it I will let you know.

[Eiledon]

Hi. I used to read all the cake decorating mags and Squires Kitchen seem to be the biggie. You could ask them??!!

Good Luck

http://eiledon.co.uk

[Galls]

Nigella Lawson does a chocolate fruit christmas cake which she says does not need to mature although you can let it stand as long as any other cake. It's in her Christmas book. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/chocolate-fruit-cake-recipe/index.html

ps - my mum just rang. You don't need to definately let the cake mature but you'll find it hard to get your marzipan dry in time! She suggested local bakeries or cake makers too.

[Rosamundi]

Don't panic - even thought they are meant to mature it will still taste great.

I've been in this situation before, what I did was to soak the dried fruit in the alcohol until it's absorbed, then make the cake and as it's cooling in the tin prick over the top (which will be the bottom) and add some more brandy.

I tend to use the recipe in the Good Housekeeping Cookbook but it'll work with any rich fruitcake recipe.
If you want to try the one I use PM me.

[Galls]

Just wondering how you got on??

[jaydee67]

I was wondering too - but almost afraid to ask! Hope it went well!

[Amethystjewellery]

That's interesting...it's only 2 days I'm afraid. However, if I put enough marzipan on it do you think it will stain the fondant?
Sorry, I did not see your reply sooner. More marzipan would definitely help, but it is expensive.

[dawndunn]

For futyre reference there are sites where you can buy fruitcakes ready made for decorating

If you look at cake dec sites, such as sweet success in Nottingham or design-a-cake you can purchase.

Really wasn't a good idea to accept a commission for a wedding cake with little experience, it is someones big day ! Practise makes perfect.

[judywoody]

Just saw your messages!

Yes everything went absolutely fine - nobody complained :-)

Even found out that freshly baked fruit cake muffins taste georgeous!! Had some dough left and baked it for half an hour in a muffin case and I couldn't stop eating :-)