What is the best strategy for baking a cake for a party of 60?!
What is the best strategy for baking a cake for a party of 60?
My mother-in-law is having her 65th birthday and my father-in-law asked if I would bake her birthday cake. I have never baked a formal cake and I want it to be really nice for her because she is a very sweet woman. Tips and suggestions would be wonderful.
Answers:
Either go purchase a 1/2 sheet cake pan, for starters, so you have one cake big enough to feed everyone, or make two different flavors of 9 x 13 size cakes. I don't know if you've ever flipped a cake out of the pan before, and in case you haven't, just be sure to line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper before you grease the pan.
Also, whatever size pan(s) you decide to use, go to a cake decorating store and purchase those pieces of cardboard to turn the cakes out onto. You can also get some little paper doilies to make it look nicer.
If you want to put in a filling, you can easily cut the cake in half by putting toothpicks in here and there on the sides to make a straight line, and then use dental floss to cut the cake along the toothpick line. Then you can use a spatula or several if you're making the 1/2 sheet cake (you may need assistance on this one) to remove the top of the cake.
Fill the cake and then put the top layer back on. Ice and decorate from there. I hope this was helpful!
Contract it out to someone else. Sorry, couldn't help myself. LOL
pay some one else to do it
Sorry to say but Inlaw is asking a huge favor.Is he paying for it or you?
I say contact the nearest bakery and have them make it.Find a photo of her that is flattering and have them impose that on cake.All bakeries do that now.
Go to a cake supply or party supply store and get a big cakeboard. If they don't have any big enough for an 18x26 cake, use posterboard and cover it with square paper doilies. When frosting your cake, slip torn bits of waxed paper under the edges pf the cake so if you spill any icing it won't stain your doily. Make your bottom border last. Just before doing that, carefully pull out the waxed paper bits.
Bake four 9x13 cakes and lay them next to one another to make an 18x26 cake. (That's 15 servings per 9x13 cake. Use fewer cakes if you think you can get more servings per cake.) Put frosting between the cakes that are next to each other, to help ensure that they stay put and to help fill in the gaps. Use a cutting wire (or dental floss) to cut off the rounded tops of the cakes, if needs be, so you have one big flat surface. When you put the batter in the pans, push it a bit toward the edges so it'll bake flatter. This works with some batters and not with others, but it can't hurt to try.
When transporting anything this big, don't trust the cardboard cakeboard. Put a wooden tray or flat board underneath it and have someone help you carry it! Hope this all helps.
Your other alternative is to make one fancy 9x13 cake and do all the writing on that one. That'll be the one with the candles -- if they'll all fit!! Then make 3 or 4 others to go with it. The others could even be different flavors, if you like. That way, it might be easier to transport.
You will be tempted to make one big cake. For many reason, please don't do that. Baking it can be hard - it will be too big to handle - and it can break easier when you are taking it out of the pan.
I suggest you make three cakes - each 9 x 13'' You can make all one flavor or all different flavors. They will be a whole lot easier to handle and you will have better baking results.
If you have a cake decorating and/or candy making supply store in your area, they sometimes will have cake pans you can rent for a very small fee. If you don't have a deep 9X13'' pan, you will need one, and renting would be a good option.
If you have to buy one, I would suggest buying one by Wilton - sometimes you can find the size you need at Walmart or Michaels. Even Hobby Lobby
Decorating is really the hard part. If you have a cake supply store, you can buy premade buttercream. When I make wedding cakes, I always use premade butter cream because it is mixed in a way that makes it alot less likely to melt in the heat. Since it is summer, this might help
We have a store here in my city - if you research Country Kitchen cake supply, you will get their site. If you have time, you can order what you need.
If you need more help, feel free to email me.