Growing up my mom decorated cakes as a side business. She hasn’t done it for years but people still call begging her to make one. Not just because they looked amazing but they also tasted amazing. This definitely made me a cake snob. I’m very picky and won’t just eat any cake. I even did cake decorating in 4-H because she led a group and not to brag, but I won many grand champion ribbons on my wedding cakes that I made for fair (there weren’t that many competitors……but they were still pretty I assure you). Bet you didn’t know that about me.
So I’ll let you all in on a little secret that you may not know. The reason the cakes taste soooooo good is that they are frozen before decorating and eating them. It can be a box cake mix or from scratch. If you bake the cake, let it cool, and then wrap it up well and put it in the freezer it makes all the difference. It can be overnight or for a few weeks but freezing is a MUST. It’s easier to frost the cake too because you take it from the freezer and immediately decorate it. Fewer crumbs get into the frosting that way.
I also have had the most compliments on my cakes when I use the cool whipped 
frosting I found on Allrecipes. It’s light, not too sweet and soooooo good. It can be tricky to decorate with because it’s pretty soft but I make it work. It’s amazing if I do say so myself. (Jenna’s cake was one layer chocolate, one layer rainbow chip, and decorated with the cool whipped frosting.)
Here’s the Frosting recipe:
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup milk (I use a little less so it’s not too runny)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix with milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping until no streaks remain. Spread evenly over cake.
Give it a try and tell me what you think. Happy baking.
I used to decorate cakes as a job. It is SO FUN. I’m sort of hoping to get back into it now that I have a kitchen to accumulate all the tips and colors and stuff. Well done! I had no idea you were a grand champion.
Well, I knew you were awesome, but that particular awesome in that particular field.
Yes the cool whip frosting is very good. And I agree, it is much easier to frost a frozen cake. Jody, thanks to your tips last year, Adeline’s birthday cake was very yummy. We haven’t decided on a theme yet this year but I am hoping I can rise to the challenge of making the cake again. Great job on the Tangled cake!
Your cake was amazing last year. Can’t wait to see what you do this year!
oooh, good tips! thanks!
So Yummy! I worked in a bakery in college and loved it! (I also gained weight from all the cake scraps I ate!) we didn’t freeze the cakes, but the did get wrapped and put in a very cold fridge. It really does make all the difference! They are so moist and delicious. I didn’t get to do much of the decorating on fancy cakes, but I did learn a lot. Now I just wish I could justify buying all the tips and coloring. What did you use to cover your cake board?
I always use tin foil to cover the board. It’s easy and cheap.