Christmas Cake

[Lakitu]

For the first time every, I'm making my own Christmas cake, the instructions ask me to line my cake tin with greaseproof paper.

What's the best way to do this without it being all wrinkly? Pleating it around? I only have spring form cake tins, is this OK to use?

Is a fork the best utensil to be using when I'm making peaks with the icing or is there something out there that will do a better job?

[jb190281]

a spring form tin is fine, probably the best actually. what i do when lining a tin - cut a square for the bottom, and then a long strip for the side. i always make sure theres a bit of paper overlapping the side (dunno why really, just do)

[Lakitu]

Aaaah, that's a good idea, have 2 separate bits rather than trying to mess about getting 1 large bit smooth!

Thank you, that's exsctly what I'll do :o)

[Sachs]

Hi Lak,
when you prepare to line the tin with greaseproof ...
measure the depth and width of the side of the tin, allow an extra inch both ways. Cut a band of paper to this measurement. Fold the bottom inch up ( depth ) and snip the inch turn up every inch so it looks like a frill ( this will make it easier to curve round the inside of the tin when lining. Make sure you grease the tin and the band before lining! Grease the frill downwards to avoid tearing it. Sit the base of the tin on the greaseproof and draw a line around, cut the circle out, you don't need any extra measurements on the circle. Grease the circle. Put the band in first then the circle of paper. Sprinkle a little flour on the inside and knock out the excess. That's it! You can use the edge of a pallette knife at an angle to form soft peaks in icing xxx

[Lakitu]

Excellent! Thank you. Why am I putting flour on it?

[Jugglering]

The flour dries out as it cooks and this dry layer aids the removal of the cake from the paper (a sort of friction surface).

[Sachs]

Forgot to say, the bottom inch of frill needs to sit on the base of the tin!

[Lakitu]

Underneath the paper covering the base?

[Jugglering]

Here are a few piccies to supplement Sachs really good description on how to line a cake tin

http://www.deliaonline.com/cookery-school/how- to/how-to-line-a-cake-tin,763,AR.html

[Lakitu]

Thank you VERY much, both of you!

I'll let you know if it turns out a disaster or not LOL xx

[Sachs]

Why were'nt you here earlier juggler? lol! xxx

[Jugglering]

Dunno Sachs... what happened earlier ? I was around on Lak's question about mini cheesecakes and prior to that I was helping out in Technology....

[Sachs]

You could of saved me typing all that out :0) xxx

[Jugglering]

LOL... but it was beautifully written !