This is NO fail! Comes out of the pan with a nice firm 'crust' that is so easy to decorate!

1pkg plain white/yellow cake mix
1pkg non-instant vanilla pudding mix (not mixed)
1 envelope Dream Whip topping mix
3 large eggs
1C water
1/4C vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350, grease two 9" round pans (at leats 1 1/2" deep) with vegetable shortening and dust with flour.

Place all ingredients into electric mixer on low speed until ingredients are incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 4 minutes longer or until well combined and the volume has increased.

Pour batter into plans and tap on counter to raise any bubbles in the batter, bake until deeply browned, about 30-50 minutes depending on your oven. Remove and place on rack to cool 10 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knift and invert onto a rack once, then again so that the layers cool right side up. If the tops are too curved, place a clean tea-towel on the top and with your hands, gently press down so that you have flatter, more even layers.

Let cool for at least 30 minutes before frosting.

Wedding cake frosting

2lb confectioner's sugar
1 envelope Dream Whip
Beat those until creamy
Add: 1tbsp white corn syrup
2tsp white vanilla extract (I divide 1tsp ea, vanilla and almond)
Slowly add 1/2C water
Beat until fluffy.

Don't forget to use a 'crumb' coating before frosting, or an apricot glaze.

I hope you enjoy these! For the cake, you can also substitute pink champagne, other fruit juices for the water!

As far as Wilton products go, most are fine, although I MUCH prefer using the clear plastic disposable bags for decorating! No clean-up!

Hi Judy, I just tried to e-mail you but my mail came back undeliverable.

I wanted to let you know that I have a few supplies you can have. I'll list them so that you don't go out and buy new ones before these arrive.

2 Couplers
Rose nail #7
Tips:
Leaf 65, 66 & 68
Rose 101, 104 & 124
Liner 3
Flower 14 & 16

It's not a lot but it will save you a few bucks :) e-mail me an address to send them to.

My all time favorite cake decorating book is The Essential Cake Decorating Guide by Thunder Press.

It doesn't show well when you look it up online but it's absolutely awesome! It has great color pictures on every page and a ton of fun things to do with your cake decorating supplies. They show you how to make it look as if the cake has been embroidered... how to make chocolate roses and leaves. How to mold figurines. That sounds pretty silly when I write it... but next time you're at Barnes & Nobles... take a look at it. It's a seriously great book (I use it for clay art). I think it's only 20 bucks online.

WOW thank guys!
Judy

.I don't know if they are still around but do a Google for Maid of Scandinavia. It was a great catalog service for cake decorating

I wanna go to Glitter's house for dessert!

That frosting recipe sounds yummy...

Is there a good website for cake decorating with recipes? DD gave me a Wilton catalog for Christmas, mainly full of materials to order. In fact, all I could DO on the website was order. That turned me off.

I went to ebay and amazon to compare prices of pans, and they were the same as Wilton. Bummer!

On the off chance I may not make cake decorating my lifelong pursuit, I don't really want to invest my last nickel, if you know what I mean.

Question: Why, in the standard sets of cup measures, is there no 2/3 or 3/4 cup? I guess you have to fork out the big bucks for those. . .chery-va

I made a cake for my neice's wedding (the groom's cake) and started researching some of the sites. Wilton has a great message board forum for cake decorating. Also, for good "how to" information, check out http://www.baking911.com/decorating/101_intro.htm.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.baking911.com/decorating/101_intro.htm

Learn how to Create Professional Cakes At Home For Fun AND Profit!
Visit : http://cake-decorate.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Cake Decoration