For many bakers, especially those who just started out, one of the biggest challenges isn’t making the cake itself or decorating it, it’s usually how to transport it without any problems. You can spend hours mixing, baking, frosting, and decorating the cake, only to have all this hard work go to waste during delivery. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new baker who is still figuring out this whole delivery process, or an existing baker who is still trying to get it right, transporting cakes feels like walking on eggshells. Let’s look at common cake delivery issues, and tips to avoid it.
What Could Go Wrong?
Transporting a cake is more than just putting it in a box, and hitting the road. A lot can go wrong, to be honest. I’ll let you in on some scenarios bakers dread.
Slipping layers: You don’t have to worry about this if you have a single layer cake. But if your cake has multiple tiers or layers, it can shift or slide if it’s not properly secured. Slipping layers usually occur when there’s sudden braking or sharp turns while driving.
Melted frosting: If the weather is too warm, the car doesn’t have air conditioning, or you get stuck in traffic for several hours, the frosting can melt which ruins the cake’s appearance.
Smudged decorations: What’s a cake without a good design right? Some clients can demand an intricate design, which can get smudged if the cake moves around in its box or if the box itself isn’t stable.
Collapsed structure: If the cake doesn’t have good support, it can collapse during transportation, especially if it’s tall or heavy.
Condensation issues: If the environment is humid, condensation can form on the cake. If that happens, colors will begin to run or the fondant will become too sticky.
Uneven surfaces: Placing the cake on an uneven surface during the ride can cause the cake to tilt or fall.
Tips for Safe Cake Transport
Firstly, you need to invest in a well-fitted cake box. This box is meant to be sturdy, so as to protect your cake from dust, bumps, and movement. But while purchasing these boxes, make sure they’re the right size for the cake.
Secondly, you need to refrigerate your cake before you transport it. If a cake is chilled, it’s less likely to smudge or collapse. You can use a non-slip mat underneath the cake box to stop it from sliding around in the car.
For tiered cakes, you can use tools like dowels or straws to support the structure and keep the layers from shifting. Always place the cake on a flat surface in your vehicle. The floor of the car is usually better than placing the cake on the car seat. While driving, you will eventually run into sharp turns which may require sudden braking. In cases like these when it can be avoided, drive carefully through it. Or you can plan your route to avoid bumpy roads or heavy traffic.
Lastly, all of these are all tips you can take into consideration. But sometimes, casualties still happen which is why you need a small kit with extra frosting, spatulas, and piping bags to fix any minor issues when you arrive.
Conclusion
Moving a cake from the kitchen to where it needs to go could easily go sideways, literally. The layers of the cake could slide, the frosting could melt, or the cake would tilt. But if you use a strong cake box, keep the cake chilled, and drive slowly, you can avoid all of these problems.
