tropit

OK...the kids talked me into it. I'm going to enter my Hummingbird Cake in our local fair. I've never entered anything in a fair, so I'm a total neophyte at this. The cake is to be presented to the judges as 2 layer, 1/2 cake + 1 slice.

My original recipe is not plant-based and I'm tempted to make it so by using an egg substitute and almond cream cheese. I may be asking for trouble with that, though. The judges may not like the taste of the almond cream cheese, or the cake might be too dense.

I'm also worried how to transport the finished cake, when to bring it in and other strategies. If you've ever entered a fair with your baked goods, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks!

~ C

osewme

Here are some tips for the big day. I know the first site deals with decorated cakes but looks like there are good general pointers that you could glean from:

https://www.craftsy.com/cake-decorat...e-competition/

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/baking-ti...-win-prizes-2/

Also, you might visit a bakery & ask about how they transport cakes. I think you could get some good tips from them.

Good luck & most of all....have fun with it!

Tartan

​Here in Canada, you can buy cardboard cake boxes at the Bulk Store for about 50 cents. There are also 1/2 plastic cake containers that snap shut but I think you would need to go to a cake decorating store or a kitchen shop?

PamelaOry

Your local grocery store bakery might be willing to give you a cake box... good luck in the competition!

Rhonda K

Enter the original recipe for your cake. I wouldn't change any ingredients unless you have worked with them before in this cake.

Good luck! I want to be a judge!

KalamaQuilts

any cakes and cookies entered by people I know start with lots of sample making and recipe tweaking from those.
Poor families. Oh well, someone has to eat all those goodies

Tartan

​If they have a category specifically for plant based recipes, then you might have a good chance of winning. If however it is not a specific category, stick to the original recipe. Taste gets the most points here but the overall decoration gets points as well.

tropit

Thanks everyone! These two articles above are great. I am not entering a, "cake decorating,' competition, just the, "layered cake with frosting-other," category, but there are still loads of great tips.

Also, I have never heard of a 1/2 cake container. I'll have to go online and check out some cake making supply stores.

I'm sure if I asked the bakers at my local Safeway, they would give me a box.

All wonderful ideas!

~ C

tropit

BTW...my daughter is entering the pie category for the first time as well. So, if you have any tips about entering pies too, we're all ears.

(This fair is going to wreak havoc on my continuing, weight-loss efforts...augh!)

~ C

tropit

One good idea that I actually came across when I was making my kids wedding cake was to insert dowels into the cake and hide them with frosting. They help to keep the layers straight and to keep it from slipping during transport. (I assume that is OK with the judges. I'll have to ask.) Also, I should bring a fix-it kit with me on moving day.

~ C