7 useful tips!

It’s every baker’s worst nightmare: So many hours spent on your work and then… your cake gets damaged! An accident can always happen of course (watch out for banana peels) but with these 7 tips you can be sure that you have done everything to prevent a drama!

1. Sturdy cake boards

Of course, it starts with the base, the foundation. A sturdy cake board ensures that it does not give way to the sides when lifted. A little bit of play in the cake board quickly causes damage to the buttercream!

Preferably choose a cakeboard with a wooden base. For example our MDF cakeboards . These are incredibly solid and give your cake the support it needs.

2. Choosing the right cake box

a) Width of cake box

While it may seem logical to choose a cake box that fits the diameter of your cake exactly, it is safer to opt for some extra space. This way, the sides of the box are less likely to be damaged during transport.

As a rule of thumb, you can choose a cake box that is at least 5 cm larger than the diameter of your cake including decorations.

Example: If you bake a cake in an 18cm round tin and you add a layer of buttercream and decorations which add a total of about 2cm extra to each side, then the total diameter of your cake will be about 22cm. This would fit in a 23x23cm cake box, but it is safer than opting for a 25x25cm cake box.

b) Height of cake box

Of course, also consider the height of your cake boxes. Are you making a stacked cake, wedding cake or other high cake? Then you will find various options for this on this page for high cake boxes .

c) Cake box with window

Experience has shown that when you give your cake to your customer, they will be more careful with it if it has a window. This way it is immediately visible that it is a fragile product.

d) Matching cake board

Make sure your cake board fits exactly in the cake box. This prevents the board from sliding around in the box. Did you know that we have combination deals ? For our cake boxes you get a discount on a matching cake board. This way you know for sure that you have a matching cake board, and also that you order it with a discount!

3. Internal support

Are you making a high cake? Then it is wise to use dowels or other support rods. This gives extra stability and prevents the layers from sliding.

By the way, did you know that we also have super handy cake boards with a hole to place a dowel in? Perfect for wedding cakes and other tiered cakes.

4. Transport by car

A common mistake is to place the cake box on the passenger seat. Avoid this at all costs, as these can be tilted and cause the cake to tip over. It is important to transport the cake on a flat surface. Use the trunk or the floor in front of the passenger seat for this.

If you transport cakes yourself, you can use anti-slip material. Place an anti-slip mat or material under the cake box. This prevents the cake from sliding during transport.

And it seems obvious, but avoid sudden braking and sharp turns. Drive carefully and anticipate traffic to avoid sudden movements that could damage the cake. If you deliver your own cakes, you can, for example, choose to have a sticker on your car “cake on board”.

5. Temperature

When transporting, it is important to keep an eye on the temperature. Buttercream and other ingredients melt very quickly at higher temperatures. Make sure the car is cool before you leave and use ice packs if necessary (but do not place them directly against the cake) to keep the temperature down.

Also place the cake box out of direct sunlight to prevent discoloration of fondant or melting of buttercream and decorations.

If you know the cake will have a long travel time, avoid using decorations that can spoil or melt quickly, such as fresh whipped cream.

6. Assemble the cake on site

If the cake is very large or has delicate decorations, consider assembling certain parts at the destination. This will minimize the risk of damage during transit.

7. Emergency plan

Do you have the possibility to finish the cake on the spot? Then bring a small repair kit with extra buttercream, spatula and other necessary items. If something does go wrong, you can make small repairs on the spot.