[Leee]

I am so overwhelmed at the moment, DS2 1st birthday party is on the weekend (little Christmas baby). We have decided on a choc mud cake but I don't know what type of icing to have. I don't really like fondant, so do I just do a basic icing or our local cake supplier has buttercream - would that work? So my options are buttercream, Choc buttercream or ganache- what would you suggest? We plan on a pretty basic cake, shaped in a 1, icing, covered in smarties, a candle.

As you can probably tell I am not much of a cake person

Also, how many days in advance should I make the cake? It is a Saturday party, early afternoon.

[erindiv]

I would have a plain buttercream. I covered DD's birthday mud cake in fondant and it was too much sweetness on top of the already ridiculously sweet cake.

I'd make the cake the day before and ice it on the morning of the party. Buttercream tends to dry out, especially in the heat.

[pinkcupcakes]

mmm buttercream frosting! i would go with a chocolate buttercream but then as pp said it does depend on the sweetness of the cake. i do have a wicked sweettooth

[Leee]

I can get blue buttercream which I think would look cool. Is buttercream ok in 34 degree heat (predicted temperature)?

Would I just decorate it in Saturday? Then store in fridge or just in a container?

[pinkcupcakes]

hmmmmmm well it may not fair so well in the heat, i guess i would do it last minute and then fridge itfor a while, just so it holds up more. not that i'm an expert, though, someone might have a better idea than me!

[erindiv]

I'd do it on the morning and fridge it until it's time to eat it. Awful melty mess otherwise.

[Codswallop]

I would go to the local bakery and ask them to make me a number 1 cake covered in smarties and pick it up on the day! But I'm a terrible mummy!

[MiSS_E]

I always use ganache on mudcake. A nice dark choc one if the cake is overly sweet.

[Daisy Goat]

Ganache or even just decorate with smarties and serve with ice-cream.

Buttercream is vile stuff unless it is the Italian Meringue stuff and even that will be hell on a hot day

[greatwon2]

I always use ganache on mudcake. A nice dark choc one if the cake is overly sweet.

same here, its easy too. Heat cream(i use a pot on the stove) pour over broken up chocolate in a mixing bowl ..let it sit for about 5 mins then stir till silky, when its cooler and thickened slightly pour over cake and let set if you can resist eating it straight away

Don't know if its the proper way of making it lol but it works for me and tastes pretty good