Off the Topic of Children

I have recently begun decorating cakes and it is something I enjoy immensely, but I've been using box cakes and I'm finding that they are very crumbly and tend to be a little dry. Does anyone have a good cake recipe, preferably chocolate and vanilla, that is good for cake decorating? I usually use fondant and I want something sturdy enough to support some a little bit of weight. Thanks so much!!

My sister-in-law bakes and decorates cakes for her friends and family. She buys the Pillsbury cake mix that advertises that it has pudding in it. I think she also adds a box of instant pudding to the mix. I know that she says it makes the cake moist. Hope that helps!

The Barefoot Contessa mixes are fantastic, but expensive. I usually add either a 1/3 cup of sour cream or mayonnaise to my box cakes and/or a 1/2 cup applesauce or other kind of fruit (like pumpkin) (depending on what I'm making) that makes them much moister. I know people who use pudding too. Just play around with it until you find your favorite.

go to cooks.com. they have good recipies. i have gotten several good ones from that website.

I have a recipe for a vanilla cake that I use all the time. I used to decorate a lot, but now...

Snowflake Cake

2 cups & 2 TBSP Flour
1 1/2 cup Sugar
3 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt

Sift Together then add

1/2 cup Soft Shortening
1 cup Milk
1 tsp Flavoring (I use vanilla)

Beat 2 minutes

Add 4 unbeaten egg whites

Beat 2 more minutes

Bake smaller cakes at 350, larger cakes at 325.

This cake is good with Wilton's Buttercream Icing recipe and is a heavier cake. Good Luck and enjoy!

I know what you mean. Doctor the mix. I add an extra egg (so 4), 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 stick of butter, and a cup of sour cream. Sometimes I also use instant pudding mix. I use that stuff instead of what the box says to use. The extra egg def makes it more dense, but in a good way.