Baking your own cakes is fun, but icing them is the real joy and challenge!
- Make sure your cake is cool. If it's still warm, it can ruin the icing. Put it in the fridge, or leave it at room temperature for a while longer.
- Get some icing sugar. Do not use normal (granulated) sugar, as it is not fine enough. Use proper icing sugar. For a cake which is 9 inches in diameter, you will need several tablespoons of icing sugar. Spoon your icing sugar into a bowl.
- Boil some water. You will only need a small amount, so don't go wasting energy by filling up the kettle to the top!
- Pour some boiling water on to your icing sugar. Using a teaspoon and a very steady hand pour one teaspoonful of boiling water into your icing sugar.
- Stir and check. Mix around the sugar & water mix, and look at the consistency. If you find it too thick or lumpy you'll probably need to add another teaspoon of water. Stir again. Keep stirring and adding tiny amounts of water till you get the right consistency. If it's slightly too runny, add a little more icing sugar.
- Color or flavor it. White icing is ok, but it can be improved by adding color or flavorings. Now is the time to add them. Be careful - colors and flavors are very strong. Add 2 or 3 drops, then stir, and taste and look at it to decide if you want any more. Do not pour half the bottle in!!