docsquid Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 One of my husband's friends helped him when he had a hardware compatability problem when building his new computer. Without me being there, he promised his friend that I would bake him a cake by way of thank you. Now, I haven't been baking cakes very long. I'm getting better at it, and I think they taste fine. I'm happy to offer a slice of a cake to friends after I have tried it out. But the thought of baking a cake for somebody else just fills me with dread - I am terrified at the prospect. So much so that I've been having nightmares about it, and feel sick at the prospect of it. DH is getting progressively more insistent that I bake a cake for this chap. Also, he is a very grumpy and very critical chap, and I'm sure he'd tell me very bluntly what he thinks of the cake. Also, he wants a cake that I haven't done before (rich fruit cake). DH keeps telling me that the next cake I bake must be for this chap. I managed to get away with it on Monday by saying (truthfully) that I hadn't got enough fruit, so I made us a lemon drizzle cake. But...I really can't get away with it any longer as DH says the next cake really must be for his friend. I have told him I'm nervous and don't want to do it. I have offered to go and buy a cake for his friend from Marks and Spencer's, or buy him a nice bottle of wine or whisky or whatever. As I feel at the moment, there won't BE a next cake. I simply can't make myself bake anything in case he gives it to his friend, even if it isn't the right sort of cake. Why won't he let me just buy a present for his friend instead? It is worrying me sick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 in all honesty I would be hopping mad with my husband if he promised I would do this, as I understood it the favour was for your husband?? so let him bake the cake. your husband must be well aware of the cakes you make and your likes and dislikes in this area so I feel it very unfair to you.. if all else fails do you know a friend who bakes cakes?? or bung him a lemon drizzle and say rich fruit cake is not your thing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 naughty OH! Shall I send one up to you? Seriously, fruit cakes are a doddle, you'll be fine m'dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 If it makes you feel that bad I wouldn't do it. I would perhaps buy a cake and say you haven't had time - or be honest, tell him you've never baked a fruit cake before. Tell your DH that you're worrying over it, perhaps he doesn't realise exactly how you feel about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Hi Doc, shoot your husband, and eat the cake.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 It does show your husband is proud of your baking skills I have a foolproof and deceptively simple fruit tea bread recipe I'll send you. I normally keep it secret because I get so many compliments and no one realises how easy it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I can understand where you're coming from, I don't have much confidence when it comes to baking either . I think it's really mean to expect you to do this when he knows you're unhappy about it. Why don't you buy a cake and then ruffle it up a bit and put it in tin foil. Who's to know . If he complains about the cake then you can tell him to complain to Messrs Marks & Spencer or whoever . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I'd make it, but when you hand it over explain honestly that you hope it's ok because you haven't made one before. that way his expectations will be less and he is much more likely to enjoy it and compliment you on it. Your husband obviously has confidence in your skills, but it was a bit cheeky to put you forward without asking you first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Husbands! The good news about rish fruit cakes is - they don't really have to rise. So you haven't got that "moment" when you open the oven door when making a sponge cake and just hoping to see a well risen cake, rather than a flat pancake... (I've been there.... ) My suggestion, for what it's worth, is go ahead and try one. But do a nice square one, and ice it. That way you can cut an inch or two slice of two sides as a taster, and you can see if you are happy with it. And then if you cover it in marzipan/icing (just get ready-to-role stuff from shop) he need never know that you cut anything off. And be good practice for making your own Christmas Cake this year And if you do give it to him, and he is critical, you know never to make anything for him again, and not give him any eggs, and make sure your OH knows never to promise anything to anyone again! (NB - I made my first rich fruit cake at the weekend. It was for a friends wedding cake - so plenty of pressure! But it went OK, and wasn't as stressful as I first thought. just allow lots of time, so you are not rushed.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Does anyone have a good (foolproof ) fruit cake recipe? I've never tried one either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Thank you girls. It does say to me that DH is confident of my baking skills, but I'm not! I have made fruit cake, but a light fruit cake (Dundee cake) not a rich fruit cake. It seems to disappear quite quickly whenever I make it. The idea of icing it is good, and it allow me to put it off until I've got some marzipan and icing sugar! I don't have a square tin, just a loaf tin and round tin, but I could use the loaf tin and cut the ends off to check! I think in a year or two, when I'm used to the new oven and I've done a variety of cakes, then I'll feel happier about offering them to other people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Bad husband for 'volunteering' you, but in a nice thoughtful way as he seems to have been trying to thank someone in the nicest way with something personal made with (your not his!) time. I think with this sort of scenario, making it look attractive will make a good impression, he'll expect it to taste good if it looks good, so ice it simply with a pretty ribbon around it and get one of those cardboard cake boxes maybe, and most importantly stop worrying - how can you go wrong with all those delicious home grown eggs?! Good luck, but I'm sure you don't need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Make the easy peasy Xmas cake - that is on the forum - foolproof & gorgeous! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 mrs clucks mothers cake is so easy anyone can make it and its gorgeous - may I suggest you double up and make two and then you will know what it tastes like!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Well, I haven't done icing since I was a child, so I'll have to make at least one cake to practice on before doing it for real. The thought of buying one, roughing it up, and giving it to him is very tempting, as I know then that it will taste good! Or I could get my sister in law to make one, as she is a professional cook/caterer. Hmmm... If only he'd said I'd knit him a scarf or something - that's something I can do with confidence! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I feel your pain.............. When I had to cater my Mums funeral wake,it sent me into a right tiz,as although I am a pretty confident baker,it was the focus that was going to be on what I had produced I ended up making lots of loaf style cakes,like lemon drizzle, tea bread & so forth,as I found that they were reliable,quick & easy.Most of them you just bung all the stuff in together & beat! I also used some nifty cake tin liners from Lakeland,which were brilliant & meant that I didn't have to worry about the cakes sticking to the tin Your hubby has been naughty though,although he must think you bake a cracking cake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Well, I haven't done icing since I was a child, so I'll have to make at least one cake to practice on before doing it for real. The thought of buying one, roughing it up, and giving it to him is very tempting, as I know then that it will taste good! Or I could get my sister in law to make one, as she is a professional cook/caterer. Hmmm... If only he'd said I'd knit him a scarf or something - that's something I can do with confidence! Just get roll out icing - it is so easy, looks good, and is nice and smooth! Better then trying to use all the glycerine etc and boiling things over the stove... Or you could always knit the icing......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Hi Doc, shoot your husband, and eat the cake.......... I'm with WW on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Yup, more cake for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Well, I've talked to him again, and he's agreed to do something else by way of a thank you for his friend's help. Thank goodness. I might even be persuaded to part with a box of my girls' eggs as well. It is a relief. Now I can get on with making cakes and trying out new recipes in the sure knowledge that I can at least check that they're edible before a slice is offered to somebody else. I have tried some of the recipes on this forum, including Clare's lemon drizzle cake, and they are excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Great news. Wish you were nearer, then we could have a bake-in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 .....and do try Missuscluck's mum's easy peasy Christmas cake .....it really is easy peasy and is so very very yummy & simple to "personalise" with other ingredients I'm glad DH has seen the light, sometimes they have the best will in the world but are blind to the effect their actions have on others I agree getting to know your oven is vital.......I tried a well tested recipe in another oven the other day & ended up with a burnt offering only suitable for the birdtable & chook bowl ......my baking reputation would have been in tatters had I not taken a baked at home cake there the day before & had a friend who has munched on many of my previous offerings vouch for my normal results being very edible Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 You could try a bara brith to start off with... Mix 12oz luxury dried fruit with 8oz soft dark brown sugar and soak for 4 - 8 hours in half pint hot strong tea. Add 1 beaten egg and 10oz self raising flour Bake at 150 degrees C for 1.5 - 1.75 hours. It's really easy and always turns out great. Nice spread with some butter too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Naughty naughty husband He should have first checked with you that you were okay to do it before telling his friend you do it. Surely , he should be the one to make the cake as it was his computer his friend was helping with? I know you don't have to make one now, but if you were to try a fruit cake, and I am not very good at them either, I'd try Delia's boiled fruit cake. It is very moist and tastes amazing, and it very very easy to make. I lie; it's not Delia's, its Sainsburys! Here it is, if you'd like to have a go. Co"Ooops, word censored!"ly grated rind and juice 2 oranges Dark rum or water 175g butter 175g muscovado sugar 600g total mixed dried fruit - whatever you fancy (or 525g fruit 75g walnut pieces) 250g plain wholemeal flour (plus a bit extra) 1 tsp bicarbonate soda 1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional - I didn't use as I don't like cloves) 2 large eggs beaten Place juice into jug and bring up amount to 300ml with water or rum. Put into saucepan with butter and sugar. Melt butter and sugar over a low heat, then stir in rind, fruit and nuts if using. Bring to boil, then remove from heat and leave to cool. Meanwhile heat over to 180 deg C, 350 deg F, Gas 4. Grease 7" round deep tin or 6" deep square one, line base with parchment paper and dust with flour. When fruit mixture is cool, stir together flour, bicarb and cloves. Stir in the mixture from the saucepan, then thoroughly stir in eggs. Pour mixture into tin and bake for about 1 1/4 hours or until tip of a fine skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave in tin for about 10 mins, then loosen side with palette knife. Turn out, peel off paper, then place base side down on a wire rack to cool completely. If possible, store in air tight tin for a couple of days before eating (though it tastes really nice straight away ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 That sounds like a very good recipe. DH has said I can give some eggs to his friend instead, BTW. I'm happy with that, as they are laying three a day, and I've managed to fend off Blodwyn's broody tendencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
