Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I just made the moist chocolate cake for the first time (also my first ever cake). I had made a lot of mix so cooked another small cake along with it, tasted it and it was brilliant. So kept the larger one, made the ganache and decorated as the Bow Cake in the free tutorials.

Now everything went as well as I could have hoped at a first attempt but is it just me who doesn’t think the chocolate cake and vanilla fondant taste very nice together? Separately probably but for me I almost got a hint of marzipan flavour when eaten together! Rather disappointed as even though it was lovely I wished it would have worked better together considering that is the recipe!

is there anything I could use to make them blend better ? Possibly buttercream in stead of ganache?

Hello squeezychanel

You could use butter cream instead of ganache, it’s personal choice. Paul prefers to use ganache because it gives sharp lines and seals all the moisture into the cake. That doesn’t mean we can’t use butter cream, in fact quite a few members have done. I make orange flavoured ganache, tastes great with chocolate, a natural marriage, just use flavours you enjoy. If you look here http://www.cakeflix.com/questions/buttercream-and-ganache you’ll see an answer from David which may help. There is lots of other information about ganache and flavours if you put in the search box ‘flavouring and ganache’. Using an unflavoured sugar paste might change the taste although I like the vanilla chocolate combo and can’t say I’ve ever noticed a marzipan taste.

@madeitwithlove – thanks for your answer! The ganache was fine but didn’t know if maybe the buttercream would help marry the chocolate cake and fondant more harmoniously. Maybe a milk chocolate ganache instead of dark would help? Who knows! Looks like I will be experimenting with flavours!!

ps. orange flavoured ganache sounds amazing!

Experimenting with fillings and coverings is always a good idea. Make small cakes just for home use and try the different tastes. I never use milk chocolate so can’t comment on how it would taste. Orange ganache is amazing but then there are so many other equally amazing flavours. Another favourite is passion fruit. Then there are all the liqueurs bursting with flavour. I hope you find something you like. x

Hi squeezychanel.I do agree with you and I also have customers who don,t like fondant and ganache.it does make. Sharper finish.try mixing half fondant half modelling chocolate and add your own flavours to the white choc