Kelly

How do you make icing on a cake smooth? so its not lumpy or has swirlish marks?

I used store bought icing, and I did microwave it for about 5 seconds, just enough to make it a little easier to get out, But I never could get a smooth surface.

i noticed as it would get cool and harden up (after about 15 minutes) it was harder to spread it.

Whats a trick I need to know for next time. ?

Not Kelly, but when I decorate cakes I use hot water to keep the spatula hot and lightly smooth everything that way. My cakes don't look nearly as good as her's tho, so maybe there is another way.

Thanks dawn!! I thought about that afterwards... But I dismissed it as being too easy... LOL of course I was done by then, and I wasnt fixin it! LOL

hot water works...
I know it sounds weird but milk works too..depending on what I am doing I will usually use milk, I don't heat it though.. I just dip the knife in it and smooth the frosting
I have been meaning to buy some of those plastic smoothers ( I don't know the technical name) that the bakeries use for frosting and fondant, but I just haven't gotten to it yet. Of course the key is to try to work fast so the frosting doesn't have a chance to start setting yet, but 50 things usually have to happen during that time..

My Aunt uses a Bondo spreader, LOl

What is a Bondo spreader?

lol, that might work Erin..
-trax, i think Erin is talking about what they use for autobody/car repair, bondo is a type of compound/putty used to repair rust, holes, etc.

LOL I had thought about a drywall spackle thingy, but the one I had still has purple paint on it... LOL

Thanks y'all.