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Frequently Asked Questions

If your question has not been answered, please contact us.

Most Common Questions & Answers

1
Can I freeze my cakes?

Yes you can - they should last up to three months in the freezer - after that you might notice some drying due to freezing. To freeze your cake simply wrap it in four or five layers of cling film, or seal in a thick freezer bag.

When defrosting a cake, make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and at room temperature before decorating it - it is best to defrost it over night in its wrapping.

Iced cakes sometimes become a little soggy if allowed to defrost too quickly, so slow the process down by leaving them to thaw overnight in the fridge, before unwrapping and leaving on the kitchen surface to bring them up to room-temperature.

2
What should I do if my cake is brown on the outside, but not yet cooked inside?

Cover with kitchen foil and return to the oven. Check your oven temperature isn't too hot

3
How do I ice a cake using Ready to Roll Regal-Ice Icing?

Knead the Dr. Oetker Regal-Ice Ready to Roll Icing to ensure it’s warm and pliable.

Lightly dust a flat working surface and your rolling pin with icing sugar then roll out your Regal-Ice keeping an even pressure.

It is very important to lift and rotate the Regal-Ice as you roll; adding a little more icing sugar to the surface or rolling pin if necessary. This will prevent it from sticking to the surface.

Should any air bubbles appear within the icing these can be removed by piercing with a clean pin.

Continue to roll out the Regal-Ice until it is larger than the cake itself. This will help with the application of the icing. It is recommended that the Icing is rolled out to a thickness of approximately 5mm.

If using buttercream to stick the Regal-Ice to the cake, use a very thin layer and keep in a cool place to prevent the buttercream from melting. We recommend using apricot jam, as it is easy to apply in a thin layer, and has a better 'gluing' effect.

For a marzipanned cake – lightly brush the marzipan with either cooled boiled water or Apricot Glaze, just enough to make the surface sticky. For a sponge cake, thinly coat with Dr. Oetker Apricot Glaze or homemade buttercream.

Gently lift the Regal-Ice over the rolling pin or pick it up with both hands, taking care not to stretch or tear. Position it on the cake.

 Using the palm of your hand or icing smoothing tools, smooth and shape the Regal-Ice on the cake top and sides until it feels silky to the touch.

 Trim any excess Regal-Ice using a sharp knife.

 If embossing or crimping tools are to be used do this while the icing is still soft – Regal-Ice will generally set within 2-3 hours.

Alternatively, you could use Dr. Oetker Ready Rolled Regal-Ice White Icing.  Each disc is approx. 33cm (13 inch) diameter and covers a 20cm (8 inch) round cake.

4
How do I know if my cake is cooked?

To check a cake is completely cooked, simply insert a skewer or very thin knife into the centre of the cake for a second or two and then remove. If the cake mixture is still wet, and sticks to the blade, then the cake needs a few more minutes. If the blade comes out clean – your cake is ready for cooling.

5
Conversion Tables

Simply select the measurement and read off the corresponding amount from the tables below.

Oven Temperatures

Gas Mark

°C

°F

Description

1/4

110

225

Cool

1/2

130

250

Cool

1

140

275

Very low

2

150

300

Very low

3

170

325

Very low

4

180

350

Moderate

5

190

375

Moderate / hot

6

200

400

Hot

7

220

425

Hot

8

230

450

Very hot

Weights

Ounces (oz)

Grams (g)

1

25

2

50

3

75

4

110

5

150

6

175

7

200

8

225

9

250

10

275

11

315

12

350

13

375

14

400

15

425

16 / 1lb

450

Volumes

Fluid Ounces (fl oz)

Mililetres (ml)

1

25

2

55

3

75

4

120

5

150

6

175

7

200

8

225

9

250

10

275

15

425

20 / 1 pint

570

1 1/4 pints

725

1 1/2 pints

850

1 3/4 pints

1 litre

 

Cake Tin Sizes

The general rule of thumb when converting from a round tin to a square tin is to reduce by 2cm (1 inch).

Round

Square Equivalent

15 cm (6 inch)

13 cm (5 inch)

20 cm (8 inch)

18 cm (7 inch)

23 cm (9 inch)

20 cm (8 inch)

28 cm (11 inch)

25.5 cm (10 inch)

6
My recipe uses American cups, what does this equal to?

1 American Cup is equivalent to 250ml, 

½ of an American Cup is equivalent to 125ml, 

1/3 of an American Cup is equivalent to 80ml,

¼ an American Cup is equivalent to 60ml. 

If you are wanting to convert cups to grams, it depends on what you are wanting to weigh for example:

1 cup flour - 5oz - 150g

1 cup caster/ granulated sugar - 8oz - 225g

1 cup brown sugar - 6oz - 175g

1 cup butter/margarine/lard - 6oz - 175g

1 cup sultanas/raisins 8oz - 225g

1 cup currants - 7oz - 200g

1 cup ground almonds -5oz - 150g

1 cup golden syrup 12oz - 350g

1 cup uncooked rice 7oz - 200g

1 cup grated cheese  4oz -  110g

7
How do you descale a kettle using Bicarbonate of Soda?

Fill the kettle to the maximum point and add 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda. Boil and discard the water.

8
What is buttermilk?

Buttermilk is the slightly sour, residual liquid which remains after butter is churned, i.e. milk from the butter or buttermilk.

The flavour of buttermilk is similar to that of yoghurt. You will find it to be slightly thicker in texture than regular milk but not as heavy as cream. Nowadays, most commercial buttermilk is made by adding a lactic acid bacteria culture to pasteurised sweet whole milk or, more commonly skim milk or non-fat milk. After the addition of the culture, the milk is left to ferment for 12 to 14 hours at a low temperature (optimum 69 degrees F.) It is usually labelled cultured buttermilk.

When buttermilk is used in baking it lends a lot of butter flavour without the extra fat of using more butter. Buttermilk has a thick texture and when used in cake making they are extra moist.

9
Why hasn't my cake risen?

  • Oven Temperature - Check how accurate your oven temperature is.
  • Under baking - Oven temperature too low and/or too short a baking time. Make sure you have an oven thermometer to test your oven for accuracy.
  •  Opening the oven door- Did you keep opening the oven door during the baking process?
  • Moving or jarring cake before sufficiently baked or opening the oven door before cake sets. Only open oven door if absolutely needed, one-half to three-quarter's way through baking.
  • Mixing up self-raising with plain flour
  • Over mixing the cake batter - Too much air is incorporated into batter. You should fold the flour in is to add air and retain any that is there already, if you beat the mixture you are beating the air out of it, and that would mean it would not rise so much. Depending on the recipe if you fold in egg whites, if not beaten fully or folded in too harshly, the cake could fall. Even creaming the butter and sugar too much or too little can cause problems.
  • Over or under measurement of liquid or under measurement of flour.
  •  Using too small or large of a baking pan.

10
I have used Sky Blue Gel Food Colour to colour by buttercream, why is it green?

The yellow colour from the butter would affect the final colour in the icing. We suggest using less butter in your recipe and more icing sugar with a tablespoon of milk to create paler base before any colour is added. You can also use a white fat based spread.

11
I have covered my whole cake with Regal-Ice White Icing, can I refrigerate it?

We would not recommend putting the whole cake in the fridge as the low temperature can affect the desired texture and finish of the Icing. For best results, keep the cake in an airtight container.

12
Can I use your Sicilian Lemon Natural Extract instead of lemon juice in a recipe?

It depends on the specific recipe details. Normally you could add the lemon extract to replace the zest that is typically added to baking for the citrus flavour - about 1 tsp or to taste.

However, the juice in the recipe might be required for a specific function for example, in Lemon Meringue pie, you need the liquid from the juice to make the filling which you could not substitute with our Extracts.

13
Can I use Dr. Oetker Gel Food Colours to colour chocolate?

Yes, for best results add a little at a time. Adding too much could cause the chocolate to seize and then not be useable.

14
Can I use Dr. Oetker Cake Release Spray on electric appliances, such as a cake pop maker?

Yes, however as it is an oil spray which can be highly flammable at high temperatures, it should be applied when the machine is cold.

15
If I did not use a whole can of Dr. Oetker Easy Swirl Cupcake Icing, how long can I keep it for?

We would recommend to remove the nozzle and clean it. Wipe off any excess icing around the nozzle end of the can and replace the cap. Store in a cool dry place but not in the fridge. The Easy Swirl can then be kept until the Best Before date printed on the base of the can.

16
How long will Dr. Oetker Easy Swirl Cupcake Icing last once it is on a cake? Does it need to be refrigerated?

The icing does not need to be refrigerated when on your cake and it will keep for about one week but it will need to be kept cool, especially in warm weather.

17
How can I prevent Scotbloc Chocolatey Cake Covering from cracking when cutting into my cake?

Dip the knife in hot water, wipe off the excess water and then cut the cake. The heat from the knife would make it easier to cut through the Scotbloc covering on top of the cake.

18
Can I freeze my home bakes if I have used Shimmer Spray on them?

We recommend using Shimmer Spray once your baking has been defrosted throughly, as moisture can affect they way the Shimmer Spray adheres to your baking.

19
How much Bright Red Gel Food Colour should I use to get a bold shade in my royal icing?

We recommend using 1 tube per 150g royal icing to achieve bright red.

20
How much Gel Food Colour should I use in buttercream to get a bold shade?

To make bold shade buttercream we suggest using 1 tube of Dr. Oetker Gel Food Colour in 175g buttercream icing (butter + icing sugar + milk + colour). This amount of buttercream is enough to cover 6 fairycakes or cupcakes (30g buttercream per cake).

21
Why are there brown specks on my Natural Marzipan?

Occasionally brown specks can appear on the surface of the Marzipan, this is from the almond skin.

22
What is Glycerine and how do I use it?

Glycerine is a natural humectant, which will keep food moist for longer and can be used to soften royal icing. 

We would recommend to add 1tsp glycerine per 100g flour, which can be added to the cake batter with the eggs to give a perceived freshness, and a slightly softer crumb structure after storage.

23
What is the difference between flower paste and fondant paste?

Flower paste has extra gum tragacanth in the recipe which sets the paste firm and enables the paste to be rolled out very thinly and hold its shape without ripping to achieve delicate shapes like flower petals.

Sugar paste (sometime referred to as Fondant paste) is what we refer to as ‘Ready to Roll’ Icing. This is a block of sugar paste that can be rolled out to cover cakes or to create simple models. This will not set as hard as flower paste and you will not be able to roll as thin. 

24
Why are my Cupcake Cases peeling off my cupcakes?

Sometimes if the cupcakes are not baked long enough the cases could peel, as there is more moisture in the cupcake. If they are stored in a container when still slightly warm, moisture can build and cause the Cupcake Cases to peel.

25
Can you tell me if you use any artificial colours in your Gel Food Colours? Do you use any of the Southampton 6 at all?

We do not use any of the Southampton 6 artificial colours that require the warning on pack.

We only use artificial colours where required to deliver bright colours:

Artificial Colours we do use:

E133 Brilliant Blue

E142 Green S

26
What is Polyglycerol polyricinoleate and what’s its purpose?

Also referred to as PGPR (E476). It is an emulsifier which helps with the flow of the chocolate.

27
Can you please help with my Gelatine conversion?

1 sachet = 12g

1 sachets set one pint of liquid (568ml)

1 oz of powdered gelatine would be approx. 2 sachets

When using leaf gelatine 4 sheets is equivalent to 1 powdered sachet (12g)

28
Why has my chocolate bloomed? Will this affect the taste?

'Bloom' happens because the chocolate has at some stage been subjected to adverse temperatures which have resulted in the 'bloom' which is present. This is a characteristic of chocolate and chocolate type products in which in which fats rise to the surface of the chocolate, giving a whitish-grey appearance. Although this may look unsightly, it does not affect the performance of the product, and when melted it returns to its former state.

29
Is Dr. Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella pizza suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, our Dr. Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella pizza is suitable for vegetarians.

The other pizzas in the Dr. Oetker range that are suitable for vegetarians are;

Ristorante Pizza Mozzarella Gluten Free

Ristorante Pizza Funghi

Ristorante Pizza Quattro Formaggi

30
Is the cheese used on the Dr. Oetker range of pizzas pasteurised?

Yes, I can confirm that the cheese used on all of the Dr. Oetker pizzas is pasteurised.

31
Do any of the Dr. Oetker range of pizzas contain MSG?

All of the pizzas in the Dr. Oetker range are free from Genetically Modified ingredients.

32
Are Dr. Oetker pizzas nut free?

None of our pizzas contain nuts.

33
Are Dr. Oetker pizzas alcohol free?

We do not use alcohol as an ingredient or in our production process.