Birthday cakes from Chinese bakeries [moved from Ontario board]

[cakesncookies]

Does anyone know what type of frosting is used in those birthday cakes with fruit in them at those Chinese bakeries? Considering that the cakes are not too expensive, I'm guessing its not buttercream.

[sweetie]

I would agree with T Long. Each bakery has it's own recipes. I think it would be safe to guess that the cheaper the cake the more likely it is "whipped topping". There are some Chinese style bakeries that are a little more concerned about quality then cost

[cakesncookies]

Thanks for the replies, I guess it is probably just a mixture of whipped corn syrup + oil.. just like in those tim horton's mochas.

[julesrules]

I love it when they ask me if I want whipped cream at Timmy's - why yes I would LOVE some whipped CREAM do you have any????

[Full tummy]

The problem is that most of the people working in these places don't know what real whipped cream actually is. It's surprising, but true, that many people cannot differentiate between Cool Whip, Dream Whip, and real whipped cream.

[wasabi_girl]

I think it's 'whipped topping' much like Cool Whip. As you said, those cakes are so cheap so the corners has to be cut somewhere. To make real buttercream is actually quite expensive considering a block of butter is $5 in the GTA.

[foodyDudey]

I don't buy cakes from Chinese bakeries, and they probably don't buy butter at retail prices also. It's probably closer to $1.50 - $2/lb.

[Blueicus]

you can get 80/20 butter/shortening for that price, but not 100% unsalted butter, which is about double the cost

[mogo]

My usual chinese bakery uses whipped cream, as my lactose-intolerant stomach can attest. :)

[Full tummy]

Which one is that? I'll have to check it out.

[julesrules]

I imagine some ersatz whipped toppings that aren't cream exactly could be high in lactose too though... my friend won't eat that nasty commercial "custard' filling because it triggers her lactose intolerance (and she can eat many real dairy products if they are high enough in fat).. although that just could be a handy excuse because the stuff is so nasty :)

[T Long]

Surely it depends on the bakery... they are not franchises following a set formula

[chocabot]

It's usually whipped cream (or maybe a cheap version of whipped cream).

[toveggiegirl]

Yes, or meringue buttercream.

[Full tummy]

I would highly doubt that it's a meringue buttercream. I have had many of those cakes, and they are always made with some fake whipped topping that I have to throw in the garbage. Disappointing.

[toveggiegirl]

That's too bad. I guess like someone else said below, it greatly varies depending on the quality of the bakery. I hate fake whip too.