Can you royal ice your cake straight after applying marzipan?

It's not advisable to apply royal icing directly onto marzipan. Marzipan is a mixture of sugar, almonds, glucose syrup, and egg whites, and it has a tendency to absorb moisture. If you apply royal icing directly onto marzipan, the icing will soften and become runny.

To prevent this, it's recommended to seal the marzipan with a thin layer of melted white chocolate or apricot jam before applying the royal icing. This will create a barrier between the marzipan and the icing, preventing the icing from becoming runny.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Cover the cake with marzipan:

- Roll out the marzipan to a thickness of about 2-3 mm (1/8 inch) and cover the cake.

- Smooth the marzipan over the cake, making sure there are no air bubbles.

- Trim any excess marzipan around the base of the cake.

2. Apply a layer of melted white chocolate or apricot jam:

- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler until it's smooth.

- Brush a thin layer of melted white chocolate or apricot jam over the marzipan, covering the entire surface.

- Allow the chocolate or jam to set completely.

3. Apply the royal icing:

- Once the chocolate or jam has set, you can apply the royal icing.

- Make sure the royal icing is the right consistency - it should be thick enough to pipe but not too stiff.

- Pipe the royal icing onto the cake, creating the design of your choice.

- Allow the royal icing to dry completely before serving the cake.