This is the first time I have used silicone baking equipment, and the flexibility of it takes a little getting used to. Make sure you put it on a baking tray before filling, or when you try to lift it with liquid batter in, it will flop all over the place.
The silicon smelled a bit funny when it got hot for the first couple of times, but I am told by other people who use silicone bakeware that this is normal, and it didn't taint the cake in any way.
This mould is very easy to use, and gives fairly consistent results. I would recommend using a non-stick baking spray to help your cake not get stuck inside. Also do wait a few minutes before trying to take it out of the mould. My first time I tried to remove it straight away and left half the cake behind in the mould.
The instructions talks about using "1 packet of cake mix, or 2 packets of cake mix". For those of us who actually make our OWN cake mixes, I found an 8oz sponge mix is about the right size (i.e. 8oz flour, 8oz sugar, 8oz butter, 4 eggs). It also says in the instructions to fill both the lid and base with equal amounts, but I found due to the shape that the batter in the lid rose a bit more than the base, so it seemed a bit of a large top for a smaller bottom, so I put slightly more in the bottom one now.
My friends all loved the first cake I made with this, so much that I have had letters from people's daughters begging me to make them a giant cupcake too.
Its very simple to make quite an interesting and fun cake with, and people will be impressed with your cake making skills (now I just need to work more on my piping bag skills!)
I am thinking of making one with green icing on for Christmas and making it like a Christmas Tree - can't wait to try that out!