[Splodge83]

My wonderful soon to be 7 year old has decided she wants this cake for her birthday. She has her heart set on it and will not be swayed at all.



I have never used fondant before and I am feeling slightly apprehensive of this being my first try. Although looking at it I don’t think it looks too complicated, or am I being really naïve in thinking I can do this? I am no expert cake decorator by any stretch of the imagination but I not a total failure in the kitchen either. I have watched youtube vids on fondant icing and think I could do it, maybe, hopefully!



So a few questions I would love feedback on. What sort of cake? Mud cake? How big do I need to make them? I need to get some new tins to make this anyway so want to make sure I but the right sizes. I’m looking to feed about 40 people. Any other tools I need to create this masterpiece? I have no cake decorating tools whatsoever.



Any hints, tips or pearls of wisdom to share?



And can anyone recommend any good cake decorating suppliers in Perth? I live in Kelmscott but don’t mind travelling if I have to.

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[candj]

That is not an easy cake to decorate if you have never used fondant. Two tiers, 3 icing colours, shapes - wow, that is quite complicated. I have used fondant for single tier cakes, and I would still be apprehensive about attempting that cake. Good luck!

[Splodge83]

Now that's what I didn't want to hear! I was afraid I was underestimating the amount of work involved.....

Argh, what to do now. Damn subborn 7 year olds.

[paddyboo]

yeah, not easy for a beginner. Tell her to hop on google images and search for cakes. Remember, the one in the picture does;t have to be for a 7 year old, you can adapt it.

[suzy-c]

It doesn't have to be fondant. RTR icing (white icing, found next to the marzipan in the sugar isle) works just as well. Those two colours are probably too dark to dye from white icing, though. You might have luck going to a cake decorating supplies place and finding icing already those colours.

As for the people and stars, the rtr icing rolls out like play-doh, so it would just be a matter of finding some templates and cutting them out, pushing a wire through the bottom and leaving them to try for a couple of weeks at least. Nothing can be done to shorten that amount of time, I'm afraid.

[amaza]

Start with single tier. That cake is not easy. I've been decorating cakes for 2 years as a hobby and even then that cake would take a number of hours and probably stress me slightly.

[Bunsen]

You could simplify it and do one 8 or nine inch round - that would give you enough for 40 people if you used a mud cake.

Google ganache under fondant, that gets the best results - fondant is all about how smooth the surface is underneath. See if you can get hold of the Planet Cake book it has step by step instructions and recipes.

If you want black icing buy it ready made, it's really not worth trying to colour it yourself. For other colours use gel colour not liquid.

For the stars you need flower wires (from cake decorating supplier) and get some CMC (again cake decorating suppliers will have it), it's a powder that you knead into the fondant - it will set hard in a matter of hours with that stuff!

[Splodge83]

I have just spoken with DD and we went through some cake books and google images and every cake she wanted was a 2 tier cake

If I didn’t do the zebra effect down the bottom and did hearts and stars would that be easier?

I was planning on buying already coloured ready to roll fondant from the decorating shop, they also have star sprays that I thought I would buy rather than trying to make the sticky up thingies.

I will do a test run this weekend on ganaching and covering a cake with fondant and see how I go.

Do you use cookie cutters for the shapes? How do they stick to the cake, one of the videos I watched showed them applying with just water, is that the best way?

What do I need to take into account if I was to attempt a two tier cake?



Thanks for your advice so far and sorry about all the questions!

[sueb31]

You could do it. It wouldn't be easy and you'd need plenty of time. Buying the colours is a great idea.
One thing you could consider would be to buy a styrofoam top layer.

One advantage of that design is the pattern on the icing - they can cover up the (potential) flaws!!

I like the Planet Cake method and book. It uses chocolate ganache for under the fondant, which makes for nice corners.

One other thing - round cakes are a lot easier than square!

And I used a big rolling mat. So you roll it out on the that and then flip the mat over and peel off...has to be a big mat of course.

Oh, and depending on what brand fondant you buy, you might find the black and red quite sticky. You can always knead in a little white to make a better consistency.

You can freeze the cakes in advance. Take them out to ganache, let them set overnight and then ice the day before the party. If you use a mud cake recipe it will stay moist and not go stale.

All the best and have fun!

Sue

PS The stand up figures would be best made a week or two in advance, ideally with a bit of CMC powder or tylose for strength. Water is fine to glue the stars on with.

The zebra stripes would be hard. Hearts would be way easier.

Two tiers - you need to put the top cake on a board of its own (exactly the right shape when iced) and have dowels or some supporting rods in teh bottom cake I think. I've never tried.

You know, you could still make a really effective cake with just one tier. that would be heaps easier!!

This post has been edited by sueb31: 29/03/2012, 06:51 PM

[chickendrumstick]

Getting the cake assembled is the hardest part. Make sure you have a recipe that you know will work, something basic and not too fancy.
A practice run is a great idea, helps you to work out your timing and lowers the stress levels.
I don't think it would necessarily be easier without the zebra and shapes, it's just the construction that will be the trickiest.
Water will stick it together fine and you can use a cutter or freehand/print a stencil and cut around it.

Good luck!