I made a cake and put it on a plate. A pretty blue glass plate that I ordered the other day. It came in this weekend so I decided it must be put to use right away… or else forever be united with my other cake plates that have yet to see the light of day.
So I made a cake. Several of them. I thought it would be a good time to finally venture into the scary world of cake stacking.
Yikes.
But first… mad respect to all the cake decorators out there. I’ve only made small cakes before. This was a task. And I didn’t even do anything fancy.
I made this recipe. TWICE.
The first time I baked three 8 inch cakes. And the second time, I baked three 6 inch cakes and 2 five inch cakes. Use two inch high cake pans and spread the batter evenly among the pans when you bake. You’ll have just enough batter for all 8 layers.
I wanted to try the recipe to see if how well it would work for stacking. It’s not very dense, so it wouldn’t be great for carving. But it bakes up nice and even so there is no need to level off the tops. Yay, one less step.
I baked the cakes at night and wrapped in plastic wrap so I could devote the next day to decorating.
Unwrap a layer and place it on a cardboard cake circle cut to size. Frost the top. Layer on the next one and repeat.
Then frost the sides. This is the called the crumb coat. You just want a thin layer of frosting. It’s okay if crumbs get in.
I placed the layers on top of the cake pan I baked them in as a stand and to make frosting the sides down to the bottom a little easier.
Once frosted as evenly as possible, you can place the cake in the freezer for a few minutes. The frosting will harden and when you remove the cakes from the freezer, you can use a knife dipped in a little warm water to help smooth out any uneven places.
Repeat with the 6-inch cakes. Kinda crumby.
And the 5-inch cakes.
Did I ever tell you that I’m a really, really messy baker? Like real.
When all the cakes are crumb-coated, you can apply a pretty layer of frosting without worrying about tearing the cake or getting cake crumbs on the outside.
Or you can cover them in fondant. Eeek. That’s what I did.
(I used the frosting recipe from this post and doubled it. Triple it if you want to frost it all in buttercream instead of covering in fondant.)
Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence of the covering.
Just imagine I rolled out fondant on a powdered sugar-dusted surface and then carefully placed the fondant over each tier. And then smoothed out the sides.
And imagine that it looked perfect. Because it did not.
Once each tier is covered in fondant you can get ready to stack away.
To stack the cake, you’ll need wooden dowels or even straws to support each tier, so the cake doesn’t smoosh in on itself.
Push the dowel in and mark the height of the cake on the dowel. Remove and use it as a guide to cut the other dowels. I used four for the bottom tier and the middle tier. Make sure the dowels are all placed within the diameter of the tier above it. So the dowels won’t show when you stack them all up.
Then just stack the cakes and decorate.
I cut white fondant hearts to keep a clean, simple look.
Okay, not really. I did it to help hide the slightly uneven surface.
And also because I ran out of time to do anything else.
I think it looks pretty cute. Even if I don’t really know what I’m doing.
What I do know is I need another lesson in covering fondant cakes. And then one in making sugar flowers and of course piping and then carving. And then I’ll need some therapy.
I like it with a single pink heart, too.
But what I like most is the cake stand.
That’s why I bought two of them.
One for me and another for one of you.
Want it?
Enter for a chance to win this happy blue 10-inch glass cake plate.
- Leave a comment on this post and tell me something that makes you happy.
- Deadline to enter is Monday, August 23 at 6:00 pm ET. SORRY, TIME’S UP! Winner announced below.
- One winner will be chosen at random and announced sometime Monday evening on this post.
Good luck!
P.S. Here’s where I bought them.
I’m really glad I choose winners randomly or I’d be in a tough spot. Thanks for sharing all that makes you happy.
Now for the win, it’s comment #3612!
Congrats Angela from Memphis – I’m glad baking makes you happy. Now you have something new to put your treats on.
Today is my 2 year anniversary with my amazing husband…that’s what makes me happy!
I am so jealous of your abilities! I just wish I had the time to experiment more!!
My family and friends make me happy!
And I absolutely love that cake! You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing.
My quiet time makes me happy!
Anything blue makes me happy!!!
But really it is our new place we will be moving into this next week!
My first sip of Diet Coke for the day, curling up with my new People magazine, my daughter and smelling baked goods in the oven all make me happy.
What makes me happy is the timeliness of this post. I’m making a tiered cake for my daughter’s birthday party this coming Saturday and was unsure if I needed supports. You answered my question! Yay!
Spending time with my husband makes me happy!
Baking for my grandchildren and adding this beautiful blue cake stand to my collection would make me very happy.
My hubby and kids make me happy (most of the time ;)
Blue cake stands make me happy :-)
Funfetti cupcakes make me happy :)
That is so cute! I have a cake stand collection at home. I love to make pretty cakes for people’s birthdays and put them on cute cake stands! And I think they love it too; )
The stacked cake is soooo cute! Breakfast while watching waves on the beach makes me happy.
Seeing my cute little nieces and nephews always makes me happy!
Laying around with the family watching a movie eating cupcakes! cupcakes my new found love!! xoxo
Winning cake stands make me happy.
This is exactly something I would do, just to see if I could. It would probably take me three days and hours and hours, but totally worth it. Yours looks amazing.
And I that cake stand makes me happy. Something blue…
cakes make me happy! yum!
Family, friends, and food!
Reading your site each week makes me happy :)
I absolutely love the cake stand!
baking! I wish I was baking right now!
My brand new beautiful baby boy! Oh ya and SLEEP!
Any sort of travel makes me happy. PS. Your cake looks adorable (and amazing!). The stand is so cute, that blue is my current obsession. Cheers!
dark dark dark chocolate buttercream!
My family makes me happy….Thanks for the chance to win.
Bakerella,
Reading your blog always makes me smile, no matter what kind of day I am having ;)
Spending a day at the coast.
Watching my 9 year old daughter twirling around the house and being so carefree – yeah – that’s what makes me happy.
S.W.A.K.
Any kitchen gadget makes me happy!
What truly makes me happy? Being in my own darling little kitchen BAKING!!! (You make me happy, too, Bakerella!)
Being anywhere with my boyfriend. Just being in the same place with him is enough. =)
My kids, the hubby, the dog (usually), reading, gardening, baking, etc. etc. etc.! It doesn’t really take much to make me happy!
Spending time with my family makes me happy. We just spent the weekend at the beach and it was fabulous. :) I wish I could go back already!
Kids make me happy. I do not have any of my own, but love my nieces, newphews, grandchildren-in-law, the little girl I baby site and any kid, that they mom will leave with me for a little while.
feeling my baby kick and wiggle makes me happy :)
Good books and vanilla lattes make me happy. So does anything tiny and cute.
I forgot to say what makes me happy I was so star struck by that cake! My kids make me happy when they are playing with each other NICELY!
My sweet 4 month old little boy REALLY makes me happy!
Reading a good book with a nice cup of milk tea is happiness.
Making new (and old) recipes for my fiance and watching him gobble it up and ask for seconds makes me incredibly happy!
Baking for my family makes me happy. :)
My joy comes from being able to inspire others through my career. People who are passionate about their work and inspire others through what they do… that makes me smile. Love your site!
Your blog makes me happy! I love looking at all the goodies you bake. Can’t wait to buy your book!
My family makes me happy, I love to laugh with them! Fritos also make me happy!
Cupcakes make me happy, oh and hopefully winning that gorgeous cake stand! :)
Cupcakes!!! Make me ooo soo happy :)
One thing that makes me happy is dishes. Lots and lots of pretty dishes in all shapes and sizes and colors. So that web site made me extremely happy! And now I’m off to go back there and drool some more.
Spending time witn my grandchildren and making a dessert that everyone likes makes me happy
sometimes the simple things, like the rice krispie treats I made this weekend, make me happy
Baking makes me happy!
Sundays…time with God and down time with my hubby and kiddos.
Baking and eating cakes!
painting makes me happy(:
Baking sweet treats for my family and friends makes me happy!
What makes me happy is hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies with my two girls, giggling together.
My sweet sweet husband has always made me happy . Even after 30 yrs together!
I actually have four kids in school this year. It’s heavenly.
Crafting with my grandchildren makes me happy.
Warm clean laundry makes me happy. :)
Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies makes me happy. Eating them with my family makes me even happier! :-)
My children and husband make me happy :)
oreos for breakfast :)
Baking and scrapbooking make me happy!
Beautiful cake you’ve made!!
Pretty! And it matches my wedding colors! Want!!!
Seeing my 11 month old dance at the sound of ANY beat, makes me happy!
My new husband makes me happy!
Cheesy music from the 50s makes me happy!
How beautiful that cake is! I am still too scared to try such a huge feat! But if I won that fabulous blue cake pedestal, I might have to try….. You did such a great job.
Cooking makes happy!
Last night my Chef husband made my fave dish from Paris, duck with green peppercorn sauce. And I made a peach pie for dessert!
I am happy sitting and looking at the mountains!
Coffee and NY Cheesecake makes me happy =)
I think your cake looks wonderful! I love the 1 pink heart! My silly cats make me happy. No matter how bad of a day I’ve had, they can always make me smile!
Hanging out with my husband and kids makes me happy!
A comfy chair and a good book!
My sweet baby boy’s smile.
What a beautiful cake plate!
The SUN! I live in Seattle & don’t get to see very much of it, so when I do…it makes me happy!
Beautiful iced sugar cookies, clean white sheets, when my kids are thoughtful, and snuggling with my man! Mmm Mmm…all things happines!!!!
What makes me happy? Finally being home after a three-week road trip; two adults and three kids (plus gear!) in a Scion xB does not a happy Tara make. :)
Sitting in a comfy chair, with fresh baked cookies or cake and a cup of sweet milk tea with a good book makes me happy.
Watching my kids play together makes me happy…
A recipe that goes right the first time.
I LOVE the one pink heart with the white cake and blue cake stand. It’s perfect!
Amazing first dances at weddings make me happy. My best friend was married Saturday and the first dance had me bawling, but in a happy way :)
Baking makes me happy!
A breezy, sunny day when I’m out with my family is HEAVEN!
Big, fat baby cheeks.
Blessings that I never thought would come make me very happy!!!!
Yellow makes me happy. My yellow car. Pretty yellow flowers. Perfectly painted yellow toenails.
I can’t see yellow and not smile.
Especially when it is something yellow that I baked and decorated!
Getting up to a bright and sunshiney morning makes me happy! :)
Watching my husband tickle my daughter so hard she gives a full belly laugh. That and when she happily plays with jello!
Food that is almost too cute to eat!
Snuggling with my daughter. Oh, and chocolate!
Apparently red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting makes me happy. Just tried it for the first time this past week, and I think it may be my new favorite cake! LOL
Beautiful cake!! My kiddos make me happy. There laugh makes me laugh.
Being with my whole family makes me happy! We laugh and have a great time!
My son and my husband, the two best boys in the world.
Beautiful! Walking on the beach makes me happy, so peaceful
Decorating a cake for my family and friends makes me happy – knowing they will enjoy something I’ve done especially for them. ;o)
When I travel to Peru it make me happy
The white cake on top a blue plate just made me smile and is something I thing I would like to try to make.Thanks for all the great ideals!
I think that may be the prettiest cake stand I’ve ever seen!! (Or maybe it’s the cute cake that makes it look so good?) :o)
I think you did a great job! Love the single pink heart – and hey, I don’t know a baker that isn’t messy, it comes with the territory :)
Right now, rainy days make me happy as they are few and far between…
I love the blue plate! My kitchen is accented in blue.
riding my bike makes me happy!
Creative confections brought to life like this beautiful cake! Ah! So sweet and happy!
I enjoy when others can enjoy eating what I bake. =)
It’s been so hot and humid around here that a cool breeze makes me very, very happy!
Being outside makes me happy!
my family…kids, grandkids…I’ve never been the mushy type but these people make me Happy!!!
Football season starting again makes me happy.
Seeing the excitement on my family’s face when I bring them one of my baking creations… They always make a big fuss and it warms my heart. :)
The beach makes me happy!
cake stands make me happy :)
My puppies when they snuggle with me, or when my husband cleans up my messes in the kitchen, haha. That makes me happy!
Sewing and Baking make me very happy!
My puppy Coco!
Starbucks iced coffee on a hot day. Actually, on any day!
lazy sunday mornings :)
There is no end to your talents. You amaze me. Your site makes me happy, and baking makes me happy. This plate would make me BEYOND happy. Thank you, I love all of your posts.
I admire your honesty so much. I am busting into the cake business after getting my butt kicked in the financial industry for almost 30 years! All I want to do is make people happy (you can imagine it’s been tough in that business the last few years). I realized that I can ALWAYS make people happy with a cake or one of my cake bites (inspired by you, btw). Even if it is not a great design, people smile and are impressed. I am going to make it in this business because I am determined to make people smile with my cakes!! And your cake is absolutely adorable! I am constantly inspired by so many people doing this and I’m impressed by the willingness to help one another.
Thank you for your contribution…You should be happy!!
Making desserts makes me happy!
When I start a project (cake, …) I always have some doubt about my ability to do great at it. I LOVE the feeling I get when I start to realize that it’s going to look great :)
Reading your posts makes me happy. Thanks for the chance to win!
Hello Blue! I love you too! My baby moving in my tummy… **giggles** So close, it makes me happy.
My kids make me happy – especially when the older two kiss the “invisible” baby in my belly. :)
The way I feel when my daughter hugs me.
I love cake plates and blue. I am traveling to the site now to see ALL of the cake plates available. Thanks for the link. I love the cake in all of its simplicity. Sometimes we forget that simple can be magnificant!
My kids playing nicely together. And a good book. And a nap. And a night out with my hubby!
The looks on my friend’s and family’s faces when they eat my cake pops.
Cooking, baking and kittens make me happy. :)
That color blue makes me happy! It’s exactly the color of my fiesta dishes, and when I wear that color my eyes match. Peacock!
Watching movies, traveling, baking all make me happy.
What a simple, beautiful cake!
Ok so this was way fun. I love the single pink heart.
Baking definitely makes me happy…and canning, and eating!
We’re adopting and finally on the waitlist :) I’m so happy these days!
Snuggling in my big comfy bed with my hubby and 3 wee ones is pure bliss. That, and unplanned day trips where we have no plans or expectations… so exciting!
Congrats on the fondant! It’s not easy, I know. Try a square cake and you’ll want to curse the skies. I think the hearts were a really cute idea… please don’t be offended if I steal the idea for a future cake of my own.
Snuggling up with my babies!
My grandma makes me happy!!!
Three years ago she had a massive heart attack and a stroke. the doctors said she wouldn’t live through it and that if she did she would be a vegetable, Three years and another heart attack later she is the still my grandma! She just recently celebrated her 80th birthday and I love her to pieces!
(LOVE it! the cake and the stand!)
I just got married a couple of months ago, and ever since then, what makes me happier than anything else is waking up next to my husband each morning
Baking on a rainy day makes me happy!
Having enough leftover icing and cake batter to eat with graham crackers makes me happy.
my husband (of almost a year) makes me oh. so. hhhaaapppppyyyy!! (:
My kids make me happy… when they are behaving. ;)
Bu I have to say that when we bake together, we are all happy!
the perennial clean slate promised by each new school year…
good food, good wine and time with my kids makes me a very happy girl
spending the night in my backyard-in a tent-with my kids! Then coming inside to learn i can win a blue cake stand from BAKERELLA :)
The last day of my summer makes me happy.
Happiness is . . .
children, chocolate, cake, and a glass of milk to round it out. :)
Being home with my little one right now even though I really need a job. I doubt I’ll win this so tell us where you got it!
My family!
My children make me happy! Watching them learn, grow, love each other…
My daughter’s sweet 16 is next month and this cake plate would be BEAUTIFUL to hold the wonky Alice in Wonderland cake we are having at her surprise party….it’s even the right color! :)
Thanks for the inspiration & the chance to win!
Lots of things make me happy. Seeing a happy smile and hear giggles from my children make me VERY happy. :)
Life makes me happy.
It makes me happy when I am “finished” baking and decorating so I can eat it…that’s the best part!! (oh yeah, and when all the dishes and pans are washed.)
Cooking for my husband – kind of cliched I know but I truly enjoy it!
My kiddos and Awesome hubby make me Happy!
Wow! Beautiful! My little boy and hubby make me VERY happy!
Those are too cute!
Well of course my hubby and puppy dogs make me happy, but so does cake decorating : ) Its my creative outlet and big stress reliever.
When I walked into the kitchen the other day and my niece was sitting on the floor with a mixing bowl and a whisk as happy as can be stiring around air! it was the most precious thing!! That made me so happy… :)
Writing and baking make me happy. Also: how excited my dog gets when it’s time for his walk, even though he’s always half an hour early because he can’t read time. :)
my 4 boys make me happy!
The slightest hints that maybe, maybe, Fall is on its way!! This makes me VERY happy!
Love making birthday cakes for my family.
My butterprint pyrex collection and planning my wedding!
Beautiful cake stand and cake! I love the simplicity of the cake. The pink heart adds a great pop.
Snuggling with my husband and son always makes me happy.
The smile of my two children. Some of the simplest things in life make them smile and that smile spreads.
The sound of rain while reading a book…
Playing board games with all the kids around the dining room table makes me happy!
A grande, non-fat, 2 pump, pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks makes me happy
spending time with friends and family makes me happy!
Deserts that take less than half a day to make fill me with joy. But then again so do deserts that take days….
Spending quality time with my family and friends makes me happy. I love the cake you made! Very cute! The blue stand is perfect…I can see why it made you happy. :)
Baking makes me happy!
Spending time with my daughter
Beach days, anything sweet, good books!
My daughter makes me happy!! And a great cupcake!
Crafting anything for my kids makes me happy. . .scrapbooking, sewing, and baking!
My kiddos make me so happy. I love they way they smile at me in the morning when they first wake up… Melts my heart!
My daughter’s crazy curls makes me happy!
What makes me happy is watching my beautiful girls!
I love the blue cake stand… now i need to bake :)
My puppy and baking make me very happy!
Fall makes me happy!
My kids and my hubby make me happy!
The cake looks awesome.
Chocolate anything makes me happy
I am about to have my very first cup of coffee, and that makes me so happy.
My 10 month old son makes me truly happy. Everyday is a new day to him and everyday he is learning something and dicscovering something new and exciting. Being his mother makes my heart sing and I am looking forward in 2 months to be making his very first birthday cake!
Well, looking at this amazing cake makes me very happy! It’s only 8:45 am on monday morning – I’m back home after taking my daughter to scholl and having a cup of coffe with a bite of your beutiful cake makes me even happier! Love the single pink heart!
My two beautiful, healthy children and my amazing husband make me the happiest! Next to that…baking. Finding that perfect recipe to make and then hearing everyone say how wonderful it taste…seriously thinking of opening a bakery one day in the future!
My days off that I get to spend with my 9 month old daughter make me happy.
making the perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies (crisp at the edges, chewy in the middle w/ plenthy of chocolate chunks) and eating it right when it comes out of the oven with a glass of milk. That makes me happy!! yum…yum…
That is super cute! I love the cake too, you did a great job! :) My daughter snuggling with me makes me happy…also, Friday afternoons! :)
So Cute! I’ve always been afraid to try fondant, but I might give it a whirl after seeing the super-cute heart layer cake!
My new baby nephew who will be entering our world today makes me happy!
My 1 year old, who holds my finger while he’s sleeping, makes me deliriously happy.