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.
Dancing, baking, chocolate, and my 2 girls make me happy. When I can combine all of those I am in heaven!
Running long distances make me happy.
My family makes me happy!
Cinnamon crunch bagel makes me happy!
That cake stand is so adorible! I’ll have to show my sister. She’d love it too ^.^
seeing my newborn son smile eventhough he doesn’t know what he’s doing!
making cookies with my nephew makes me very happy, Goober who is almost 3 will stick his finger in the cookie dough and go “Mmmm!”
My daughter’s giggles make me happy.
Fall fashion, where girls are all bundled up and cute.
And boys in nice peacoats.
Oh it makes me very happy!
It makes me happy when my boys get along and I hear their laughter from the other room!
My four month old baby boy… sleeping in his swing right now :) And chocolate!
treats make me happy! love your cake. love the cake plate!
getting bit by a baking bug and conveniently having a whole free day to experiment –that is what makes me happy :)
my 19 year old tweeted: My mom is awesome!
that made me very happy.
Watching my kids play together. I have a nine year old boy and a seven year old girl and they don’t have the same interests. He likes Lego’s and she likes animals and drawing. When they find something to play with together, it’s the cutest thing to watch.
Sunshine makes me happy!
Being able to sleep in on the weekend and put the laundry off for a “little” longer ;)
Bakerella, YOU make me happy. =]
a weekend with no plans makes me very happy & handwritten notes in the mail!!
I just got married on August 21… and that makes me very happy! I would love to win the cake stand… it would be a perfect wedding gift!
One rainy day after weeks of sun makes me happy.
My kids’ laughter, the site of them playing (nicely!) together, cake … some days not in that order …
My kids. My husband. Chocolate.
They all make me happy.
…that one pink heart makes me happy!! ;)
Ice cream makes me happy!
Fall weather.
Waking up to a cute little chocolate weenie dog laying his head on my chest giving me “hugs”.
baking & knitting make me happy…so i knit cupcakes!
Being on the water makes me me SO happy!
Sleeping in. ^^
Making cake balls for my family makes me happy. It may have something to do with how much my toddlers love them!!
chocolate makes me happy
Being with my grand kids makes me happy!
Listening to my little cousins’ laughter makes me happy :)
Cuddling with my children makes me happy. :-)
Snugglin’ with my puppy and my boyfriend. Aww.
Jesus makes my soul happy.
Gloomy Bear makes me happy.
My husband makes me happy!
Being with my family makes me happy!
Sunday afternoon naps. Those make me very happy!
That cake is too cute. Baking and card making make me happy. Thanks for the chance to win.
Moleskine planners.
Feeding my family makes me happy.
Cupcakes make me happy!!!!
I love that cake stand! I also love the cake that is sitting on it! The little heart is kind of like a little surprise! I would have to say that chocolate makes me happy…especially dark chocolate. Yum! I guess it’s a good thing that I work in a chocolate shop! : )
being with my family makes me happy :)
Baking. :D
The school supply aisle at Target.
Donuts make me happy! (and my Swarovski donut necklace makes me happy, that you inspired me to buy :)
My sweet Corgi puppy makes me happy!
I have a cranberry pyrex 9 x 13 baking dish that makes me happy.
Watch my little puppy “Rigoletto” playing with his tail..ja ja ja..and me baking in winter and all the house warm and smelling so good!… :D
White Chocolate Raspberry chocolate.. makes me happy!
My sweet and spunky 14 month old daughter…laughing, smiling, and especially saying “Mama” :)
I love feeding people. Making desserts for others makes me very happy.
My husband makes me super happy! I get really giddy when I bake/paint/create something cute…I guess that’s the artist in me :) Oh, and football. It’s really ridiculous how happy watching football makes me!
O its sooooo pretty! 3 things make me happy, when my 4yr old randomly tells me how much he loves me, when my 5month old smiles the sweetest gummy smile you’ve ever witnessed & a good craft project :)
What makes me happy is my family and spending time with them.
Dessert makes me happy. Especially macarons. Mmmmm. Happy just thinking about ’em! :)
Looking forward to something the the longest time.. and the day that finally comes.. is what makes me happy.
My husband and kids make me happy. And chocolate.
Getting through this week will make me happy!
The smell of freshly baked Swedish cinnamonbuns, and apot of coffea….
Dr. Pepper makes me happy
Right now not having this awful cold would make me happy. Otherwise, my dog makes me happy all the time!
Cute cake!!!
Summer makes me happy!
the little things in life – make me happy :)
Made pierogies last night for my Polish husband, and watching him eat them and declare that they tasted just like his mom’s made me very happy.
Baking makes me happy, even if something starts to go terribly awry.
Cupcakes, donuts, all pastries…
they make me happy.
Happiness to me is being with my family, especially my children. Reading your Blog makes me smile, as well !!
My kids make me happy. They are so much fun! I have them trained to tell me that I am beautiful and smart and a wonderful cook. Basically I have brainwashed them into thinking I am awesome.
Cooking in general, but especially baking, makes me happy.
I love the single pink heart!
when i do a cake with fondant and it works out, thats what makes me happy!
The first day of school! Yahoo!!!
The beautiful blue color of that cake stand makes me happy.
graduating from culinary school this week makes me super happy!
Cupcakes with lots of frosting . . . and of course my husband and two kids. :)
my chickens make me happy :)
Banana Cream Pie makes me happy :-)
weekends make me happy!
My children!
Runner’s high makes me happy…and allows me to indulge in all my favorite sweets!
since i’m on a lemon kick right now…
zesting and juicing a lemon, to make a fresh lemon vinaigrette to top my salad of fresh spinach, radicchio, romaine, and idiazabal cheese makes me happy :)
but more than that – my husband makes me happy… he truly is wonderful :)
and here i am: happy happy. :)
My Hubby My FAMILY MY FRIEND!!! BAKING!!
i am happy that i can stay home. because of that i get to watch a little boy for a family in desperate need of a cheap sitter. this might end up being the only blue thing in my house full of girls… :)
What makes me happy: Coming home after a long day and my dog is just as excited to see me as I am to see him.
driving around listening to music <3
Baking and decorating and watching the smiles my efforts bring makes me extremely happy!
Walking every morning with my friend makes me happy.
Naps make me happy!
My baby girl makes me happier than I ever knew was possible! Also, polka dots make me happy! And big bright flowers…especially when my baby girl is dressed in them! :)
Bakerella makes me happy.
Having my favorite tea while I either read a deliciously wonderful book, or a terrific movie like ‘You’ve Got Mail’ or ‘An Affair to Remember’
But something that tops that, is when all of my family is together. <3
Sleeping in makes me happy;)
You did a great job on the cake! Your instincts are right on and photography, flawless. Collette Peters’ white cake or Sylvia Weinstock’s yellow cake are great for stacking…moist, delicious, slightly dense. And I know you’re not into meringue buttercreams (me neither) but they are the most stable under fondant.
Holding all 3 of my girls on my lap at the same time while I read them a book. They are3, 2, and 3 months old.
Thinking up new things to make in the kitchen then surprising my family with them.
Um, that cake stand makes me happy :)
oh oh pick me!
my kids laughing…its the best sound in the world.
PASTRIES MAKE ME HAPPY!
Spending time with my friends and family and sharing my passion for baking with them makes me happy.
What makes me happy (besides cake??) Taking the time to enjoy the lovely summer weather!
my 2.5 year old is the only thing that makes me happier than baking and crafting!
Opening the oven just before the timer goes off because I know my baking is done!
Being at home, in my pj’s snuggling on the couch with my man with a good book, knitting, or a good movie. We both work long hours so those precious minutes at home have to be treasured.
Indie folk music makes me happy. :P
Cupcakes! Cupcakes make me happy!
spending one-on-one time with my daughter makes me happy
What makes me happy? Little moments with my kids. The other night Andrew, my not forgotten middle child, wanted me to sew a button on his shorts. It was 10:30 at night. I was tired. What else is new? So I said sure. Of course. That is what mothers do. So I got out my sewing kit nad I said “this is how you do it.” Suddenly I had two towering teenagers on each side, eyeballing the steps of sewing on a button. They were both completely fascinated with my play-by-play account of how to sew on a button! It was a very happy moment for me, as a mom. And Andrew was very happy to have his favorite pair of shorts not fall off when he put them on.
My family makes me happy and making cakes for them makes me happy. And having a beautiful cake stand instead of some foil covered plate or platter would make me very happy.
My husband makes me happy.
Oh many things make me happy….ordering the pre-sale of the Bakerella cook book made me really happy, I will be jumping for joys when Amazon delivers it! (And I have a thing for cake stands and cake pans!)
Books books and more books! And baking too of course :)
my husband being home after 10 days of being away on business!
Thinking of my mother, she passed away a month ago. She taught me all i know about cooking!!
That cake is adorable! The blue stand and the single pink heart are such great pops of colour.
And there’s nothing that makes me happier than relaxing with my wonderful boyfriend while my cute kitty naps and purrs away.
Having things turn out right
My kids and I…..sitting on the couch (especially on rainy days)…..them watching a movie and me crocheting. Bliss.
Eating dinner w/good friends and family makes me happy.
chocolate makes me happy :)
For stacking cakes, it always looks best when there is at least a 3″ difference between tiers, leaving a 1.5″ step between each. This keeps it from looking too close to that famous tower in Pisa. Oh, and a dab of buttercream in the middle of the dowels will help glue down the layers if you need to transport. Also, 1 long dowel through the entire cake will help too.
Jeans on sale make me happy :)
Summer
Big hugs from my kids! And chocolate! : )
Cuddling with my daughter and baking makes me happy!
My baby (youngest of 6) started Kindergarten last week. She loves it. THAT makes me happy!
The sound of my children laughing and playing together makes me happy!
Oh! I love this cake stand!!! What makes me happy? When the picture of gateau grandeur translates from my head to the cake. I love when something turns out exactly the way I had pictured it.
Also, it would me happy to have a whole day where my children didn’t fight with each other. Hasn’t happened yet, but it would be sweet.
Reading your blog with a cup of coffee is always a way to make my Monday mornings happy.
The color yellow, cupcakes, donuts, glass jars, fruity scents, cute aprons, and cute cake stands make me happy!
This cake stand is just adorable!! I can’t WAIT until your book comes out – I pre-ordered it as soon as you told us that it was coming. I can NOT wait until I can “try” to create the amazing things you do! You are such an inspiration, and I’m taking a cake decorating class in September at our local “mom & pop” shop in town. If I do anything spectacular, I’ll be sure to send you the pictures!
Hearing my DD laugh and sing, makes me happy!
Hugs from children!
baking :)
reading books with my kids is my favorite thing to do and makes me very happy
Baking and sharing all the yummies I make makes me happy.
What makes me happy is a hug from my children…so glad they are still huggers (being teenagers).
thanks for an opportunity to WIN!
Melissa from Naches, WA
my kittens make me happy . . . and BAKING
This is so cute!!! My son’s 1st birthday and my daughter’s 3rd birthday are coming up!! This would make me happy!! Now if I could only make a cake like you!! :o)
Seeing my kids laugh makes me happy. They’re now 19 and 22 and I just love to hear them laugh. I always have.
Baking (quick breads are a new fave) and knitting!
pancakes make me happy!
Rainy days where I’m free to curl up and read, sip tea, crochet, and watch movies make me happy!
My rescued puppies make me happy!! And so does that cake stand!!
baking for friends and family make me happy. It is a passion of mine that is finally being “seen” by others. I LOVE to bake!! And this cake is precious!
Your cake is marvelous!
Happiness is making tasty things in my kitchen and watching friends and family enjoy them.
I’m 4.5 months pregnant. Knowing we will be parents very soon makes me happy!!! ALSO, needless to say right now Sweets make me happy.
Buttercream frosting makes me happy!! Love, love, love it! Your cake is gorgeous, BTW!
Pastries make my happy.
crazy! i’ve been searching for a fun cake stand for the past week! so… i guess you could say this contest makes me super happy :)
Cupcakes really make me happy, and little dogs, and pink tissues.. :)
I love this cake! The blue cake stand really does finish it off! Nice job, as usual.
my kids getting along!
Reading food blogs makes me happy!
It makes me happy that I can finally start planning my wedding now that I have time!
Planning for my wedding makes me happy :-)
Cupcakeries make me happy.
Pink makes me happy, which is why I always buy pink things, like 3 pink cake stands… However, I live in a house full of boys, so a blue cake stand would be much more useful :)
Watching my baby smile in his sleep makes me happy. :)
Anything chocolate and my kids.
Starting to bake again and watching my twin 5 year-old girls so excited to help me in the kitchen makes me happy.
The first mild day after a long hot summer when I can finally open the windows and let the breeze in!
it makes me happy to see that i’m not the only one struggles with fondant. your cake looks absolutely beautiful!!!!
Cakes make me very very happy! And cupcakes too!
OMG this is amazing!! Hearing my grandbabies laugh – THAT makes me happy!
I love to just spend the day in the kitchen trying new recipes. I try to do it at least once a month. It relaxes me and brings me happiness. I also enjoy making cute treats for my grandsons birthday parties. I have three grandsons ages 11, 7 and 3 and they look forward to my creations.
Rain and sweat pants…cuddling with my puppy make me happy!!
The kids going back to school in a week makes me happy. I would love to take a class on fondant, that would also make me happy.
I’m quitting my current job today and starting to work at a bakery making cakes. That is what makes me SO happy!
Warm summer evenings make me quite happy
Summer vacation makes me happy!
spending time with my family makes me happy!
Last night’s potluck dinner with the most amazing friends a gal could ask for made me infinitely happy.
That blue is just an awesome color
I love this cake !
Licking the spoon full of chocolate during a recipe makes me happy !
Ahhhh… just spent a weekend with what makes me happy and missing what makes me happy! Girl’s weekend away – time with friends makes me happy. Missing my 2 1/2 year old… who also makes me happy.
A clean house makes me happy! My kids getting along makes me happy!
Cupcakes make me happy. :)
Sitting on my porch listening to the birds sing, drinking a cup of coffee, and having nowhere that I have to be!
Happiness is my beautiful family, baking (and eating) cupcakes and, of course, waking up to see a post from Bakerella!!
Reading makes me happy…and chocolate!
Clear glass jars make me happy.
My children and chocolate cake
I think I should win this because TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!! Last one of the 30’s and this cake plate would make my birthday that much happier. If only I could convience my husband to put a cake on it!!
Making cupcakes for the kids in my husband’s class!
Cakepops make me happy.
My bulldog & my fiance (just don’t tell him I put them in that order!)
Sharing time with my family makes me happy.
My babies make me happy! Thank you for the opportunity to win one of these awesome plates!
Reading Bakerella makes me happy.
that my two children are best friends…..
Wow this is adorable!! I have been trying ot find more display plates for my baked goods. I like how tall this one is, and I am making a wedding cake soon, and love how you show the process here. Thanks!!
making yummy, pretty desserts that people cannot stop talking about makes me happy :)
Cake of course!
What makes me happy? Watching my 3 and 4 year old play and listening to their conversations when they don’t know I’m watching & listening. Oh, and flowers make me happy! I’m a florist. :)
OMG- i love the cake. The simple pink heart is perfect!!
My precious 2 year old makes me happy and a super cute cake stand!!!
Snickerdoodles make me happy. Yum
Listening to my kids giggle together makes me smile.
My husband!