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.
Donut shops make me happy.
The look I get from my customers when they see their cake for the first time! Its a high for me! I had never had so much satisfaction from a job as I do with cake decorating.
If Im stressed, I play with gumpaste which is so theraputic for me. So its a win, win situation for me!
My new kitten makes me happy! Also, a few weeks ago when I took purple and green cupcakes with dinosaur sprinkles to work and the adults acted like it was the best thing they’d had in forever, that made me happy too.
doing something nice for someone else makes me happy : )
Being able to express myself, written word and photographically, make me happy.
Cuddling with the love of my life in our sactuary, aka bedroom, also makes me mindlessly happy.
BEAUTIFUL cake. It inspires me.
Arriving home yesterday, after being away for far too long made me happy.
My family makes me very happy…that and baking :o)
Cake with too much frosting makes me very, very happy :) Also, books and down comforters!
Hmmmm, what makes me happy…..thats an easy one, when my girls, ages 9 and 14 belly laugh, its the best sound in the whole world! Even if they are belly laughing and its in a restaurant where we are to be using our best…GULP…manners. :o)
P.S., I love the cake with the one pink heart, its Clever!
Hugs
Maureen :o)
Beautiful summer weekends make me happy :)
Your cake is beautiful.
sitting at my computer and watching the silly birds at my bird feeders – that makes me smile every day — especially when it is raining and the birds are all wet!!
Beautiful cake! What makes me happy? Being with my husband and our children! and rain makes me happy too.
After my kids, being surrounded by animals makes me happy!
that i’m leaving for NYC today :) :)
When Im sitting outside on a 66 degree fall day and watching all the kids in my neighborhood frolic in the leaves, while i watch my guinea pigs nibble on grass and do their little happy jumps. That is what makes me happy.
Dainty jewelry makes me happy.
LOVE IT! The first fondant cake I made was for my daughter last year. It was a Yellow Submarine – Beatles – Flower Power cake. 3 stacked levels – had no idea what I was doing. But it turned out great! Not perfect but pretty good. Did not have any instructions – so the whole dowel thing was not used. Wished it had been, because it did settle a bit, but not too bad. Only I noticed it. I would love to win this stand because it is her FAVORITE COLOR. I am starting to slowly gathering things for her to take to college in two years. This would be a great addition.
I think this is a LOVELY cake!
Wow, what a treat it would be to win tis plate!!!! I LOVE the color! Crossing my fingers and toes….
Going to my fiance’s family’s house and making them baked goods that they love makes me happy!!
My family, and baking for them – WITH them, makes me happy! :-)
Fall makes me happy!
Wow! What a pretty plate! The thing that makes me happy is…HUGS. my love language is totally touch. I love hugs from my husband. We are celebrating our 7 yr anniversary today and we have 3 beautiful daughters who give the best hugs and kisses!!
Your blog makes me happy! This cake is adorable!
My husband makes me happy
Watching my family enjoy something I’ve made by hand makes me very happy :-)
Cardigans makes me happy.
My family! :)
my baby girl in the crook of my shoulder
Your blog posts make me seriously happy! ;) NO joke! :D I look forward to each new post! :D
Homemade smoothies also make me really happy (had one for breakfast today). ;)
Blessings!
~Miss Rachel~
Creating sweet treats for my kiddos makes me happy!
Fall makes me happy! It’s almost here!
Cake makes me really happy
Going to the zoo with my son and husband always makes me happy.
Curling up with a good book, forgetting my to do list and enjoying the book makes me happy.
Baking with my kids makes me happy!!!
Working in my art studio with a big warm cup of coffee.
Creating something makes me happy… in the kitchen, on the sewing machine, in the craft room! :)
The cake is beautiful and I love the blue cake stand! When all my kids are in bed at night after a long day of playing. I feel so happy when it’s my time!
Your baking and ESPECIALLY this cake and cake stand make me really happy. so cute and beautiful!!
The fall season makes me so happy!
The wait was too long, it’s so close!
My dog!
Spending time with my family.
My dog Sadie makes me happy. She is always doing something to bring a smile to my face.
So many things… Since we’re talking baking I’m gonna say my plastic measuring cups from Rubbermaid. In got them at the grocery store because I couldn’t resist the bright assortment of rainbow colors. I have them hanging from under a cabinet so I can always see them, and they make me happy every time I use them.
I love this cake stand–the blue is just awesome! Spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking makes me happy ; ) There’s nothing better than making good food and treats for your family!
Great Job!
My family makes me happy. And new born babies.
Banana Pudding makes me happy! Oh to have some to eat this afternoon.
You made THAT and you don’t know what you’re doing? bahahha… my first attempt will look like something made in a preschool.
What makes me happy… not gonna lie, food. :}
My dog wagging her tail in her sleep makes me happy. :-)
Love this cake! Super adorable!
good food & good company!
(I just love cooking for friends and family)
Spending time with husband and daughter make me happy. Also, cupcakes…I love cupcakes
Something that makes me happy… :) Baking… LOVE baking… it’s like therapy.
time with my family makes me happy.
Being with my kids and my husband makes me happy!
knowing that fall is just around the corner is what makes me happy!!
Bread makes me happy. :P
My husband makes me happy!
The first day of fall after a hot summer makes me happy.
Smiles from any and all of my kids!
I’m happy when my day involves 3 things: 1- running 10k + 2- good work on my litterature thesis and 3-baking. Preferably baking and decorating a cake and/or baking sourdough bread.
Spending time soaking in God’s creation makes me happy!
Traveling and dessert!
What a cute cake. Love the cake with the one pink heart. So simple but so pretty.
a single pink heart on a white cake on a beautiful blue stand make me oh so happy! lol! your cake is delightful!!
I’d say happiness for me is being with friends and family.
My family makes me gloriously happy, and cool cardigan weather. If it could be fall year round I’d be in bliss.
Baking with my toddlers makes me happy.
Cereal makes me happy.
Wonderful job on the cake! It is beautiful.
Love the cake plate too.
What make me happy…..hummmm?
My kids, chocolate, naps, pasta, cake, cookies, naps, and well, naps.
Thankyouverymuch!
Sleeping in makes me happy.
Spending time with my loved ones make me happy =)
any time spent with family and in the kitchen!
My kids, always my kids.
My 9 month old Juliette makes me the happiest. :)
My family and fall season makes me happy. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m a mother but also I work and study! My days are crazy, but what really keeps me going and HAPPY is the idea of my daughter waiting for me before going to sleep. This is our moment!!! Besides this, making CUPCAKES really makes me happy!!!!
What a beautiful cake! I love the simplicity of the white; it looks stunning and elegant with the blue cake stand!
The thought of winning this blue cake stand!
Cake stands and candy and naps all make me very happy! :)
A big hug and kiss from my girls or husband!!
The cake looks beautiful! Snuggling up with my hubby on the sofa, with our boy and our cats close by makes me happy.
My husband makes me happy and he would be happy for there to be a cake on that beautiful cake stand!!
My husband and my family make me happiest of all :-)
So cute! I’d love one!
Baking for others and seeing them smile as they take the first bite… makes me happy!
And of course, shoes and blingy/beady jewelry – what girl wouldn’t be happy at that sight! =)
Love the cake! Super cute!
FOOD makes me happy! :) Hence the dreaded diet I have started. :(
My family and friends make me happy…and so does anything SWEET! :)
sharing a secret look with my husband. :D
My husband and children make me happy :)
Your Cake looks awesome. Love the idea of the hearts all around, I might have to try that. Any kind of cake makes me happy.
WATCHING MY KIDS TOGETHER MAKES ME HAPPY, ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS SO WORRIED MY SON WOULDN’T LIKE MY NEWBORN AND BE MEAN TO HER. HE’S NOT, HE’S THE SWEETEST BROTHER EVER!
I love it! And my children make me happy :)
Baking makes me happy! Inless I screw up and get frustrated…
Teaching my daughter how to bake makes me happy !
The sound of my daughters laughing makes me happy.
My four kids make me very happy!
Eating yummy baked goods makes me happy!
food
Hugs from my kids make me happy, but so does double chocolate fudge cake & a quiet house!
my husband makes me happy
Taking photos, wherever wherever. Capturing life and revealing it’s simple beauty and complex stories, that’s what makes me happy.
Creating a new dessert always makes me happy, today being the first day of school makes me happy to still at least have one child at home with me. Sad that my little girl is a 1st grader! :(
Pinkberry yogurt makes me happy. I’m such a sucker.
My two kids and hubby make me the happiest!!!
Baby giggles make me happy.
Your cake looks wonderful. The blue plate really makes a statement.
Macarons make me happy!
masperle@austin.rr.com
A cup of jasmine green tea in the morning makes me happy.
Being the one who gets to sleep in on a Monday morning makes me happy. And hugs and giggles from my children when I wake up!
Grilled cheese sandwiches make me happy.
Warm cookies.
Sketching a cake by using ideas after talking to the client and then seeing the finished product. That makes me happy! Happy! Happy!
cupcakes make me happy!
My kiddos, I just spent the weekend away and I can’t say how happy I was to see them when I got home!!
Shopping makes me happy..and when I’m down BAKING makes me VERY happy! It’s a complete mood changer…
Air conditioning makes me happy! What a wonderful invention!
I re-realized this weekend how much baking makes me happy :)
lots of things make me happy, but one of my favorites is snuggling with my boy in the morning!
Sushiney, summery days make me happy! Unfortunately here in upstate NY, it is quite the opposite.
Chocolate milk makes me happy.
Eating cake makes me happy, and with a beautiful cake plate like this one, I’d be even happier!
this blog makes me very happy….a true inspiration
My husband and son make me very happy!
a good book, a rainy day and time to bake in my kitchen make me happy.
The smell of coffee before the first sip, my sons belly laugh, reading the Sunday paper, the ocean, family get together’s, a great meal, having great friends and loving husband : )
Baking on a rainy day makes me happy! Actually, baking ANY day makes me happy, but even more when it’s dreary outside – who doesn’t smile at baked goods???
A clean house…..my dog the last few days has drugged in mud in front the back yard….and I have not been very happy.
Baking, Eating, Not having to do the dishes, Traveling & time with Friends & family… (not necessarily in that order) all make me very happy! :)
Watching my 2 yr old eat something I made and saying yum yum “ishuss” (Delicious} that makes me very happy :)
Sleeping in makes me extremely happy…its something I do not have nearly enough of in my life. :)
Minnesota Summer’s with my family :)
LOVE the stacked cakes! The single pink heart makes me happy too, but my number ONE happy thing is…
When I wake up in the morning and open my bedroom door to see my puppy waiting for me. Sometimes his tail wags so hard he falls over. THere’s nothing better than that =)
Seeing my two year old happy makes me happy
Looking aat my ‘TO-DO’ list and realizing I have done it all. Which allows me to bake until my hearts content!
You did a wonderful job with the fondant! What it makes me happy is to spend time with my little girl, she makes my life so sweet!
Baking with my kids makes me happy. They make a mess and have so much fun. :)
the smile of my son makes me happy!!!!enjoy life make me happy!!!!
A mug of hot tea in the morning makes me happy.
My hubby who’s away right now makes me very very happy.! I can’t wait to receive your book either.!!!
my cats and the smell of fresh bread
Baking snickerdoodle cupcakes and licking the spoon! Oh… and rainy days!
Coming to check out your new posts on Monday morning makes for a happy start to my week.
having time to go for a slow jog makes me happy!
kisses from my kids, especially after they have eaten cookies! Sugary sweet kisses!!
Sewing makes me happy!
Love this cake! I agree, I love the pink heart! It really adds a special touch to it.
Cupcakes & cappuccinos’ make me happy:)
Dogs.
Kids being back in school!!!!
My kids!
drinking a cup of coffee and browsing my favorite blogs!
Seeing grandgirls faces after I have “struggled” to make their dream birthday cake and smiles from their own masterpiece out of easy bake oven…these are my smiley moments.
Thanx…mimi
something that makes me happy…colorful kitchen items!!!
Sunflowers and the color yellow make me happy.
Snowy Christmas Eve nights…
Feeding my family makes me happy- especially since we are out of the house three times a week and need to either take dinner with us or eat out. We all prefer to take dinner and it’s so nice to see them enjoy their food rather than just scarf down yet another piece of pizza or fast food burger.
cakes like this and eating them with family make me happy
Moving into my first house in a month- I can’t wait! I’m practically giddy!
Making cupcakes for my kids.
Balloons make me happy.. even though they are so unnecessary.
hmm… mini reese cups make me happy.
The cake turned out wonderful! That’s what’s great about cakes–no matter how bad you mess them up (and I mean decorating, not baking), you can almost always fix it and no one is the wiser. It so cute with that one pink heart! My dog makes me happy.
Celebrating 8 years of marriage tomorrow makes me happy. (Especially the whole wonderful husband part!)
Sprinkles make me happy!
Bakerella makes me happy!
Unconditional love makes me happy.
Taking risks and trying new things in life and in the kitchen and having good friends and family to share it all with makes me happy
Your cake is gorgeous! Turning regular recipes into gluten free (and still delicious) recipes makes me soooo happy—and my son, too!!! :)
Making sweet treats for my boys make s me happy!!!
The short contest deadline makes me happy!
Get togethers w/friends & family w/booze & food make me very happy!
P.G. Wodehouse makes me happy.
coming home from a long day of shopping with my 5 year old and having my hubby and 3 year old surprise me with a cake they had proudly made me!
oh wow! so many things make me happy! a good warm bath, while listening to a good song, my baby’s slobbery kisses, fall weather, hot coco…and this giveaway!
My sweet daughter and her smile that makes me melt every time :)
Bright, sunshiney days make me happy.
When my children come to me out of the blue and say I love you mama!
sundays make me happy – long runs, baked treats, and snuggling up on the couch with a good book!
A quiet house on a Monday morning after the school bus comes makes me VERY happy.
Opening my email first thing in the morning and seeing a Bakerella email with something fun and delicious to make for family and friends…..that makes me happy!
my 3 kids playing together and making each other laugh!!
My 3 beautiful girls make me happy. Baking for my family and friends make me happy. Looking at this beautiful cake has made me happy!
snuggles with my daughter and relaxing on the deck with my hubby – that’s what makes me happy!
eating lunch in the park with a book.
My beautiful daughter makes me happy and dreaming of making beautiful baked goods makes me happy too!
Spending time with my kids makes me happy! They are all grown and living far away. When they visit, I cook and we eat and talk and laugh and have a wonderful time together!
Very cool cake!
Hugging my husband makes me happy. :)
Naps when it’s raining outside
Jalapeno bagels with vegetable cream cheese makes me happy.
Your cake looks great! As my cake decorating teacher used to say, it’s not how you screw it up, but how you cover it up!
And the fact that I’m going to Disneyland instead of work today makes me very happy.
Cooking for my husband makes me happy!
what makes me happy: trips with my hubs, hearing my kids laugh, the smell of my mother’s perfume, a great book (and yes, i do read the last page first) and realizing that beautiful cakes like yours don’t have to be perfect (altho i certainly can’t tell). and that blue cake plate. can’t forget that.
snuggling up on the couch on a rainy sunday makes me so happy.
Oh, me me me! Pleeeeeease!
Cute voicemails make me happy.
My husband and my boys!
Playing with my dog makes me happy! :)
Making chocolate chip cookies and eating them fresh out of the oven with a glass of milk and watching a movie on a rainy day.
Pink hearts make me happy. :)