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.
coffee and cake, together or separate, make me very happy :)
Amazing cake and thanks for the explanation. It looks great!
Watching my two girls 8 & 10 learn how to cook and bake makes me very happy. They get so excited when they cook/bake something and can announce at dinner that they made it:)
Cake plates make me happy!
My baby girl (who’s 5) telling me I’m the best mommy ever…because I let her have a yogurt! Low expectations…
I would love the chance to win this – that would make me really happy! Other than that, I love frosting. Frosting also makes me really happy. Thank you for the opportunity!!
watching my son (21 months old) kiss his baby sister’s toes (3 weeks old)!
Farm animals make me happy. I’m such a city girl…
What makes me happy? Relaxing on the back porch in late summer listening to the rain on the tin roof… that makes me happy.
Salty wind and the sound of crashing waves makes me happy!
my 4 boys, full of adventure, sticky fingers, and their love for all things messy! They melt my heart, and make me happy!
Chatting with family members I haven’t seen in a while makes my heart so happy!
Love this cake stand and the cake. Giggling girls coming in the house after a fun day at school makes me happy!
My first little girl, who entered the world at 1lb 7oz, but is now a healthy 1 year old…SHE makes my heart happy. This stand would be PERFECT for her red/aqua 2 year bday party!!!!
I LOVE cake plates and this one is just the right shade of blue.
What makes me happy lately is making pies.
Music makes me happy :)
Knowing that my husband should be home from deployment in approximately 120 days!
Spending time with my little toddler boy and my husband makes me happy!
The color blue–specifically this bright sky-come-cobalt blue–makes me happy. It reminds me of calm water, sunny summer days, Tiffany boxes, and Baci truffles. It just makes me smile. I think blue is a decoration of nature–it’s rare among the natural world, so it always stands out. I pepper my house with a cobalt bottles, a Delph plate, a collection of boxes–all in blue–whether or not they blend with the rest of my decor. A constant reminder to smile :-)
Making edible creations and watch people’s reaction to the creations make me happy….beautiful stand
coffee with whipped cream!
Snuggling with my hubby and our 1 year old daughter.
The cake is delightful! You did an outstanding job.
So many things make me happy…. baking is high on that list! Love the cake by the way! I’m too chicken to try fondant, it scares me!
A silly little thing made me happy last night. I discovered that I can toast coconut in the microwave and it works just perfectly and evenly. No more standing over the stove stirring, forgetting and burning coconut! :)
drpepper makes me happy =)
A nice day to sit outside, with a warm breeze, and an amazing book makes me happy :)
EATING! (and the subsequent exercise that must follow!) =P
When my kids actually like the goodies I bake, that makes me happy!
My friends and Family make me happy….
Seeing new blog posts from you makes me happy!!
Loving the blue cake plate!! If I don’t win I may need to go buy one!
Baking and Decorating/Presentation makes me happy. Cuddling with my blanket with a movie and hot chocolate makes me happy, especially in the winter with a warm fire. So many things make me happy, too many to list. but…. BAKERELLA makes me extra happy!!! lol
Baking with my great grandma and my two little boys makes me happy. We always find something fun and yummy to make every Sunday!
My daughter and husband make me the happiest of all!
cake pops make me happy! thanks so much for introducing me to them.
Seeing my children giggle and play happily together, makes me happy.
My kids, hands down. They are the best!
Love the pink heart – but nothing can make me happier than my family!
My baby girl’s belly laugh, it is the best sound in the world.
Sitting beside the fear with my little fluffy cat, a good book and a yummy peice of fudgecake while listening to the rain trickling outside makes me happy :)
Thinking about when my husband gets home from Afghanistan, and gets to hug me and our two babies! :]]
Ahh, **bliss** :]
First of all, your cake is beautiful. As for what makes me happy – listening to my boyfriend play his guitar. I can be engaged in whatever and just hearing him improvise puts me at ease. There’s truely nothing better.
Sweets make me happy… especially chocolate!!!
Something that makes me happy….when my 4 month old smiles his big toothless grin :0)
I LOVE the colors in your picture and the cake stand is gorgeous. Where did you get it?
batman makes me happy! especially in baked form :)
my 7 week old puppy Gracie makes me happy!!!!!
Daisies, my childrens laughter, and spending time with my family all make me HaPpY!
Chocolate makes me happy :)
many things make me happy, but you hit the nail on the head when you showed me a picture of that blue cake plate!! Cake plates make me happy… silly i know! :)
Love the solo pink heart accent! and the blue and white just look so good together!
baking makes me happy. this website makes me happy! My son makes me HAPPY!!!!!!
Taking the day off, which I’m doing today!
Staying home Saturday morning with my litttle girl and hubby and a nice cup of coffe :)
being with my husband
Rainy days make me happy!
Pumpkin spice candles make me happy!
I discovered your blog a couple of months ago and have been so inspired by it! LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you post. You are so talented!
Pouring my heart and soul into homemade blueberry pie. HAPPINESS!
oh, oh, oh – so fun! and i looooove the single pink heart!
my children!
My golden retriever makes me happy!
What a beautiful cake stand!!! My sweet dog, Benjamin, and my sweet hubby make me SO happy!! :)
Baking yummy and pretty things makes me happy…and when my family wants me to hurry up and level my cakes so they can eat the tops…that also makes me happy :)
Besides my husband and children, quiet Saturday mornings before anyone else wakes up is what makes me happy. :)
my babies laughing together and the smell of fresh cake and buttercream frosting make me very happy!
Reading your blog and baking makes me happy (I’m not sucking up! You should see the smile on my face everytime I read a new recipe, and about your adventures).
A large piece of my grandma’s pecan nut pie with homemade whipped cream makes me happy :)
Baking with my kids!
Baking new recipes makes me happy!!!!!!
Maria
Watching my 3 year old play with his new little kitten. . . The color blue also makes me happy. Seriously. I even painted the cabinets in my kitchen blue.
so cute :)
being with my hubby makes me happy!
Last night I had a dinner party with some friends. We had a great time and laughed so much that it hurt. That is still making me happy
days off to hang out and bake..
Coconuts make me happy. Buying them, cooking with them, eating things made with them.
My son asking me to “help” bake and decorate always makes me smile!
happiness = basking in the sun at the lake
the beach makes me sooo happy.
My husband coming home from a TDY (he’s in the AF).
Fall weather makes me happy! I can’t wait for it to get here!
my hubby!
I Love it! It’s simple and cute!
A good book, a yummy salad and sweet kids
My daughter being in town, pregnant with my first granchild and having her baby shower over the weekend, such joy!
I love all baking accessories, cupcake liners, cake trays, brownie moulds… Could go on forever, but it makes me most happy when people enjoy the treats I bake.
Just the thought of trying to duplicate your wonderful recipes and instructions makes me happy. But when I am successfull,
WOW
My mom! :)
Every Monday morning when I go to your website and find a new adventure you’ve blogged about. Watching Top Chef, The Next Food Network Star are also things that make me happy! I also love when I create a new dish and get to sit back and watch how people enjoy my new creation.
Seeing your beautiful artwork in your baking and wonderful food photography make me happy. I LOVE eyecandy!
Thanks for having a GREAT giveaway.
OK, instead of being sappy…County Fairs make me happy. Yep, it’s fair season here, and we’ve taken advantage of it.
Hanging out with my family and friends makes me happy!
Right now, berries are making me very happy. I love summer produce.
My husband :)
My family, shopping, and eating make me happy!
My family makes me happy! But my family eating cake…oh, that makes all of us happy!!
My three boys make me happy!
When my boyfriend eats something I baked and says “You’re giving me diabetes” and than takes another bite.
The cake is simple but very cute. Great Job!
Seeing my 2yr old smile and laugh makes me happy.
Blue raspberry snow cones make me happy!
Baking makes me happy. You cake looks AMAZING!!!!
Lunch dates with friends!
laying in the sunshine makes me happy!!
Not waking up to an alarm clock makes me happy!
sharing good food and wine with a friend i haven’t seen in ages… that makes me happy!
So adorable! Does the cake come with it? :)
I think that cake would make me awfully happy! Failing that, I good piece of baklava accompanied by some really good milk would do.
I love that cake stand almost as much as I like that cake! So cute.
I love smelling my husbands armpits !
Coming home from work and hearing the kids run down the hall to greet me.
Reading this post made me Happy!
The blue stand would make me estatic!
my family makes me happy
My 2 year-old daughter makes me happy. I just stared at her while she drank her milk during lunch yesterday. She thought I was a little weird for just staring and not talking but I enjoyed it!
The love of Jesus Christ and my babies make me happy <3
Having one of my nieces or nephews come for an “Aunt Tracie” weekend. We play, we shop, we eat out…it’s awesome and makes me oh so happy.
Homemade cake makes me happy!
Well, blue cake plates make me happy! I asked my hubby for a similar one from FishsEddy, but instead he bought me a jade one. Two inches too big. It’s a very lovely cake plate, but I rarely use it because of the color. That blue one though? I’d use that all the time!
Baking with my three kids (all 4 and under) with egg and flour everywhere, makes me happy! The pure delight in the finished product is well worth the mess.
Halloween costumes make me happy!
This cake stand makes me swoon. And it also makes me want to bake a cake. Then it makes me want to swoon while I’m admiring said cake on the cake stand.
A slice of red velvet cake with my morning coffee.
ohhhhh yes please!!
my life.
When Everyday Food comes in the mail.
Making pretty cakes makes me happy! Check out my cake website !
I love your heart design with the single pink heart…very cute. :0)
Cuddling with my baby makes me happy
Sunshine coming in my windows this morning! The best way to wake up and get started on the day!
My dad’s tight hugs when I’ve had a bad day make me incredibly happy.
Taking cake decorating classes makes me happy.
Pies, they make me happy. I love making the crusts, scalloping the edges, and then filling them with yummy goodness – especially seasonal fruit. There’s just something about pie, it never fails!
Random phone calls where you get to hear someone missing you. :)
After all the hardwork I put in, looking at the finished product and admiring it makes me happy.
My family makes me happy.
Getting in the kitchen and making yummy things to eat makes me happy! So very happy! : )
Love the cake. Too cute!!
When my kids are happy….I’m happy!
oh, i adore this. i collect cake stands, and this is such a true stand-out. Fishs Eddy is my favorite place in Union Square!
rainy days make me happy especially when baking inside to warm the air & heart! I covet this cake stand! xo
~Emily
My kids laughter and dancing make my heart happy!!!
Books and my cat make me happy.
my daughter’s giggles.
Sonic Dr. Pepper makes me happy!!!
baking supplies and cake stands make me happy!
Something that makes me happy…baking of course!
Cake makes me happy! Chocolate with a glass of milk!
My Mom and her cooking makes me happy.
Getting a pedicure makes me sooo happy! I wish I could do it more!
Baking makes me happy!!
I think you did a beautiful job… I am all thumbs when it come to decorating. I can make it taste yummy, but making it super pretty ain’t my thing. Maybe a pretty cake stand would help ;)
**********************************************************************YOUR SITE MAKES ME HAPPY!! I LOVE CAKE PLATES & THIS ONE JUST POPS! LOVE IT!
**********************************************************************
Happiness is when you update your blog!! Thanks for bringing the smiles!!
Eating Cake makes me happy!
lollipop and candy making makes me happy
My family makes me happy!
My ENTIRE LIFE makes me happy! Love this blog, too!
My toddler’s sweet smile.
my family and food make me happy!
The cake stand is so cute! I love it! You did such a great making your cake.
What a gorgeous cake! You are so talented…..love the pink heart! What makes me happy is when my 3 year old is snuggled up sleeping at night, and I lay down with a good book and the Golden Girls on! hahahaha!
Baking chocolate chip cookies with my daughter Olivia, aka Beans, and letting her crack the eggs into the bowl-her beautiful smile makes me the happiest mommy!
Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and sprinkles makes me happy!
cakestands of any color make me happy because they mean you are going to get a treat!
Reading books with my grandkids and baking cookies with them makes me happy!
Making pie crust makes me happy!
My family :)
My family makes me more happy than anything else!
What makes me happy is my twin baby girls!
sloppy kisses from my one year old son
My girls make me happy. Oh, and school starting tomorrow makes me happy too. :)
watching people eat my baked goods and seeing how their expressions change from hmm, to MMMMM after just one bite!!
Baking, beading, and knitting make me happy. :)
sleep and good food make me happy!
a perfect cup of coffee in the morning makes me happy..
A slice of freshly made peach pie makes me happy!
My family makes me happy & also baking.
I like this cake. Simple with a punch a color!
Baking makes me happy :) Great job on the cake! Looks wonderful!
Food, especially chocolate, makes me happy.
Desserts make me happy!
I’d have to say that candy makes me happy. Sour, gummy candy! :)
this is oh so pretty, i don’t see any flaws!!
happy = lazy summer days
finishing a long or hard run that almost kills me first thing in the morning- and snugling with my kids at night makes me happy.
Such a cute cake. Baking makes me happy!
being with my friends makes me happy, especially when my roommate and i have dance parties in our kitchen :)
cake makes me happy. any kind of cake. and i love love love your fondant hearts. thanks for the inspiration.
My family!!
what makes me happy is spending time with my kids and husband..
What makes me happy is seeing and hearing all the squeals of delight when I make and decorate cakes, cupcakes or cookies for children and their faces light up when they see their birthday cake or treats and whisper – “oh! that’s for me?” – that to me is priceless. Pam Groth
Spending time with my girlfriend and her children.
Waking up to a new bakerella blogpost makes me happy!
My kiddos make me the happiest, along with my husband!
my puppy makes me happy
I love the pink heart and the blue stand!! Your site rocks :0)
Baking makes me happy!
swimming pools and sunny days!
Making cakes for friends and family for special events they are having.
My children’s giggles make me happy.
{I absolutely LOVE this cake!}
Knowing I might get a nap later today after spending 1/2 the night with no electricity the night before the first day of school is making me happy right now. In fact, it’s the only way I’m getting through the morning!
Spending every waking hour with my wonderful 21 month old and 2 month old daughters. Their happiness makes my heart sing!!!!
p.s. love every thing you make!
Lazy weekends with my family make me so very happy!!!
licking the spoons after baking with my 4 yr old niece = pure happiness
Playing the piano makes me happy.
Playing with my daughter makes me happy!!
Reading a book in bed on rainy Sunday afternoons makes me happy!!
Things that make me happy: Splitting a cupcake with my daughter while we cruise through the farmer’s market. Baking chocolate chip cookies for my son to enjoy when he gets home from school. Finding a new recipe that I want to try. So many opportunities for happiness in this world!