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.
Love that cake stand!
What makes me happy…the 30 mins I get alone before my daughter wakes up!
One time I went into a florist shop and on one of the display tables I saw this incredible cake stand. My husband asked me what I wanted and I said to the owners “How much is this cake stand?” Their faces dropped and they said “Oh, that’s not for sale”
False advertising at its worst.
The blue one is pretty. And I might actually be able to buy it.
My kids make me happy. :-)
My family makes me the happiest.
Reading your blog makes me happy! :)
Cuddling with my irish red setter girl Ceara and reading a good book. Warm fluffy breathing pillows are the best kind.
So, this cake is absolutely amazing. I’m pretty jealous of your baking skills. I have been getting a little more brave since starting to follow your blog, but, I still think I’m considered baking-challenged. But, a girl can try!
As far as what makes me happy, my two girls and my husband. In fact, my 2 year old is cuddling with me right now. Love her. *Smiles*
Bakerella you constantly amaze me with your perfection! That cake looks flawless, amazing, and yet you see the problems. I’m the same way though when I make something, but you seriously are AWESOME! And I love that cake stand! I have quite a cake stand collection myself, but nothing that cute. I’m thinking I need to add some color into my collection, and blue might just be the thing!
OKAY SO WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY? A cupcake and diet Coke (lots of ice) shared with good friends.
The smell of freshly baked bread always makes me happy.
Or a morning cup of tea. It’s essential, and faster to make than bread..
This is a wonderful cake!!!! I haven’t done much withthe fondant before. My first and only time was for my husbands birthday cake. And trust me, I should have re-thought the whole thing, lol!!! His present I rodered didn’t come in ontime, so I had the bright idea of making a huge version of it and it was INSANE :) He loved it, so I guess that is all that matters, but boy was a hard to do and so many things I should have done differently.
I would love to win the cake stand, I don’t have one actually(put all my cakes on cardboard covered with foil), and it looks like a perfect size cake, not the monster I made, hehehe.
Thank you so much for all your inspiration, also can’t wait to get your book!!
Besides baking….. a baby’s laugh makes me super happy!!
Sitting down with a hot cup of tea or coffee and a good movie makes me happy :)
The thought of my 2 grandchildren devouring the cake from this pretty blue cake plate makes me happy.
Fall makes me happy..and it’s almost here!
Cake makes me happy. Very VERY happy. So does your blog. And prize cake plates. Blue ones. With a glorious pedestal. Oh yes they do!
Seeing my nephew and niece, I missed them!
you’re a sweet artist, I love what this delicate and simple ideal for a wedding cake. And of course looks amazing in blue.
Too many things make me happy so if you are asking for just one, I love my trifle dish. . and deciding what yummy goodness I’m going to put in it!
My husband makes me happy. (Also, cake.)
Wanna know what makes me happy? I actually LOVE to host parties. I love to have my family and friends over and I love to cook for them!
my baby in all her silliness :)
OMGosh I love cake stands. But I don’t have a blue one.
My adorable two year old son!
Cake! Chocolate cake, red velvet cake, white cake….all cake makes me happy! Especially when I’m baking and decorating it with my kiddos!
What makes me happy is baking for my family and friends. Then seeing their faces after they take a first bite and telling me how delicious it it :-)
I love photos, any kind, anywhere, anytime…. :)
I love eating good food and desserts – that’s what makes me very happy! Love this blog and all your fab work!!! We need smellivision so I can smell the goods you bake!!!
Mondays make me happy, because they are start of my ‘weekend’, uh, did I just type that?? ;-)
OMG! love the cake and absolutely love the cake stand! Oh pretty please….. :)
Not going back to work so I can stay at home with my baby girl!
My sweet puppy makes me happy! And a clean house! Yeah…a clean house!! :)
Cooking makes me happy, just that !
ohhhh I love the blue! Pick me!
CAKE makes me happy!
May babies make me happy. I have one on the outside and one on the inside bouncing around who’s gonna make her appearance any day now.
Baking makes me happy. I’ve become a big fan of baking and have surprised myself with my own creativity.
ADORABLE cake!! Baking with my 3 year old makes me happy!! Great giveaway!
New dishes make me happy! I can’t help myself!
Watching the sunset makes me happy
First day of school makes me happy!
Super, super cute! It would look so adorable on our cake buffet at our vintage wedding reception next month!
It makes me happy to be marrying my best friend in 26 days!
Knowing my boys are happy, and my family are happy, that’s what makes me happy.
Ofcourse when I bake a cake and decorate it makes me happy too….
college football makes me happy!!
Seeing my kids happy makes me happy….
This is just precious…. baking makes me happy…
Your blog make me happy everytime when I read it !!
I am in love with everything about this post! The tiered cake, the white hearts embellishment, the PINK heart, the pink background of the photo, and most expecially THE BLUE CAKE STAND! I have a cake stand fetish myself so I totally understand your fascination… Bakerella you rock!
I love to see the evening as the swallows flying near the ground.
I love the smell of wet earth.
I like to feel rain.
I love my husband give me your hand.
I like Macarons.
When my employer takes a day off. Baking is second.
Your cake is so charming! What makes me happy is the special day my DH and kids just planned for my birthday — a “cupcake crawl” from bakery to bakery in Chicago…Sprinkles, Molly’s, Swirls, Phoebe’s, Sugar Bliss and More (we missed Sweet Mandy B’s which I love, too!) Oh, and did I say how much I love cupcakes? We shared a cupcake at each of the bakeries and then brought home about a dozen more for flavor sampling. What a blissful day!
Starting a new life with my soon-to-be husband makes me happy. :)
My kids make me happy… baking for them is just the icing on the cake.
When scents inspired by fall start popping up in stores after a long hot summer :)
-My family
-walking out of work at 5:00 p.m. :0)
-walking out of work at 5:00 p.m. and seeing birds taking baths in water puddles. :)
My new granddaughter makes me sooooo happy!!
I love getting into my car after a windy day at the beach.
Sugar. Mostly in the form of frosting.
Thinking about the cake and frosting I’m going to make today makes me happy!
A long afternoon nap…ahhh! That makes me happy.
Cake decorating makes me happy…and having this cake plate would make me VERY happy.
I graduated college over 5 years ago…and my gram still sends me cookies/ I love you packages once a month just because she is thinking about me! :)
She is the best.
I love her.
And they always make me really happy.
Love the cake!! Spending time with my family makes me happy!!
My kids smiling and/or belly laughing. Me smiling when I saw your cake! I loved the one pink heart :)
Taking a nap with my dog curled up next to me:)
Cupcakes make me happy.
Snuggling on my couch when it is raining with a soft blanket watching “A Baby Story” on TLC.
Your emails and website make me extremely happy! No hype, the truth. Your Heart cake is really cute!
Love the one pink heart..perfect look for the blue cake stand. I just made Whoopie Pies from the Whoopie Pie book yesterday and watching my husband enjoy them made me happy!
I like baking and photography :)
Cupcakes with an old movie and my hubby make me happy!!! :)
What a cute cake stand…making desserts that my husband will enjoy makes me happy!!
going camping with family!!
giggles from my baby make me happy. Also baking cookies and red pandas.
as i think about it there are lots of little things that make me happy but since i just finished repainting our dining room, i’m going to say accomplishing a task on my ever-increasing “to-do” list!
My sweet baby boy’s giggle :)
I love Cakes!!!
Hearing people say “That’s a cake? Oh my gawd, you made this?!” makes me happy. ^_^
Ahh, kids back in school make me happy, that gives me some peace & quiet to read my favorite blogs!
Although I am not happy that all my kids are out of the house, it makes me happy that they have made it to college and are happy and doing well there.
Thinking about my rapidly approaching wedding makes me very happy! 16 years is a long time coming!
Seeing my 3 month old smile makes me happy!
Another happy moment for me is seeing reactions to the cakes I make for others.
I am a teacher…summer makes me happy!
Love the tall white cake on the tall blue cake stand with one pink heart. Seeing this made me happy. Thank you
It makes me happy when my boys “help” me in the kitchen by licking the utensils “clean”
Hot tea with two Splendas and milk makes me happy.
fresh flowers make me happy!
weekends when I’m OFF work and get to be with my hubby!
purple makes me happy! and chocolate too! :) great job on the cake! even for a first time out in stacking cake land! it really looks awesome. love the hearts! and i have to say i do love it with the single pink one too. :)
Blue is my 3-year old daughter’s favorite color, she says. This would make her happy. And *she* makes me happy.
Many things make me happy but ………cake decorating is one of those things! I love doing it but can rarely afford to buy new stands. That blue is beautiful.
My dog makes me happy :o) He loves me no matter what.
the picture of my nephew smiling sitting in a turquoise suitcase on my computer background right now. makes me smile every time!
Life.
This morning, my green tea frappucino from starbucks makes me happy!
winning a beautiful blue cake plate makes me happy :)
I think your first fore into stacking cakes turned out great! Love reading your posts :)
Stacy
Big smiles from my baby girl make me happy.
Well this cake makes me happy but most importantly when ever i wake up in the morning at look at my 2 boys that makes me super happy :D
Eating delicious bake goods makes me happy!
Going on vacation with my boys and my husband. It is nice to just spend time with each other without the distractions of home. That makes me happy :)
snuggling with my 2 year daughter and reading cookbooks, she is already as obsessed with them as her mother…yikes!
Fall colors make me happy – coming soon!
Sleeping in past 7 am because the power went out last night! Good excuse.
Riding my bicycle makes me happy!
Staying up late and then getting to sleep in makes me happy!
making a dinner tasty enough to have it for breakfast the next day makes me happy, even when it is my first day back to work after vacation
I love it when my boyfriend comes home after being away on long Deployments (he’s in the Navy here in the UK) after months of tears, you start counting down till the day he comes home. Its like meeting all over again! First date jitters for weeks until his ship comes in to port. x love the cake so simple and cute with the little pink heart!
I’m getting married next year, and that makes me very happy!
Your blog makes me happy! Especially when I read it Monday mornings before starting into the craziness of the week. :)
Listening to my kiddos sing off key to the radio… just like their momma. …and a heavenly coconut cupcake.
What makes me happy? Getting letters in the mail! The real mail….the nice real slow kind. Well as long as they are not bills!
That is such a beautiful cake stand! My husband makes me the most happy!
My husband makes me happy! And brownies :)
My vintage Fenton milkglass hobnail salt and pepper shakers make me ridiculously happy. They’d look so sweet next to this cake stand…
Umm.. besides my family, baking makes me happy!
Pick me! Pick me! Waking up to a clean kitchen early on a saturday morning when everyone else is still asleep and getting in some quiet baking or canning time. I love having the kitchen all to myself.
What makes me happy? Running into the rain and jumping into the puddles like a little four year old.
Naps make me happy, but baring that, cake does the job.
A clean house makes me happy!
Eating make me happy. (but it makes my pants sad). Ahhh…what a conundrum.
baking for my friends and family makes me happy :)
Creating something, whether it’s baking, sewing, painting or quilting. When I give it as a gift it’s even better. :)
Baking and cooking make me happy, I’ve been wanting to do a tiered cake for a while now and you’ve inspired me to get started!
antique dishes with those bubble dots on them
Snuggling with my girls makes me very happy.
Lindt Dark Chocolate Truffles…and coffee…not necessarily at the same time.
When my little girl Catalina, makes her naked dance, before taking a bath! ?
pretty cupcakes make me happy…of course, a new fendi bag works too :)
I think your cake looks awesome even if you think you had imperfections. I need to start trying out fondant more. It really does intimidate me. Hrm… what makes me happy… when ppl like to eat my baked goods & they leave only crumbs. :)
School starting in two days make me VERY happy!!
Roller Derby makes me happy!
What makes me happy? My one-year-old niece’s smile when she sees me.
Doing a crossword puzzle as my rescue dog,Roxy,lays next to me on the couch is what makes me happy!!!
Waking up early in the morning and just lying in bed awake with my honey, talking about nothing and everything!
I just got home from a weekend of loving on my 4 month old grandson so I’d say I’m VERY happy. Yep..that makes me happy.
Being “Gramma” makes me happy.
My two little girls make me happy! They can also drive me nuts, but mostly they make me happy:)
My beautiful son makes me happy.
A nice cup of coffee and a good book on a Sunday afternoon…
My girls make me happy!
Eating my mom’s cooking!
My kiddo, basset hounds, and cupcakes. Yes, in that order. :o)
Waking up in the morning to my boyfriend snuggled up on one side and my dog Chloe snuggled up on the other.
This cake is just beautiful. You are always so inspiring and reading your commentary always cracks me up! What makes me happy is looking at your super cute baked treats with my three little kiddos peeking over my shoulders ! I love that they love your creations as much as I do!
the smell of fresh cut grass makes me happy along with the sounds of my children laughing :)
Buttercream frosting makes me super happy
This blog makes me happy. SO creative!
My cute kids playing happily together makes me happy!
Getting home from a long day at work to find that the dishes are done and there is no laundry in the basket. Ahhhh what a nice dream!
Eating a dessert with a movie makes me happy.
this is gorgeous.. and cakes make me happy, well basically anything with sugar makes me happy!
I love this cake plate, and I think your cake looks gorgeous!
My three year old makes me the happiest of anything!
Yellow gingham makes me happy.
Adorable! Apparently blue cake stands make me happy :) But also sharing my baked goods with friends, family, and coworkers and seeing their smiles as they indulge!
Shiny new cheetah print flats make me happy!
The existence of watermelon makes me happy. :)
Cake plates make me happy!
What I love the most (about baking) is when you see the suprise and smile on the kids faces when you suprise them with a homemade cake! Priceless!!!!!!!
My dog’s reaction when I get home from work.
going to spca. i love going there to play with the dogs and give them tons of love.
Coming home to my family at the end of a long work day makes me happy… and so do cupcakes!
Having my whole family sit down for dinner makes me beyond happy…dogs, cats and all..
Blue makes me happy too! Thats my fave. color.
Having my husband home instead of deployed makes me happy!
Reading cookbooks on a rainy day while snuggling with my 2 boys…it’s so warm and cozy in the house and all dark and rainy outside!! i love my boys!! and the rain!
coming home after work and having my kids run up to me telling they missed me and giving me big hugs!
My sister makes me happy! She is here visiting for a month and I LOVE HAVING HER HERE! YAY!
The smiles of my husband and daughter(5) and son(2). The warm cup of strong coffee my husband puts next to the bed for me every morning. When my kids beg me to bake or make breakfast food or when they giggle and squeal when I surprise them with either. Pretty Blue things ;-)
Having someone love what I baked!
My kids make me happy!
Baking with my children makes me happy. LOVE the cake. ;)
Blue is my absolute favorite color in the whole wide world (and sky!!!!). I LOVE, LOVE LOVE your cake stand. It makes your white cake POP. Your first try with fondant was an absolute triumph…….that isn’t easy to work with and your first attempt was perfect. I haven’t been as proficient with fondant as you.
I bake everyday and that is what makes me happy……….and all 8 of my grandchildren, of course. Those happy little faces are what keeps me smiling.
Listening to Flight of the Conchords cheers me up even in the worst moods. That and snuggling a clean baby! Ha Ha
My 3 year old son makes me happy!
My nieces and nephews. Which would be 16 things that make me happy. :)
cupcakes make me soooo happy!
Blue makes you happy, and burgundy makes me happy (the color, not the drink)!
Ahhh, love this simple yet fabulous cake. What make me happy these days is that feeling at the end of my mile swim each morning. Such sense of accomplishment.
I would love one of these. I don’t have a cake stand. I wanted to also let you know I made the cheesecake bars you posted and they were awesome!!
Thanks.
sunday afternoons with family :)
Sunday dinners at my house with my whole family there – especially since they all live on their own now. Ahhh, togetherness complete with a special dessert.
Baking for other people make me happy!
Chocolate covered strawberries make me happy!!! ;)
My 9 year old daughter decorating her own little mini cake alongside me. We are both learning together! Makes me happy :)
My girls make me the most happy…sweets come in second!
Eating cookie dough makes me happy
the color of that cake stand makes me happy right now.
You know what makes me happy? Blue glass! I used it all over my wedding! Love that cake stand!
Birthday weekend…2 in 1 – will be happy when its done :)
Hugs from my kids, finding books for cheap, and reading said books with a Hershey’s Almond Chocolate Bar!
Love the cake! It makes me want to try to work with fondant. For what makes me happy.. My husband does and our 2 year wedding anniversary is coming up!
My sweet boy’s giggle makes me happy. And pretty cakes, too!
Baking makes me happy. And getting my oven fixed this week after it not working for 3 months will make me VERY happy!
Everything about this post is cute- the cake, the stand, and the pink heart! Thanks for the chance to win!
Getting baking help from my two little boys makes me incredibly happy. I love spending time in the kitchen with them.
Being with my loved ones:)
Cake makes me happy! But then again, I am on a diet – so anything sweet makes me happy.
This really makes my morning, they are so adorable, and a great idea for individual wedding cakes… lots of work but they are so orinigal and nice…. I love all the things you make.
I LOVE THIS! my fiance makes me so happy (:
PS: this would be perfect to set my wedding cake on, I totally plan on making it myself.
i just looked over at the swing next to where i’m sitting at the computer, and my daughter (5 months) is sleeping in it…. with her thumb in her mouth and first finger curled up over her nose.
i think the only thing that makes me happier than a sleeping child is watching my two daughters interact with each other.
Snuggling with my 10-month-old son… as long as he’s not slapping my face in joy!