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.
Watching my girls play and giggle together makes me happy……
God being so gracious to me and blessing me beyond what I could ever think…. makes me happy : )
Oooh so beautiful!!! You’d never know you were hiding flaws under all those sweet little hearts! Great job!
hearing my kids laughing and telling us stories make me happy, Hearing how fantastic their day was (okok my little one is only 1 but she tells me soo much, I wish I understood her more *haha*)
I love your site btw!
Baking makes me happy..really happy..it’s a good thing my friends love to eat cuz if not, there’d be a whole lot more of me to love.. ;o)
Wow! a clean bedroom makes me happy.
What makes me happy is when my baked goods turn out how I want them to–when all the time and frustration spent, (not to mention the mess I make) become worth it.
I baked a cake and a few dozen cupcakes for my parents’ 50th birthdays this weekend and they turned out quite nicely thanks to you (I used the yellow cake recipe you posted)!
PS, that is such a sweet(heart) cake! :)
Driving with the windows rolled down and my music turned up to an unacceptable level…(don’t tell my mama, she thought she taught me better)
My goofball daughter makes me happy :)
Coming home after a long day to my fiance making homemade tacos, then baking cupcakes for dessert makes me happy :)
Things that make me happy: giggles, rainbows, when my cat sits up like a person.
WOW! I had my first fondant experience last night too! So, just let me say your cake looks waaaay better than mine! Awesome job!
P.S. I love the cake stand too! :c)
Hearing my son laugh.
Spending time with my family makes me the happiest :)
That turned out great! I’m impressed with your fondant skills!! And yes please, I want that awesome cake plate!
Frosting makes me happy
That is a cheerful stand. I love the color of blue. That is one of the few things I have not bought for myself.
taking bike rides with my kids makes me happy.
Beautiful cake! I would love a cake stand like that.
Kittens and sunshine!
Creating something that makes people smile makes me happy!
Fresh blackberries right off the bush!
Making a recipe that I find on a favorite baking site for the first time and sharing the results with my friends and family. The “mmm…” and “ahhh..” as they make their taste buds happy is the best part. That’s when I get all happy too. :-)
Books, crochet, and my family and pets make me happy.
All 3 of my kids headed to school all day makes me very happy! It’s been a very long summer.
Enjoying the yummy treats I’ve made on a quiet evening with the hubby and doggie makes me happy!
Family. Pink. Earrings. Picnics. Baking. Giving. My happiness.
I love the clean look of the white fondant hearts and how they cover your cake.
I love to bake, especially for other people. I made a giant cupcake shaped cake (without the use of those clever pans) for a friend recently. She loved it so much despite my terrible job with the fondant. It really made me very happy (it helps that I have good friends).
Cuddling with my husband makes me happy!
That single pink heart :)
A nice cup of dark roast coffee and my sweet hubbs! Some cupcakes would be good too with that!!
my niece giving me eskimo kisses while she’s giggling.
CHOCOLATE! :)
Sitting down with a cup of coffee and catching up on my blog reading!
seeing my daughter running towards me when I pick her up from school. It’s like she hasn’t seen me in weeks!
baking for my family and reading your blog makes me happy! you are so creative!
Chocolate always makes me happy!
A single pink heart makes me happy.
I usually try everything that you post. My kids and husband think I’m a baking goddess. That makes me happy.
actually, I know you’re just going to think I’m sucking up, but cake plates make me happy! I collect them! Such a pretty blue..
puppies and nibs licorice…
My kids make me happy, expecially…when they are happy.
A mug of hot tea on a rainy morning!
My baby girls make me Very Happy!!!
Cake makes me happy!
Seeing my 3 beautiful daughters smile makes me happy :)
when my daughter gives me one of her sweet hugs and tells me she loves me. That makes me happy….oh and chocolate!
My husband making pancakes for me this morning on my birthday makes me happy!
Oops, forgot my something happy… Hearing my son and daughter giggling in the bathroom! Oi Vey!
my kiddos being healthy and happy. :)
Making cupcakes to share with the office on my birthday makes me happy…Neopolitan anyone?
…staying on the beach and doing nothing makes me VERY happy! Ciao
Not having to wake up to an alarm clock… and ice cream!
Awww! This cake is lovely! I love the blue stand too!!
Baking/cooking for someone who is really going to enjoy the food makes me happy!
Riding/being around horses makes me happy!
Cake makes me happy!
This weekend having a party for my parents 55th wedding anniversary and my father’s 90th!!!! birthday is what makes me happy! My niece making the anniversary cake AND the cake POPS! for the celebration makes me happy and the cake and cake pops were ohhhh so yummy!
My Weimaraner (dog), Sage!
Snuggling at night after a long day at work while we watch TV makes me happy. I just checked out that site and they have some awesome things! Thanks :)
Football season makes me happy!
My kids make me happy – baking together is a happy thing we do together!
Love your cake, too cute! I’ve just started working with fondant cakes and I think you did an amazing job!
my girls make me happy…even when they are crying!
ps love love love the cake so cute!
Fondant makes me happy. It would make me even happier if it would cooperate with me. Ever.
Baking for my family and friends makes me happy!
I love this cake. I think it is simple and elegant. I’m sure a lovely bride would enjoy this cake. I can’t wait to give it a try. I have recently started to love baking cakes. For my friends wedding I made a white chocolate rum cake with a carmel toffey middle. Delicious!
feeding people makes me happy………breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, brunches, desserts……it’s all good!!! I love to see people relaxed and munching and enjoying each others company.
Vacations with the family………just got back from a great one.
My husband makes me happy :)
Spending time and goofing around with my family makes me happy.
Happy = eating vegan gluten free cupcakes that I can actually eat with all my food allergies that taste better than most other cupcakes.
Happiest = eating them with people that I love surrounding me!
What makes me happy is having my kids & hubby snuggled up with me, cupcakes, hot choclate, a crackling fire, and chilly fall weather. THAT IS WHAT MAKES ME HAPPIEST! :)
Lots of things make me happy…..but currently the first day of school in 6 days, when I put my BORED daughter on the bus is making me ecstatic!
My husband being home from deployment!
Cake decorating SCARES ME!!!
Walks on the beach make me happy!
Just being a Mom makes me happy.
Fall makes me happy. I love the fall season.
Oh my…LOVE that cake stand!
GORGEOUS!!!
What makes me happy?
I have a “thing” for hearts!
Really!
I have many rubber stamps with hearts on them!
But really anything with a heart makes me HAPPY !
So your heart cake made me real happy!
It’s absolutely adorable!
Thanks for my morning pick-me-up!
Family makes me happy. :D
Coming home from a long work trip and sleeping in my own bed.
my neices and nephews : ) they always make a bad day better.
I love seeing my family happy, that makes me happy !
Hugs from my kids make me happy!!
The sweet relationship my kids have with each other makes me happy, watching God work in awesome ways, and that single red heart on that cake all make me happy.
You say it doesn’t look right but from here it looks like perfection. And it’s so perfect with that one pink heart.
Anyway….what makes me happy? That first cup of coffee in the morning.
Learning that you can do something you thought impossible (including fondant). That makes me happy.
my family makes me happy, that and the occasional baked good =}
My family makes me happier than anything else in the world. Baking and scrapbooking are a close second!! I just got a stand mixer for my brithday and I am dying to make a cake with it!!
My husband’s smile really makes me insanely happy.. oh yea and also lots of chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.
daydreaming.
I love your site! Making sweets and covering them in chocolate makes me happy :)
Baking ANYTHING makes me happy! And messy or not…I love looking through each and every one of your posts!! THANK YOU!!!
A margarita with friends!
what a beautiful blue cake stand!
Awww..this makes me want to throw another wedding or maybe a big Valentines party. The hearts are adorable!!
Hearing my daughters laugh uncontrollably makes me happy.
A good book and a thunderstorm.
Learning something new – especially baking techniques – makes me really happy!
Baking makes me happy, but even better is the looks on my families face when they’ve seen what I have done now and it still tastes amazing!! Thats what makes me really, really, happy! :-)
A lovely post that gives me some courage to finally try stacking a big bunch of cakes makes me happy. Hope I win!
Being less than 2 weeks away from marrying my best friend almost 11 years after we met…..makes me extremely happy.
Love the one pink heart.
My 3 year old laughing…. and a great cup of coffee :)
Curling up with a book while its raining outside makes me happy :)
Getting a hug from my little brother.
I’d love to give this to my mom!
When my sons tell me that I am the most beautiful and best mommy in the whole wide world! THAT makes me happy!
I love decorating cakes!! This post was just for me!! :) beautiful stand! & p.s. U made a beautiful cake!!
My husband and kids.. it just doesnt get much better than that
Cake decorating makes me happy! No seriously! And I am SUCH a messy baker, just like you…probably worse! I love to decorate cakes and cupcakes, but I’m not very good yet, and I’m absolutely horrible at covering cakes with fondant. Truly awful! But that’s why I need this cake plate – because it’ll take the focus off of the cake, and put it on this beautiful piece of art! :)
My family, baking anything sweet, a big fire in the fireplace, and rain!
It makes me happy that my husband loves going to musicals as much as I do!
Laughing with my husband makes me happy!
Love this cake, so cute!! Baking and knowing other people will enjoy what I made makes me super happy!!
What makes me happy? My kids and hearing the word “mom” really, my heart just loves it and I feel all kinds of happy emotions. :O)
Kissing on my babies’ chubby cheeks after a weekend away makes me very happy!
My baby boy, Jude Ryan
And baking!! Yay!
Doing special little things for my family makes me happy! Like making a special cake for no reason other than I love them! BTW..thank you for sharing your talent with us! :)
Sunday’s in the kitchen :)
cake stands make me happy.
Being near water outside makes me happy. Ocean water, river water, lake water, pool water…you name it!
blue skies and sunny days make me happy. cupcakes too!
oh my goodness o:
that cake looks amazingg! :D
and i like the pink fondant heart too :]
thanks for teaching me
what crumb coat is..
i’ve been wondering why
i always see bakers do that on tv ^^;
and what makes me happy??
i like baking for people
cause that’s how i express
my love towards everyone.. and baking! (:
My family being safe and healthy.
Oh good, I’m comment number 4063…my lucky number!
Listening to music while going on my night walk makes me happy.
Making people smile when I give them cupcakes makes me happy! Thank you for all your inspiration!
This blog makes me happy. And my cats. I’m kind of easy like that. :-)
What makes me happy is knowing I will be celebrating one magical year with my husband soon! And, I won’t have to bake a cake for it – we get one from our baker for free! Yum!!!!
Everytime I bake, my little 18 month old runs into the kitchen and exclaims, “Cake! Cake! Taste it? Taste it?”. (Although it sounds more like, “Take! Take! Tayssit? Tayssit?”). That and her reaction to how good she thinks it tastes makes me ridiculously happy!
Kissing my daughters cheeks makes me happy! :)
Root beer makes me very, VERY happy
That’s a gorgeous colour! Seeing blue sky this morning after days of forest fire smoke being blown over the province makes me happy!
Baking and sharing make me happy!
Fall makes me happy. I can’t wait for the cooler weather and the leaves to change!
—Tif
Ice cream makes me happy :)
What makes me happy is seeing my loved ones happy. I guess that’s the “Future Mommy” in me! I am big into baking…mainly cupcakes and cakes, this cake stand would make me happy…in turn making my family happy…and full of cake haha!! :]
Your cake looks perfect to me! Gorgeous.
Snuggling with my little girl makes me happy….:)
Baking with my kids make me, oh so very Happy!
I love any freshly baked treat that is still warm. Reminds me of waiting for my mom’s cookies to finish baking when I was a kid.
Great job! Love the one little pink heart, perfect color accent for the cake stand.
Simple things make me happy… like watching my dog play at the doggy beach
Lots of things make me happy…my sons, my husband, my jack russell terrier acting like he’s digging a hole when he stands on our bed hehe, being a part time photographer, selling jewelry, anything COACH and change! You can learn alot when things change in your life!
chocolate chip cookies make me happy :)
Coffee, something sweet, and a good book!
sleep makes me happy. =)
I got married two weeks ago! The happiest part of my day is when my wonderful husband gets home from work! He just makes my heart melt :)
The single pink heart makes me so happy! I always have trouble getting my icing colors to turn out bright. They’re always dulled down. Some day I will obtain the perfect bright pink like this heart! <3
my kids make me happy… a cup of coffee makes me happy and I recently realized that watching people with a smiley face on the street, makes me smile as well, and that makes me HAPPY!!!
Good food and good friends make me happy.
Belgian beer makes me happy.
Ooooh…pretty! My husband makes me happy. :-)
Blue definitely makes me happy so winning this would be awesome, but also Reece’s Pieces make me extremely happy.
My family makes me happy! Especially the kids and grandkids!
Opening your website and seeing something beautiful and yummy makes me happy!
Finding wonderful ideas online and replicating them! Thanks, Bakerella for your amazing posts!
A Lazy Sunday, that make me happy! Not having to do ANYTHING makes the day amazing! On those days, I like to bake :-)
back to school time… all those new pencil boxes filled with new sharpened pencils, colored pencils and never-used crayons…I get so happy just looking at all those brand new supplies (as a kid, I never wanted to have to use them)
Maybe it’s just the endless possibilities of what those blank notebooks and markers could create
besides the obvious answers of my husband and dog it would be reading a good book with a vanilla bean haggen daas ice cream cone.
I love this cake stand!! A kiss and a hug from my two year old son always makes me so happy!
the bright dose of blue makes me so darned happy on a crazy day like today!!
Snuggling my little gals–3 years-old and 5 months old. Extra bonus if the baby is freshly bathed and has that “new baby” smell. :)
when you asked what makes me happy, the first thought that entered my head was ‘chocolate cake’ so I’m sticking with it! :)
Taking pictures of life’s little moments makes me happy… and realizing how lucky I am to have captured that memory forever.
My puppy – Matilda – makes me happy!
Sugar makes me happy! Candy, cakes, cookies, you name it! Sugar high = Happy
What makes me most happy is spending time with my family and eating frosting. XD
Claire
Three little girls make me happy.
beautiful weather makes me happy!!!
Sharing a meal and laughter with those I love makes me happy.
Hot coffee. It is bliss. Too bad I usually only get to drink it lukewarm.
I love when I can make a friend smile but surprising them with a yummy treat, or something else to brighten their day.
My Children make me happy!
reading a new book!
Picnics, bike rides, sunny days, white walls, and bright colors make me happy!
Working my way through your archives and trying new recipes is making me all kinds of happy lately. Next up: The Valentine’s Day red velvet cake sandwiches. They look amazing.
Wow! This post couldn’t have come at a better time. A lot of things make me happy, but currently I am EXSTATIC because my older cousin just asked me to make his wedding cake!!
Baking makes me happy. My children baking makes me even happier. Eating the baking is happy too.
Thanks Bakerella for your constant happy inspirations!
Spending time with my family makes me happy! Kid’s playing on the floor, hubby curled up on the couch & me sitting in my rocking chair with my cross-stitching! Hearing the kids giggling and playing nicely together! This would be a perfect evening that makes me happy! Thank you for sharing!
BLOGS make me happy! Especially yours!!
My cute little 2 year old telling me she loves me more and more all the time makes me happy
I love the one pink heart on this cake that makes me happy… and the thought of no more homework (i’m taking classes this semester). :) That cake stand is beautiful. I am loving the blue.
I was looking for what we were supposed to comment about – Happy – lots of things make me happy – yellow, kids, babies, church and being able to buy something in a shop when you see it
Wind blowing through aspen trees makes me happy . . . it sounds like the ocean which makes this California girl living in Colorado very happy!
watching a special 3 year old eat a cupcake…well the frosting anyway…
When all my papers are graded really makes me happy!
Waking up on a sunny summer morning, throwing on my bathing suit, setting up my lawn chair with my paints and journal while listening to my iPod that is plugged into the tailgater, sipping on my coffee and painting the morning away. :) That makes me happy.
your postings make me happy!
smells make me intensely happy..some examples perhaps….baked goods of any kind, fresh cut hay, clean country air (the non fertilized kind), new books, husband’s shirt, my son first thing is the morning when he’s till sleepy and ready to snuggle, dog paws, a horse barn first thing in the morning, fresh fallen snow and liquid laundry detergent because it’s smell reminds me of my grandmother
Waking up to a clean kitchen makes me happy!
Weekends away… family. Ooh this plate would make me happy!
Baking!!!!
Sleep when its raining makes me happy…
my wonderful family :)
My niece makes me happy. I’ve never seen a child more precious
http://www.lindleydavidson.com
Your cake is beautiful! I adore the one pink heart! It makes me happy (and feel a bit guilty) to do something for me…like getting a pedicure once in a while!
That’s a better cake than I would make! But with a great stand like that, I’ll have to try !
I agree with all the others that have said hearing a child laugh (especially mine) makes me happy.
Took my son to his first day of 4th grade today…and I’ll meet him after school with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Now THIS makes me happy!!!
Hot peanut butter cookies. Yum.