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.
A lot of things make me happy but today I am excited that our garden corn is getting close to ready!
I don’t think I’ll be making a cake that high anytime soon but I do have a polka dot cake to make for an upcoming 6 year old’s birthday and blue has been requested. I imagine half the number of tiers with dots instead of heart. I don’t think I could manage the fondant though!
Eating cake makes me very, very happy.
baking makes me happy!
Baking goodies for my friends and family makes me happy :)
My family makes me happy : )
Knowing that I don’t owe a penny to anyone makes me happy!!
OMG! This would go great with the desert table for my daughters birthday in September.
making other people happy makes me happy. oh, and finding $ in last year’s winter coat makes me smile too:-)
My family makes me happy….
my roommates.
Listening to my 2-yr. old little boy belly laugh about something makes me incredibly happy!
Winning this cake stand could make me pretty happy, too :)
My little dude’s giggle makes me happy. He’s so much fun!
My husband makes me happy. Yesterday was our 12th anniversary!
Driving in the car with the windows down singing my little heart out!!
cozy blanket, a good book, and a cup of coffee :)
OMG! I love this cake stand.. the blue caught my eye right away! LOVE the pink heart too! Pretty things make me happy.. butterflies, flowers or a happy smile. P.S. This would be an awesome b’day gift for me.., it’s tomorrow 8/24. thanks for the offer!
Your cake makes me happy! I can’t believe you made it just to use the cake stand. It’s wedding worthy…especially with the single pink heart….adorable!!!!
baking for my long-distance boyfriend….even if it is just rice krispie treats…and sending them to him as a surprise! :-)
A good book or a day at the park with my son makes me happy!
I love baking, it makes me happy! I thought your cake turned out great!
cookbooks make me happy. =)
licking the bowl!
Eating a moist and delicious carrot cake makes me happy. My mom has the best recipe in the world! I have never tasted carrot cake that even came close!
Hi Bakerella!
My co-worker just directed me to your site a couple weeks ago and I just love it. I really like to bake though I’m still a beginner – my co-workers are my giunea pigs :) When I saw your blue cake stand (before I even started reading) I just loved it and the funny thing is that I just bought a cake stand yesterday!!! and it’s definately not as cute as this one – it’s just clear glass. I would love to win this cake stand! It’s blue!
My Baby *-*
He’s soo Cute <3
Decorating Cakes is what makes me happy. I love decorating cakes, but I can never find enough occasions to make them. What do you do with all these goodies you make? Do you give them away, eat them, what?
Seeing people kindly sharing their creative idea on the web makes me happy. I am so inspired by your site and will definitely get your book!!!
Towels still warm from the dryer
something that makes me happy is going to disneyland! :D
Kissing my baby’s face makes me happy!
What makes me happy is seeing my kids happy and having a good time! Baking cakes makes them happy too! :)
When my 3 year old, 2 year old, & newborn all take a nap at the same time…I’m so happy!
Blue makes me happy! And blackberries. I had blackberry crisp last night and can’t get it off my mind.
Finishing a project (even if it’s just trying a new recipe) makes me happy!
When my new puppy finds the puppy pads it makes me happy! She is 12 weeks old and FINALLY weighs 2 pounds. We are VERY HAPPY about her weight gain!
A really chocolate cake on a pretty blue plate.
Baking with my 4 year old daughter makes me happy!
my daughter came home today from her first day of kindergarten and was so happy. I honestly cried with joy.
Watching everyone devour my cake balls makes me happy!
What makes me happy: the fact that I finished my very first triathlon yesterday AND killed my time goal :)
Eating my grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies on hot summer days makes me happy.
Blue makes me happy too. I also like chocolate, lots of chocolate, the darker the better.
What makes me happy….
Saturday- Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Sunday- A freshly baked Hoagie (Yes just the bread)
Today- Chocolate Covered Pomegranates
YUMMMM
Having loved ones around to enjoy all of these things makes me even happier though.
My sweet little girl dancing makes me happy! :)
SOOOO PRETTY!!! Good job on your first attempt at cake stacking!!
My kids always bring me happiness.
The color blue and green make me happy :) Miniature things too!
Beautiful, I love the one pink heart, really nice.
I too, am a messy baker. But what makes me happy is the knowledge that even though my kitchen is a nightmare, it’s evidence that I’ve worked hard doing something I love.
Baking makes me happy! So a beautiful cake stand to put it on would make me even happier!!
Good job on the cake, I think it looks lovely
coffee in the morning makes me happy :)
Cooking & baking make me happy but finding new recipes that my family loves me to cook over and over is the greatest!
Many, many things make me happy, but what makes me happy today is hearing from my son’s spec. ed. preschool teacher that he made a ton of progress over the summer, and is already doing really well being back in school.
Oh, and cake makes me happy. Mostly to eat, but sometimes to bake, too!
what makes me happy is having the time to go out on my patio on a nice warm day, and sun myself while eating nice slice of cake with a cold glass of milk… and not gaining any weight. :D Ahhhh happiness.
Well honestly cake stands make me happy and that color of blue makes me happy so this is perfect!
My almost-done renovated kitchen makes me happy!!!
my sweet toddler and awesome husband, all three of us together, doing anything or nothing, makes me happy!
Crisp, cool, fall days make me so happy! Especially when paired with great hot spiced cider and gingersnaps!
Baking makes me happy. It’s my stress relief, my relaxation, my center.
Robe straight from the dryer makes me happy!
Opening my mailbox on Monday morning and getting my weekly post from my favorite blogger, BAKERELLA! Now that makes me happy.
Family makes me happy!
Thinking about seeing the look on my daughter’s face when she sees her daddy come home from his deployment…makes me happy.
Art and photography makes me happy. :) it was a joy to stumble upon this site!
sitting with my husband and reading a good book.
…..o que me faz feliz…..encontrar Bakerella!…estar em minha vida,te-la encontrado,com toda esta doçura,em pessoa,e nós possibilitar realizar,bolos,maravilhosos,que alguem da familia nossa ,a onde voce aprendeu,sorrindo eu digo só na bakerella…beijos!!
The sound of my children laughing makes me happy…or the way my toddler lights up when I make him a special cookie or cupcake. The little things make me the happiest!! :D
Making cupcakes makes me happy and I’d be even happier putting them on this cake stand!
Such a cute cake! Love the single pink heart.
Wearing my boyfriend’s sweaters makes me happy…they’re always so soft and cozy and they smell like a mixture of him & Downy, and wearing them makes me feel so safe and warm and loved :)
hmm.. ice cold slushies make me happy. mmm cherry lime..
Very cute cake!! Knowing that covering a cake in fondant drives someone else crazy also makes me happy. Thanks for all the fun ideas and comments.
When everything is going so terrible and you hear that one song on the radio that fits the situation. Its like a reminder than everything is going to be ok. Thats what makes me happy.
my fiance makes me happy. so incredibly happy. this cake pan would be such a fun addition to our future home!
Baking for friends, family and co-workers makes me so happy. The look on their faces when they bite into something delicious is worth every bit of effort.
Grabbing a cupcake at my favorite bakery and taking a walk in downtown Portland while eating said cupcake.
The ocean! I love playing in the water, laying on the sand, listening to waves crash, and if there is a storm I love watching it from a window. :)
Baking makes me happy :)
Love it!
When everything is going so terrible and then you hear that one song on the radio….that fits so appropriate in your situation. Its like a little reminder that everythings going to be ok….that makes me happy.
I’m getting married in 12 days, and that makes me happy. :)
my students at school…make me happy : )!
The fact that my cupcake baking dreams are coming true makes me totally and ridiculously happy.
My two daughters quirky personality (they get it from their momma)
Reading a book makes me happy, while eating something yummy of course!
right before my boys go to bed my husband and i snuggle with our twin boys…. that makes me so happy!
My son telling me how much he LOVES his new school makes me happy!!!
I discovered today after moving that central air makes me VERY happy.
I love cooking with my kids!
5 o’clock on a Friday makes me happy!
Wow – incredible. Learning how to make CAKE POPS makes me happy. Can’t wait to try them out.
The little pink heart makes this cake perfect.
Vacationing with my family makes me happy!
My two little guys, ages 4 and almost 2, make me happy without even trying!
Blue makes me happy too! As does cake. So this post definitely made me happy. :)
My husband and kids make me happy. NOT winning the cake plate would make me blue. ;0
Baking with my hubby makes me happy!
This cake is so pretty! And what a beautiful shade of blue that is!
This cake recipe makes me happy! I’ve been searching for a yellow cake recipe for awhile!
Thanks so much for this giveaway! I love the blue plate.
My husband turns 30 this weekend and he makes me happy :-)
He has requested a dessert bar for his party, and it’s been so much fun planning the desserts and how I will decorate and display them!
Italian cream sodas, driving the tractor with my boys, surfing, vacation, rootbeer floats on a hot summer day, movies in the park all summer song…this is what makes me happy!
Any kind of food makes me happy! :) Especially cupcakes..
Baking and Pastry is something that makes me happy. That’s why I’m doing that as my major. (:
Warm summer evenings.
Reading a book in a warm sunbeam when it is frosty outside.
Totally cute cake. I’m a professional cake decorator and we all use tricks to cover the little imperfections. I think you did a lovely job. It just takes practice.
Hope I win!
Making a tasty and good looking batch of cupcakes certainly makes me happy! :)
Looks so cute! The perfect thing to make a birthday cake more festive..
Making people happy with dessert makes me happy…warm chocolate chip cookies work wonders with people. :)
bakerella.com giveaways make happy – and pink sparkling cupcakes too!
My baby girl makes me the happiest! She’s the most adorable baby! :)
Bakerella..me faz muito feliz por me ajudar a realizar ,meus sonhos de confeitaria,o que me faz feliz são pequenas realizações,sonhos ..os meus é ganhar um pedacinho da bakerella,do amor que nos transmite,o carinho,a dedicação,da para sentir o ..o cheirinho de todas estas receitas ,aqui em meu coração,obrigada por voce existir,para que eu possa me realizar,assim ,meus sonhos,de fazer estas receitas,um beijinho em seu coração!
sua fã
caroliny!!
Lately…organization has made me happy. Seeing clean closets and a clean pantry with happy little labels gives me a thrill like no other. And, of course, any baked good.
Animals make me happy. =) And your website because I’ve found so many fun recipes to experiment with.
cheerwine soda makes me happy!
having a cupcake picnic at the beach and running in the sand with my boys until we’re wiped out…all the while giggling until our tummies hurt! hearing their high pitched squeals of delight while enjoying the outdoors with my husband and I is what yummy moments are made of!
My little baby bump makes me happy!
The fact that someone else had cake problems this weekend…that makes me happy! :0)
Oh and what makes me happy is that I now know how to keep the crumbs out…what does Buddy call it…Dirty Icing…that also makes me very happy!
What makes me happy? Thinking about how happy my husbnad would be if I won this absolutely adorable cake stand instead of buying yet another one for my awesome collection! I didn’t realize how much I needed a blue cake stand until seeing this post! Your cake is beautiful-I’m totally going to make this for valentine’s day this year!!
My kids make me happy
Making a special breakfast for my family makes me happy.
holy cow there are a lot of comments.
being inventive and creating new things makes me happy!
Especially when it goes good :]
you did a fabulous job! naps always make me happy
my miniature donkeys make me happy. i love to see them run and kick their legs in the air. they are sooooo full of life!
When I get a chance to be with my friends who don’t live in state, I am very happy!
drinking tea and looking out onto the lake makes me happy :]
My family and friends make me happy. And so do wine, beer, and cookies!!
Chocolate makes me super happy :D
Eating cake makes me happy :)
My son makes me happy!
My happiness comes from being with my 2 grand babies,just watching how much they change from day to day is wonderful.I never thought those 2 boys would make me so happy.
Waking up and then realizing it is not yet time to get up! Ahh, love the snoozes :-)
My friend who thought she couldn’t get pregnant is having triplets! Happy! Happy! Happy!
Baking with my children for my husband maks me happy. Seeing someone really enjoy what ou made for them!
Baking and Family…two things that make me VERY happy :)
Something that makes me happy, huh? Morning kisses from my corgi/golden retriever pup. His breath might not be so fresh, but there’s nothing like having him wake me up by poking his nose against mine and then licking me half to death because he needs to go out to potty.
Taking a spontaneous day off of work and keeping my 3 year old son home from day care to spend the whole day with him going to the park, zoo, etc makes me incredibly happy.
Making cake pops and sharing them with others makes me happy :)
My kids smiling after the first day of school. :)
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me HAPPY!!!!!!!!!
I love the design the one pink heart really makes it pop. Really cute cake on the blue plate.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A PICTURE IN YOUR HEAD OF WHAT YOUR BAKED ITEM SHOULD LOOK LKE AND THEN IT DOES…DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN ENOGUH!
that cake is adorable! If i made it i’d make the 1 single heart a big red heart..too cute! i love the blue cake stand too, i’d be great to have on the days when i bring treats in for the boys at work!
Seeing your adorable cake makes me very happy! So cute!
It looks wonderful, unless you’ve used extensive photoshop, I cant see any flaws! I generally prefer to use hollow dowels from wilton, or some people swear by the bubble tea straws, regular straws are a little thin, and I worry about splinters from wood.
Being at work in my new desk and being able to see outside. The sky is blue with great big fluffy clouds. Our old building didnt have windows.
My children and my husband make me one happy beach mama!
My two little girls make me happy!
My husband cuddling with me.
Cake & My Kitties make me happy. :-)
Chocolate! and laughing with people I love.
My kids are 3 and 1. When they are playing nicely together, and not destroying something…..THEN I am VERY happy!
My 2 year old saying new words everyday. Always makes me smile.
summer makes me happy!
My daughter’s “I love you”s!
watching my kids playing together makes me happy
Honestly the smell of chocolate, milk and sugar boiling (for no-bake cookies) makes me happy…something about the smell of the chocolate at the point of a rolling boil…sounds so silly – but YUMMY! :)
Days off of work makes me happy :)
This website just makes me happy. :) But what also makes me happy is making cupcakes and other sweet treats!!!!! <3
This is a little werid but my Cows really make me happy I just look and them and they put a smile on me.
Cupcakes make me happy
so cute and sappy
pies make me smile
sweets help me face my trials.
It’s after 6 pm but i’m in a different time zone so it was harder for me to reply ):
Trying to bake a cake over and over and failing every time, and then finally after some practice it works out! That’s what makes me happy (:
Life as a whole makes me very happy, but I get so much joy when I see the face of the cake recipient when they see THEIR cake for the first time!! It makes it all worth while!
The cake is gorgeous! Love the simplicity of it!
Baking makes me happy! =D
I love the single pink heart– too cute! A fresh stack of unread magazines (and the time to flip through them) makes me VERY happy.
My boys taking a nap so I can look at my favorite websites & blogs and finding this post make me happy!!!
My mom recovering nicely from surgery last week for Ovarian Cancer :)
Nothing makes me happier then my children… especially at naptime ;)
My family make me happy.
Baking with my 2 year old daughter makes me happy – i just hope she didn’t get my sweet tooth!
Love, love, love the blue cake stand, especially with the one pink heart!
What never fails to make me happy is snuggling with my warm and utterly adorable tabby cat on a cool or rainy day with The Nutcracker soundtrack playing in the background. If I could spend eternity doing anything, that would be it.
The sound of my girls playing together make me happy. And today I need happy!
hugging and lovin’ on family when we get to see them – one is military stationed in Italy, another is in Fayetteville, NC, and one is close by, they are all so precious
Cake makes me happy. I love to decorate cakes and this would be a great way for me to display them.
feeding people. it’s amazing how a simple chocolate chip cookie can make a person’s day.
Something that makes me happy? Why, my girlfriend, the one who introduced me to this blog, of course. =)
Hugs from my nephews make me the happiest!
Cupcakes ALWAYS makes me happy…so do my kids and husband most of the time. :)
I’m getting married in 4 days…. that makes me so happy!!!!!! We are using some of the famous Bakerella’s reicpes for the reception! You’re going to make us look like real pros!
The smile on my son’s face as he sees me walk through the door after work.
Rainy days makes me happy. :)
That gorgeous pink heart in the middle of all those white hearts just made me waaayyyyyy happy! So cute!
Very cute! I like the one pink heart.
Buttercream makes me happy!
my youngest gives me “bundle bee kisses” that makes me happy!
potty training does not make me happy…but when my 3 year old runs to the potty and goes…then i’m happy. can you tell what my focus has been all week?
my kids make me happy
My 5 dogs and ice cream :)
Watching my kids play together. :)
Getting together with my brothers and watching a good old soccer game every weekend really makes me happy!
finding a new baking blog and getting tons of new ideas makes me happy :)
Creating anything makes me smile.
and this post, totally made me smile.
:)
Baking definitely makes me happy……especially a Bakerella recipe!
Baking for other people makes me happy. I love eating cakes and cookies and pies I’ve made, but it’s much more fun when other people are enjoying them too!
cake makes me happy..especially chocolate cake..
baking cute treats for my friends… makes me happy and makes them happy!!
Cupcakes make me happy!
When my daughter comes up to me and says “Mommy, I have a question. I love you!”
my kids and hubby make me happy! I love spending time with them! Love the plate, too :-)
Eating chocolate banana bread with my fingers while reading your blog post. Happiness right there.
I LOVE cakestands! I want to start collecting them . . . this would be a great start.
seeing the smiles on peoples faces when i give them things i have baked just for them
Finding a low fat/low cal cupcake (or any cake) makes me happy.
Makes my family happy too.
wow! that cake is super and the pink heart is a cute addition!
Bakinhg, my hubby, kittens and my family!