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.
Chocolate eclairs make me so happy.
Seeing my students the first day of school makes me happy! I teach special education and love my kids. :)
Am I too late? The winner hasn’t been announced yet so I’m hoping I’m not. But seeing that there is something like 6,000 entries I’m not going to be too confident about being the winner.
What makes me happy? This snuggle weather we’re having today is making me happy.
listening to my two little ones giggling together! Nothing is better than that!
a good surprise makes me happy!
Cake stands make me happy! Oh and my kids make me happy too :)
seeing my 3 little Boys smiling at me every morning:)
Visiting friends make me happy!
My daughter’s belly laugh makes me happy…..
Sharing yummy creative cupcakes with others makes me happy.
Sunshine!
What makes me happy? Spending time with the people I care about.
Chocolate! and spending time with my husband.
Love it, want it, NEED IT…Winning a cute blue cake stand makes me happy!!!!!!!
Getting to snuggle my boyfriend makes me happy :3
Sipping coffee and watching it rain out of my living room window makes me happy.
Right now, the thing that makes me happy is that single pink heart. Seriously awesome cake design. You are one talented lady.
Sports, baking, reading, church, and family make me happy. :)
Running makes me happy! And sunsets, and cookies and cream ice cream.
Would love to win.
Listening to my dog snore and watching him kick and bark when he’s dreaming always makes me happy :)
That peaceful feeling after a good first day of school, that makes me happy!
my kid’s smile when they are proud of themselves
My husband makes me happy. :)
And anything at all to do with chocolate.
That cake is gorgeous, and looking at it made me happy! Also getting new books :)
My kids birthdays make me happy.
I love cake plates too they make me happy, especially vintage ones.
Fall makes me so happy- the anticipation is driving me crazy.
My family makes me happy….wonderful husband and two happy little boys!
Too late? Hope not! I don’t even own a cake stand and I always wanted one!
Having enough change to eat makes me happy.
Poverty makes you appreciate all the little things.
cooking and baking for my friends and family and seeing how much they love it!
the sounds of kids giggling
Seeing my nephew walk for the first time makes me happy :)
adorable!
pomegranates make me happy…
cotton candy makes me very happy =)
cookingg makes me happy!
My twin daughters and my husband make me happy!
Winning something would make me very happy! I’ve never won anything before.
Date night with my hubby!
I love to bake cookies and spend time with my kids.
Giveaways make me happy!, Reading your blog makes me happy, painting, crocheting, and baking make me so so happy!
Traveling makes me happy :)
The smell of orange blossom water makes me happy!! :)
Cute aprons make me happy.
Watching Dinosaur specials on the Discovery Chanel while eating fresh blueberry muffins makes me happy.
My babies and dreaming of their wonderful lives…
Winning a beautiful cake stand would make me happy
Holding my grandbabies.
Having my husband home from work and all my kids happy.
mmmmmmm cake makes me happy. :D
seeing my 3y old daughters smiling face ALWAYS makes me happy!
Well I know it is past 6:00pm but I still wanted to comment that your honesty about baking makes me happy. I love how you just tell it like it is! :)
today my 17 month old baby girl started daycare in a different class and when i picked her up the techers were so impressed that she already knew the signs that they are teaching the kids in her class – she’s a genius!! ;)
What makes me happy is taking a nap during a thunderstorm and slightly waking up to feel my kitty making biscuits on me!
Blue cakes stands, of course!!
I just love your stuff and am so excited to get my book! Did the blue plate hold the weight of all that cake well? Just wondering!
always wondered what kept the layers from slipping & sliding. now i know! thx
Eating makes me really, really happy.
Being a professional cake decorator makes me happy. It is my job and I love it.
Kitties make me happy :)
I love the simplicity of the single pink heart!!
My children’s laughter.
No way! I literally *just* discovered the Fishs Eddy website and I was drooling over all the cake plates right before I hopped over here. I love the “Vaseline” plates. Very gross-but-cool looking.
I love this! The one pink heart is adorable.
eating something sweet while watching my baby sleep :)
Waking up to a purring kitty makes me happy.
hot coffee early in the morning
Making and baking cakes… and people telling me they loved it!!! :)
I like when it’s bedtime for the kiddos – finally some quiet!
Ooooh!
Only having to ask my children once for something to be done and having them do it without complaining. That’s what makes me happy.
The fact that my husband is, at this very moment, researching where to find the best milkshakes in town.
baking makes me happy
I was late adding my comment, but I love the single pink heart. What makes me happy is my family..
Sunflowers, old books, and my little sister!
The happy faces of my family members eating the cupcakes that I made!
You did a great job!!! I am about to make cake balls with the pieces of cake that were cut off when leveling. It’s a great use for the remnants of cake!!!
summer makes me happy (~~)
Office supply and baking supply stores make me equally happy…I’m not sure why, but it’s true. I could kill a whole day in each!
What a great job. Duff better watch out! = ) My three dogs make me happy, just watching them play like puppies puts a smile on my face.
Rubbing my baby boy’s warm back, my husbands hugs, baking, and when I saw your cake… instant, happy smile!!!
Clean house, dinner (and dessert) made
Life makes me happy! Because I realize it just rocks! But it could always be worse, but I am truly blessed!
My husband and our 1st baby-to-be in 2 weeks!
Cake crumbs make me happy :)! It means I’ve had a lot of fun, someone’s tummy is happy and there are lots and lots of smiles :)!
Watching and listening to my children play with their daddy!
My mom makes me happy and she would love this for her birthday!
my puppy makes me happy!
my little girl makes me happy all the time :)
My little boys (ages 7 & 3) giggling with each other makes me happy :)
My daughter finding out shes FINALLY going to be a big sister! :D
the thing that makes me the happiest, is when my son just out of the blue walks up to me and sits on my lap to snuggle.
Being a stay at home mom is all I dreamed it would be.
Lovely vintage things make me happy… that’s why I love the look of that cake stand so much, so retro!
Evenings at home with my husband and dinner make me happy!!
My childrens smile when i bake cupcake for them.. and they are 25 children.. i am a kindengraden teacher..
knitting makes me happy and the pink heart on the white cake makes me happy.
I LOVE MY KIDS AND HUSBAND!! They make me happy!
Irish accents make me very, very happy.
Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting makes me happy!
cute things makes me most happiest :]
My kids getting along, playing well and laughing makes me soo happy. oh, and when they don’t complain about the nice healthy dinner I made them.
Fabric makes me happy. Cake is a close second, though. :)
Finding Bakerella makes me happy! I just stumbled upon this and I’m in LOVE! Did I miss it?!??!!?!?
Seeing someone else smile makes me smile. And if I created that smile….all the better.
Beautiful cake…simple and elegant. What makes me happy is seeing the looks on peoples faces when I deliver a cake to them. Just the expression on their face knowing that I made them happy is priceless.
Listening to my children laugh together-on the rare occasion they are not arguing-always makes me happy : )
Darn those international date lines! I think I’m too late to be entered, but chocolate ganache makes me happy…if a salty pretzel is dipped into the ganache then I am really, really happy
baking for the fam. makes me happy….especially when i see there eyes light up in happiness…=]
Spending time with my family makes me the happiest :)
Seeing the smile on a cake recipient’s face makes me happy. This lovely cake shown made me happy.
Baking goodies for friends and family :)
LOVE the plate! Hope I win!!! Love the pink heart…it makes the cake!
A good book, and the time to read it, makes me happy!
this blue cake stand would make me happy!
sunshine makes me happy.
having desert first is what makes me happy!
blue skies make me happy
sharing a chocolate cake with my family!
baking makes me happy!
Eating pecan pie while drinking coffee and watching tarheel basketball at my grandmother’s. That makes me happy.
Eating yummy cake makes me happy :)
Thank you for this post – I have been afraid to try staked cakes, but I may have to give it a try now – and that also makes me happy! Love love love the cake stand!
Life itself makes me happy !
Happiness is being at home after a weeks long vacation!!
I think thing that makes me happy is spending time with my husband and kids.
Cooking for family and friends makes me happy :O)
Knowing that my mommy, who has dementia, is well loved @ her nursing home.
pedestal cake-stands are my new thing! did I mention blue is my avorite color?
baking and decorating…. always relieves my stress
What makes ME happy… Cooking Cuppies, Eating Cuppies, teasing my partner as I finish the plate of Cuppies…
My partner works in an Underground Mine and he often has requests from his work mates to send him off to work with Cakes, cuppies, cookies… I am an execellant “ametur” cook. I love sitting at home a making my own creation. Visually my creations aren’t to great… But I am only aiming for TASTE!! =)
the color yellow always makes me happy, along with giveaways from Bakerella !
So pretty!
What makes me happy is my 3 month old baby smiling at me. :)
Glitter makes me happy :)
anything chocolate will always put a smile on my face.
I love cakestands! So much so that I started making my own if I can’t find the perfect height/size. Loving this blue one!
OH MY WORD!! I love this!! If I were to list what makes me happy, we’d be here for two weeks straight!! BUT to sum it up- my husband, my family and friends, sunshine and not to suck up or anything but this cake, cake stand and even just the photos of it all make me happy!!!
Trying new recipes for my husband!!
Your website makes me happy! I have a “pipe dream” of quitting my job, going to pastry school, and becoming a cake artist! I check your site daily, and whenever I see a new posting, my day is instantly perked up! Thank you Bakerella!
This post makes me happy!!!! I wish I could be as adventurous!!!
Chocolate makes me happy. :) Yum.
Hmmm…chocolate and peanut butter make me SO happy! And spending time with family, of course. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
besides my family, friends and health…peanut butter makes me happy haha :) especially a delicious peanut butter chocolate cupcake!
Snuggling with my cute puppies makes me happy!
Happiness=baking with my kids……cookies, cupcakes, anything!!!
I have so many things that make me happy but most of all it is my 8 month old son and my amazing husband.
Very cute and simple. Love it!
A new book makes me happy!!
birthday cupcakes make me happy…especially when they have sprinkles on top : )
I’m fortunate enough to have a job decorating cakes. I get to play with sweet stuff all day, make pretty things, and get paid to do it. I can’t think of a better job for me.
my three babies smiling and giggling :) :) :)
your blog makes me happy
My nieces and nephews faces when I bake them cakes make me happy ? Can’t wait to have kids of my own =)
coming home to my smiling puppy every day. and the color yellow. and sunshine days and cuddling up in a down comforter. and the smell of fall.
I love when I am driving in the car and I put on music and I look and can see my little 2yr old girl in the rearview mirror dancing and bobbin up and down in her carseat. It’s these moments that i wish lastest forever.
Sunflower make me happy!
My children riding in their barbie jeep dressed up as horses makes me happy! Thanks for the give away! You are always so awesome!!
A good audiobook makes me happy!
Your heart cake makes me happy! That and my family are on top of the list right now! :)
Get into my favorite blogs and find new posting….
AHHHH! this is the cutest cake stand ever! i think i’ve been waiting my whole life for it!
the fact that i made dinner AND did the dishes tonight makes me very happy. that never happens.
ps. your cake is AMAZING!
fondant makes me happy. it’s so pretty on cakes
Aw, just missed the deadline. Anyhow, something that really makes me happy is drawing. When I’m feeling down I draw away.
My kids make me happy, even when they’re just out of the first day of school and attempting to kill each other while I enter to win a happy blue cake plate.
And can I just tell you how happy it makes me that you, with all your pretty, perfect baked goods, are a messy baker like me?! Gives me hope!
When my brother and I make each other laugh so hard I forget all my worries. This make me happy and glad to have him in my life.
Crap confidence hahahaha
Having confindence in myself makes me happy.
Seeing my 3yr old and 4 month old smile like crazy when I get home from work makes me HAPPY HAPPY!!
baking makes me happy!!!
Finding out that the biopsy they did last week didn’t show any malignancy….makes me VERY HAPPY! :) I love the cake stand.
Baking makes me happy =)
What makes me happy:
My 18 month old daughter Rilee makes me happy! Just today I woke her up and asked if she slept good, she nodded, then I asked if she missed her mommy?? She said “uh huh!” So sweet. It really is the little things in my life, with my husband away, he’s in the Air Force, my daughter is my strength. She reminds me why I need to be strong, and happy! I could go on about her, but I will just keep it simple, My daughter is the one person who lights up my life more than any other! And that is what makes me happy!
So, I know I am late. But that cake is AMAZING! All of your decorating makes me happy. It gives me hope that I can do it!!
My daughter makes me happy. She would love her birthday cake on this stand.
sugar cookies with a vanilla glaze make me REALLY happy!
My babies laughs and smiles make me happy! I would really love to have this for my daughters 1st birthday!!
PS Love the site!! Thank you!!
Sharing potato chips with my hamster makes me happy
my kids make me happy!! love the cake…
New yarn, cupcakes, and friends. Preferably all together.
I like looking at baking pictures and looking at cake/kitchen cookware. That fills me with excitement.
Playing with my dogs makes me happy.
Making someone’s day or making someone else smile makes me happy.
Getting together with my friends once a month, and eating and gabbing all night!!!!
trying to bake and my 3 yr telling me you bake the best cakes ( I am the worst.baker )mommy.
Looking at your pictures makes me happy :D
I hope I’m not too late :)
My kids make me happy, especially my 5th child, he has the best laugh that comes from the toes :)
Scrapbook paper! I have an insane addiction to scrapbook paper. I love to organize it. Then re-organize it. =)
My two year old son makes me happy. especially when we take naps together..even better =)
Dancing (ballroom, salsa, swing) makes me happy!
My amazing family makes me happy!
surprises =)
and cake!
When I wake up the morning and I go into my girls’ room and I get to watch them wake up.
My Family. :)
Seeing my baking pantry makes me happy. I guess that’s really insane for the baking enthusiast, but I LOVE IT!!
i don’t know what makes me happier… the cake plate or the cake….
but my black lab makes me happy too
Free cakestands make me happy! Especially one that is as pretty as this one!
Reading cookbooks and cake blogs make me happy : )
I’m too late- but finding a new wonderful new blog makes me happy!
A cup of coffee and my best friend and I together
The smell of butter and sugar being creamed in the kitchen aid stand mixer…best smell ever!
My baby’s smile and laugh in the morning makes me happy!