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.
Loved this recipe!!!! LOL
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Baking makes me happy :-)
Awesome so want one
Taking weeks to prepare a lovely surprise, then wait and reveal it at the right time just to see the look on the face of a loved one makes me happy.
Seeing the smiles when someone recieves one of my cakes.
seeing the pretty stuff you make makes my heart all flutter up….because now I’m all pepped up to try it out..
many many hugs to you for making such pretty things!
and making all around you happy
Thanks for your amazing post. I just made this cake for an adoption party, and it was a huge hit!
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with approximately all significant infos. I would like to see extra posts like this .
oh no! the website is out of stock of the blue dish…perhaps I’ll strike it lucky at a garage sale;)
I love baking and it makes me really happy!
How adorable. I just found your website and am so excited!
wat makes me happy is wen i think about how fantastic its going to be in heaven sitting next to the lord one day
What makes me happy is when I bake a cake and cut the tops off. My children love to eat my scraps, however the other day my son came in from outside with red velvet cake all over his face. I knew right away he had gotten it out of the trash! Ewe! So when I told him that was disgusting anD he can’t do that he looked at me and said “but mom I just LOVE your cake”. I appreciate he loves my cake so much but I’d rather he not eat it out of the trash. LOL
ohmy, that is so cute!
freedom.
Hey y’all…. tryin’ to think what makes me happiest in this whole world..
well i reckon that would have to be the delicious scent of a warm chocolate cream pie and staying home with ma kiddies :) that would be ma perfect day i reckon!
* Birmingham.. oh my
anyways, strong hoses and police dogs make me happy! Call me crazy! Also this cake is as stunning as an angel’s face darling!
Oh my lord… what makes me happy??
Well that would be the lord….
ohh and having a cosy night in with a hot slice of pie and the Passion of the christ… a truly artful film
Eating raisins and watching old episodes of Dharma and Greg makes me happy!! :) xx
LAYNA!!! WTF?! that shouldn’t make you happy… you should feel sympathy
Lying in bed with this cake and the latest edition of Horse and Hound magazine makes me happy
I adore the single pink heart! Hmmm what makes me happy…sparrows, they can’t walk (they have to hop everywhere.) What fun!!!!!
Truly, your blog makes me happy! Baking is therapy for me and even better, reading about baking! I am going to try cake pops and fondant this year!!! Thank u! A ;)
I don’t know why, for even a minute, you would doubt your amazing talent! For a first time layered fondant cake this looks so cute! And professional. I would buy it.
This is gorgeous :)
I gotta say, you did a great job if this is your first stacked cake. Usually people start with two tiers but you went over the top. I love it. Simple and great job at covering what ever you call “uneven surfaces”. Kudos
playing with my dogs and eating cakes makes me happy!
I love this blue plate, where can I buy it?
I think you did a fabulous job on the cake. The single pink heart is a winner!
The thing that makes me the most happy : that sensation of looking up at sunlight through trees. You know, the way the leaves dance through the light and it comes down in little streams. It’s so calming and beautiful!
I know this is over…but. I want to tell you that your post brought a smile to my face. I like your ‘real’ blogging…and what makes me happy: http://www.secretagentL.com I’m sure it’ll make you happy too! Be well,
Love the cake!!
I would humbly like to offer my videos for caking tutorials:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SeriousCakes#g/u
Buttercream only but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what can be accomplished :D
By the way, I love your stuff!!! HUGE fan :D :D
I love the little hearts! Adorable!
Snuggling on the couch and looking at pictures of delicious food online with my daughter- who is 10- makes me extremely happy! We have an entire bookmarked folder called “Food Blogs” and we try to take time at least twice a week to do it together!!
cheeky shenanigans make me happy. cheeky shenanigans combined with hilarious hi-jinks makes me ecstatic. :)
My new blue mixer makes me happy!
Girl! You did a fantastic job! I just finished my first wedding cake and made every fondant blunder imaginable! I think the white hearts (and one pink heart) are absolutely charming! And *sniff* hate I was too late to register for the stand. L-O-V-E-L-Y!
Great designs make me happy and I love this cake! I know the contest is over but I wanted to say it anyway. The simple design with the awesome cake stand is just fantastic – less is more!
Cooking and baking for people I love makes me happy!
Love it, especially the one pink heart.
aww i always miss these contests
Bakerella! Your Cake Pops book was mentioned in the October issue of Family Circle Magazine. How cool!
The smell of chocolate wafting from my oven…and then the excitement when my family finds out it’s for them!
Making people happy through baking makes me happy!!!!!
y
e
s
y
e
s
,,,, I just like & love your blog!
Agneta, Sweden
That looks effing amazing! I dabbled in my first go with fondant for my son’s first birthday party. It was probably the most stressful thing I ever did. Did you just buy the premade fondant? That’s what I did. If you go to Michael Crafts, they sell Duff from Ace of Cakes stuff there, to include his fondant. Here’s a pic of my hot mess of a cake which eventually looked okay… but the fondant ripped and I had to patch. I wanted to smoke a whole carton of cigarettes by the end.
http://twitpic.com/2gpcw7
Anyway a tip on fondant, passed to me from a friend who is a pastry chef… roll with cornstartch as opposed to powedered sugar… and apparently the shows on TV tell you to spray it with water or vodka in the end but she says the fondant will crack, especially on bigger cakes… I did it and it happened haha.
Really starting to get into collection cake stands. They have so many uses…
Ugh! How did i miss this? I am obsessed with cake stands. Been cake decorating for 14 yrs. My favorite way to stack is using straws you get at an asian market. they are wider and veey sturdy.
My kids playing sweetly together!
I love this stand!
Was super happy you shared with us your beautiful cake and acknowledged how hard it canbe sometimes you Inspire me(:
The giveaway is done & I know you’ll never read this but… Bonnie Blue was my grandfather’s nickname for me. I’m glad I didn’t read this post in time to enter… I would have had to walk down memory lane for a LONG time before I could remember what made me happy. I might have to buy one just for that reason alone.
Hearing my grandson tell a knock-knock joke makes me laugh (even if I heard them a thousand times before).
batter makes me swoon….cake, coffee cake, any sweet, gooey batter and I am over the moon…
I have added this cake to my wedding reception scrapbook! Awesome!
well for a first time cake stacker you did an amazing job! Gorgeous!
That cake stand is adorable. I just got my new issue of Family Circle the other day. Finally got around to flipping through it. Congrats on your book and cake pops being mentioned! I was so excited for you. I make your cake balls for almost every occasion–they are such a hit! Thanks for the great recipes =]
Sugar makes me very happy!
my babies make me sooo happy!!!
Bakerella can you do a step by step recipe for carrot cupcakes
Love your blog
Please follow my blog http://www.cupcakesbyJackie@blogspot.com
Serving my grandson milk and home baked cookies and having him share some of his life with me makes me happy. He’s 17 and I know these times are precious.
and just to let you know too…im way over the other side of the planet..philippines! :)
reading all your recipes here MAKES ME ECSTATIC!! i honestly dont know how to bake (i did try, but i guess its just not for me…not until now…im soo inlove with the cake pops!)
will be on your website 24/7 that’s for sure!
The double chocolate oatmeal cookies I have the oven right now are making me quite happy :)
i sooooo love the single pink heart on the cake!! i’m actually thinking about having my wedding cake designed like it!! you won’t mind do you??????
I know this sounds strange, but my dog makes me happy, he just makes me smile!
Also super neat and lined up cookies and cakes and such.
Reading Bakerella.com makes me happy = )
Ok, so I missed the contest – new baby and all, I’ve been a bit busy. Oh, that’s what makes me happy. My kids. 8 1/2 yr old son, 6 1/2 yr old son and 3 1/2 week old baby girl!!
But I just gotta say, you have some MAD decorating skillz!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this design and may just have to stea… I mean BORROW the idea.
My family makes me happy! YAY!!
His,
Mrs.U
you are so great!!! i love your homepage and your recipes,
greatings from,
canan
Having the house to myself and making late night meals.
So obviously this comment is not for the drawing, but I just had to let you know that…that one pink heart makes me so unbelievably, unexplainably happy…thank you for once again putting a smile on my face :-)
Baking beautiful things make me happy. I love this cake stand :)
Anything that smells or tastes like coconut makes me happy…it’s so beachy!
The thought of that I some day in the future will move to New York makes me happy! :)
oh my goodness, that cake stand is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!!! What’s making me happy right now is my daughter’s dresser that was a drabby 70s color and now is a bright turquoise!! I love turning something old and dated into something fun. So that makes me happy these days :)
CONGRATS WINNER!
The cake is lovely!
Goddess Jewelry
My Family and hot wings make me happy.
My daughter makes me happy.
Looking at ideas for procrastibaking on funky blogs and then sharing the end results with hungry friends x
The smell of spring and fall makes me happy….
Too late for the contest, but I think the cake looks great!! Love the single pink heart..
My daughter’s birthday is in a couple of weeks and she gets two surprises: 1. monster themed cupcake pops and 2. finding out she is going to be a big sister! The thought of how ecstatic she’ll be that day makes me happy :)
Cake makes me happy!
I love how you go from messy to absolutely PERFECT! Your blog posts make me happy :) So does reading under a big blanket with a mug of tea or coffee :)
My daughter’s new imaginary friend makes me happy. It’s so cute!
Being beside the ocean.
Yummy desserts make me happy.
I know the drawing is over.. but I still wanted to reply:) Was watching It’s always Sunny in Phil. last night & thought Kitten mittens make me oh so very happy. Thank you Charles.
snuggling with my kids, especially with them all messy from some fresh homemade baked treat!
My little girl makes me happy…oh and cake! :)
My family makes me happy!
a free hour to browse through a new magazine.
Camping with my DH and my grandson!
Learning to walk again makes me happy <3
I’m sorry I missed the contest-beautiful cake stand. Check out http://www.handmade-cake-stand.com for some lovely porcelain stands. They have cupcake stands too!!
baking cakes and cupcakes makes me ooober happy! it’s so relaxing for me and I love decorating them! your cake is ADORABLE! i love your ideas! you’re so creative even when you think what you’re doing is simple! thank you for your inspiration bakerella!
why am I always late for the contests? still, it’s a beautiful cake. are you sure you’re not a professional?
baking!
kitties. watching them play and sleep. I could sit for hours watching them.
Reading that someone else is a messy baker made me very happy. :) I’m a disaster in the kitchen!
my kids make me happy…
Bakerella makes me happy!
Lots of things make me happy – how fortunate am I? Right now, at this very moment, cookies make me happy.
Watching Cake Boss, Top Chef and Project Runway makes me happy :)
Lately cooking and trying new recipes out make me happy :)
congrats angela…..enjoy your new cake stand…it’s gorgeous
Baking anything with my daughter makes me happy
my 3 year old son makes me the happiest! even when he’s being a monster toddler but mostly when he’s being his sweet self and always ask for hugs and kisses.
I love blue too! I love cake stands and I love hearts because I was born on Valentines day!
Making other people smile makes me happy!
Beautiful cake! We made a wedding cake this week in a similar design, only our bottom tier was 11″!!!
My Grandma used to make cakes professionally, and she said to use 3 dowels, because the cake will balance better if you cut one slightly wrong than if you use 4. But I’m sure your cutting was perfect so it didn’t matter!
Congratulations Angela from Memphis! you are very lucky!
what REALLY makes me happy, is when I am baking, my wonderful husband comes behind me and cleans up all my messes!!
This blog makes me happy! :)
Wow!!! Over 6000 comments!!! This looks really cute :)
I love how even when you “mess up” your creations look AMAZING :). Bought your book this weekend and can’t wait for it to arrive!
yes, rolling and covering a cake in fondant is a painstaking process, but it makes me really happy to see the look on someone’s face when they have to cut into the beautiful cake and destroy it… i love that!
Buttercream frosting makes me happy!
having others enjoy my baking makes me happy
watching my family thoroughly enjoy something i have baked for them. their ecstatic “yums” and grins are priceless!
Hearing my baby boy laugh! :)
Family and baking with my mom makes me Happy!!!
Making cake balls from your recipe,having them turn out perfect, and being a hit at work… Makes me very happy!!!!!
There are many things that make me happy. My children make me smile everyday. My husband still gives me the chills and makes me so happy. going to work teaching these beautiful children an wondering which one in my class will be the president..just makes me happy!!!
bringing a smile to a child’s face with a fresh-baked creation…. :-)
Screw professional cake bakers! I think yours looks AMAZING, almost like one of the cute plastic Japanese toys because it is so insanely perfect! That one pink heart was the master touch. So drop dead perfect! Oh, I know I’m gushing a little but I just LOVE this cake!
Hugs and kisses from my girls, especially my 16 month old’s big wet sloppy open-mouth kisses getting drool all over my cheek!
Giveaways make me happy :) Along with a good book and something creamy to eat.
Blue makes me happy! And so do cake stands, if my recent fixation is any indicator, but blue has always been my favorite color. It’s an instant mood-lift.
But what’s a unique thing that makes me happy….red double-decker buses, pop-up books, smashing garlic cloves with the side of a knife, having my food on a tray? Ooh, book shopping! That’s the best one.
CUPCAKES!!!
Caking makes me happy!
My 2 boys and my husband. :) Also baking. ;)
Tonight, fresh cookies are making me happy. I had a very difficult day (learned of some returning health problems that might require surgery), and my husband is now making cookies from scratch for the first time to make me smile. SO I guess cookies and good husbands make me smile. :)
Snuggled in a soft couch with
a plate of chocolate chip cookies,
a cup of milk,
and knitting a cuddly sweater,
makes me
very,
very,
very
happy inside.
i looove the hearts!!
Wow, the cake is gorgeous!!! And I LOVE the cake stand too! White paired with bright fresh colours makes me happy!
PS I’m in Australia so you can exclude me if you like. :)
Cupcakes and my lovely boyfriend make me happy :)
This cake stand makes me happy!! And using it to stack a red velvet cake would make me extraordinarily happy!!
Cupcakes make me giddy. Especially s’mores ones. :) Yes, I’ve made them and they were godly. Though I definitely like to make more graham cracker batter than the chocolate. XD
I wonder if I can make a s’mores cake??
someone else rolling out the fondant so I don’t have to do it makes me a very happy girl :)
the cake looks great!
Editing makes me happy. Nothing gives me a kick like editing someone’s essay to the point where you can barely see the original piece.
What makes me happy is your single pink heart. <3
making things that make others happy….makes me happy. =)
Just what I need another cake plate!! A girl can never have too many! Cake plates make me happy!
Snuggling in bed with my kids makes me happy.
baking and decorating cakes with fondant :D
Love the cake but I think your to add more frosting under the fondant so that when you smooth it it makes it more even.
baking since i just started not to long ago
right now, blog hopping and a bag of dark chocolate m&ms are making me happy. :)
What makes me HAPPY!!!!!
Simple things…like the sunshine…babies…a $2 Starbucks grande frappucino…my boyfriend’s smile….spending time with friends and family…..
Thanks for the chance! Love your cake!!
Smiles. :)
Yum!
My sisters make me happy.
Baking makes me happy.
That, and the *new* Viking range that should be here in a couple of weeks ;)
blue is my favorite color and lately I have been trying to add some cake stands to my growing cake must haves. I am totally in love with this one.
Waking up early so I can drink coffee in bed before work makes me happy!
bowls…i love mixing bowls, nesting bowls, bowls that are serving pieces, all kinds of bowls.
My kids and hubbie make me happy!
Hot cocoa
Colorful things make me happy! :)
I love LOVE that stand! its so friggin cute! :) my mom has a collection of cake stands. it would go perfect in them!
The smiles on people’s faces when I see my friends enjoy my goodies. I like to experiment with different ideas and flavors so my work buddies are my guinea pigs. There are not enough hours in the day for me to try to make all the things that I want to share with people.
i used to work in a bakery, so the smell of buttercream always makes me happy. and also the obvious, my husband and son….. :0)
Baking makes me happy… and the beach and quiet, sleeping children ; )
What makes me happy? Hmmmm….
Baking, thunder showers, rainbows, peaches, sweet tea, star bucks, flowers, Christmas, kittens, snow, going to Georgia, puppies, autumn, Cracker Barrel, Thanksgiving, I Love Lucy, peach tea, steak, going to church, clearance, Bakerella, my cocker spaniel when he snores, my Kitchen Aid Mixer, singing, reading, sledding, ice cream, the outlet mall, spring, spending time with family, going for walks, pioneer woman cinnamon rolls, pedicures, flip-flops, the bible, Chick-fil-a…
Hmmm… I guess maybe I could go on for a while!
My favorite season is almost here! I love fall!
rainy days !
Anything cake makes me smile!
simple & cute! it’s awesome.
Kitties make me happy. And Paula Deen, too.
Camping with my kids and boxer in the Pacific NW on a beautiful summer evening makes me happy! :-)
Pretty cakes make me happy. And baking with my 4 year old daughter who totally appreciates cake pops!
Being out in and observing God’s creation makes me happy. Looking at the beautiful clouds and BLUE sky, twinkling stars at night, crunchy leaves in Autumn, the first winter snowflakes, emerging buds in Spring, walks through rose gardens in the summer. WOW!
Drizzly autumn days when i can just read, bake, or sew make me happy :)
I actually have a list I add to every night – I make myself write down one thing that made me happy that day. It’s a fantastic way to end any kind of day.
Today?
My little puppy snuggled up next to me while I was reading a book after a long day of classes. Perfection!
my lil girl asking me to tickle her again and laughing so loud.
peach milkshakes! Yum!
A full belly makes me happy…
What makes me happy is the unscheduledness (i made that word up lol) of summer – being able to sleep in, not having to rush the kids out the door for school, finding everyone curled up with their favorite books in the middle of the day, eating when we’re hungry instead of by the clock, etc. I look forward to summer vacation from the day school starts!!
Cake stands and Fiestaware make me happy!!!! lol Oh, and not being on a diet so I can eat the entire cake!!! haha!
This is so cute!!!
Baking cakes and decorating them make me very happy . . . .
A cup of green tea and home made ginger snap cookies make me so very happy!
Coming home to this makes me happy: http://www.sarahcarnes.com/happy.jpg
I’d be interested in seeing a post about how you set up your shots. I love the way you capture all your baking endeavors, but for the life of me don’t know how you present it so fabulously!
omg- that cake and stand make me happy! I was so stressed out, then here’s your site and WHAM- Happiness! :oD thank you!!
I am going to start practicing sugar paste molding because I have been commissioned to do my big brother’s groom’s cake– that makes me happy, too! I LOVE cake! (and your site!)
I hope I don’t have to choose just one thing that makes me happy.
Learning new things.
Rain.
Seeing old friends.
Making new friends.
Most importantly though, life makes me happy!
Bakerella give-a-ways make me happy!
My bike makes me happy. No matter what happens, I just hop on my bike and go for a long ride – through the city, country, wherever – and enjoy the beauty around me. Wonderful.
Oh, I suppose kitties and cupcakes, and of course snuggling too, make me oh so very happy! :)
What makes me happy….my tiny and cuddly yorkie and my big “ox”, aka staffordshire terrier. Sookie and Caesar.
Cooking and baking makes me happy!
anything and everything sweet makes me happy :)
Okay, I’m really, really sad I missed the cut off time, buy maybe, just maybe, you’ll be compassionate and understand that I had a 9 hour drive today with four kids in the van followed by kindergarten orientation, preschool orientation, and soccer practice this evening. Maybe??
What makes me happy?? My family!! We just had a fabulous three day weekend together at the beach, and now all the craziness of fall begins—school, soccer, gymnastics, etc. :)
gorgeous!
I think this cake is adorable! Even if you “don’t know what you’re doing” I really like it!
FOOD! hahaha seriously.. food makes me happy =] best ones are the ones where my eyes also get to feast! (on the colours, composition, deco, and all that…) hmmm… =]
Spending time with my children and my family and friends makes me happy. And Iove to bake so surprising them with sweet treats makes me really happy! Thanks for the opportunity to win! :-)
Love the blue.