Everyone keeps asking me why? Why did you make this cake? What is the occasion? Well my answer dissapoints! There is no reason why, no occasion. I just really wanted to try my hand at a tiered cake - something I have never done before. So I decided to make a two tier fondant cake with fondant decorations.
I started by making two batches of marshmallow fondant. I made an eight inch chocolate cake from scratch and a six inch vanilla Duncan Hines cake. Originally I wanted this entire cake to be from scratch but at 11pm Saturday night I decided I didn't like my vanilla cake recipe and grabbed the good old Duncan Hines. I feel a little guilty about that - but not that much. Duncan Hines is good cake and everyone likes it - so what the heck! As soon as the cakes were cooled I did a crumb coat of frosting. Then onto the fondant.
I dusted my counter with powdered sugar and rolled out my white fondant. I bought dusting pouches at Michael's and I think they are totally worth it. I used a lot less powdered sugar for dusting than I would have if I didn't have the pouch - a lot less mess too! I rolled out a HUGE piece of fondant. I was worried it wouldn't be big enough to cover the cake.
As you can see I had way more than enough! I think to get better at working with fondant it really is a lot of practice. Next time I won't roll out quite as much!! After both tiers of the cake were covered in fondant I needed to put support in the bottom tier to hold up the top tier. I used colored straws. They are cheaper than wooden dowels, I think easier to work with, and you can really see them in the cake so no accidental eating. I put one straw in the cake, measured and cut it and then used it to measure the other straws. Then stacked the cakes.
Now to decorate! I wasn't worried that you could see the seam between the two layers because I knew I was going to put a fondant border there. I used the Wilton Nature Fondant Mold to mold my fondant. It was a lot easier to use than I thought. I made sure to dust with powdered sugar before I put my fondant in and then just pulled out the fondant.
I brushed the back of the molded fondant with a little bit of water and then stuck them to the cake. For a cake topper I decided I wanted a fondant bow. I found a great tutorial on youtube by the Royal Bakery. She gave such great instruction. Of course my computer is in the office - so I started the video watched the first step hit pause, ran to the kitchen did first step, run to office......and so on until I was done. (Hoping to burn some calories so I can eat more cake!)
I attached the bow to the cake - really by just balancing it on top. I used wooden spoons to balance it on the top of the cake and pushed it in a little. It seemed to be ok. So now I have this completed cake and what do I do with it? I invited some neighbors over for cake! Better than eating it myself which is what might happen if it stayed here :).
This was definately a learning experience. But I really enjoyed it! It did take a lot of time and next time I know I would be a little smarter on how I scheduled all of the steps. Maybe get a babysitter for the whole weekend :) Here are some more pictures - hope you enjoy!
Join me for a Tea Party! I shared this cake on Sweetology's blog. Go check it out - her cupcakes are amazing!
