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.
My 11 month old son makes me happy. Cheesy, I know, but he’s just started blowing kisses and he even claps when I do something he thinks is worthy of praise (like dancing terribly to top 40 music).
Walking on the beach in the winter when the tourists are gone and the dog can run free. Bliss!
can’t wait for my little munchkin to be born so I can start baking some brownies and cupcakes together!
Thinking about the fall and Christmas holiday seasons makes me happy!
Doing a photoshoot and coming away with photos both I, and the clients, love.
My 2 year old grandson makes me cry with happiness!!
Eating Starbucks Java Chip Ice Cream while watching Collin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. (Happy sigh)
The one pink heart makes a statement of its own – and excellent idea to leave the one heart like that.
baking treats with my daughter. She helped me cake balls already…. even if it was only licking the spoon.
sunday night bakerella posts make me happy. . . love the photos, and the enthusiasm. and of course, my husband and boys make me a little giddy sometimes too.
This post (you branching into the world of cakes, that single pink heart, that blue cake stand, oh my!) makes me happy. Delighted, in fact. Thanks for your blog, Bakerella.
The beach makes me happy :)
Reading a good book makes me happy.
My new house makes me happy!!
visiting bakeries and trying out all the wonderful pastries!~
. . . when my family is all together and we are making each other laugh makes me so happy!
Wow, that cake is completely amazing!
Staying indoors with my boyfriend on a cold rainy day watching movies and cooking dinner together makes me happy :)
Rose
Two of my kids recently learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels – my almost six year old girl and my almost four year old son (he’ll be four tomorrow). My girl was bothered that her brother learned first. She tries and cried, cried and refused to try. Then one evening I took her to the basketball & tennis courts, and let her fly. The straightness of the sidewalk was what was causing the problem. She biked all over the courts, this huge grin on her face – “Help me start AGAIN, Mom!” she called over and over.
The sheer joy of one of my three kids accomplishing something hard makes me happy. How pleased they are with themselves, and proud. She told me, while riding her bike and wobbling less and less, that shes proud of herself.
That’s what makes me happy :)
Being outside makes me happy.
Being in the kitchen and cooking with my family is what makes me the happiest.
This cake looks gorgeous! I love the simple design with the white hearts. It would be such a cute wedding cake!
One of the many things that makes me happy is my wonderful pup, Genie!
Cupcakes make me happy!
I love snuggling with my boys <3
Going through your adorable website makes me happy ;^) but all brown-nosing aside, snuggling up with my cat on a couch with a book makes me happy :^)
drinking apple-cinnamon tea and thinking about christmas makes me happy- even in august ;)
This blue cake stand makes me happy! Really, it does! Made me smile amidst some stress :-)
Doing nice things for my kids makes me happy!
This cake makes me happy…
A clean home,happy kid,feed husband, and a girl’s night out at the movies! <3
Oh how a pretty cake stand makes me soooo happy! :)
I love baking and letting my family enjoy it!
staying up too late reading about blue cake plates makes me happy :)
My fiance, my awesome job, and wonderful books make me the happiest girl in the world!! :)
Love that color of blue and love the one pink heart!
finding gorgeous pages like this that have new techniques I’ve never tried, then trying them first time on a cake I’m making for someone else and having it WORK, then the look on their faces!!! That’s why I’ve started out in the cake decorating business :)
Nights visiting friends!
Something that makes me happy… honestly, right now? nothing really… maybe the memory of being happy once :)
Puppies….don’t puppies make everyone happy? =D
When me and my friends dance around in shopping malls, without a care in the world!
I love that little solitary pink heart! So incredibly cute!
Seeing others enjoy baked goods that I made for them makes me happy because it’s nice to know that you’ve put a little something special into their day. This is especially true watching newlyweds cut into a wedding cake that I’ve made–that feeling that you’ve gotten to contribute a little slice to the rest of their lives, I’ll never get tired of!
Crawling into bed at night, ready for a long night’s rest and having my hubby next to me. :)
The smell of grass after it’s rained makes me happy :)
cupcakes make me happy :)
Autumn makes me happy
Wow, that cake was hard work! I love the pink heart b/c I like everything pink. Something that makes me happy is baking :) I could spend all day in the kitchen baking.
Giving makes me happy. My faith, family, and friends are where my happiness lives. It’s really that simple :)
I just finished packing the car to spend a week at the shore with about 25 of my relatives, so my family makes me happy. :-)
My son makes me incredibly happy!!! But I also really enjoy cake decorating. I can see myself making a lot of beautiful cakes to place on that gorgeous stand! And I just want to say you did an awesome job on your first stacked cake, I think it’s super adorable (the one pink heart is genius!)
I love waiting for packages to arrive in the mail. I get sooooo excited and happy when it arrives, even though I know what’s in it!
Having my own time to read, blog, and even clean after the kids are asleep makes me happy!
Lots of things make me happy. Family, friends, pets, baking!, swimming, video games, music! I’m just a happy person! :D
Snuggling with my little girls makes me sooo happy!!
I love me some cake but cupcakes make me very happy! And of course cake pops too!
That cake is so cute! I know what makes me happy – cooking for family and friends :)
getting my face licked constantly by my pug in the morning in order to stand up and feed him. thats what makes my happy every day
Butterflies and good music, new books and best friends:)
Cake makes me happy……and cookies. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand!
I love your cake, you make it look so easy. Baking and doing craft projects with my 4yo son makes me happy! Thanks for the opportunity!
My daughters smiling faces are what makes me happy!! They would be all smiles with their B Day cakes on this gorgeous stand! :D
my boys (and a blue cake pan!)
Story time with my kids makes me happy.
Cakeballs make me happy!
Something that makes me happy?
Hmm, I would say snuggling with my partner and being silly.
Phone calls from faraway friends make me happy. :)
I had the most wonderful weekend with my husband and it has me so happy. Exploring San Francisco, baking brownies, drinking wine and cleaning the house. My heart is warm just thinking about it. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
The giggles of my boys
The very first cup of coffee before my girls wake up makes me happy…but once my girls wake up they kinda replace the coffee happiness with their own. Love them!
The air becoming just slightly cooler, hinting that autumn may one day break the heat of the desert. That makes me happy. Also, pretty blue cake plates.
I love one ofset things!
What makes me happy? My future husband in 6 almost 5 days & pyrex products! :D
Rainbows and my boyfriend’s quirkiness makes me happy!
What a pretty cake stand! I can see why you had to use it immediately.
Quality time spent with the kids making cupcakes and cookies!
I love it! You’re so talented!
What makes me happy is feeling my little boy moving around in my belly. He’s an active little stinker! Four more weeks and he’s finally here!
To win a beautiful blue cake plate would make me VERY happy. Its great when you receive gifts through the post that are for you!
The reaction to your cupcake pop recipe from the grown ups at my son’s 2nd birthday. They loved them and they were impressed I made them :)
Being told that something I’ve baked tastes good makes me happy :)
Happy is as happy does…I just love to be happy and I can basically find joy anywhere…I got a cool picture of a butterfly that landed on my generator while I was camping…I think it liked the gasoline~happy. My sweet 12-year-old boy still calls himself a momma’s boy and held my hand the other day and said he didn’t care who saw~happy. In 12 days I will celebrate 15 years being married to the most wonderful man I’ve ever met~happy. I live in the hottest part of Arizona and it rained yesterday~happy. I get to make a big batch of mini ice cream cone cake pops for an event this weekend~happy. Listening to my orange kitty, Marzipan drinking water out of my cup on the windowsill right now~happy…etc., etc.
Macarons make me happy :)
Watchn my daughter sit there and watch me decorate a cake or make cookies makes me happy- reminds me of when i wld watch my mom bake when i was a kid :)
Reading your blog full of tasty and nice things make me happy.
Cake stands and mixing bowls make me happy!
see people making things with love, just like you, makes me happy!!!!!!!!!!
love it!!
Thinking and researching about how I’m going to tackle baking a cake for my baby boy’s 1st birthday makes me super happy.
Wow ! Have you managed to eat even one layer yet ?! My children make me happy – most of the time !
Standing back and looking at a completeled, decorated wedding cake after months of preperation makes me VERY happy!
my wife makes me happy.
bright colors :)
a slice of cake makes me happy!
my boyfriend!
going out shopping with my mom.
Something that makes me happy is cooking for the people I love. Love having big groups of people over to the house with a buffet for everyone to enjoy!
kissing my baby boy’s neck
Baking with my little girl makes my heart happy!
Clothes made out of soft tweed and cuddling with my border collie, Ace, makes me very happy. Oh and swedish fish too.
afternoon naps and mint chocolate chip ice cream make me happy!
Hey bakerella .
My name is lexy im 14 years old and what makes me happy is cooking and baking , i loved baking with my dad for as long as i can remember , whenever i have a little spare time on my hands i search up new recipes for all sorts of occasions and i think me winning this would be something that makes me REALLY happy !!! :D
Eating cake makes me happy!!!
Going to Disneyland makes me happy! I have annual passes that block us out for most of the summer so I am in need of a little happiness right now.
Your cake plate made me smile though :)
great job on the cake. il have to remember to try using cut outs next time i dare myself to try to fondant another cake. trying to bake with my 2 &1/2 year old daughter makes me happy..even though she thinks frosting is thick finger paint for my walls.
Mi kid, husband and love in general makes me very happy!
My husband makes me happy.
the twins that I am carrying make me happy. so does cake.
Love to cook a good meal for the family and have it all come off without a hitch. Makes me happy!
Baking makes me happy. And my husband and dog!!! ;)
When my boyfriend’s care packages I send get to him. The joy in his voice from having some treats from home. Knowing something as simple as oatmeal cookies can make his day
My goofy husband who loves to make me laugh makes me happy…. That, and beautiful blue cake plates!
camping with my friends and family makes me happy
music makes me happy!
My Kids make me happy. The kind of happy that my face hurts from smiling happy. <3
The cake looks great. I love coming to your blog for inspiration. And to get my vicarious chocolate fix…that always makes me happy…CHOCOLATE!
You know what TRULY makes me happy in life? Naps. I heart naps :b
When my children scream “Mommy!” and run into my arms when I get home.
the feeling of accomplishment in any shape or form makes me happy!
My daughters and lemonade make me happy.
Marcoantonio Flores makes me happier than anything in the world :)
I love how you’ve dedicated this cake just to the plate – the randomness of the baking & plus the pink heart ! love it!
Discovering a hidden treasure in an obscure place: that last cookie that you get to enjoy. The last piece to finish a collection. The missing teddy bear that brings delight to your baby’s face. Joy in the simple things.
baking makes me happy!
Hi Bakerella, your cake is sooo cute. Being a stay at home mom of 3 makes me happy.
Baking for my family makes me happy! That cake stand is to die for!
Awww.. Your sense of color and your great photos always make me smile.. And that little lonly pink heart definitely makes me smile!
Ohhh another thing that would SO make me smile – that gorgeous blue cake stand! :P
My family makes me happy. My boys and I went on a cupcake adventure today and it was tasty!
My family makes me happy. Most of the time…
However the blue cake stand would probably make me happy 100% of the time!
My boyfriend makes me very, very, very happy!
All three of my kitties on the bed with me make me happy.
Knowing my first grandbaby will born in February. Now that makes me happy!
Also, My dogs make me happy! I love it when they are so excited to see me when I have been gone awhile. They love me unconditionally! They make me smile!!
My daughter’s sweet face and belly laugh.
And of course, your genius creations on Bakerella.com!
My daughter makes me happy! We call her cupcake because she is small, cute and sweet :-D
Seeing my daughter sooo excited to start preschool tomorrow makes me happy. She has shown every single person that has come over all the contents of her backpack.
What makes me happy… the way my son says “alphabet-etical” order and patterin (instead of pattern), listening to my husband’s many and varied voices that he gives to characters as he reads to my son before bed, caribbean and thai curry, and long chats with old friends. Oh, and that cake plate!!
making that moment extra special for someone with a pretty cake ;) Now that makes me happy!!
Eating cake with my friends who have come together to support a friend in need. And knowing my friends would support me too. Happy & grateful.
this website makes me happy! :P
what makes me happy is when my kids give me a nice gentle hug and i feel their hands patting my back and I can feel their pure love radiating through me =) makes me just happy thinking about it!!!
when my adorable & cute fiancé call me Princess and how he look at me :3
Watching people eat treats that I’ve made when they get that sugar-rush face makes me sublimely happy. :)
That and puppies.
Laughing with friends makes me happy!
Bakerella, that is so beautiful. I really need to try fondant…and a cake with THAT many layer! It’s a skyscraper…**smile** Keep up the excellent work. I LOVE that cake plate! **sigh**
The smell of baking gingerbread makes me so blissfully happy.
My kids!!!
Dressing up to go to a tea party makes me happy. :)
An adorable niece who is just starting to smile, a little brother who just got married and nearing a one year anniversary with the love of my life all are things that make me happy.
My squash, water spinach, lemongrass, mint, basil, tomato, and red Thai pepper garden in the backyard makes me happy :)
Family makes me happy … The priceless treasures of life. :-)
Eating scrumptious food with my fantastic, loving family makes me very happy.
I’m a generally happy person but right now the thing I am most happy about is the fact the temperature has finally gone down a few degrees ( from 100) and I’m not soaked in sweat anymore! :) And my cupcakes are not melting.
Liz in Greece.
baking the cutest things to make others happy! =)
I was fortunate to have my grandfather in my life for 35 years and he just passed away at 95! He had 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchilden. His smile makes me happy.x
I’m hoping that I find out blue next week at my ultrasound!! :) Id make a cake just to honor my baby boy! great cake n stand!! N I loved the pink heart!
What a fun cake stand!! Relaxing at the end of the day by looking through all of the blogs I love makes me happy!!
When my children are sleeping.. but also when they’re being silly and surprising me with new things they’ve learned.
The smell of fresh cut grass makes me happy. That has nothing to do with baking, but it makes me happy.
Making a fabulous meal or dessert for my family makes me happy! Tomorrow is hubby’s birthday and I’m baking a cake. I’m looking here on your site for a new recipe!! You rock. :o)
FINALLY getting stronger, after an on the job injury six months ago, makes me happy. Being able to sit up, walk around and enjoy being with my family, makes me happy. Reading Bakerella each week has made me happy and helped keep me sane.
Little Kid days make me happy! When a couple friends get together and build forts, drink juice boxes, watch Disney movies, and eat all of the fantastic sugary foods they can get their hands on.
Eating cupcakes with my friends makes me happy!! So does a new book series I just discovered called Owly, about an owl whose hobby is birdwatching. So adorable!!
You are too cute. I love finding funky cake stands or platters, all i think it what a great photo that would make a beautiful cake on it!
Have you tried using straws before? I saw it on a cake show once, but they just seem so flimsy it is hard to believe they could support stacked cakes!
My daughter!!! I love her beyond all measure =) !!!!
Something that makes me happy? My husband surprising me by randomly driving 5 hours just to see me (we’re doing the long-distance thing temporarily right now), getting 2 hours of sleep, driving 5 hours back home & working a 10 hour day. =)
Baking makes me happy! Amazing job on the cake.
my baby girl ivy & this website make me SO happy!
Pretty much anything my 2 year old daughter Addi does!
My 2 year old telling me he loves my Germs (Jam biscuits)
any smile from my 2 gorgeous grandchildren. Hot tea after a long hike. Being able to stay in bed and read in the morning instead of hitting the alarm and then the floor. Fresh vegetables from my (tiny) garden.
Cakes!
Thats a WHOLE lotta cake!
Love the stand!
What makes me happy- my babies giggling!
Happy kids make me happy! Now I have happy, sleeping kids so I am very happy!
My favorite thing is sleeping in:)
A piece of cake with a cup of black coffee. Happiness at its best.
Big sunglasses, a good book, heavy metal music, belly dancing, losing weight.
Many more! I’m so easily amused that happiness is plentiful!
Snuggling next to my hubby and our dog snuggling right next to us… pure happiness!
Baking makes me happy. Your blog has been a source of much inspiration. =)
My husband and 3 kids make me happy everyday.
CUPCAKES! Sweet delicious cupcakes make me happy. :)
Baking something yummy and having someone else tell me it’s yummy makes me happy….but my kids certainly make me happiest!!!! Even when they don’t behave :o)
Cute cake! Afternoon naps are what make me happy! Probably because there are hardly any opportunities for them!
Your INCREDIBLE food photography makes me happy (not blue!)… and so would eating most of the featured cake!!!
Rubbing my dogs’ tummies and seeing them happy makes me happy :)
What makes me happy is making pretty and yummy things and having a great way to display it and then of course when people ask for more – the best part is doing baking projects with my nieces. Of course your site helps a lot with that so Thank You!
Pink lemonade on a hot day.
What makes me happy?
Knowing I’m not the only one who is messy in the kitchen! Yep! That’s what make me happy. My kitchen is always covered in flour and sugar and the occasional dropped egg and there has been a few broken bowls too…oops!
Really a wonderfully pretty cake!
Doing volunteer work makes me happy :)
my loved ones make me happy, <3 and that cake stand is adorable.
Baking with my 13month old daughter who thinks that the flour taste just as nice as sugar lol, and lots of fun to puff around the place, especially all over both of us!
Right now what makes me happy is the release of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins on Tuesday!!!! The cake is adorable, it would be perfect for a bridal shower or engagement party. The pink heart is perfect!
Sharing my love for cooking makes me happy – my 4 yr old daughter wants to be a “dancing chef” — she makes me smile!
slightly melted breyer’s coffee ice cream
that my 8 yr old son still likes to snuggle with me in the mornings. reading a book jsut for the joy of reading. the smell of coffee in the morning. my life.
My niece baking with me makes me happy, she’s only three but she loves baking and eating too
Making beautiful things for & with my toddler. She’s only 20 months but picks the colors for my cakes.
Iowa sweet corn makes me soo happy…but a new blue glass cake plate would definitely make me happier! :)
a sweet deal – i.e. clear stamps for 9 cents..
tasty food – i.e. cookies from my daughter
a cool picture – taken with my camera with little effort..
Playing Rock Band with my friends makes me happy. :)
Knowing that we only go around once and trying to experience everthing to the fullest with little to no regrets, including impressing my pals with my attempts at baking cake pops!
The cake looks great! I love the single heart.
Now for what makes me happy…pugs. I looooove pugs!
Feeding the people I love makes me HAPPY!!!!
your cake is lovely.
lounging in bed at the bottom of a pile of kittens makes me happy.
The pale pink spring blossoms that are appearing everywhere here at the moment.
I am happy when I get home and see my dogs. They are the sweetest things.
Spending an afternoon with the kids, baking, decorating, and eating yummy cupcakes make me happy : )
Beautiful cake…. love the pink heart!
sunshine & new bakerella posts!