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.
Bakerella’s new posts make me happy! I always learn something new.
Oh, and baking and watching the MN Twins :).
I don’t know why I’m surprised, but there you go again and make something amazing sound so easy. I’m happy to sit on my outdoor swing, read an amazing book and enjoy the sounds of summer.
My daughter and husband make me happy and that cake me me happy i LOVE it!!!!
The look on peoples face when I drop off a cake I made for them. And of course my family!! :)
Hearing my children laugh makes me happy!
My granddaughter learning how to walk makes me sooo happy! Watching her is a joy!
a good cookie makes me happy.
What makes me happy….a day with my kids and grandkids…..and of course winning this adorable cake stand that would totally match my kitchen would make me REALLY happy!!!!
I want it!!!!
Clean sheets and no alarm clock waking me up — that makes me happy!
When my little man voluntarily snuggles with me makes me happy!
I LOVE the cake stand! And I need one, because I broke mine last year!
When my teenage son comes over and gives me a hug, without any prompting.
OH I’ve been dying for a cake pan and this is absolutely gorgeaus, thank you so much
I love the way you are so honest about your messiness & your not-so-perfect creations. What makes me happy? Seeing my children enjoying life!
Snuggling with my two little girls is when I’m the happiest… second is cake decorating :-)
The cake is just beautiful!
My family is what makes me happy!
your fondant hearts just made me really happy. Nice to see something so bright and cheery on our dark rainy morning!
That cake is so gorgeous!!! It makes me happy!
I’m in a percussion band, and pounding the heck out of my drum makes me happy!
I may be biased because I’m supposed to be getting ready for work, but sleep makes me very very happy.
Cooking and baking with my grandchildren make me happy.
great inspiration for easy wedding cake :)
I just went to the bookstore yesterday and ordered myself your new Cake Pops cookbook, That made me sooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait for it to come in!! I am going to try to make the Sesame Street characters for my sons birthday this year!! So excited!!!
waking up next to my husband!
A cupcake and a cup of tea in a fancy tea cup makes me happy!!
Impressing my kids with ideas I get from your site makes me happy!!!
Watching my 3 month old daughter discover something new makes me happy.
My fiance’ makes me happy. :)
That feeling when you finish a crossword puzzle makes me happy :)
baking makes me happy! I’m going to a cupcakecamp event in my state, so I’m perfecting a few cupcake recipes that I like :).
being crafty with my kids.
My funny bulldog with his teeth poking out makes me smile!
mr. kitty makes me happy
LOVE to bake-it’s my happy place! And then giving the goodies away to brighten up someone else’s day.
Just watching my kids playing and enjoying being children makes me happy :)
My children and cotton candy make me happy!
I love the single pink heart! Looking at pretty pictures of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes makes me happy.
Being at the beach this week has sure made me happy.
coffee!
It’s beautiful. I can’t see that you need lessons in anything. You’re a natural.
Sleeping in makes me happy
Being around my 3 1/2 niece and seeing how much she’s learning and growing makes me a happy (and proud) aunt! :]
So many things make me happy. Especially my daughter and husband. I can think of a good, recent example, though. My husband is away for a 2-week school for work and we already miss him like crazy. Seeing him log on to Windows Live Messenger makes me happy and I get butterflies like when we were first talking with each other 5 years ago. :)
Good friends make me happy
My grandbaby makes me very, very happy!!
Cakes make me happy! And pretty blue cake stands! How sweet! The cake looks amazing, such a simple design but yet so striking.
What makes me happy is seeing my family smile and laugh
My family! Totally makes me happy! Chocolate helps too!
Snuggling with the grandkids makes me happy but so does that blue plate! It is beautiful.
air conditioning and cold watermelon slices make me happy (in the summer :)
My twin 1yr old boys make me happy and this blue cake stand would be awesome for their bday cakes!
Wow, I love that blue cake plate too! I would say the colors purple, orange & robins egg blue, King of Queens TV show, rainbows, jokes from my kids, being with my extended family and clean floors in my home make me happy! :) Thanks for the giveaway!
A clean house.
Sleeping in on a rainy day!
happiness = vino and outdoor entertaining with friends
Surprises make me happy!
your cake looks amazing…
In my kitchen, blue makes me happy… blue mugs from past travels, blue-striped placemats a friend brought me from paris, a handmade blue vase my mother bought me, my son’s little blue bibs… it all makes me smile because it is all part of my life.
Since my very favorite season is coming up, I love to bake zucchini bread with the fresh zucchini….Smelling the spicey scent of it baking, in fall, makes me VERY happy! :)
when people eat my baked goodies and i see the enjoyment on their faces that makes me happy
Reading each and ever one of your posts always puts a smile on my face :) Baking in the school holidays, taking pictures and watching the people I love eat what I put all my heart into making – that’s what makes me happiest.
the smell of cookies baking in my house at christmas time!
CAKE…makes me happy :)
Cooking and baking makes me happy!
Being with friends and family
Spending time with family and friends makes me happy, especially if there is food involved!
Surviving the 4 Wilton Cake Decorating Courses makes me happy. Totally understand the grief and stress with baking and decorating a cake – but when finished, the smile on my face and others confirms “it” was all worth it. This is a beautiful cake stand!
Winning this beautiful cake stand would make me very happy?
My family also brings a lot of joy to my life.
The two kittens that I recently adopted make me happy!
My granddaughters make me happy – especially when we bake something together.
You did an awesome job on the cake!
My boyfriend! Your cake is very stylish.
sugar makes me happy.
Baking makes me happy… and sharing all of my creations with friends and family. Empty cake plates make me happy… after all the yummys have been eaten!
Gorgeous plate!!!! Ok, having an hour to sit down and sew, my girls playing nicely instead of arguing, a glass of wine with friends, receiving a compliment on something I’ve baked or made….all very happy things.
Knitting something new for the first time, even when the pattern is annoying it makes me happy to see the final product.
Your cake & plate are gorgeous!
Sunshine & creativity make me happy.
Your website makes me happy. I’ve tried so many of your ideas, and every one has been a hit!!
I just LOVE the look on people’s faces when they see another of my “amazing creations” – and I always send them straight to bakerella.com!
Very cute cake and stand!
My kids make me happiest.
YOur cake made me happy this morning. I LOVE the single pink heart. Fondont is scary, you go girl!!!
Spending time with my family, reading, and chocolate :-) makes me happy. Thank you so much for your amazing recipes… they reallly help ameteurs like me!
Nicki
I am at my happiest when I am in the kitchen. When I’m making something special for my loved ones anything from a simple meal to a big decorated cake.
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas you share with us. It makes me long to get in the kitchen and try it out. It makes me happy.
baking oatmeal raisin cookies!
Honestly, your blog makes me happy….I love seeing all of your beautiful creations…..and thanks for always sharing your wonderful ideas with all of us…..
Reading the blogs, MyLifeIsAverage and DearGirlsAboveMe :D
My boys make me happy! :-) <3
You’re so cool…you make everything look easy and pretty..even the things you “mess up”. The plain whites with the lone pink…its adorable!!
Baking makes me happy (that, and the nap that usually follows!)
I just bought Mochi Plus rainbow yarn the other day at the yarn shop. It’s the most gorgeous yarn that blends smoothly into all the colors of the rainbow. I can’t stop looking at it! The mittens I’m knitting with it are sure to be my favorite this winter.
Frosting (buttercream) makes me happy!!
Tulips make me smile….
The thought of having BOTHy babies home in two weekss makes me happy! However, packing for our trip to get our son does not male me as happy.. More nervous!
Looking at beautiful photographs of food makes me happy.
What a beautiful blue! Cookbooks make me happy. I read them like most people read novels. And pretty cake plates make me happy too. LOL
My kitty makes me happy, even though she thinks I’m torturing her right now.
Also, crafting. Cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, stamping… Yep, I’m a crafting geek!
My little 6 year old makes me the happiest person in the world!! He is my world and I love him so much!!
Also baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes, it’s great!
Making cakes and cupcakes makes me happy!!
That’s an awesome job! I’m a cake decorating teacher and a cake decorator and baker. That you tried stacking and fondant on your own makes me very happy! I like that you went out of your comfort zone and tried something new. Now that was a great blog…and the cake looks beautiful!
Cake, naturally! :)
It’s winter in Australia, so what made me happy yesterday was when the sun came out for a few hours! My boyfriend and I took polaroids in the yard, played with my dog, drank tea on the back porch, listened to music…
So…Pretending it’s summer makes me happy! :)
that cake is too cute – fall makes me happy, i’m anxiously awaiting the season change!
My two beautiful girls make me happy….and when they are misbehaving then wine makes me happy, LOL
Crafting, cooking, reading, adventuring, and my kids make me happy. And If I can craft, cook, read or adventure WITH my kids…HAPPY!
Sitting down to eat a meal with all four of my kids at home at the same time(a very rare thing these days)makes me so happy!
I guess I am pretty lucky. So many things popped into my mind. Yesterday I went to a funeral of a kind man. They talked about how much he loved to mow his lawn. So yesterday I sat outside on my freshly cut lawn and relaxed and let what God has made absorb into me. Not only was I happy but I felt peace. God blessed you Bakerella with a wonderful talent that you are so willing to share. That makes me happy too.
dinner and drinks with my girlfriends
Seriously your blog makes me happy – am anxious to get your new book – that will really make me happy.
Hi…my name is Jen…and I’m a cake stand-aholic…..what makes me happy is seeing my children with a smile of joy on their face!!
Watching clients faces as they open up the lid of the cake box – that makes me happy and when my 4 year old daughter refers to me as ‘a good baking lady’ to all her nursery friends : )
My Family and My dogs ?
I love the lone pink heart. That makes me happy!
Fall and holiday baking makes me happy…and most of all trying to make anything for the first time: learning, experimenting, maybe failing a little bit–but at the end of it all, saying “Look what I made! Now come enjoy it.” :)
Chocolate makes me insanely happy!
Endof the week when… FRIDAY IS HERE FOR THE WEEKEND!!! AND LIFE IN GENERAL.
Visiting with my niece and nephew makes me happy!
Your blog makes me happy!!! :3
seeing my daughter and my boyfriend having so much fun makes me happy..
..winning your blue 10-inch glass cake plate will make my mom happy (yes, i want to give it to her) .. she loves cakes!
the end of work on friday, and the beginning of the weekend makes me very happy :)
My boyfriend makes me incredibly happy :)
My friends, family and cats make me happy!!!
Making cakes, painting, drawing, too
reading your blog makes me happy aswell as baking, drinking tea and eating biscuits..
My amazing family!
ummm….eating that cake!!
after a long productive day of work…..a long soak in a bath.Candles. and wine help as well.
I love makings lists of things that make me happy…
– cardigans
– the thought of pumpkin flavored things in the near future
– cinnamon rolls
– the word “face”
I could go on but I’ll stop at that. :)
p.s. Loooove the cake stand!!
Kittens!
My boyfriend, of course, makes me happy! He always puts a smile on my face when I see him and he makes it his mission to always make me laugh (especially when I’ve had a bad day)! He’s the best!
Looking for shells and other interesting stuff along the ocean
Trying out a new baking recipe successfully and then making my husband smile with it totally makes me happy!
I (kind of) make cakes and such too. What makes me happy besides making cakes is watching my little girls “make cakes” with their kitchen toys… Usually they include random ingredients like corn or a red pepper, but I love that they are imagining!
Love it! Sunshine makes me happy. And smiles, and family, and friends…. I could go on and on and on…
your blog makes me happy… :) specially at 5:30 am!
Cooking, baking and yummy food in general make me happy!!
I hope you ship to Israel… :-)
Smiles and hugs from my kids make me oh so happy!
After my kids and husband it would be yellow cake batter. Mmmm. I have been known to make some just to eat it!
E{ating cake that someone else has baked()))! Kitty helped me type this.
Music ..makes me happy
your web-site makes me happy!
Making and sharing cake pops and cookies make me happy!
My children make me happy….well…most of the time anyways :) I love that my 2 year old already likes to help Mommy in the kitchen making her “Tweats!”
Homemade white hot chocolate makes me happy :)
The smell of anything baking makes me happy. Chocolate more than anything else. Chocolate cake…or chocolate cookies…have that smell. ooooo. And the anticipation that the kiddies have when they know something good and sweet and doughy is in the oven soon to be theirs.
This cake is incredible….even if you say you don’t know what you’re doing! Love the pink splash too!
My baby makes me happy…. And reading your blog!
My kids belly-laughing about anything!
Being with my husband makes me happy. The cake looks fabulous. Great job. I love the little pink heart.
This cake stand is fun! I only have one, so I have room in my cupboards for another! Super cute cake by the way!
Baking truly makes me happy! I have to be baking or cooking something otherwise I go insane!
My cats make me happy!
Spending time with my family.
My three nieces- lilly, Lindsey & Avah. They are so darn cute you can’t help but be happy around them.
Baking makes me happy – especially when others enjoy what I’ve made.
my pets make me happy. I could sit and watch them all day.. just the silly and random things they do make me smile
Cupcakes make me happy!
I love those first few mintues after my little boys wake up and they want to snuggle.
At this moment, my 1st cup of coffee and the photo of your cake with one pink heart makes me happy.
Making and eating cake in most forms (especially cupcake bites!) make me happy.
Random acts of kindness that make other people smile in turn make me happy!
Seeing my two dogs so happy when I come home from work. They make me happy no matter how bad my day was.
Thunder and lightning storms <3
Looking at your fabulous creations and making cupckae pops makes me happy so so so happppy
Bakerella you are amazing!
My pregnant belly! This will be blessing #4.
Lots of things make me happy, but what will make me happiest today will be the movers pulling away from my new house.
Children laughing makes me happy.
My son’s smile makes me very happy!!
My Grandbabies always make me HAPPY!
Eating chocolate cake with a cold glass of milk :-)
Just being with my family makes me happy; husband, daughter and son-in-law. And visiting my sisters and their families. And friends…..
Cwtching up with a cat, a cookbook and a cookie for me.
Reading books with my daughter makes me happy… while enjoying a white chocolate mocha! :)
Hi!! This is beautiful… read at your blog everyday makes me happy!
Kisses
Etta
Biting into something tasty that I’ve baked makes me happy.
Chocolate makes me happy. And peanut butter. And my brother, my family and friends.
…and ice cream. Can’t forget the ice cream.
One of my two granddaughters now wants to take cake decorating classes since watching us decorate. Her grandfather also decorates and has been inspire by him.I am truly happy.
John Mayer…happy every time :)
Baking makes me happy. Wish I could do more of it! Your cake is pretty. I love it. :)
Cake! Lately cake makes me really happy.
What a beautiful cake! You’re inspiring me to try to use fondant.
My new house makes me happy. My little daughter in her new yard makes me even happier.
My kids!
They warm my heart everyday!
My precious Mom make me happy. She is so selfless. I want to make her a cake!
The cake looks good and to admit it most of use have never stacked that many layers or covered it in fondant. So we will tell you how good yours looks. LOL It does look good though.
I like to watch cake boss on tv.
Baking and crafting for others makes me happy. Yesterday I made some Brewberry brownies (with blueberry beer) for a coworker’s birthday, finished knitting a scarf for a friend moving up north and prepped the dough for some snickerdoodles tonight for an old family friend. Even if it’s too hot to bake or knit (which it is!), I still love doing for the looks on their faces when I’m done.
Lazy weekend mornings make me happy! I love those days when I sleep in, stay in my pjs until the afternoon and cook a late breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for me and my husband.
Sleeping in makes me very happy!
baking makes me happy :) Today I’m finishing up my back-to-school-crayon cookies! I love your cake and am in love with the blue cake stand!
That cake is gorgeous! I tried stacking cakes the other day, and i agree, its so difficult. You pulled it off brilliantly though :)
Maybe it was because of the gorgeous stand :P
why is it anything that color blue is magical~love it-
My puppies make me so happy!
How sweet would that pretty blue cake stand look with MY birthday cake on it! My birthday is tomorrow, would love to win this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Hugging and kissing my grandson makes me happy!!!!
A good book and a great big slab of cake makes me happy =)
Getting up very early in the am when its sooo quiet that I can decide what kind of day I’m going to have, I think we all have the responsibility to make ourselves happy!!!…..
That’s easy. My sweet dogs. I can come home from the worst day of work and they can somehow manage to make me happy in a matter of seconds.
having friends/family over and cooking a huge meal for them ;-))
Knowing that my friends love me makes me happy :) And cake of course
Small things of the everyday life makes me happy!!!
chocolate-mocha chiffon cake makes me happy :)
I love your simple white heart design! And the fact that you gave us cake designers Kudos, makes me happy… getting cakes to look fabulous is a lot of work, and you described it so well.
Hearing my children laugh! :)
mountains make me happy.
Music makes me happy….especially when I am cooking and cleaning around the house.
Babies make me happy!!
My kitty makes me happy. Whenever I come home, no matter how bad my day was, he’s always waiting to show me his love. :)