Saturday 18 May 2013

Cake Decorating: Rapunzel Birthday Cake

Yay, it's the weekend!  I was up early this morning, despite a late night.  We have J, my stepson, here this weekend and we went up to the village pub for dinner, then came home to watch endless episodes of 'Extreme Couponing'.  (I hardly watch any TV at all but when J's with us we seem to watch all kinds of rubbish.  I kind of like it!)

So I've been fiddling around with my DSLR and came across a few photos of the Rapunzel birthday cake that I made for my niece this year.  

Izzie's birthday is in January and she was four this year.  The photos were really hastily taken because the party was planned for a Saturday afternoon and on the Friday evening before, when I had to make the delivery, we had some of the worst snow that winter.  I had spent a couple of days making and decorating the cake and was really worried that I wouldn't be able to deliver it.  Before legging it out of the door that Friday afternoon I grabbed my camera and took a couple of quick shots. 

Rapunzel birthday cake
Izzie, like a lot of little girls her age, is now obsessed with Disney princesses.  Rapunzel is her very favourite (she has a little Rapunzel outfit that she likes to wear, with a very creepy long blonde wig) so it was inevitable that I'd be asked to make a Rapunzel cake.  As with all of my little cake projects, I start by googling images for inspiration and then I come up with my own rough design.
Cake design scribbled on greaseproof paper! 
After I've baked the actual cakes, the first things I make are the sugar paste flowers and any other small decorations that I know I will need lots (and lots) of. 

Handmade sugar paste roses and flowers from little stamp sets
I was taught how to make proper wired sugar roses at night school, using special cutters for the calyx, then cutting, frilling and wrapping each individual petal.  I've since discovered a super-fast, super-easy way of making them that is fine for projects where the flowers don't need to look too realistic.  

Rapunzel's tower made of cake 
For this cake, I made an 8" vanilla sponge sandwiched with buttercream and raspberry jam.  I made the tower-shaped cake in a baked bean tin (lined with greaseproof paper).  To make the roof, I made a big cone of sugar paste and then cut individual tiles which I then laid out with my best brick-laying skills.  I squished them around to make them looks as rickety as possible.  The tower had a plastic dowel through it to keep the structure secure.  Obviously, the Rapunzel and Flynn figurines are plastic - I didn't make them!



The cake is on 12" cake drum which I decorated with pale grey sugar paste to look like cobblestones.  With a few odd flowers dotted around, and some green vines squeezed through my special little gun (a garlic press works well too) I was finished.  I loved making this cake, especially knowing that little Izzie would love it.  The children at the party were enthralled by the cake and lots of sticky little hands reached out for the figurines.  My sis even told me that a couple of dads asked afterwards who made the cake - they said it was the best they'd ever tasted!  Yay - score!

Have a great weekend.  My parents are bringing said little niece over to see me this afternoon.  I'm looking forward to colouring-in with felt tips and having lots of cuddles.

Nicki 

x

17 comments:

  1. So beautiful nicki x

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  2. wow i am so impressed, it's beautiful Julie x

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  3. Super!! Looks so intricate. How could you let them actually eat it!!

    Helen xx

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  4. What an amazing cake! I will be back to follow closely next fee girlie birthday. Thank you xx

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  5. Wow! That is so very beautiful - there's no way I would ever be able to cut it!
    Claire

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  6. You are such a talented lady. I'd really love to do a class on sugar craft. You've inspired me to have a look for one :)

    Jen | sunny sweet pea xx

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  7. So beautiful! It really took me back to the movie Rapunzel. You do such amazing work.

    Lyn

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  8. So beautiful! It really took me back to the movie Rapunzel. You do such amazing work.

    Lyn

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  9. Oh my god - why aren't you a professional cake maker? This is brilliant! I'd love a cake like this (and I'll be 29 next time! haha) x

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  10. Wow that is a stunning cake, well done!

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  11. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog Nicki. The cake looks stunning, and as others have said why aren't you selling these? I am now going to read your blog from the beginning.

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  12. Wow that is beautiful you clever girl.xx

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  13. oh wow, that cake is fabulous!!

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  14. simply gorgeous as always! you so have an alternative career if you ever want one

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