When we do birthdays in our house we like to do them BIG! It’s a celebration of life, of family and most notably, the growth and accomplishments of our children. It’s such a bittersweet time, watching our babies become little people and someday .. adults.
While I can’t shower my kids with expensive, extravagant gifts, I can mark the occasion with something tasty and baked with lots of love. Yes, I know, calling up your local Walmart for a $20 sheet cake is so tempting and easy but there’s just something incredibly special and memorable about taking the time to create the cake yourself. It’s something your kids will remember forever.
It’s true, your kids will remember the homemade cakes. When I was about 8 or 9, I was completely obsessed with those funky little troll dolls with the hair that stood straight up. To celebrate my birthday that year my mom made me a cake shaped like a troll with this bright pink hair made of homemade frosting. It was completely horrible, downright inedible. But she MADE it for ME! And that is what I remember, because she took the time do that one special thing for me.
It’s memories like that, special things my mom did for me in the kitchen, that drives me to do the same for my own children … like the 3D Cinderella Doll Cake I made for my daughter’s 3rd birthday last week. And while it may look difficult, even time consuming, I can promise you, it’s something you can do yourself with just a little dedication and practice.
For me, it’s all about the practice part which is why I started by making a 3D Doll practice cake. In that post you’ll find the steps I took to make this fun little cake.
Another thing you’ll need to make this cake is the right tools. You don’t have to own every gadget in the baking world, but it helps to have a few Wilton essentials that I guarantee you’ll use over and over again. For starters, getting a Wilton Decorating Tip Set
Next on my must have list is the Wilton Trim-N-Turn Ultra Rotating Cake Stand
Once all of my tools were in place, the cakes baked, cooled, frosted and fondant rolled … I managed to put together this really beautiful Cinderella Doll Cake. For the base, I used 2 – 10″ round cakes with layers of buttercream between and on top of them, covered with a smooth layer of marshmallow fondant.
The doll herself is a legless pick that is gently placed through the top of the dress, which is also a cake made from the Wilton Wonder Mold Kit
With all of that fondant from the beutiful skirt, I knew the doll would be too heavy for the base cake and likely would have made it sink. I used four 6″ pillars that are placed through the base cake and holds the doll cake with cake board a few inches higher.
In the end, the cake tasted as incredible as it looked and made a memory for my daughter that I’m sure will last forever.
Disclosure – All products featured and mentioned in this post were bought and paid for by myself with the exception of the Wilton Ultragold Bakeware that was provided by Wilton for a previous review.
That is gorgeous. I am highly impressed. I could never do that, but since I have boys I think I am ok. lol You are truly talented, Cat.
Wow, that is so gorgeous. Fondant and I don’t get along very well, love the skirt on that doll. When my granddaughter was 3 her mom had a cake along that line and Crystal said, “But mommy, I don’t want Barbie in my cake.” So, thanks, you brought back some good memories.
LOL
OMG Cat you did an awesome job on that.
Oh My! This BLOG looks good enough to eat! And this cake is really a work of art. My inner domestic goddess is awakening 🙂
Gorgeous cake! Lovin’ the new blog 🙂
You did a beautiful job making this dress cake. Can you make cakes for me too!
Wow that is awesome Cat. I would think that you have been doing this for a long time.
It turned out beautifully Cat!! You do such great work!
I love it. What a fantastic cake that your daughter will remember for years!
Beautiful!! I have one question though…can you use gel icing to color fondant? I know if you use the liquid food coloring it will make your fondant look wet. I’ve used the gel icing to color just about everything else, but this is my first time working with fondant. Thanks!
Hi Kelly, yes, the gel works best and that’s what I always use with my fondant.
Ok, I just bought the gel icing from my local grocery store, not the gel coloring you have to order — I didn’t know if it would work the same.
Ohhh I see what you’re saying. You know, I’ve never tried that before but I would imagine it will work much better than the liquid food coloring, it just may not create very dark fondant colors. So if you’re looking to do something pastel it may turn out alright. Of course, if it gets too sticky you can always add some more powdered sugar.
All I’m striving for is a medium pink. Because it’s not a super dark color, I didn’t know if it would be worth ordering the gel coloring or if I should, just so I don’t mess it up! I just assumed that b/c it was a gel that it would work somewhat the same. Now that I’m actually looking at the packaging, it says “Gel Food Colors” (they’re just in squeeze tubes). I’ll be sure to have plenty of powdered sugar on hand! Sorry for the trouble. My daughter found a cake (fondant of course) that she loves and wants me to make for her birthday and I’m just worried that it won’t turn out..and then what am I going to do/tell her?! I’m gonna need some prayers! Thanks for all of your help!
You’re very welcome, I’m happy to help when I can.
Do you have a craft store like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby? Those are the places I usually buy my gel colors from. I know Meijer’s and Super Walmart also carry a small supply of the colors as well.
I bought mine from Super Walmart. I hope to go by Hobby Lobby this afternoon, children willing. I’m going to take a look at what they have and go from there. Hopefully I’ll emerge a little less confused. Fingers Crossed!
Ok, I have just one more question and then I promise I’ll leave you alone! I plan on making the cake the day before the party. If I put the cake in a cake taker when I’m finished to keep it from drying out until the party (the next day) will my fondant “melt”? — or should I just leave it out? Thanks!
This is such a beautiful cake and from the photos on your other blog, I KNOW that Kaydee LOVED her cake and her whole party. You are a marvelous mom and your daughter will definitely remember this birthday forever.
My boys have always asked me to bake cakes for them for their birthdays – nothing fancy, just their favorite flavors with my homemade frosting.