Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bumble Bee Cake

Wow! Cake Boss really better watch his back because Mrs. Rooster and I are becoming some cake decorating professionals! Our first cake was the zebra cake {HERE} and since then, we have made two more fondant icing cakes.  I know this one was only our third, but damn, it sure was snazzy!  We are definitely  learning as we go and we learn something new each time … I am pretty sure the next one will be 100% perfect, this one was about 80%.  Here is the Bumble Bee Cake and then the rest of the post is pretty picture heavy with some tips on fondant.  I will be showing off the party in a few days after I sort through the pics.


BUMBLE BEE CAKE

Fondant Recipe:  Makes 3 lbs (Covers about one layer of cake.)
1 c light corn syrup
1 cup shortening
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract (leave out when leaving fondant white)
2 pounds confectioners sugar
corn starch for dusting the counter-tops
Mix corn syrup, shortening, salt and vanilla.  Gradually mix in confectioners sugar.  Start mixing with spoon and then you will eventually need to use your hands.
We used Wilton food coloring for our colors.  They seem to be the best.  Even for the black.  Mix in coloring in with the wet ingredients.  Be sure to cover your counter-top with some type of protection, such as was paper.  The food coloring WILL tint your counter-tops.

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 3
Add “dirty icing” to the cake before fondant.  Let cake cool, add icing, place in refrigerator, and then knock off any pointy pieces of icing that might be sticking out.

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 1
The fondant will look like this in the bowl after mixing.

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 2 
Make your fondant into a block as pictured above and dust the counter-top with the cornstarch.  What worked best for us, was rolling the fondant out ONE time.  If you keep balling it up and adding cornstarch, then the consistency changes each time; thus making the fondant more “dry” and dry leads to cracks. {{We didn’t realize this on our first two cakes, and everything kept cracking and tearing.}}

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 4BUMBLE BEE CAKE 5
We invested in the big mamma jamma rolling pin that is sold in the cake decorating aisle. (Use a coupon!)  A MUST! It was such a lifesaver; we were able to get the icing one single thickness.  And it allowed us to roll out the icing one time … and one time only.  I don’t have a picture- But with the big rolling pin you can roll the icing onto the rolling pin to drape it over the cake.   This helps the big piece of fondant not to tear.  

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 6BUMBLE BEE CAKE 7
We cut out the circles and stripes way to far in advance, thus making the fondant crack.  While not using fondant, place in the refrigerator “balled up” and cover.  Fondant works best when it is at room temperature.  There wasn’t a “trick” to adhering the fondant shapes to the layer of fondant.  The shapes adhered pretty well since both pieces of fondant where at room temperature.

BUMBLE BEE CAKE 8
All done!  Super fabulous cake!  Mrs. Rooster picked up the bumble bee topper at HL for $2!

TU CAKE
Here is the tu (Okay, UT, yes, I am a Fightin’ Texas Aggie!) cake that Mrs. Rooster needed to whip up for the schools cake walk.  I felt like we did an awesome job on this cake, especially since it was the second one.  See how the fondant kind of tore at the bottom … that’s because we didn’t have the big ‘ol rolling pin.

Let me know if you have an questions! I will try to help you in any way possible.




18 comments:

Unknown said...

The bumble bee cake is too cute! I love the way fondant cakes look, but don't like the way they taste. Do you think this recipe tastes better then store bought fondant?

Mrs. Kindergarten...aka...Madame Spoiled said...

Lordy! I am so tickled pink and green that I found your blog. You and Mrs. Rooster rock this crafts out somethin' serious! Love the bumblebee cake! I myself have spent this week makin' banners for my daughter's competitive dance team. Oh how I enjoy creatinin'!

Love,
Mrs. Kindergarten

Kara said...

So cute!!! I love it!! You guys did SUCH a great job! Impressive!

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

Wowza! I have been too intimidated to try fondant but this is too stinkin cute for words and I'm going to gather up some courage soon! Adorable!

Gretchen said...

oh my gosh, this is the cutest cake ever!!

Dave'sWife@{thediaryofdaveswife} said...

This is SERIOUSLY DARLING! Oh how I wish you lived closer to me! My son's 2nd b-day is next saturday, and I am attempting to do a cow spot cake for his farm birthday, and could use your Help!

Anonymous said...

That is adorable! I love that you made your own fondant. I love the looks of cakes made with fondant but most people use the store bought kind and it tastes horrible! That recipe doesn't sound too bad though. I might actually give it a try. :)

Dana said...

Awesome...Your cakes are precious! I wish I had this talent!!!! Glad you stopped by my blog so I could find you!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! My mom is a cake decorator, and fondant is not easy to work with. I could have used one of your bee cakes for our spelling bee after party! Very creative : o )

Bumblebee and Sophie said...

So cute!!! We love bumblebees!! Check us out, Bumblebeeandsophie.blogspot.com

Cindy

Emily Carter said...

Cute cake! I like the zebra one too. Thanks for linking up!

Diann said...

Oh, this cake is just tooo cute! Very nice job!!

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, this is amazing! You did a fabulous job!

Cara Sexton said...

Thanks for the sweet comment about my pillowcases -- your cakes are adorable! I tried my hand at cake decorating and fondant all that, but in the end, I think I'm just way too impatient! I have had fun using my Cricut with fondant, but I usually just avoid the whole sticky mess altogether! Can't wait to see what else you create, and thanks for stopping by Whimsy Smitten!

Beth said...

WOW! Those are fabulous. My cousin would LOVE the Texas one (they are big fans) I'll have to send her this link so she can make this cake for her little guy's b-day party.

Stephanie said...

This is really cute.

ashley said...

If you ever need some pointers on Fondant, Gumpaste, or Buttercream, let me know! I am happy to help! I have been doing cakes for over 10 years and have been on a few local news stations hi-lighting cake decorating :)

http://theleddys.blogspot.com/2010/01/cakes-cakes-and-more-cakes.html

Unknown said...

This may be a dumb question, but I am going to make this for my daughter's birthday, and I have no idea what 'dirty icing' is. Can I use buttercream?

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