I bought myself a copy of Debbie Brown's book "Seriously Naughty Cakes" and drew up a short list of ones I thought that as a beginner, I could attempt and make a half decent job off! Finalists selected included "21 Bum Salute" and lots of boob related cakes but the winner was "Centrefold" - a large oblong cake, made to look like a bed with some sugarpaste sheets of paper as a magazine, topped with a naughty nude lady draped with bedsheets. As the birthday boy is quite a big Rihanna fan, it was decided the naked lady needed to look like her, but otherwise I more or less stuck to the instructions from the book which I highly recommend.
As this was only my second ever attempt at making a large fondant cake I was quite nervous and I'll be honest, I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as my first attempt (which is yet to be blogged). However, what I did find was that I was actually quite good at was the modelling part of decorating this cake. I really enjoyed it and I personally think that it made the cake go from ok to not too bad! The cake icing itself I think was messy and was a bit cracked in places but I think/hope the decoration detracts from the novice errors.
I started with a large oblong light chocolate Madeira Sponge cake which I split, sandwiched and covered with vanilla buttercream. The part I found hardest was rolling out the Sugarpaste to the correct size (the amount suggested didn't seem to be enough for me so I more or less doubled the quantities) and then lifting it onto the cake. I really struggled with the cake board covering and pale blue which covered the cake itself as it was quite large and heavy and I had a few cracks and tears which annoyed me lots. Next time I think I may have to ask for M's help for anything larger than a smallish round cake! Lots of practise required for me to improve this skill I think.
The book suggested using Modelling paste to make the lady, sheets and the magazine paper. When I looked at the price differences between ordering sugarpaste and modelling paste I was amazed at how much more expensive it was so I decided to attempt to make my own by adding Gum Tragacanth to white sugarpaste for the paper and bedsheets and buy some modelling paste to make my Rihanna-a-like. I found it easier to work with than the ready made modelling paste so will stick with that in future! I also cheated and used pre-made royal icing for the hair and then promptly added too much water which meant it was too loose to pipe into curls! I let it dry for a while and then ruffled it up with a cocktail stick and I think that I have now learnt that less is more!
So here you go, my 21st Centrefold Birthday Cake!
No comments:
Post a Comment