Help! DD wants a fancy cake for her birthday!

[mefordis]

My dd will be turning 6 and she has her heart set on this fairy cake:

I am thinking of ordering an undecorated cake from the bakery, similar shape, and trying to do this myself. Would this work? The quotes I am getting to make this cake are well over $100. Closer to $200.

Whenever I've tried to make cakes in the past the cake has not been good.

Thanks for your input!

 

[kidzmom3]

that looks like a very difficult cake to decorate. many different techniques.
rolled fondant, icing flowers, a little string work, is the water sugar work?

how did she even see such an expensive cake? I would talk to the bakery about making a similar theme but cheaper cake.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would take her to a local bakery and tell her she needs to pick from there.

 

[mefordis]

Yeah, I think I need to put the reigns on (myself!) I can't give her everything she wants and even if I could, I shouldn't. The cake is just over the top and she is already getting the following:

- Disney on Ice show (on Thanksgiving) with a friend
- American Girl doll + accessories she picks out at the American Girl Doll store in NYC
- Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular show

I think I'll take her to the local bakery and have her pick something out there. I would tear my hair out trying to make this cake!

 

[golfgal]

I would take her to a local bakery and tell her she needs to pick from there.

Same here. I am sure there is something she can buy that has fairies on it there. I wouldn't spend $200 on a cake for a 6 year old. Now, if you CAN make something like that, go for it. It looks like it is a few larger round cakes and a couple smaller round cakes put together. Those would be easy enough to bake. Now, do you have all the supplies to MAKE the decorations? Those will probably cost you more than buying a $200 cake.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Yeah, I think I need to put the reigns on (myself!) I can't give her everything she wants and even if I could, I shouldn't. The cake is just over the top and she is already getting the following:

- Disney on Ice show (on Thanksgiving) with a friend
- American Girl doll + accessories she picks out at the American Girl Doll store in NYC
- Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular show

I think I'll take her to the local bakery and have her pick something out there. I would tear my hair out trying to make this cake!

I have a 6 year old and would tell her no.... Just because she "has her heart set on it" doesn't make it budget friendly. Cake is cake. It sounds like from the list of things you're getting her--- she is used to getting whatever she wants. I wouldn't set the bar so high at such a young age, but that's just me...

 

[mefordis]

You guys are so right! No I don't have any of the supplies. Nor do I have the time with a 14 month old to take care of, too. And Thanksgiving dinner to make, etc.

I really wish I COULD make it though.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

You guys are so right! No I don't have any of the supplies. Nor do I have the time with a 14 month old to take care of, too. And Thanksgiving dinner to make, etc.

I really wish I COULD make it though.

yikes!!! when is her birthday!

 

[MM27]

That cake looks a bit difficult. I'm making my niece's cake this year for her birthday next month so I found something I know I can do. I actually found a cake (a good one) on Cake Wrecks that I loved. She's having a cupcake decorating party with her preschool friends, so I thought this would be perfect.

 

[Bonnie151]

The cake isn't all that difficult (assuming you are going to buy plastic fairies & butterflies), but you will need a fair amount of supplies/equipment:

- little blossom cutters (PME plunger blossom cutters are quite good)
- little ivy cutters (again PME do a good set)
- the water is coloured piping gel (Wilton make piping gel)
- various paste colours
- grass tip for the grass


You can probably model/cut out the rest by hand (plaques, ladybirds etc).

You could use 4" & 8" cakes - you'll need dowels for the bottom tier and a cake card for the upper tier to sit on (royal ice the top tier to the bottom tier) and fondant to cover the cakes. If you haven't used fondant before, fortunately the design is busy enough that you'll probably be able to hide any flaws!

It will take a fair amount of time to decorate - I do this for a living & it would probably take me a good couple of hours for the decoration alone.

HTH

 

[quentina]

Do you have Weis Markets where you live? They make these type of cakes in the $50.00 range and they are amazing!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

That cake looks a bit difficult. I'm making my niece's cake this year for her birthday next month so I found something I know I can do. I actually found a cake (a good one) on Cake Wrecks that I loved. She's having a cupcake decorating party with her preschool friends, so I thought this would be perfect.

OMG... this cake is adorable!!!

 

[mefordis]

Do you think I should try it? I could go to the craft store to get all the stuff. I am just afraid I'll mess it up and then she has no cake!

The cake isn't all that difficult (assuming you are going to buy plastic fairies & butterflies), but you will need a fair amount of supplies/equipment:

- little blossom cutters (PME plunger blossom cutters are quite good)
- little ivy cutters (again PME do a good set)
- the water is coloured piping gel (Wilton make piping gel)
- various paste colours
- grass tip for the grass


You can probably model/cut out the rest by hand (plaques, ladybirds etc).

You could use 4" & 8" cakes - you'll need dowels for the bottom tier and a cake card for the upper tier to sit on (royal ice the top tier to the bottom tier) and fondant to cover the cakes. If you haven't used fondant before, fortunately the design is busy enough that you'll probably be able to hide any flaws!

It will take a fair amount of time to decorate - I do this for a living & it would probably take me a good couple of hours for the decoration alone.

HTH

 

[mefordis]

Awesome cake! Do you work with fondant?

That cake looks a bit difficult. I'm making my niece's cake this year for her birthday next month so I found something I know I can do. I actually found a cake (a good one) on Cake Wrecks that I loved. She's having a cupcake decorating party with her preschool friends, so I thought this would be perfect.

 

[MM27]

Awesome cake! Do you work with fondant?

I'm going to use buttercream for everything except the stripes, polka dots and bow. I don't really like fondant but I think it will look better for those parts. I recently bought the cupcake pan from Wilton, so I'm going to do a practice one before her birthday. I'm by no means an expert, but cake decorating is a hobby and I think my skills will allow this one to come out great.

 

[DisneyWhirled]

I say go for it!! If you have the desire and the time, why not try it? For me, I could never do something as detailed, but if it is something you would be interested in, go for it!!

On the other hand, you're in NJ, right? How about calling Carlo's bakery and have Buddy do one for you Kidding!!

Good luck with your decision and if you make it, post a pic!!

 

[Bonnie151]

Do you think I should try it? I could go to the craft store to get all the stuff. I am just afraid I'll mess it up and then she has no cake!

I think if *you* think it'll be fun to do, then yes, go for it, but it will cost a fair amount and will probably take quite a lot of time to do! It's a fine balance between enjoying lots of little detail work and frustration when it's taking so much longer to do than expected.

One bit of material I forgot - for the decorations, I'd use modelling paste which is fondant mixed with gum tragacanth - I think in America people tend to use gumpaste. You need a medium which dried harder than fondant for ease of use.

 

[spacemermaid]

Another suggestion: do you have any friends nearby who decorate cakes as a hobby? This would be a fun project for someone with the knowhow and the supplies; in the past I've "bartered" with friends for my services (used to work in a bakery, kept taking cake/pastry classes after that)...maybe a friend would be open to that?

 

[Tweevil]

You could totally do that cake!
Looks like the water could be piping gel - Michaels would have all of the supplies and the other stuff on it are plastic toppers.

Where in NJ are you if you don't mind me asking? I am a SNJ'er

 

[jam217]

I used to decorate cakes. If you have no experience, that cake will be very difficult and frustrating.

I'm with the others who think you should take her to the bakery and let her pick one out. You're already being very generous with her gifts.