Three-dimensional cakes are popular for birthday parties. This construction hat cake may look complicated, but it's actually a simple cake that requires only basic cake decorating skills. A ball-shaped pan creates the top part of the cake, eliminating the need to carve the basic structure.
Supplies for the Construction Hat Cake
- Dome-shaped cake: A spherical pan, such as the Wilton ball pan, works well to create the dome shape. Another option is to bake the cake in a Pyrex bowl.
- Round cake: The cake needs to be slightly larger than the base of the dome-shaped cake. It adds height to the hat and is used to cut the bill of the hard hat.
- Buttercream icing
- Fondant: Either homemade or premade fondant works.
- Cake board
- Offset spatula
- Rolling pin
Preparing the Cake
Place the dome-shaped cake on top of the round cake, lining up the curve of the dome with one side of the curve on the round cake. This serves as the back of the construction hat birthday cake. Trim the round cake to match the edge of the dome cake until reaching the side opposite the back. Cut away from the dome cake to create the bill of the hat from the round cake. Continue trimming around the hat to complete the shape. Lift the dome cake off of the shaped round cake. Place the bottom cake on a cake board. Add a layer of buttercream icing and place the dome cake back on top of the base.
Decorating the Three-Dimensional Cake
Covering the construction hat shaped birthday cake with fondant creates a smooth, continuous look that helps the two cakes look like one. Yellow buttercream is an option but may be difficult to smooth on the curved surfaces.
- Use gel food coloring to tint the fondant the desired shade of yellow. Another option is to purchase fondant that is already yellow in color.
- Roll out the yellow fondant into a large circle between 1/4 and 1/8 of an inch thick.
- Spread a thin layer of buttercream icing onto the shaped cake to serve as the glue to hold on the fondant.
- Place the circle of yellow fondant on top of the cake. A simple method to move the fondant is to roll it up loosely around the rolling pin. Hold it above the cake and unroll the fondant on top. Smooth the fondant gently with the hand to eliminate any air bubbles or wrinkles. Begin on the curved top and smooth down the sides, gently pressing the fondant against the cake.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to trim away the excess fondant along the bottom edge of the cake.
- Roll out the excess fondant to create the accents for the hat. Cut a strip about 2 inches wide. Place it down the middle of the domed section of the cake from front to back. Cut another strip of fondant that is 1 inch wide. Place it on top of the first strip to create a ridged look. Cut a final strip of yellow fondant to place around the base of the hat as the final accent.
The construction hat shaped cake requires only minimal carving to create an impressive three-dimensional birthday cake. It works well by itself or in addition other cakes such as a tool box shaped cake. The party guests will marvel at the custom cake created at home.
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