Cake Decorating Expert, about.com
One of the most charming cakes for any occasion is the topsy turvy or
mad hatter cake. The crooked gravity defining layers of this cake might
seem baffling if you are not familiar with the straight forward
construction that goes into the creation. Although these cakes look like
they are about to topple over they are quite stable and can be a snap
to make even for a beginner cake designer although you will probably
spend more time than on a regular cake.
Topsy turvy cakes can be
two tiers high or several stacked layers and the options for decorating
them are almost limitless. Any type of decorating technique you would
use on a regular stacked cake will also work here. These unique cake
creations are usually encased in fondant and further enhanced with more
gum paste or fondant cut outs in whimsical shapes, pearls or even draped like fabric. You can use butter cream to cover and decorate this style of cake or a mix of both fondant and butter cream.
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The cake can be an explosion of pretty colors or even simply white or cream for a more elegant presentation.
Fondant
seems to be the material of choice for most decorators creating these
incredible constructions. Many years ago the only way to use fondant or
gum paste in your cake designs was to make it yourself. This step was
simply part of the process and beginner designers had to learn the right
recipes and techniques to create a successful end product. These days
you can purchase premade fondant and gum paste which is easier and of
course does not require an expensive heavy mixer.
Premade fondant
and gum paste are great for beginners and for practicing cake design
techniques because of the convenience factor. These products are usually
high quality and produce nice results. However, sometimes the taste can
be unpleasant and they might require extensive kneading and working to
become pliable.
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Homemade gum paste and fondant are definitely
superior products on many levels despite the extra work required to make
them. You usually get a very large batch from most recipes which cuts
the cost and can be frozen for future use. Homemade fondant can be
flavored any way you want and usually is easier to roll and form than
ready made products. This lessens the chances of tearing and cracking on
the finished cakes.
There are many resources and classes
available for those who wish to try their hand at this design style. The
time required to bake, assemble and decorate a topsy turvy cake is
worth it to create such a fantastic addition to any event.
