Three 7-inch, two 10-inch, and two 16-inch round layers of Yellow Cake
Two 14-inch petal-shape layers of Yellow Cake
4 pieces foam board (3/16 inch thick) in sizes and shapes to match each tier
Rum Simple Syrup
2 1/2 recipes Passion-Fruit Curd
3 recipes Rum and Vanilla Bean Buttercream
14 pounds rolled fondant, tinted with ivory gel-paste food coloring
Cornstarch, for dusting
28 wooden dowels (each 1/4 inch in diameter and 4 1/8 inches long)
1 rubber cake mat (14 inches)
1 round wooden cake platform (18 inches in diameter)
Approximate fondant amounts: 7-inch tier, 2 pounds; 10-inch, 2 1/2 pounds; 14-inch, 4 pounds; 16-inch; 5 pounds. To tint, divide into quarters. For each, knead food coloring into small amount until darker than desired; knead in remaining fondant. Then kne
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Trim tops of cakes to be level and 2 inches high. Cut each cake in half horizontally to create 2 layers from each.
To assemble each tier, set bottom layer on foam board. Brush a generous amount of rum syrup on top of layer, soaking surface. To create a rim for the passion-fruit curd, pipe a line of buttercream around top edge using a round 1/4-inch (such as Ateco number 11) pastry tip. Use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of curd over cake, spreading to the buttercream rim.
Gently set next layer on top. Repeat for all but last layer (7-inch tier has 6 layers; others have 4); on last tier, brush only rum syrup on top. Spread a thin layer of buttercream on top and sides of assembled tier to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Spread another thin layer of buttercream; refrigerate.
When buttercream is set, coat tiers with rolled fondant (see fondant amounts, above). For each tier, roll fondant on a clean work surface lightly dusted with cornstarch until 1/8 inch thick and large enough to cover tier.
When buttercream is set, coat tiers with rolled fondant (see fondant amounts, above). For each tier, roll fondant on a clean work surface lightly dusted with cornstarch until 1/8 inch thick and large enough to cover tier.
Dust a straw mat with cornstarch, lay it on fondant, and roll rolling pin firmly across it; repeat to cover all of fondant that will show on sides and top edge of tier. Drape fondant over rolling pin; center and place it on tier. Starting at the top, smooth fondant onto cake with your hands, taking care not to mar the texture. Cut away excess with a pastry wheel. Do not refrigerate finished tiers.
Reinforce tiers: Insert 12 dowels vertically into the 16-inch tier, placing 4 in the center and the rest evenly spaced 2 inches from edge. Insert 9 dowels into the 14-inch tier and 7 into the 10-inch, placing 1 in the center, the rest 3 inches from edge.
When ready to assemble cake, place cake mat on cake platform; center bottom tier on top. Spread curd on top of tier with an offset spatula. Center and stack remaining tiers, spreading each with curd before adding next; do not coat top tier. Decorate top of cake with fruit and flowers.
Reinforce tiers: Insert 12 dowels vertically into the 16-inch tier, placing 4 in the center and the rest evenly spaced 2 inches from edge. Insert 9 dowels into the 14-inch tier and 7 into the 10-inch, placing 1 in the center, the rest 3 inches from edge.
When ready to assemble cake, place cake mat on cake platform; center bottom tier on top. Spread curd on top of tier with an offset spatula. Center and stack remaining tiers, spreading each with curd before adding next; do not coat top tier. Decorate top of cake with fruit and flowers.
Cook's Notes
Use fruits and flowers grown without pesticides to top this cake. You will need a clean straw mat for texturing the fondant.More from Martha Stewart Weddings:
