The Evolution of a Dinosaur Cake!

In taking on a 3D dinosaur cake (or any "standing" animal cake) there is a lot that goes into the cake design, before the cake is even baked! I read information online on how to create leg and neck support using PVC pipes and other items you can find at Home Depot. I didn't want to go that route...I wanted instead to achieve the look of a standing dinosaur in a more creative (and less constructive) way.

First, I started off with a wire hanger, saran wrap, duct tape and 2 pieces of foam board. I shaped the wire hanger into the "neck" of the dinosaur and then taped the base down onto the first piece of foam board. I took the second piece of foam board and cut it in half and glued each half on top of the wire hanger base to make one thick board, with a wire neck coming from the bottom.

(I wish I had a picture of that, but neglected to take one at this stage...)

Next, I tightly wrapped the wire hanger in saran wrap so that no part of the hanger would come in contact with the cake. I covered the foam board in green fondant.

Then I put my cakes (1 10"round on bottom, 2 9" round on top, already filled) right up against the hanger on the board and started carving to shape the dinosaur's back and legs. I used cereal treats to cover the wrapped hanger, making a long neck and head. Next I crumb coated it all in vanilla buttercream.

I used more cereal treats to create a tail and to give more depth to the legs. The birthday boy requested a buttercream iced cake (no fondant) but agreed for fondant facial features. I figured the best way to achieve a clean, realistic face was to use fondant for the skin, eyes and teeth. I shaped and added fondant pieces until I achieved this look...

Then I covered the dinosaur in different shades of blue buttercream and added a piece of black fondant under the belly to give a better appearance to the legs.

I kept playing with the icing and shading until I got the look I wanted. Next I added fondant rocks and bushes and trees to give the illusion that my dinosaur was standing on four legs. You can see my finished Brachiosaurus cake here.

Curious George Cake

This fun cake was made for a 2 year old boy's birthday. The Curious George and Yellow Hat are made from cereal treats and are covered and decorated in fondant. George is about 5-6" tall! The bottom tier is 9" round and the top tier is 8" round chocolate cake with chocolate fudge filling and both are covered and decorated in fondant.

Bouquet of Flowers

I've seen this done before and have wanted to try it for a while. I think it's such a great idea for a pretty cake! 6" round chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream. The "stems" are fondant and the flowers are gumpaste.

Teddy Bear Pumpkin Cake

Made for a special girl's Halloween Birthday Party at Build-A-Bear! I made the teddy bear out of pound cake and it sits on top of a 3 layer 12"round vanilla cake with vanilla pudding filling. The cake is covered in fondant with fondant accents. The pumpkin is made of fondant. Everything on this cake is edible!

How to Make a Teddy Bear Cake

No special cake pans required! Start with 2 loaves of pound cake and carve the head and body from one, arms and legs from the other. Make sure you have a cardboard support under the body.

Next, cover in buttercream...

Now start with clothing...this part may be easier without arms at first.

I attached the pound cake arms and rested them on the legs for support. Then I put the sleeves on and secured to the shirt. This seemed to hold the arms on securely without adding any additional supports. I added fur and details, and here she is cooling in the fridge...

Happy Halloween!

This vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream cake was made and decorated for a Birthday/Halloween party. The birthday girl was adding her own princess figurines to the cake (where the pink icing circles are) to complete the look.

This first picture is of the iced sheet cake (12x18) with my sketch book in the background. I used a toothpick to freehand the design.

And here is the completed cake!

Owl Cake

This cake (chocolate with vanilla buttercream) was made for a boy's first birthday...the party was woodland themed, with a guided nature center tour and animals, including a live owl! The cake topper is an owl, 100% edible, carved from cereal treats and covered in gumpaste, designed to match the party invitation and decor. The main cake is covered in fondant with fondant and gumpaste accents. This picture below includes the "smash cake", covered in buttercream icing with fondant leaves, to complement the main cake and perfect for the birthday boy to dig into and enjoy!

Here is a close-up of the owl, along with the invitation in the background. The coffee mug is there for scale.