How to Make Frosting for a Faux Cake Made of Styrofoam

There may not be cake under the frosting.

One way to create a big-cake look without baking a lot of cake is to make the upper tiers of the cake with Styrofoam. Unless you cut into the fake cake, no one ever has to know your secret. Serve your guests from the bottom “real” layers of cake. While bakery suppliers sell frostings designed for display cakes made from Styrofoam, you can make your own fondant, suitable for Styrofoam cakes. This way, you can use the fondant for your real layers, as well as the Styrofoam ones to maintain a consistent look. Does this Spark an idea?

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3 quart heavy pot
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pastry brush
Candy thermometer
Heavy cookie sheet
Cloth
Metal spatula
Cheesecloth
Storage container
Rolling pin

Instructions

- 1
  
  Combine the water, sugar and cream of tartar in the pot and blend thoroughly.
- 2
  
  Bring to a boil over medium heat, continually stirring.
- 3
  
  Cover the pot and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Do this immediately after the sugar completely dissolves.
- 4
  
  Dip a pastry brush in cold water. Uncover the pot and brush down the inside of the pan.
- 5
  
  Allow the mixture to boil, until it reaches 238 F, or the soft ball stage. Test the temperature by inserting a candy thermometer into the mixture.
- 6
  
  Wipe the cookie sheet down with a damp cloth.
- 7
  
  Pour the mixture into the cookie sheet after it reaches 238 F. Allow it to cool until it is lukewarm. This takes about 10 minutes. Don’t scrape the mixture from the pot, just pour it.
- 8
  
  Spread out the lukewarm mixture and then turn it, using the spatula. This is a process called “spading.” Repeat until it thickens.
- 9
  
  Kneed the thickened frosting with your hands until it is creamy, white and too stiff to kneed. If it crumbles, add several drops of water.
- 10
  
  Cover the frosting with a damp cloth and let it set for about 30 minutes.
- 11
  
  Knead the mixture for about a minute, making it into a ball. Wrap it in damp cheesecloth and place it in an airtight container. Store the frosting in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It needs this time to mellow.
- 12
  
  Roll out the mellowed fondant, to create a thin, smooth sheet of frosting. Lay the fondant sheet over the Styrofoam cake to frost.