How to Decorate Two Connecting Cakes

Create stacked gift box cakes for an eye-catching dessert.

A creatively decorated cake can become a much talked about centerpiece at a party and the decorating possibilities are virtually endless. When cakes are connected with one on top of the other, they can be decorated to resemble stacked gift boxes, which can fit with the theme of just about any type of party.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cake mixes
• 8-inch cake pan
• 10-inch cake pan
• Butter cream Icing
• Ruler
• Wax paper
• 4 dowels
• Fondant
• Rolling pin
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Prepare three store-bought cake mixes separately and divide one of the prepared cake mixes into two 8-inch round cake pans. Pour the remaining two cake mixes into two 10-inch round cake pans. Bake according to the cake mix instructions and then allow the cakes to cool at room temperature.

2. Place the cakes onto 10-inch and 8-inch plastic cake plates and use a knife to cut off any domed tops from all of the cakes to create smooth surfaces.

3. Spread a thick layer of butter cream icing on the top of one of the 8-inch cakes and place the other 8-inch cake on top of the icing. Repeat this process with the 10-inch cakes. Spread a thick layer of butter cream icing on the sides and top of both cakes and smooth the icing with a silicone or metal spatula.

4. Use a ruler to measure the height of each cake and then put the cakes in the refrigerator until the butter cream icing becomes firm.

5. Create a cake wrap from wax paper with the measurements from the cakes. For the 8-inch cake, trace and cut out a rectangle that measures 8 inches long by the height of the cake minus one inch. For the 10-inch cake, trace and cut out a rectangle that measures 10 inches by the height of the cake minus one inch.

6. Remove the cakes from the refrigerator and apply the cake wraps around both cakes. Spread a thick layer of a different colored butter cream icing, at least 1/8-inch thick, to the top of the cakes and the sides to just below the top of the cake wrap. Smooth out the icing with the spatula and then remove the cake wraps carefully. You now have two cakes that are shaped as round gift boxes.

7. Insert four cake dowels into the center of the 10-inch cake. The dowels should be long enough to reach the bottom of the 10-inch cake and to just barely protrude from the top. Place the 8-inch cake on top of the dowels.

8. Roll out a sheet of fondant that is at least 10 inches long and 1/8-inch thick. Cut a 2-inch by 10-inch strip from the fondant and carefully wrap it around the middle of the 10-inch cake. Pinch the ends together gently to keep it wrapped.

9. Cut out 13 strips from the fondant that measure approximately 1-inch by 6-inches and wrap 11 of the strips around a paper towel tube. Pinch the ends together to form a bow loop and mist with water. Allow the bows 20 to 30 minutes to set and then lay them out on a sheet of wax paper to dry for at least 24 hours.

10. Cut a triangle out of one end of each of the two remaining strips to make a fish-tail end and lay the strips over the paper towel tube to form a hump in the middle of the strip. Allow them to dry for at least 24 hours.

11. Assemble the bow on top of the 8-inch cake by placing six of the fondant bow loops in a circle in the center of the cake. Next, stagger four more bow loops on top of the first layer. Then spread a little bit of butter cream icing onto the end of the last bow loop and place it in the center of the bow. Place the two strips with the fish tails on opposite sides of the bow and underneath the edges of the bow to create streamers.

References

• Make Fabulous Cakes: Easy Gift Box Cake Tutorial
• Make Fabulous Cakes: Fondant Loop Bow Tutorial