Here are some cake making tips that will help make working with fondant go a lot “smoother!” I am not a cake expert, so every cake I make is experimental but if I can do it with little ones running around, eating all the fondant scraps then so can you!

1. HAVE A PLAN: It doesn’t have to be an original idea. Most of the time I search on google or pinterest for whatever party theme I am working on and create from a photo or combination of photos. You don’t want to be fleshing out the details as you go so have a clear image of what you are making!

2. START WITH PIECES: You don’t have to fondant the entire cake, get comfortable building pieces. Think of fondant like edible clay but the texture can seem a little sticky at first so practice with it in advance.

3. CORNSTARCH and COOKIE CUTTERS: Roll out your fondant on cornstarch or bakers sugar (I prefer cornstarch because it is less sticky). Then use cookie cutters to shape perfect letters, numbers and shapes but give them 2-3 days to dry to ensure that they will stand up on cake without melting/falling over.

4. BREAK IT DOWN: Build each layer as if it is its own separate cake. Then refrigerate them unstacked. Once all of the pieces are completed insert your dowels into each layer and stack. Add all of the final embellishments at the end to ensure it looks cohesive. (white chocolate was used for crown).

5. RICE KRISPIES and TOOTHPICKS: When it comes to adding support behind a shape/object, anything too large should be shaped with rice krispies treats and covered in fondant so that it holds it shape (and is a lot less expensive). Just be warned that the rice krispies shapes are heavy so they can sink your cake if it is not firm! Oh yeah, and hold larger pieces in place with toothpicks and dowels.

6. GIVE YOURSELF TIME: In general, I take a minimum of three days working on a cake.Day

• 1: Make all of the fondant pieces and baking the cake at night so it can cool and chill in refrigerator.
• Day 2: Make buttercream, frost and fill cakes, cover any layers in fondant.
• Day 3: Assemble and deliver/or serve.