Hey there! Ready to dive into an enchanting and whimsical baking adventure? Let's create a magical "Under the Sea" cake that'll transport you and your taste buds straight to the ocean floor, surrounded by vibrant sea life and mesmerizing colors. Perfect for any occasion that calls for a splash of fun, this cake is gorgeous and a blast to put together. We'll break down each step into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for bakers of all levels to follow. Let's get our fins wet and start baking!
Materials You'll Need:
- A 6-inch cake, crumb coated and chilled
- 2 batches of vanilla buttercream
- Icing smoother
- Angled icing spatula
- An 8-inch cake circle
- Crushed graham crackers for that sandy beach vibe
- Gumpaste sea life pieces to bring the ocean floor to life
- Piping bags and Wilton Tips 104, 4B, 2A, and 225 for intricate designs
- Wilton Pearl Sprinkles for that extra touch of ocean magic
Step 1: Craft The Gumpaste Sea Life
First off, let's create our charming sea creatures and shells. Grab your Ready-To-Use Gumpaste (or fondant if that's your preference) and knead it into 1-inch pieces, working in shortening until the texture feels nice and even, kinda like Play-Doh. Color them with the Wilton Color Right System or any food color gels you love, press them into a Sea Life Mold, and gently release each adorable piece. Let these little critters dry on wax or parchment paper. Gumpaste needs 24 hours, but fondant takes a bit longer, around 72 hours.
Step 2: Color The Buttercream
Divvy up your buttercream into several bowls, coloring a portion in shades of blue for an ombre effect on our cake. The rest? Go wild with your favorite sea-inspired colors for the additional decorations you'll pipe later. Think corals, seaweed, and all the ocean's glory.
Step 3: Frost The Cake
Place your chilled cake on a turntable and spread the lightest blue buttercream smoothly across the top. Then, apply the deepest blue at the base, medium in the middle, and the lightest on the top for that gorgeous ombre effect. Use your icing smoother for a sleek finish, leaving the top edge a wee bit wavy for that authentic wave look. A quick chill in the fridge will help set the frosting.
Step 4: Let's Get Sandy!
Move your cake to an 8-inch circle, then sprinkle and press crushed graham crackers on top and around the bottom edge for a sandy beach look.
Step 5: Decorate With Gumpaste Sea Life
Place your dried gum paste sea life onto the cake's sides, creating a captivating underwater scene. You can add these wherever your heart desires!
Step 6: Pipe Those Textures
Now, fill your piping bags fitted with various tips with those brightly colored buttercreams. Create sea grass with Tip 104, open stars with Tip 4B, coral with Tip 2A, and adorable drop flowers with Tip 225. This part is super fun – feel free to experiment and let your creativity flow.
Step 7: The Grand Finale - Top Decoration
For the crowning glory, you can choose to keep the sandy top simple or go the extra mile by adding gum-paste coral, more open stars, and shells to mimic the ocean floor.
And there you have it! A beautiful, whimsical Under the Sea cake that's as fun to make as it is to eat. Perfect for celebrations or just a creative weekend project. Dive in and enjoy the process – happy baking! 🍰🐠✨