Cake decorators, please come and input into DS1's request

[CobOnTheCorn]

He would like a solar system cake. I'm up for the challenge but I'm fairly new to cake decorating so would appreciate any feedback on my thoughts so far.

This is my current inspiration.

Not sure whether to bake choc or plain sponge (how much difference does it make?). I'll crumb coat it with buttercream then cover with dark blue fondant icing. I guess I'll make the planets from fondant too and stick them on.

I don't like the white piping on the cake in the link so I'm hoping it won't be missed.

So, whad'ya think?

cob - i made them from fondant, mixing together different colours to get the swirly effects. My DD has soooo many space books so she was quite vocal on the colours!
Its a two tier cake and the planets swirly out from the sun in the correct order, and DD wanted pluto including even though its not a proper planet.

But I can totally see howit makes me look like a fuckwit!

The one I like is here

The border I like is this one

I think it looks better in the same colour

thats fab

I think that'll look great and not too tricky, hope he likes it.

For something a little more 3D
Mixing 2 blue fondants for the base to get the swirly look and then flick wet icing for the galaxies before adding on planets.

Ooh yes, lots of ideas to play with. Talking of playing, I need to play around to make some planets. How long will they last for if I use fondant. Is marzipan a better option?

If you use fondant they'll keep pretty much forever!

If you put them in the airing cupboard to dry out then they'll harden really well so you won't dent them when you arrange the cake.

The other thing I thought you may not know is that you shouldn't put anything made of sugarpaste/fondant in an airtight box as it will sweat and go soggy and that includes the cake. Once you've got the icing on the cake it's airtight so can just go in a cardboard box to protect it from knocks.

Thanks Lady I can start practising now and keep the best ones.

Thanks also for the tip about the box. You're right I didn't know and I'm so grateful when people share their knowledge.

we're a cake decorators, but we also supplies cakey things (sugarpaste, cake boards, boxes, and decorations etc)
i think you're cake idea is great. you could alternatively do a space ship and just do the planets on the cake board. :) if you want to pop down and see us, we're always up for helping and giving advice. :)

Ohhh I took a massive short cut when DS asked to have a space-themed birthday party. I bought this cake stand from ebay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Tier-Space-Rocket-Cardboard-Cup-Cake-Cupcake-Party-Stand-Muffin-Fairy-Holder-/250998367442?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Celebrations_Occasions_ET&hash=item3a70ab24d2
and I made fairy cakes decorated with stars and planets made with sugar paste and food coloring. I used a play-doh star cutter and a circle cutter and mixed some food coloring into the sugar paste, and didn't mix it too much so there were streaks of color instead of just blue and green and yellow, and red I think. I know, this is a super short cut, but the cakes were a success.