Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The final frontier

Caitlin's Solar System birthday cake - planets

My niece Caitlin turned five recently and initially requested a Space Invaders themed birthday cake. After contemplating how time consuming the production of an army of alien invaders would be, I asked if there was anything else she might want. Luckily, she currently loves the Solar System and this planet-filled birthday cake was born.


Showcasing all eight planets meant that much surface area was needed. A 10" x 15" x 2" slab of chocolate cake, dark chocolate ganache, and raspberry mousseline was assembled and glazed with a shiny chocolate glaze in order to resemble the deepest darkest depths of the universe.

Caitlin's Solar System birthday cake - top view with spaceship

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars were simply little balls of fondant, whereas Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were Rice Krispie domes covered in fondant and later airbrushed. I did try hard to maintain the relative scale of each planet in terms of size and distance from the sun but alas, some creative license was taken.

Caitlin's Solar System birthday cake - far away

Feeling sorry for poor Pluto's recent demotion, I decided to include Pluto by hiding it on the side of the cake near the bottom edge. Can you see that little grayish blob in the above photo? Happy Birthday Caitlin!

20 comments:

Katie @ goodLife {eats} said...

I will have to keep this in mind for my son's 5th birthday in a few months. He is super into the planets right now. If I showed him this, he'd want it RIGHT NOW!

The Cooking Photographer said...

What a special wonderful cake! I would have loved this cake as a kid. Oh heck, I'd love it now!

Laura

Sara said...

Totally awesome! I love this. :-D

Amanda said...

this is gorgeous, Charmaine! Your cakes are amazing....so classy and cute at the same time. Such a hard combo to nail, but man have you nailed it. Good work!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely cake!! I applaud your efforts -- it came out wonderfully! (and thank-you for including Pluto, it's still a planet in my heart!) :D

Gala said...

Love this! ha what a cute cake!

Gfron1 said...

Very cute!

Anonymous said...

This has to be one of the better things I've seen done with fondant, :) I totally loved this, and the fact that you went into airbrush the planets too was amazing!

haha, I totally laughed about the Pluto thing, did she notice?

Great job, it totally blew me out of this world ;)

Fahrenheit 350° said...

Wow, that's incredible! Do I say the same thing everytime I comment? Probably!

JCS in SATX said...

I can't believe Caitlin's 5! The cake looks gorgeous and sounds so delicious!

Judy

Charmaine said...

Judy: Thank you! I hope that you and your family are staying strong. I wish I could send Alan a big cake!

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said...

This looks awesome! would you mind if I shared it (picture and a link to your blog and post) on my blog? www.thelittlefoodie.com

Ms. Humble said...

Love this!

peasepudding said...

Looks fabulous!

Namtan said...

This big planet with the brownish stripes reminds me of those big candy things you lick for ages before they vanish. But they are more white, like big bubblegum but rock hard. I dunno the name - not even in my native tounge right now ...
the cake itself looks amazing, i am getting hungry right now ... :P

B said...

Such a great cake and a marvellous idea. Happy birthday to tlil girl who got this one

JCS in SATX said...

Thanks Charmaine. Having seen the Zodiac figures you made for you, your Dad and Hayley, I may send a request for a Panda. Hopefully for a celebration!

Tough Cookie said...

Beautiful cakes! I was lucky enough to have tasted this cake (my daughter is one of Caitlin's classmate) and it was one of the best cakes I have ever had. I am interested in getting a cake made for my parent's 45th wedding anniversary - would you be interested? Thanks!

Charmaine said...

Tough Cookie: Thanks! Just contact Michelle and she will give you my email address. Or, leave me your email address in another comment and I will not publish it.

Sugar Siren said...

WOW I just love everything about this cake & I am so happy you tucked Pluto in there.

I can't believe the glaze is sooo shiny. Would you consider sharing how you got it so shiny.