We are having a surprise 40th birthday party for my sister. I dont' have time to do a cute decorated cake. I was thinking about making small individual cakes and covering them with ganache, then ruffles on top with a chocolate 40 stuck in. I've never made ganache before. Do I just make it and pour it over the cakes? Will it look smooth and shiny?

Yes, just don't stir it too much. Only to melt the chocolate.

I let it sit for a quick minute so it doesn't slide off too fast.

Actually, I was going to bake a sheet cake and cut it into 3" pieces. Would I have to ice it, then pour ganache to make it look smooth?

Are you going to use ganache as the filling too? The ganache I make is 1:2 ratio (100ml cream - 200g choc ). When its cooled, you get a spreadable consistancy. You can get it really smooth . And I also have use the same as a filling too.

Would it be terrible if I didn't do two layers? Just a thicker cake layer? I'm really looking to save time. Does anyone know if I should ice the cake first? It said to in the Wilton yearbook I have.

I don't frost the cake first. just be sure to let the ganache cool for about 20-30 min before pouring. good luck!

I don't frost my cakes either. If you are pouring the ganache on the cake, do it two times. Do it one time, let it cool, then do it again. That way, you will get a smooth cake.

THANKS!! I may pipe a filling in each cake. I've never done that before.