been reading about different types of cakes and would like some advice on what type of cake to use in a character pan

I think you can use any type of cake you want - I suppose if it has a lot of detail - then a denser cake like pound or WASC would work best!
HTH!
And welcome to CC!

Gaye

Hi and Welcome to CC, mattloaf.

Decoding CC acronyms:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926-.html

Everything you need to know to bake, assemble and decorate tiered/stacked/layer cakes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-605188-.html

Above thread has popular CC recipes for: doctored cake mix (WASC), crusting American b/c using either Crisco or hi-ratio shortening and fondant. And so much more!

Anther chocolate WASC variation:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-7367-AMAZING-Chocolate-WASC-Cake.html

Thread with all the extender/enhancer recipes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-614378-.html

HTH

I always use Pillsbury in mine. I have found with most of my character cake pans that it takes 1 1/2 mixes instead of just one. Then I use the rest for 12 cupcakes to go with it or for my kids. It takes them longer to bake and you need to watch not to over bake. I find that by doing it with extra mix it bakes up to the top of the pan better so when I trim off to level it I still have lots of cake left. I hope that makes sense. I love character cake pans and do them all the time! Also welcome
Carey

I use all the regular/scratch recipes in a character pan. As long as the pan is well prepared with cake release or shortening/flour it shouldn't stick at all.

I use my regular scratch recipes in the character pans. Sometimes I have to double the recipe, or 1 1/2 x it, sometimes not. It just depends on the pan size of your particular character.
I think any normal cake would work, as long as it is not of a super delicate texture.

Question about character pans: Once when I was looking up the directions on Wilton.ca for a Thomas pan, it said that the pan was "only for home use". I didn't notice that with the other pans though. It made me curious; can bakeries or licenced home bakers use character pans then? Anyone know? By the way, love you all! I've learned so much on this website!

Bakeries or licensed home bakers can use character pans that are not trademarked or copyrighted. The Thomas train pan would be illegal to use to produce cakes for sale.

So how do you know if it's trademarked or copywrited? Most of the pans are popular t.v. characters, Diego, Dora, Elmo, etc. Therefore most wouldn't be able to be used right? More info on this please anyone? Thanks so much.

We had someone here locally get in trouble for using them professionally...I don't know all the details but it sounded like someone was having a bad day and needed to pick on someone else. I would maybe e-mail Wilton?
carey

Licensed characters, i.e., Disney characters or any character/s seen on tv or at the show are licensed/copyright protected. When Wilton makes these characters into cake pans, they're only licensed for the use of the home baker for personal use.

Trying to sidestep the licensing/copyright issue by making edible image transfers (in any form) is also prohibited. The edible images used by bakeries are available for a fee, so they're not just "stealing" the likeness.....

More copyrighted character threads:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-623547-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-618237-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-617528-.html

HTH

Thanks for all the info. everyone. Luckily I've never sold a character cake to anyone. I've just made them for my son's birthdays and family or friends. Another question though: are we allowed to sell cakes that have been made using a Wilton pan such as the palm tree or a 3D ball or example? Just curious in case I ever decide to take my cake decorating from a hobby to a business. Thanks!

tks for the input sounds like about the time i get decent at making a character the pan police may arrest me for using liscenced pan lol

mattloaf says...
"tks for the input sounds like about the time i get decent at making a character the pan police may arrest me for using liscenced pan lol"


HE HE HE HE HE!!!! me too!!!!!!