Hi all

I am all very new to cake decorating and for my sons 3rd birthday I wanted to make his cake and make the figures to go on the cake (Darth Maul, Darth Vader and Yoda).

However, I'm been trying to research about what icing to use and I'm getting so confused!  I currently have Renshaw Regal Icing to make the figures with - can I use this to make the figures with and if so how long in advance can I make them?

Also, I will be looking to ice the cake, would the regal icing be okay to roll out and put over the sponge?

I'm really sorry if these are silly questions, I would love to find out more about making cakes and decorating them - I seem to be falling at the first hurdle though, there are so many different icings!

If anyone can recommend any books or anything at all to help me with my mission, I would be very grateful.

Thank you in advance

Lauren 

Hi and welcome.  I am presuming that Renshaw Regal Icing is a type of fondant.  If so then buy some Tylose powder and knead some into the fondant to stiffen it.  Then make your figures.  Once made they will last for years so they don't need to be a last minute stressor.

The fondant is fine to cover the sponge with.  You will probably want to apply a layer of buttercream or ganache to the sponge first so that the whole thing looks smooth.

Best advice I can give you is to google and to watch demos on youtube.

Goodluck and have fun.

Hi,

Just one thing to add, is that I know that for my children getting to eat the figures from their cakes is the best bit (I know some folks will be gagging at the thought, but they get a little bit each dinner till it's gone, not all at once!) so if you think he might want to do that, then don't add the tylose powder as that makes it taste bad.

I find using the Renshaw alone for figures is fine, if you give them plenty of support while they dry.  You can make them pretty far in advance - leave at least a couple of days for them to dry and harden.  Cokctail sticks can be used as internal support, or floristry wires (these can be bought from Hobbycraft, or online).

As Cazza said, Youtube is a great resource for learning the basics.

Hope you have fun!
 

Thank you so much for the replies, it really has helped me.  I'm currently looking at all the different types of icing just to get a knowledge of what people are talking about.

I have done a trial darth vader with the Renshaw icing and have found that there are a few cracks appearing on his cape - I did however put it in the fridge (as I thought this was the right thing to do?).

I'm sure Efan and cousins will want to eat the figures afterwards so I will try again without the Tylose powder (but will buy some for future reference).  How do I stop it from cracking when it's drying and how best is it to store the figures, do I just pop them in to a container to dry naturally?

I will definately be doing some research tonight with you tube and googling and will also pop to the library tomorrow and see about getting some books from there.

Again, thank you so much for your patience and help.

There is absolutely no need to put your fondant figures in the fridge.  This will cause them to sweat and soften and you will end up with other problems.  Let them air dry on the bench or in a container. If your fondant is cracking then it is probably a bit dry to start with and you could try kneading a small amount of shortening into it.

Imchugh is right about the tylose giving the fondant a funny taste.  I made a 'Maisie Parrish" cake with teddies and presents on the top and took it to a first birthday party.  The kids dive bombed them but then chucked them back after the first bite.
 

Check out  Wilton's website, they have instructions and how to in almost everything. Good luck.

Thank you all so much, you have all been so helpful and very understanding of my basic skills.

I'm really looking forward to trying this again on the weekend....hopefully be able to perfect the little figures