AI don't usually make figures but needed to for a cake this weekend. Now that they are made I tried to place them into the cake and they are so heavy they just sink and sink!! I grabbed them out. I have until tomorrow morning to figure out how to support them for the customer to travel with the cake. What is the secret that those of you who make figures often use?? Please help!!

ADepending on the design of the cake I'll either place a bubble tea straw underneath the figurine or I'll cover a styrafoam disk (seperator) in fondant and place them on there.

Either way, I put supports under figurines if they're heavy.

The only thing I can think of is to make sure you put a lot of dowels in the cake and place the figurines on a cardboard - or foamcore board (glued on with a glue gun) and make sure the toppers won't be put on the cake until the last second - when it's reached its destination.

AOh I didn't think of another board there! Great idea! I better get to work on it. Thanks

AHi everyone. I used the method recommended here with the board underneath the figures on the top tier. I feel like it was a old quick fix but I wouldn't want to do it again. Does anyone out there have the secret to putting a heavier figure into a cake without much damage? Or how to work with figures in general. I just had such a hard time. :cry:

AIf your making something you know is going to be heavy rather then using all fondant you can sub RKT or styrafoam (they make all sizes and shapes, balls small and large). Some people don't like using non edible materials.

I saw a great tutorial on SugarSweetTreats and Cakes blog, she uses a lollipop to build a face on.

I would check out Liz Marek's video tutorials, I'll post some links for you.

Ahttp://www.cutebugdesigns.com/2011/10/pirate-fondant-figure.html

http://artisancakecompany.com/2012/11/how-to-make-a-male-topper/

http://sugarsweetcakesandtreats.com/2013/06/doc-mcstuffins-cake.html

If your next figurine is big and heavy, start the inside of it out with Rice Krispie treats.  That way the inside will be light as a feather before you apply the heavier fondant or gumpaste.  But the true trick is not to make huge toppers in the first place - unless they'll allow you to put the heavy figurine on the table next to the cake.  ;-)

AI agree with using the RKT. It is the way to go. I learned that the hard way! Below are 2 cakes I used RKT for. The rocket ship and the blue truck are both RKT covered in fondant. To put something heavy on the cake, I just use dowels underneath (3 or 4 to fully support the item placed on top and haven't had any sinkage issues.

[IMG ALT=""]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3139508/width/350/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3128314/width/350/height/700[/IMG]

AThose links posted were really great! Thanks for that! Great pics too!

ANot a problem, glad they helped!

good job ...

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http://www.utfifa.co.uk/

AActually that was a typo!! It was meant to say that it was a 'good quick fix' Sorry for the quick typing.

AI cover small circles of foam in fondant and place the decorations on top, for example I made a drum set for my sister-in-laws baby shower on a fondant covered foam disk (with a few supports underneath, just like doweling for another tier) and she was able to remove and save it. I built my pieces so there was extra space for my supports to stick into the foam.

It worked well for the design and she really liked that she was able to keep the top. It really depends on your design. If you don't like the suggestions already listed above I'm not sure what else you could do aside from making a denser cake (like a mudcake) if your figures aren't super heavy you should be able to place them anywhere with just a straw/dowel for support.

AI used all modeling chocolate for the figure and I think that was why it was sooo heavy. That was a first for me. I think I'll stick with fondant. All great suggestions and very helpful. Thank you all.