Look at this disaster that I will proceed to embarrass myself with at my aunts baby shower tomorrow.
Alright, so, I made not be skilled enough to attempt a 3 tiered 50 people serving baby shower cake.. but I was ambitious, and she asked, so I tried.
Im only 16, Ive never really made a cake for a big party like this, and especially someone like her new family, perfectionists...
I've made my brother's baby shower cake! Which turned out perfect, I still have the stuffed giraffe fondant top piece I made. The cake was square, covered in fondant, with giraffe print painted on it, a fondant giraffe plushie on top, and a luster dust bow. And all the cupcakes were brown and pink, with pink ganache a small replica of the bow in fondant. Everyone LOVED IT!
I'm confident with fondant...
but my aunt said no to fondant.
Wanted "faux" fondant... but without buttercream. She wanted whipped, canned frosting.


So this is my diaster. Still needs its green booties and dripping fondant, but I'm hoping it will fall over so I dont need to give it to her...

Any suggestions? Is there a way to even fix this, or is it done for?

did you use any dowels in your cakes for support because the looks of it. it doesn't look like it will make in transit if you are taking over to your aunt's house. for your sake i hope it will make it

First and foremost take a deep breath and relax. This will not and should not be the last cake you ever make. You are the same age as my oldest daughter who is my apprentice/assistant. At this point even she doesnt even stack cakes and she has been helping me for almost 2 years.

once stacked there is very little you can do to repair it. If it were fondant maybe because it can be handled more. I have never made a cake with canned frosting so I am not sure how it behaves when you try to smooth it but I imagine its not wonderful.

Did you use supports inside the bottom two tiers and level your cakes before working with them?

It keeps leaning.. oh no ):

And yea, I used plastic dowels in the middle layer and wooden dowels and straws in the bottom layers.. I just googled How To's and red tutorials on here and whatnot.

I havent made a cake either with canned frosting... and I never, ever will again.

Im afraid it wont make it to where it needs to go tomorrow, also. I shouldnt have taken this job on.

And I did level them, but I dont have a leveler or anything like that.

Do not be upset, You can still see that it was a really nice cake which probably tastes delicious

It's not too late to take the tiers apart and make sure your dowels didn't tip or go in crooked. Also check to be sure they are all cut to the exact same size.

You have each tier on it's own cake board or cake plate right?

I wouldn't give up on this cake yet...you have plenty of time to fix the lean before it completely tips over.

Good luck!

YOU live and learn... and you should be proud that you had the courage to attempt this.. 1st times are never perfect But here's an attempt at making you feel better "it's a Topsy Turvy"

Thanks margiep, but I cant help but feel like its ruined.

I took the top tier off... its cracking on the bottom. Its just a mess, and I wont be able to give it to her tomorrow ): Now to shell off some money at the local supermarket but a plain sheet cake with a "baby boy!' written on it.

I dont even know how to begin to fix it.

don't be discouraged. It's great that you have made such a wonderful cake. How about putting it in the fridge to firm up a bit.Take off the top cake and pop it in the freezer a bit. Check the doweling in the middle layer. Perhaps laying a piece of fondant on the second tier, in the circle where the top tier will sit. This should help the cake be secure. The canned frosting is probably too soft and this will allow the cake to sit firmly on the middle tier. When you put the top layer on, dowel the complete cake down the center. Just something I think might help. Good luck, and, you did a great job!

just a thought, you could also eliminate the top tier and make it just the two!

Canned icing is never a good idea. I had a groom ask if we could do whipped icing for their wedding cake bc he liked it from the grocery store. I told him in North Carolina heat, whipped icing would not be wise and I would not do it. I have to commend you for making a 3tier cake at 16. At your age, I could have cared less about baking or cooking.

Sorry you're feeling discouraged. But your bows are gorgeous! Everyone has a first time, and it never turns out how we wish it will. Chin up, and know that your next one will be better yet.

I would take the top tier off and maybe press some coconut or shaved white chocolate or something to hide the frosting and the crack, then I would chill the cake in refrigerator. There are alot of ways to hide mistakes, fruit, fresh flowers.

I know everyone on here wants to be there helping you!!! Maybe you can just unstack them, finish decorating and serve them separately. It will be fine and they will still taste great!

Thank you SO much EVERYONE for your help, really!

Yes, all cakes were on their own board.

And I took a little bit of help from everyone, and currently my cake is now two tiers, and covered in fondant. I called my aunt and I explained, she said thats fine, but asked for cupcakes without fondant. Being myself, I walked to the store(mom has the car, fun) and bought stuff for cupcakes... currently baking cupcakes, making ganache and buttercream.

But onto the cake... its two tiers, the bottom has a fondant "blanket" quilt over it, and one of the bows, and soon to be some fondant binkies, rattles, stuff like that.
The top tier is solid green too, with the bow and ribbon wrapped around it. Will have booties on top, with a "Welcome Baby Shane" on top.
So yea!
Disaster adverted?
When I finish and find my nikon, Ill upload pictures of how things turned out.
Thank you SO much everyone.

If you are going to dismantle this cake, might as well add more icing and smoothen it out more.. I think your icing is a bit too thin. If your aunt was not very specific about the decorations besides that she does not want fondant, add more decorations... some baby stuff on it and some flowers. It will come "alive" if you do that.. your cake does not look terrible, the tiers are not crooked. Probably just need more support..

DOnt' worry, most of us (I'm one of them) started where you are now.. we all have to start somewhere.. good luck.. I admire your motivation.

I'm very impressed with your attitude, innovation, and dedication at 16. It's so very nice to see! You are handling it very well. Good luck and keep your head up! (Awesome bows by the way).

Sorry its not a high quality shot or anything, just my (very dirty) phone camera's picture.

But this is it! Cupcakes and all. *breathes*
Not what I wanted, or my aunt, but its something. Tomorrow it will be assembled, and the baby footprint tier will go on top of the blanket tier.

I cant believe I turned it around like this! Well, this has been a 13 hour experience quite like anything else....
Hope everyone likes it, too, at the shower. Because I had plans tonight I had to cancel!
Oh well
It'll be worth it. It looks so much better.

Thanks for the words of encouragement and help everyone.

JHess,

Don't feel bad. I was about your age when I started. I have STILL never covered a cake in fondant. Wilton Course I was all about a pattern in stars and basic techniques back then LOL.

I think you did a GREAT job. Seriously. And I know your family will never forget that you did their cake. That means a lot to people. A lot more than a cake from Wal Mart.

Great save! When I was 16, I remember my mom baked my sister's b-day cake, made the buttercream, probably did the top coat and let me put little star-type flowers on it!

I wish I would have had the skill and guts to try something like that at your age - I did my first 3-tier cake when I was, what, 37? If I had a hat on, I'd take it off to you

Congrats on a wonderful cake that probably at least 90% of the population wouldn't be able to manage nearly as well! (of course that number might be bigger - I don't live in the States and don't know how many people can actually decorate, but my impression is that it's not many!)

Keep on caking!

YEAH!!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO GIRL. You pulled it off. A lot can be found out about a person and ones self about the way they face adversity. I want to congratulate you young lady. Handled better than some adults I know.

Your cake looks great! You had a problem and you fixed it - that's what makes you a baker and artist. I think I speak for all of us when I say we are continuously challenged and that is how we learn and get better. You clearly have a wonderful talent. Enjoy your day!

nice save & great attitude!!!

I agree with everyone...it looks fantastic and I know they'll love it!

Have fun at the shower and again congratulations on a great save!

GOOD GOING, HON !! One bit of advice I would give you is NEVER use canned frosting...... it just isn't stable enough for decorating..... I LOVE your little baby feet ! I'll bet it will be a hit at the shower !!

I love how determined you are! And I am jealous of the bows you made on the first cake!

great job, you can make my cake when I'm 80, lol, it will be brilliant!