I have a customer who would like to order a cake that is a lifesize-ish replica of a placenta. Yes, you read that right. Veiny, red, mucousy placenta. This client works in the medical field and often handles placentas, hence the wacky cake idea.

I have only found a few examples of a cake like this online, so I am turning to trusty CC'ers for answers.

Specifically- how do I cover the cake in a glazed finish, so that it is super shiny and mucousy looking? Also, what should I use for "veins"?

Any help would be sincerely appreciated. My client is hoping for my price quote by tomorrow, and I am trying to get an idea of the work that this will involve.

Thanks in advance!!

sorry double post

You could cover it with piping gel. It has no taste that I can tell. I use it for a sheen on water cakes. As for the veins, it depends on whether you are doing fondant or buttercream. If you are doing fondant you could do ropes of it placed like the veins. Or you could pipe it on using the round tips. Definitely a unique idea!

You would think it was an unusual request but it's not.

I would do it with fondant and make the veins out of fondant ropes in various colors, to make it shiny you could use a coat of tinted apricot glaze.

I cant wait to see what you come up with.

I had to edit that link, the name was a little off putting but I am sure you have pics of what it looks like,lol.
 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but I have seen a placenta cake on Cake Wrecks.  Yikes is right.

Liz