Hi there,

I'm currently on a city and guilds ********** course, and one of the modules we have to make 6 mini cakes. 3inches. 

I was wanting to make mini hot air balloons. So the baskets would the cake element, but i am struggling to think of how to make the balloon part. 

Ordinarily, i would make the balloons from Styrofoam or rice crispies, but as part of the module we are not allowed to use anything other than sugarpaste and cake. 

Now the balloons ideally need to be light, and hopefully hollow. I was thinking of covering a balloon in pastilage/flower paste, then removing the balloon, however im not sure how i would secure the balloon to be able to cover it. 

Does anyone else have any ideas how i might create a hollow balloon?

Many Thanks

Honestly I can't think anything to make the balloon 3D ....

But this will definetly help you with the desing ! :))

http://jessicakesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/hot-air-balloon-cake-up-up-and-away.html

How about gelatin bubbles?  They take a bit of practice to get right though, I'm on my second attempt!  Great tutorial here

http://cakecentral.com/a/how-to-make-gelatin-bubbles

I would think Gelatin as well, but it's transparent. Not sure how that would work with your application. Here is a youtube link for how to make them. 

If you know how to do anything like blown sugar, you could do that or some really thin gumpaste molded around something the shape of a hot air balloon might work. You'd have to insert dowels or something into the gumpaste in order for it to stand up on top of your cake.

Could you dip balloons in chocolate?  Adding the supports (wires) to the balloon and then dip, let set and then pop the balloon then you'd have the shape which would then be your hot air balloon?  Not sure if you're allowed to use chocolate. Maybe use a balloon and shape really thin gumpaste over it to dry then pop the balloon?  Now I want to go try this!  Good luck little stuff is hard!