? About Cake Boards....
Decorating By JavaJunkieChrissy Updated 9 Feb 2007 , 2:27pm by JavaJunkieChrissy
Hi!
On Sunday I'm doing my first "big cake" it's for our pastors birthday. I'm doing a stacked oval.
My question is about cake boards. I plan on using plastic dowel rods to dowel the cake and I'll use a cake board but.....should I cover the cake boards with fanci-foil or anything like that?
I'm worried that if I use the dowels (plastic) and if I don't cover the cake boards they will become moist and warp???
So if you can point me in the correct direction I certainly would appreciate it.
If it help I'll be filling the cakes with mousse (strawberry) and also mocha filling. I'll be using a box mix and adding pudding to it. I don't know if this is important for you to know.....just figured it might be 
Thanks for the help,
Chrissy
This is just my preference - I always cover my cake boards, both to keep them from getting greasy/moist and I just think it looks nicer. I would say cover them just to be sure. And depending on how heavy your cake is going to be - you may want to use double or triple thickness cakeboards (just use 2 or 3 all taped together) to give it extra strength. I think that even in a pinch, tin foil looks nicer than the plain boards - but I like the fanci foil or a patterned paper underneath clear contact paper. 
I really like the idea of making the cake boards double!! Fantastic!! Now, I don't feel as worried about it.
What the base.....I don't have a cake stand for an oval cake. My pastors wife doesn't have one. So, what is the best thing to use? Can I cut something on my own to use. I know my book tells me to use plywood....but I don't know if we have any left from our family room project. I was wondering if there isn't something that I can buy. I don't mind having to cut it to the correct shape.
Thanks!
I use the thicker foam board (can't remember if it is 1/2 or 3/8 inch). It comes in a 2x4 sheet and is very easy to cut with sharp knife, or razor. You can find these at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann's, or possibly your local frame shop.
By the way, for those of you who put clear shelf paper on your boards...do you put a barrier between that and your cakes?? Is contact paper food safe?
I like the idea of using a thick foam board. I can over it with the fanci-foil or maybe use something else....I'll have to let my imagination play!
What department of the craft store do you think I would find the thick foam???
Thanks so much for the help. I am really excited and not a bit nervous about doing this cake. I wish I could show you all the flowers and leaves that I've made out of gumpaste. I love them and I couldn't be happier with them. I thought for sure that I would be more nervous about this cake. Afterall, it's my first "big cake" ......maybe the butterflies will come later!! LOL!!
If I have anyway of posting a picture I will. I'm in the process of trying to see if anyone will have a digital camera at the party. I hate not having a nice camera and I want some close-ups to show the details. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to afford a digital..... I really want to start building a portfolio so I can show my work!!
Thanks so much for all of the help!!
Chrissy
Thank you all so much. You don't know how much I appreciate the info!
I'll add this to my list of things I have to pick up tonight at the store.
Thanks again 
Chrissy
I use the thicker foam board (can't remember if it is 1/2 or 3/8 inch). It comes in a 2x4 sheet and is very easy to cut with sharp knife, or razor. You can find these at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann's, or possibly your local frame shop.
By the way, for those of you who put clear shelf paper on your boards...do you put a barrier between that and your cakes?? Is contact paper food safe?
What department do you find this board in Michaels or Hobby Lobby?
What department do you find this board in Michaels or Hobby Lobby?[/quote]
Sorry! Busy with students....ummmmm, I usually have to look around for it, but seems that I usually find it on the aisle with the poster board, next to or near the acrylic paints.....at least that is where my Michaels has it. If you ask a clerk about foam board or project board they should be able to help. 
I'm with Wendoger - I've never had any problems with contact paper. But then again, I'm not licensed and when I've used contact paper, it has been for cakes in my immediate family or for work and there has never been a problem with it.
Technically, I don't think that contact paper is actually approved as "food safe". There have been other discussions about it in the forums (just search "contact paper" to read them).
I asked a question similar to this last week. I couldn't find clear contact paper, so I bought cellophane wrap. THe lady at Michaels said it was food safe as long as you don't get the kind that shrinks with heat. I used the thick foam board which I found in Michael's in the center aisle near the paints and stuff. It was a huge board, so I can get 2 cake boards out of it with some left over. I used it for the first time on my Lightning McQueen cake in my pictures. I covered it with wrapping paper and then cellophane wrap. I really like being able to use some creativity on cake boards as well.
I found everything that I needed last night at Michaels.
The foam core board was up the middle isle and also in isle 18A....if this helps.
I bought two boards. Elmers makes them and they were $2.50 each. I bought two knowing that I really only need one but.....what if I make a mistake.... I don't want to have to rush out and get more foam board! LOL!!
This opens up a new way to be creative. Since you can cover the boards with what every you want to. I think this is really neat....thanks everyone!!
Chrissy
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