A friend just called me and asked me if I could make a cake look like a nickel. She would want the entire round cake a nickel, not something with smaller nickels on it. How in the world?! The good news is that Jefferson's mug would not be hard to duplicate but what would I do this out of?? My first thought would be a fondant covered cake, painted with silver luster dust and then outline Jefferson with black. Anyone have any other ideas???? Thanks!

Couldnt you just use a edible image?

My only other idea (which, I don't know if it makes sense) what if you used little "worms" of fondant underneath the real fondant in the shape of the head and facial features to make it stick out from the cake a little?

I hope this makes sense...sounds fun whatever you decide..

I'm thinking edible images, and modify it a little with your luster dust on top of the image.

I like Charley's idea... do the outline with strips of fondant (at least the main ones) and then cover with fondant and finish with any small details you couldn't get underneath. And of course, luster dust!

Wow this should be fun and a cool cake too! can't wait to see it....
I found 1 picture of a cake that is a nickel but its not a great photo.
Good Luck and I can't wait to see it!

I found this cake and thought it would help. It looks like fondant details on top of a fondant or bc cake, then most likely airbrushed with luster dust. I can't remember where I found the picture, but hope it helps. Good luck with your cake!

I found this cake and thought it would help. It looks like fondant details on top of a fondant or bc cake, then most likely airbrushed with luster dust. I can't remember where I found the picture, but hope it helps. Good luck with your cake!

It is amazing what people will ask for! I always seem to get these kind of orders. I am thinking edible image...lay it on the cake...and then maybe use some silver luster dust. This is all I can really come up with.

I hope you will post pics and tell us all how you did it.