Using The Character Pans - Seeing The Outline
Decorating By MaryAtk Updated 28 Aug 2006 , 5:43am by stephanie214
Hi. I'm new to making the character cakes. I use box cake mixes. I was really surprised how I could barely see the outline or design on the baked cake. I was disappointed that I mostly ended up having to freehand the designs. This has happened to me with big bird, a care bear and a flag.
Is this how it is supposed to be or is it because of the box cake mix? I usually use the white or yellow cake mix.
Thanks!
I usually don't have much of problem. However, I made a Bob the Builder cake recently and it was kinda hard to see all the outlines when it first came out. I used a simple syrup recipe to lightly brush over the cake. I found it kind of helped(maybe my imagination). I used a yellow cake mix and a choc one --used the yellow for head and upper body and then the choc for the rest so the picky ones could choose.
My pan did not have directions(clearance item) so I got the directions off net, but also grabbed all my Bob items I could scrounge up and used them as a model.
Goodluck.
I too have also had this problem. I have only done 2 character pans before. However, I noticed the outline was easier to see on the one cake I did with Vanilla mix. (The Marvin the Martian in my pics). I did have to free hand a lot of the detail, but I think as long as you have the picture handy, you should do fine. Good Luck!
I made a flat mini bear a while ago, and put a very thin coat of crusting buttercream all over it. After it crusted, I put the pan BACK on it and pushed down gently. It made creases in the buttercream, and I had my lines. If they aren't good enough you can do it again.
I got the idea from someone here on CC and it works quite well.
after cake out of pan and cooled.
i FIRST trace all the outlines in complimentary color to what stars will be if using wilton star method. then fill in w/ stars. sometimes I have to retrace lines a second time to get them "tall" enough to look right next to stars
Thanks for all the responses and new ideas, I appreciate it! I was hoping it was just me, but oh well! 
Have you seen in the Wilton yearbook the example for making a shaped cake? It's a bear and it seems to me like you can really see the outline. That's what prompted me to ask about it....why don't my cakes look like that out of the oven? hee hee
Thanks again.
I have noticed that when I use the Wilton release on the pan when baking it seems to leave a nice surface for outlining character cakes. Just don't leave it in in the pan too long. I usually grease w/ Crisco and flour and it works pretty well also. Chocolate is harder to see!
It's not just you, MaryAtk.
Some of the pans just don't seem to show up well, other ones there's no problem with. It might have to do with how complicated they are.
The cake release seems to help as well - no flour messing up the small details.
(Even amounts of oil, flour and Crisco mixed together, and put in the fridge. Smear it on when you bake. Just tried some for the first time on Donald Duck and LOVED IT!)
I thought it was just me. I was armed with knowledge from the first 3 sessions of the Wilton I classes when I tried my daughter's birthday cake. (Cinderella) The first cake was my yummy champaigne cake and I couldn't see the indentations at all. I blamed that on the very airy nature of the cake. So I tried the next night with a dense yellow cake. I still didn't have very distinct markings and ended up "free handing" most of it. But my daughter was thrilled even though I was less than impressed. I vowed to never try another character pan.
However, I LOVE the idea of a light BC coat then using the pan to make the markings. Now I will have to make one more to see if it works!
Thanks for the great ideas. (I just love reading Cake Central even though I don't have much to contribute yet.)
Lorri
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Bake the cake then let it stand over night, the outlining will be more visible...it worked for me 
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