I have an order for a University of Michigan cake. The guy wants the letter "M" . I know that they do not sell cake pans that are letters. He wants it to be filled. Any ideas? I'm a new cake decorator and need any ideas you can share with me. Thanks a bunch.
Thankyou for that idea that sounds like it would work however there is something else that could be a problem. He wants the cake to be filled. How deep do pans that large come. Do you think that it is deep enough to fill the cake. Seems like it would be difficult to line up 2 "M's" to make them look right. What do you think? Thanks again for the help.
Okay, and 18X 26 is a 2" deep pan (sheet cake). Try torting it (make sure you refrigerate it first). But, if you have TONS of time (like we ALL do! LOL) You bake 2 18x26, carve an M out of the first and then use the extra cake pieces as guides to cut out the second M. When you have them stacked...clean up any lines and VOILA....a Michigan cake!
What about trying loaf pans? They would be thick enough you could torte and fill them, then arrange them as the letter M. Just a suggestion, although I am not sure why I am helping the enemy! (Just kidding, it's the Buckeye in my coming out).
Happy Decorating and Go Bucks! (sorry, I couldn't resist)
Beth
How about carving the shape from a half sheet cake as suggested, then fill with a pastry bag and a star tip inserted into the cake at about 2-3 inch intervals. Squeeze gently just to get a little filling in each area. I do this with cupcakes all the time, but also with the football and sports ball cakes as well as odd shapes that would be too delicate to torte. I even bought a special long thin tip for this, but used a star tip before that- worked fine.
the idea of using a sheet cake and torting it first does sound good and so does the idea of using 2 pans. I was wondering if I could cut a pattern out of paper and lay it on top of the cake and cut the cake out that way and than maybe use it on the other cake as well they should be the same.
Thanks to all of you for the good advice.
I like the idea of using the thinner tip to inject the filling into it. That could really work in this case. If you wanted to get a taller cake from your 2inch high pan, line the sides w/parchment paper and you can fill to the very top of the pan. Then the cake rises higher than 2in. About 3 to 3.5in.
You could print off a template and use that to carve. If you wanted to re-use it again, I'd take it and get it laminated. If not, just use as is.
I have never tried anything like that but I think I would make a Michigan "M" template out of heavy cardboard or that 1/4" thick foam board from the craft store. Place it on top of each sheet cake and cut straight down along all sides. Wrap the template for storage and hang on to it for another possible order. Dam and fill, or fill, place on the top layer and crumb coat.
Since I am a metal and wood worker I tend to make templates for most things I create. Just my take on it any way....
Thank-you for all your great ideas. I made the michigan cake on thursday and it turned out great. I filled it first and than cut it out in the shape of a "M". Than I decorated it. It looked awesome and the guy was delighted with it. Thanks for all your good advice.
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