I am about to embark on trying to make a castle cake. I would appreciate any hints and ideas that anyone may have. A little nervous!

I made a castle a while back, it's in my photos. I followed the Cake Boss tutorial, it made it so much easier. If you decide to follow these instructions, you will want to start a week earlier than the cake is due, you'll want plenty of drying time for the turrets

http://www.cakeboss.com/CastleTutorial.aspx

Have fun, make sure you post the finished product

plan ahead! they are very time consuming!

I'm no expert. I have a rather simple castle cake in my photos. My suggestion would to search "castle" here on CC and view the photos of the wonderful people on this site for inspiration.

I just made my first one last month. Right before Christmas. UGH. It was very time consuming. It is a lot of work but of course loved by the child who is receiving it!
I had my husband drill holes in the bottom of the turrets that sat on top so I could put my plastic dowel inside and then through the cake. That helped make it more stable. I just left the turrets plain but added flowers and vines in buttercream along the window. I did fondant on the sides of the cake only that had been "bricked" with a mat. All my flowers were MMF cut by hand. This took about 3.5 hours to complete from the start of making the fondant to cutting them all out. I used Royal icing to attach my side turrets. This worked fine.
I used the Wilton kit and using a 10 inch and a 6 inch like it stated was frankly toooo much cake for the average birthday party. So, when I do this again in Feb. for my niece, I will scale way down. I think that cake when it's done could serve close to 50 people.
Um, let's see, I hope I'm not being too confusing here I'm just thinking as I type!!!!
Just plan ahead, do as much in advance as you can. take your time and don't expect perfection. I'm sure you'll do fine. Every here on CC helped me through my first one so I'm sure you'll get lots of advice.
Good Luck,
Marianne

Is it for a girl? How many do you need to serve? There are many, many different takes on castle cakes.

Is it for a girl? How many do you need to serve? There are many, many different takes on castle cakes.

Is it for a girl? How many do you need to serve? There are many, many different takes on castle cakes.

I love Debbie Brown's Enchanted Castle cake. It isn't so difficult to make at it seems. All towers castle are made of modeling paste.
I have the direction, but in spanish.

I made one some months ago. You can see it in my pictures or go to her website and see it there..

http://www.debbiebrownscakes.co.uk/enchanted_cakes/pages/enchanted%20castle_jpg_jpg.htm

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I really appreciated all your help. This is really my first time on the forum. I have posted pics before, but have never been on the forum. I know where to go to get info and help. You all have a blessed day. Margaret

I agree, start early! I swore after my first castle cake (the first one in my pics) not to make another because it took so long, but it really does get easier the more you do it. Just make sure you have plenty of time!

what great tips! i have done a castle cake in the past and it was a disaster, and i swore it off too. but after reading these tips i think ill try again.

I made mine not too long go. Yes, planning ahead defiantly helps. Just make sure you use your support wisely because it will travel.

Hi, Here are some instructions on how to make a 'Fairy Castle Cake'. The Wiltons Disney Princess Castle Kit Box is excellent.

Good luck with your first castle cake

Unfortunately I cannot add the link to the instructions but if you do a search for Fairy Castle Cake by Kathy Moore you should be able to find it under the Culpitts website.

Helps if I add the link: http://www.sugarcraftandcakedecorating.com/how-to.php?page=151

I used Wilton's Romantic Castle set. It was a little tricky but I was SO happy with the results. If you do use that set I suggest you drill a hole in the bottom of the towers so you can dowel the tower directly into the cake. I covered the turrets in melted chocolate instead of fondant like the instructions say.
Good luck and have fun!