I have to make a Dora explorer cake which I have the Dora cake tin but it is iced with piping bag and star tip which I'm getting bit tired of doing so,,,
I was thinking of doing it with fondant so it's smooth looking but as there is so many different colours on Dora I'm not sure best way to go about it as I know fondant shrinks a bit.. I'm a bit of a newbie so please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ...leanne

I always use fondant and it has never shrunk on me.
on my pics is a sketch of dora, if you copy it and cut each section out. Like a puzzle and then cut seperate pieces of fondant in colour desired.
You can then add more pieces on top to make a 3d effect.
Hope this helps.

Sorry just realised you had the dora tin, you can still use fondant. In my pics I have used a teddy tin and used fondant as it looks nicer than buttercream.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1557402.html


http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1552075.html

I did not make the fondant thick enough on this cake.

You can also ice it smooth, instead of star tipping until you're crossed eyed and have decorator's claw.

Hi,

Measure your Dora pan then print on card stock the Dora cake image to the correct size (It might print on several sheets) tape them together then cut the whole thing out color by color. This can be done well in advance.

I usually cover the whole cake in white fondant but you could also adhere the image to buttercream. Sort the card stock pieces out by color, roll out your fondant colors cut out the pieces for each color you can cover them in saran wrap so they don't dry out. Once ready to assemble your puzzle on the cake start with the center piece this will be your guide to place all the other pieces against. I brush a little water on so they stick to the cake. Once the image is completely assembled I use black or brown icing to outline the whole image the guide is the fondant pieces.

I found this image online you could use:

http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1335/350_2399391-1.jpg

Here is a cake I did using the above technique, I have found that if you cut the eyes out of the flesh colored fondant then place it on the cake you then pip some RI icing in the eyes it creates a bit of a round shape coming out and it looks more "real". If you get the eye the image comes to life.