How to Make a 3D Candle Cake

Thank you for all the nice comments on my candle cake. I’m still stunned that the candles, that I didn’t even want to post at first, are so well liked. Thank you as well for requesting this. As I didn’t take pictures of the stages I had to improvise and make a few sketches. I hope it’ll help.

As I was already asked about it: I don’t make the marzipan myself. I can buy it at the local supermarket. The marzipan paste we can get there is a bit too dark and soft for modelling, so I usually knead in about the same amount of confectioner’s sugar. Then it is sturdy enough for the edge of the candle… or modelling vegetables for a turkey cake or animals. Now to the instructions.

List of Materials

• marzipan (or fondant)
• cans (coffee cans or large soup cans work well)
• parchment paper
• pizze wheel
• birthday candles (*Optional if you want real flames)

Pick cans of the size you want and remove the bottom. (Do this with cans only when you use the can opener that doesn’t leave sharp edges or you might hurt yourself.) Line the cans with baking paper, place them on a sheet of paper on the tray and fill them about three quarters. Don’t make them too full. One of mine tipped over. Bake them according to the recipe you use.

When the cakes are baked and cooled down you can push them out of the can and remove the paper.
Now all you have to do is cut off the dome and you have the basic shape of your candle.

Roll out a batch of marzipan and use the cans to cut out the circles. Brush them with jam and glue them to the tops of the cakes.
Roll out more marzipan in about the breadth of your cake and cut a straight line in length and width.
If you don’t want a protruding edge measure out the height of your candle and cut the other length as well.

Brush the marzipan with jam (approx. the width of the height of the cake). Put the cake on the edge of the wrap and start to roll. Just before the marzipan overlaps cut it with a pizza wheel. Remove the excess marzipan and keep rolling. Smooth out the seam.

Now fold down the wrap protruding over the top inwards. This way you get a nice, rounded edge. Push the edge outwards at one point to get a lip. Press the layers of the protruding edge together and smooth out the inside.
Now mix some confectioner’s sugar with water and brush a thin layer on the candles. Let it dry.

Finally the best part: decorating!
I made a few snowflakes to try my new cutters, but the possibilities are only limited by your fantasy.
Enjoy making your candles… and don’t forget the birthday candles at home like I did. (With the matches it was a rather short joy.) Push the candles in and enjoy a few minutes of burning cake candles.

Thanks again for the request. I hope I could help.
Have fun! Good luck! And Merry Christmas!
Roadrunner