Gravity Defying Chocolate Cake

Gravity Defying Chocolate Cake Tutorial by Laura Loukaides - 

I loved the challenge of creating my first Gravity Defying Cake. If you have the right support system you can create endless designs to make anyone speechless.

The cake I am showing you is on a much smaller scale, so you may need more fondant, cake etc than I am displaying. This is a quick and easy cake to make for your first Gravity Defying Project as it is quite small, but, using the correct supports you can make this as large as you need it to be.

Materials: For the Support, you will need:

-          2, 10” Round Silver Cake Drums

-          A Piece of Metal studding bent at a 90* angle

For the Cake Drums, you will need:

-          White Fondant

-          Ivory Gel Colour

-          Brown Petal Dust

-          Water or Cake Decorators Alcohol

-          Wood Grain Impression mat

For the Cake, you will need:

-          1 round, 3 inch deep Cake (flavour of your choice)

-          Chocolate Ganache

-          Chocolate Fondant (I used Renshaw)

-          Black Gel Colour

-          Light Ivory Fondant

-          Small Plastic Cup

-          White Fondant

-          Water or Edible Glue

-          Gum Paste

-          Confectioners / Icing Sugar

-          Baking Parchment / Greaseproof Paper

-          Drinking Straws

-          Wilton 233 Icing Tip

Additional Items:

-          Paint palette

-          Paintbrush

**NOTE**

For best results, I advise that you complete the cake board and cream jug the day before assembling the cake; this leaves more than enough drying time.

STEP 1 – Making the support

 In the photo, you can see the basic support system for this cake, as I said before, this is for a small cake so larger cakes will need a stronger support. I used metal studding bent at a 90O angle. Next, you’ll need to cover the board. I used a wood grain effect as it makes the cake seem that little bit more realistic. To make the wood grain, you will need to roll out a thin piece of white fondant, then press the impression mat down firmly and pull back to reveal the effect. Cut out the individual planks and stick to the cake drums using some water. Cover the top first and then follow with the edges of the board. Once the entire cake board is covered, set aside to dry at room temperate.

Step 2 – Painting the wood grain

 After the fondant has had a little time to crust, you’ll need to begin painting the wood grain. To do this, you’ll need a paint palette, paintbrush, Brown petal dust, (I used Sugar Flair) an Ivory Gel Colour and water (or Cake Decorators Alcohol). Take some of Ivory gel and put into the centre of the paint palette, then take a small portion of the brown petal dust, then adding the water to make it easier to work with. Paint the entire board this way. For an added effect you can use more brown to create an uneven tone, be careful not to go too dark or the Chocolate Slice will not show.

Once the board is completed set aside and begin work on the Cream Jug.

STEP 3 – Making the Cream Jug

 The Cream Jug is made from a small plastic cup; you can most likely find one like this at the supermarket. I wouldn’t advise using polystyrene or thin plastic cup as it just wouldn’t be strong enough for this project. The plastic cup like I am using is a strong enough to keep the fondant smooth and will be stable when added to the base. You’ll need to drill a hole in the bottom edge that is as wide as the support you are using to ensure the cup doesn’t move or slide off.

Next, you’ll need to wet the plastic cup so the fondant will stick. Roll out a piece of white fondant and trim to a long rectangle that is about ¾ of an inch higher than the top of the cup. Leave the bottom open, this will be covered later.

** NOTE – The seam will need to be directly opposite the hole you made for the support, this is where the handle will go.

Next, using your little finger, gently push down the fondant in-front of the hole to create the spout of the jug.

You’ll next need to create the handle for the jug using 100% gum paste. (I wouldn’t advise using 50/50 for the handle, I tried this and it just wasn’t strong enough) Put the fondant covered plastic cup on the support to attach the handle (to make it easier). Using some water or edible glue, stick the handle to the cup, making sure it’s directly opposite the spout of the jug. Use a piece of rolled up Paper Towel/Kitchen Roll to support the gum paste to create the curve of the handle. Set aside the whole structure somewhere safe and stable at room temperature and leave everything to dry overnight.

STEP 4 – Making the cake

 Once the handle of the cream jug has dried, remove the jug from the structure and set aside. Now, you’ll need to bake your cake. I used an 8” round 3” deep chocolate cake, but you can use any flavor you want. Once the cake has completely cooled, cut your “chunk” of cake and cut halfway through the back of the cake. Cover the metal studding with the needed amount of drinking straws and place the cake around the support. Next, make your chocolate ganache.

STEP 5 – Ganache

 Prepare your cake for the Ganache. Cut wide strips of baking parchment/ Grease-proof paper and slide them just under the sides and back of the cake to protect the board. Cover the entire slice in the chocolate ganache and set aside for a couple of hours. After the ganache has had time to set, carefully pull the baking parchment away from the cake, removing the piece you added last, first.

STEP 6 – Adding Fondant

 Brush the ganache with some water. Roll out a long rectangle strip of chocolate fondant just enough to cover the two sides; you do not need to cover the back. Trim the excess away and roll into a ball.

STEP 7 – Making the cake texture

 For this effect, I used a Wilton 233 icing tip. Tap the tip all over both sides of the cake to create the effect of the crumb.   STEP 8 – Adding the “filling”

 Add some black gel colour to the excess Chocolate fondant to create a dark brown colour. Using a cocktail stick, mark halfway up the cake; this is where the chocolate “filling” will go. Brush the mark with a little water so it will stick.

Next, roll out an uneven sausage and apply it to the sides of the cake. Using a cocktail stick make small waves to give the effect of ganache.

STEP 9 – Adding the Ganache

 Take your chocolate ganache and spread it all over the top and back of the cake using a small palette knife, you can make this as thick as you like.

STEP 10 – Adding the cream splash

 Roll out a thin piece of ivory/cream fondant and cut out a splash shape. Decide which part you want to be the front and cut a slit halfway towards the back. Place the splash around the support.

Roll out two small sausages to create the ripple effect, apply them using a bit of water.

STEP 11 – Gravity Defying

 Add another drinking straw to the studding and add water so the fondant will stick. Roll out a thin rectangle of ivory/cream fondant and wrap around the straw, trimming away the excess. Pinch and mark the fondant to add texture.

Next, add the cream jug. Using a small amount of water apply a circle of ivory/cream fondant to the top of the jug; cover any seams with fondant droplets and splashes.

Finally, cut a circle of white fondant and apply to the jug, smoothing the edges to create a seamless effect.

STEP 12 – Finishing touches.

To finish the cake, make a small splash and tiny dots from left over ivory/cream fondant to create a messy, rustic look.

I hope you all enjoy making this cake just as much as I did.

-          Laura Loukaides xx