Fun & Original
Character
Cakes
Maisie Parrish
A DAVID & CHARLES BOOK
Copyright David & Charles Limited 2009
David & Charles is an F+W Media Inc. company
4700 East Galbraith Road,
Cincinnati, OH 45236
First published in the UK in 2009
Text and designs copyright Maisie Parrish 2009
Photography copyright David & Charles 2009
Maisie Parrish has asserted her right to be identified as author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
The designs in this book are copyright and must not be made for resale.
The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that all the instructions in the book are accurate and safe, and therefore cannot accept liability for any resulting injury, damage or loss to persons or property, however it may arise.
Names of manufacturers, cake ranges and other products are provided for the information of readers, with no intention to infringe copyright or trademarks.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7153-3005-0 paperback
ISBN-10: 0-7153-3005-5 paperback
Printed in China by ShenZhen Donnelley Printing Co. Ltd. for David & Charles
Brunel House Newton Abbot Devon
Commissioning Editor: Jennifer Fox-Proverbs
Editor: Bethany Dymond
Project Editor: Ame Verso
Art Editors: Sarah Underhill and Charly Bailey
Designer: Mia Farrant
Production Controller: Kelly Smith
Photographers: Karl Adamson and Simon Whitmore
Visit our website at www.davidandcharles.co.uk
David & Charles books are available from all good bookshops; alternatively you can contact our Orderline on 0870 9908222 or write to us at FREEPOST EX2 110, D&C Direct, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4ZZ (no stamp required UK only); US customers call 800-289-0963 and Canadian customers call 800-840-5220.
I dedicate this book to the memory of my daughter Julie Ann, a passionate lover of animals, and to my grandchildren Samantha, Rebecca and Jessica.
IMPORTANT NOTE
The models in this book were made using metric measurements. Imperial conversions have been provided, but the reader is advised that these are approximate and therefore significantly less precise than using the metric measurements given. By means of example, using metric a quantity of 1g can easily be measured, whereas the smallest quantity given in imperial on most modern electric scales is oz. The author and publisher cannot therefore be held responsible for any errors incurred by using the imperial measurements in this book and advise the reader to use the metric equivalents wherever possible.
Introduction
If you are just starting out in the novelty cake-decorating world, this is the book for you! It has all the advice you need, with clear step-by-step photographs to guide you through each cake project. On these pages you can discover and enjoy eight new ideas for novelty cakes including over 30 individual characters explained in simple terms all using the same fundamental techniques.
Novelty cake decorating is a very happy experience, full of colour and fun, with characters to delight all ages. Whether you copy my cakes to the letter, or use them as a springboard for your own designs, I am sure you will find something here to inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.
Those of you who are familiar with my work will know that I often feature animals on my cakes. This collection takes the animal theme one step further, giving you creatures bursting with character for all occasions, which I am certain you will have fun making. From chocoholic bunnies to carol singing penguins and newly-wed cats there are brightly coloured animal-themed cakes here for all the major celebrations in life, all of which are guaranteed to be conversation pieces at any party. And if you are short of time to make an entire cake, its so simple to select your favourite characters and apply them to a pre-bought cake for quick and stunning results.
You will find my techniques are basic and simple to achieve, so when you have mastered them, you can elaborate with as much detail as you like. All the models start from a simple ball and grow and develop from there in many different ways. But the most important thing is that I have tried to show you how to put humour, movement and life into your work, which is the key to the success of these cakes.
Take the time to read the book carefully before you start and make sure you have all the equipment you need for things to go smoothly. And remember everything starts with a ball!
Enjoy.
Maisie
Sugarpaste
All the models in this book are made using sugarpaste (rolled fondant) in one form or another. This firm, sweet paste is also used to cover cakes and boards. Sugarpaste is very soft and pliable and marks very easily, but for modelling it works best if you add CMC (Tylose) or gum tragacanth to it to bulk it up (see Sugarpaste for Modelling, opposite). This section gives you the lowdown on this wonderful medium, revealing everything you need to know for success with sugarpaste.
Ready-Made Sugarpaste
You can purchase sugarpaste in the most amazing array of colours; just take it out of the packet and away you go. Of all the ready-made pastes on the market, the brand leader is Renshaws Regalice (see Suppliers, page 126), which is available in white and 14 other exciting shades. This paste is easy to work with and is of excellent firm quality.
Tip
Very dark colours, such as black, dark blue and brown, are particularly useful to buy ready-coloured, because if you add enough paste food colouring into white to obtain a strong shade, it will alter the consistency of the paste and make it much more difficult to work with.