3, 2, 1 ... LIFTOFF

LORI MAHONEY

LORI’S CUSTOM CAKES OCEAN BEACH, CA Simple 2-D cake toppers are an easy and cost-effective way to really jazz up your birthday-cake designs. This rocket-cake tutorial from Lori Mahoney is a great way to boost your celebration cake business into 2018!

For Lori Mahoney, cake decorating is more than a business, it’s a passion. Lori began her cake-decorating journey two years ago, and she is now the owner of Lori’s Custom Cakes, where is known for making adorable celebration cakes for all occasions. Lori enjoys sharing her skills with others and creating cake tutorials for several notable magazines.

Facebook.com/Loriscustomcakes

Rocket ship template 1,000 g of white fondant, 100 g of red fondant, 50 g each of light blue, yellow, and gray fondant CMC or tylose powder Various sizes of round plungers, cookie cutters, or icing tips Medium- and small-size star plungers Scalpel Scissors Small rolling pin Small paintbrush Water Dowel/skewer

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1. Print out the rocket ship template provided onto plain white paper, and cut out the template as shown. Take half of the white fondant and add 1/4 teaspoon of tylose powder to stiffen the fondant. Roll out the fondant to 1/8" thickness, then place the template over the top and cut out the pattern. Roll out the second half of the white fondant (without the tylose) and repeat the step to create two rocket shapes, as shown.

2. Roll the red fondant into a long strip approximately 3/16 of an inch thick. With a scalpel, cut out the red portions of the design, using the template as a guide.

3. Roll out the gray fondant, then, using two round plungers or circle cutters (one larger than the other), cut two circles to create the window for the rocket ship. Cut a strip for the bottom of the rocket. Cut a small circle from blue fondant for the inside of the window. Allow to dry.

Lori notes: I used the back of a large piping tip to cut one circle and a smaller one to cut out the middle.

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4. Roll out the yellow fondant quite thinly, and, using the star plungers, cut out enough stars to cover the bottom of the cake.

5. Push a dowel about halfway into the thicker rocket cut out from step 3, and brush with water. Place the thinner cutout on top and let dry.

6. Attach the remaining precut pieces of fondant to the rocket with a little water, and allow to dry overnight.

7. Push the rocket topper into the top of the cake, leaving about an inch of clearance.

8. Roll a variety of different-size balls of white fondant and adhere to the top of the cake, around the base of the rocket.

This will form the plume.

9. Roll more fondant balls and adhere around the base of the cake tier. Attach the fondant stars to the cake, ensuring even coverage.