Well, this was supposed to be my first attempt at a purse cake. Yes, I'm not crazy, I do realize that it looks like a dog cake, and yes, I do mean that it was supposed to be a purse cake.

I was SOOO excited to do this purse cake for my friend's birthday. I'd been planning for months. I made a yellow cake with hazelnut flavoring. I cut it into thirds to stack, and I made some white chocolate ganache to whip and use as the filling between the layers. I had a really hectic week, and I was way behind on starting the cake. I didn't make all the little gumpaste and fondant decorations ahead of time like I planned, and I was having trouble committing to which design/pattern I was going to do on the purse. I should have known that was going to spell trouble. I baked the cake on Friday night, cake was for her party on Saturday night. It was all cooled, cut, and ready to go, icing all made, everything set. All I needed to do was ice and decorate, and I had 12 hours. Simple, right?

First problem . . . the white chocolate ganache was too thin and not whipping properly. I knew I shouldn't use it, but yet . . . I did it anyway. I decided to use a buttercream icing dam and just use the white chocolate ganache. I knew I was in trouble when I started procrastinating. Then, it all went downhill from there when I started carving. Yes - I forgot about that icing dam holding in the runny white chocolate ganache. It started oozing everywhere . . . and then the top 2 tiers started breaking and cracking - I'm still not sure why that happened. The cake just sort of collapsed. By this time, it was already 3:30 in the afternoon, and I just sat down and cried. I didn't know what else to do, but there was no way to fix it or to finish it. I called my friend and told her there would be no cake.

After I cried for about 45 minutes, I slowly realized that the bottom tier was something I could salvage. and it was a small 1/4 sheet cake, and maybe I could put something on top of it. I was thinking edible image, and my friend had just mentioned taking the dog out for a walk (she was dog sitting), and I decided to attempt the dog cake. I salvaged the bottom layer, quickly baked up the pieces for the dog, and went to town. I threw it together in under 2 hours. It wasn't great, but it was a cake. It was okay - I used leftover gumpaste and rolled buttercream - whatever I could find in the fridge.

I took the picture, showered, and then headed off to the party. I had called my friend, told her there was cake, although not what I planned. I was so proud of myself that I'd pulled it off . . . and then, disaster struck again. The poor doggy fell apart on the way over. I had doweled him, but I had opted for my easy cake recipe (the fastest one) which, unfortunately, had I thought about it in my state of panic, is not really firm enough for this type of thing. The dog's body moved away from its head, which then had the behind hanging off the back of the cake. Before we made it to the restaurant, the dog's tush fell off! I don't have a picture of the broken cake, but the falling tush crushed the side of the cake, too. It was so sad . . . I was hysterical - I'm still not sure if I was laughing or crying.

Cake tasted great, everyone was very nice about it, and my friend was laughing with me, but I was so upset. So . . . here is the picture of my first attempt at a purse cake. Hope you enjoy!

I'm so sorry that happened to you, I know you were disappointed in the results. All I can tell you is to listen to your instincts. If you think the ganache is too thin, it is too thin. You will have to keep beating or refrigerating until it is ready. Get better organized before starting, I know that sounds like a rather flip comment, but it will help you so much on the final product. Don't wait until the last minute, lay out all your ingredients and tools so they are there when you need them. make your icing the day before and have it in the fridge ready to go. Save yourself the stress if some last minute glitch happens. Keep trying, the next one will work and you have learned from your mistakes on this one.

I am so sorry your had so many issues with making your purse cake! You did end up with a cute doggy though. The best thing to do is to have a sense of humor about it. At least it was for a friend and it sounds like she was very understanding.

I have only made one purse cake, but I think I used buttercream as the filling just to be safe, since I knew I was going to have to do some carving. Also, it really helps if you use a pretty sturdy cake recipe and I froze my layers before I carved. It really makes it easier and the cake is less likely to crumble.

Good luck on your next one.

Cindy

Thanks for your comments. I should have frozen it, but I just didn't have the time. I was planning to use buttercream the next time I attempt the purse cake - no more chances!

I do usually try to be more organized, but you are right, ShirleyW, I think that is the key. I'm an attorney, working full time, family stuff going on, constantly running around trying to get everything done, and I've also been taking a cake decorating class lately - so sometimes I think I bite off more than I can chew. I like to do these big projects because I love the challenge, but I think sometimes I just really don't have enough hours in the day with all of my other commitments and I tend to forget that sometimes and think I'll somehow manage to fit it all in.

Your doggy cake is really cute and at least you have a photo of it before it became a casualty!

Good improvisation, and I'm glad your friend liked the cake and understood the difficulties! Janice

I am glad that you have a picture of it in pristine form. I am sorry you had to go through that, but think of the good laugh you may get from it later on down the road. I am so glad it was for a friend rather than a gossipy picky customer. I am proud of you for thinking on your feet so well. Good job all in all and I am sorry for the frustration!

My heart ached for you as I read your post. Then the part about the dog's tush falling off just put me over the edge! lol! You are one brave gal! I think you did great for the all the frustrations you went through. Getting things done ahead of time and having everything you need at hand is one of my weakness' also. I tend to get rather grandiose ideas just before I go to ice and of course, I have to scuttle to have what I need. You did great!

Thank you so much, Pennysue!

This sounds like me. Start off with a idea and by the time i'm done it doesn't look like what it was supposed to be initially.

I must add thought that you did good and at least your friend got a cake ( with a story to go with it of course.)