Hi everyone. Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your great advice; since joining CC I have been quietly reading in the background.
I have been asked to make a Ferrari cake for a friend's husband's 40th. I am relatively new to cake decorating and only have a week to prep and make this cake; she wants it carved so that it looks realistic. it should serve about 20-30 people. She wants a sponge cake with jam and buttercream.
I live in the UK and would appreciate all ideas, including appropriate recipes, carving advice, templates etc.
Thanks for all your help.
Gina

Hi there, I would recommend a medeira cake. I would bake a rectangular cake. Before you carve the cake, its better to put it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. So when you carve, less crumbs!

Here is tutorial from sugarshack, on making a car cake.

http://sugaredblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-3d-car-cake.html

HTH!

Thank you very much for sending me the link for the tutorial, let's hope I can follow it and get it right!

Do u have a good recipe for a madeira cake I could have? I have been using the Lindy smith one but I comes out quite dry.

Thanks for your help
Gina

This is my fave madeira cake recipe:

For a 10 inch square:
610g Butter
610g caster sugar
9 eggs
460g plain flour
150g self raising flour
2 1/2 tbsps milk

Preheat oven to 160 degrees (gas 2-3), line tin
Beat butter & sugar till fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating in well (Add flavourings now if you want). Fold in sifted flours. Stir in milk.
Cook for 1 hr 55 mins or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Can be frozen for 2 months, so for a future cake you can bake ahead.

If you want to make a smaller cake, let me know and I'll give the measurements.

HTH

Thank you. Does it matter if the eggs split? Cos it always does when I make big cakes. I use my kenwood to mix in the flour, is this ok? Or is it best to do it by hand?

Do u think this size will be big enough to carve to car out of?

Thanks for being patient with me, I also appreciate your prompt responses.

Gina

If the eggs end up splitting, you just need to keep mixing until they're incorporated into the mixture. I always just use an electric hand whisk. I always fold the flour in by hand with a wooden spoon.


This photo is a 10 inch pan with a box of eggs (Co-op's pack of 10) in it just to show you the sort of size. It all depends on how big you want the car to be as to how big cake you make.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51423045@N07/4790045234/

You could bake smaller and glue bits of cake together or carve it all as one, up to you!

Here is a picture of a 3D Lotus but it looks like a Ferrari...This was done by a member on Flickr.

Wow! That is impressive, I hope mine looks as good. I guess that was done with buttercream. I am thinking of using fondant, do you think that I can achieve such a good finish with fondant?

Got any tips on making the wheels? I am not feeling very confident about that part!

Thanks

Gina

Hi Gina,

Boy you are taking on a challenge !

Here is a picture of a Ferrari I did and I have done a few car cakes but I have to say that this was not easy.

This cake was a white chocolate mud cake - I made it from a rectangle cake - I freeze my cakes before I carve them.

I downloaded photos from the internet of the Enzo from every angle I could find to ensure the detail was correct.

Best of luck with this - my only suggestion is make sure you get the wheel size right!
Kim


Kim

Wow! I am speechless. That is something else - how long did it take? Did you carve it with aid of a template? What size cake did you use? I have sooo many questions!

I just did my first carved vehicle cake last week. After much instruction from very giving cc members, I used templates to help carve. You need an image of the side of the car looking straight on and then an image looking down onto the top of the car. I printed them on heavy paper and covered them with clear packing tape. Use the side template first and carve halfway through the cake, flip it onto the other side and carve. Leave carved pieces in place. Put top template on and carve that one. The rest you kind of have to eye ball from the front and back views to get all the curves right. Good luck.
Makeitmemorable- your ferrari is awesome!

Here is a link to a photo tutorial that may help you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37331318@N08/sets/72157619119013020/

And for a template of a ferarri this website is great.

http://www.the-blueprints.com/search/

You are all so knowledgeable, resourceful and experienced. Thank you all so much. I know that making the cake will not be easy, but you have all provided me with a wealth of info which makes the task a little less daunting.

You are right, blueprint is excellent, it gives you scaled measurements. The photo tutorial will definitely come in handy.
Think you should all combine your knowledge, tips etc and write a book!