Okay so I am doing my first carved number cake! To make it worse it needs to feed 100 people! I am self taught and recently stopped turning down cakes that test or push me, but now I am panicing cause not only do I have to carve it, and fill it, but I also have to cover the whole cake in fondant! I used the 13x19 pan and the WASC recipe but Im not sure what to do next! Im frozen with fear and need a nudge!

Anyone have any hints, tips tricks or suggestions, I NEED THEM!

Well, I would stack and fill you cake. Its easier if you print out a large number in the size that you want or draw one to use as a template. Set the number on top and cut away around it, crumb coat, then cover with fondant.

I actually find it easier to roll out your fondant thicker than normal for funky shapes and I never have any problems covering a shape like that. I have done crosses and shirts before and it always seems to go smoother than covering a round layer.

There is a how to on cake numbers . scroll down. can this be of any help.



http://www.ancda.org/Documents/ASC2001lowres.pdf

Cakeartist5523, I just did a number 4 a few weeks ago. And I have a number 6 for this weekend. What I did, once the cake was baked, I put a piece of cardboard on top of the cake, held it tight and flipped it over - but I didn't remove the pan. Just to make sure the cake wasn't stuck in the pan. Then I flipped it back over, and took the cardboard off, so the cake was still in the pan. I let it cool completely (I was worried that it would stick if I let it cool without jarring it loose first!).

Once cooled, I took my template, and placed it on the cake BACKWARDS. I carved my number out (while still in the pan), backwards of course, and took out all of the cake pieces that weren't part of the number. so I just had a backwards 4 left in the pan.

Then I laid my cake board ontop of the cake & pan so I could kind of guesstimate where I needed to spread buttercream so it would stick to the cake board. I spread buttercream where needed, then put the cakeboard BACK onto the pan (I know, I know, I probably made this harder than it should be!) and flipped it over. Then I took the pan off and I had a perfect #4 on my cake board.

Then, I leveled, filled, etc my number. I actually cut the bottom part off (the stick part of the 4), because it was easier to deal with.

I hope that made sense....

I'm not sure about carving it while in the pan. I think I'd scratch the pan.

THank you so much for your help and tips. So far I have them all baked, torted and waiting for carving in the freezer. I just made my template and after My son said nice Z Mom, I tweeked it a bit andnow it looks like a 2!
Whew, now to place it on the cake and give it a shot!

Im still confused about filling them? please forgive me if this is stupid, but I carve the 20 then fill it and crumb coat it, right?

I am way over complicating this Im sure, but so happy I can say I tried!!

Thanks again!!

cheatize - it doesn't scratch the pan. When I carve it, I'm just moving the knife up and down to cut the cake, it's not running along the bottom of the pan - different motion

Cakeartist5523 - I personally, carved it and then torted and crumb coated. The reason I torted/filled it after it was carved is so I could make a nice dam. Otherwise, how would you know where to put your dam?

@yummy
Yes that's what I was thinking too! See I am making this much
Harder than necesary! Thank you all so much for your help!

No problem! Don't forget to let us know how it turns out! Good luck!

@Jayde. If I fill it then carve it, then my filling will not have a damnto keep it in? Right? Im sorry if I'm not getting it, but do not want to mess this up! New customer and I want to knock her socks off!
Ty for the help! So grateful for the experienced cake decorators that offer tips and advise!!! Wish I could take classes someday! $$$$

Here it is, the customer loved it! So very happy it is over though, it took me forever! Hubby asked me, "is it normal for number cakes to take 3 days? Lmao I just smiled sweetly and said "yes, when you do laundry, windows and dinner at the same time! Ugh this was some work! Learned a ton !!! Thank you all for the help!!!