What's the best way to cover a cake made to look like a barrel? Should I cut it in strips, score it, attach it to the cake then paint it to look like wood or should I roll it out with a bit of tylose, score it and then wrap it around the cake vertically? Thanks for anny helpful suggestions....

I forgot to add I was talking about the best way to cover the cake with fondant.

I did the planks for the barrel/basket in textured fondant strips that had dried on racks. I didn't add tylose to the fondant but I did add extra powdered sugar. I attached the planks to a buttercream cake. Hope this helps.

I've done something similar with a basket cake. I also made the planks, indented with a wood grain texture sheet, dusted for coloring, then let them dry. I attached them to a buttercream covered cake.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will try the planks. Have to get started tonight...wish me luck