....can I do this?

I have a friend who wants me to make a pregnant belly cake and add a gumpaste baby inside (ala a king cake). I would obviously add it to the cake AFTER it was baked, during my stacking and filling stage. My only worry is that the gumpaste would break down and start to disintegrate when inside the cake and filling? It is chocolate cake with a chocolate pudding(ish) filling. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Does she also want the cake to "give birth"?

I say the gumpaste will fall apart...faster in pudding.

Sounds a bit weird and creepy to me! If you cut a slice youll get a scary looking cross-section and nasty tasting chunk of soggy GP. You could make a marzipan baba which would at least taste nice. Although still creepy IMO!

How about covering the board in a print out of a scan so once the cake is eaten you can see the scan (youll need a food-safe covering over the pic once you glue it to the board)

Any moisture will ruin the gumpaste baby. Crumbs will stick to it. It would look like you unearthed it......not a pretty site. Maybe you can enclose it in a clear plastic capsule such a a round ornament ball or something. Honestly, I think I try to talk her out of it.

you should color the pudding red to make it look like a just born baby

One time a bride wanted edible nuts and bolts in the part of the wedding cake they cut as a surprise for the groom. I made them out of candy melts so they would retain their shape and remain crunchy. Maybe you could do the same with layers of overpiping?

OMG!!! Lol! Thank you for the suggestions AND comments!!!
I think the idea of having something inside the cake goes way back with them and has less to do with an actual birthing cake! Hahahaha! I agree, totally gross and thank you for confirming that the gumpaste wouldn't do so great. I think I'm going to try the candy melts- thank you!!!!!!

What about putting the gumpaste figure in a clear capped tube with a string attached. She can pull on the string and out of the cake pops the tube - wipe it off and open.

That reminds me of a tampon! lol!

I thought the idea of a king cake was to give the loaded piece to a random guest...in this case the "baby" has already been awarded, no?

This topic and the corresponding posts make me laugh AND cover my mouth in horror! On a good day, I really don't like the pregnant belly cake idea and the carving! But the baby inside sounds like a private joke that should stay that way! How about a tiny cake you could make for just them and not scare the guests!

Or why don't you try that cake inside a cake method (see my version and look up DStauch) to make the baby out of another color cake? Here's mine:

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2336451/to-a-t

Good luck!
Theresa

You took the words right out of my laughing/horrified mouth......

Let's be thankful the customer didn't ask for red velvet cake.

I deleted the ideas that were coming to me this evening. You can guess for yourself...

Lol- luckily this is just a cake for 6 ppl- the group of friends are presenting it to her after they go out for dinner!