How to Make a 3D Candle Cake

kerzen-brennend1

Thank you for all the nice comments on my candle cake. I’m still stunned that the candles, that I didn’t even want to post at first, are so well liked. Thank you as well for requesting this. As I didn’t take pictures of the stages I had to improvise and make a few sketches. I hope it’ll help.

As I was already asked about it: I don’t make the marzipan myself. I can buy it at the local supermarket. The marzipan paste we can get there is a bit too dark and soft for modelling, so I usually knead in about the same amount of confectioner’s sugar. Then it is sturdy enough for the edge of the candle… or modelling vegetables for a turkey cake or animals. Now to the instructions.

List of Materials

  • marzipan (or fondant)
  • cans (coffee cans or large soup cans work well)
  • parchment paper
  • pizze wheel
  • birthday candles (*Optional if you want real flames)

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Pick cans of the size you want and remove the bottom. (Do this with cans only when you use the can opener that doesn’t leave sharp edges or you might hurt yourself.) Line the cans with baking paper, place them on a sheet of paper on the tray and fill them about three quarters. Don’t make them too full. One of mine tipped over. Bake them according to the recipe you use.

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When the cakes are baked and cooled down you can push them out of the can and remove the paper.
Now all you have to do is cut off the dome and you have the basic shape of your candle.

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Roll out a batch of marzipan and use the cans to cut out the circles. Brush them with jam and glue them to the tops of the cakes.
Roll out more marzipan in about the breadth of your cake and cut a straight line in length and width.
If you don’t want a protruding edge measure out the height of your candle and cut the other length as well.

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Brush the marzipan with jam (approx. the width of the height of the cake). Put the cake on the edge of the wrap and start to roll. Just before the marzipan overlaps cut it with a pizza wheel. Remove the excess marzipan and keep rolling. Smooth out the seam.

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Now fold down the wrap protruding over the top inwards. This way you get a nice, rounded edge. Push the edge outwards at one point to get a lip. Press the layers of the protruding edge together and smooth out the inside.
Now mix some confectioner’s sugar with water and brush a thin layer on the candles. Let it dry.

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Finally the best part: decorating!
I made a few snowflakes to try my new cutters, but the possibilities are only limited by your fantasy.
Enjoy making your candles… and don’t forget the birthday candles at home like I did. (With the matches it was a rather short joy.) Push the candles in and enjoy a few minutes of burning cake candles.

Thanks again for the request. I hope I could help.
Have fun! Good luck! And Merry Christmas!
Roadrunner

kerzen-brennend1

Comments (38)

on

Thanks for posting this tutorial Roadrunner-- very clever!! Your cakes look like real candles!! (and your sketches are great- just as good as pictures). This is so doable- I of course waited until the last minute to start/create a cake for our Christmas Eve dinner and of course I'm running low on fondant/modeling chocolate- (I have never used marzipan) -- looks as if you don't need a lot of product for this- so mow I am frantically looking for cans that will work, looks like my son will be eating a lot of soup this week!! Thanks again!!!

on

What a fantastic idea! They look great, and seem very do-able. I look forward to trying this; thank you so much for sharing!

on

As I am watching this, I have 3 "candles" already dirty-iced in the freezer. I used a circle cutter and cut out some brownie rounds and cake rounds, stacking them with layers of vanilla and chocolate buttercream. I am afraid to see what they look like! They will not be as sturdy as the can method for sure. I want to cover them in impression mat imprinted fondant, and will post a picture to see how they turned out. Wish me luck!!

on

Thanks for share this beautiful cake with us...I love it.. Happy Holiday for everyone , make a life a sweet piece.;0)

on

Very nice, thank you so much, it is too late for me to try it, but since I am a candle lover, I'll try it anyways for the next Holiday. Why not Eastern with my cutters. Happy Holiday to everyone.

on

Well done they are awesome... have some in production, will post pics once done! Your sketches are great, and Thanks for posting the tutorial. Merry Christmas to you :)

on

I've made a candle cake that is nowhere near as nice as yours, the can idea just made me go Duhhh! That is perfect! The idea of rolling/wrapping your candles vs stacking rounds then trying to make them perfect, I want to wrap a candle now!

on

Really, really nice job! I am always looking for new ideas for this old imagination of mine :-). Thanks so much for sharing!!

on

What a great idea...very nicely done; can't wait to to try them and thank you so much for sharing your idea.

on

BEAUTIFUL RoadrunnerGER, and you could make this in any color also...what a wonderful idea you've come up with...VERY talented!! And Thank You for sharing your talent with all of us out here!! : )

on

Could you please tell me the approximate dimensions of the tins you used? I live in Australia and a lot of our tin sizes are different. Many thanks.

on

Seems to me one could use chocolate transfers or printed frosting sheets or photo sheets for custom projects. Also a giant candle to place on top of a giant cupcake or other cake for birthdays, weddings, etc. Ideas are endless. I

on

Thank you very much for all your nice comments. I got so much inspiration and advice from CC that I'm glad to be able to give something back. I used two sizes of cans, two with a 4 inch diameter and one with 3 inches. I baked them as long as it was said in the recipe and it worked well. Thanks again to everyone.

on

I am going to try this, but I can't see how I am going to prevent the cake batter from leaking out the bottom. Does it just not? or am I missing a trick? The candles look great.

on

Really? Serioulsy? Unbelievable! Wow!!! This cake is so clever and so amazing. I would never of thought to make a cake like this...and without you sharing your cake, and making the front page, I don't think many other's would either. What a fabulous job! I bet there are an awful lot of ladies itching to get started. Thanks for inspiring us.

on

I tried making this cake today. I didn't have a good a luck as you with the top edges of the candles. I will try it again, but will follow your directions more carefully next time. I used melted almond bark for the melted wax. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

on

Thanks again for all the nice comments. :) @shannonBridges - The batter leaked just a little bit and kind of sealed the can when it was put in the oven. It stuck to the outside of the can and the cake could still slide out easily. @madeitwithlove - One of the candles is fruit cake, the other two red wine cake, my favourite winter recipe.

on

Thank you for posting this tutorial! Fell in love with the idea as soon as i saw it and made it yesterday for my sister's birthday. Huge hit!