How To Make Numbers To Sit On Top Of Cake
Decorating By Angie0207 Updated 26 Oct 2011 , 9:23pm by usmdesigner
I am wanting to make the number six for a Birthday cake I am making for a young man. His mother found a photo of the cake and asked me to recreate the cake for her. The cake photo has a number 4 on top in red. It also has a candle sticking out of the top of the number. Does anyone have any ideas for me to achieve the same or a similar look?
When I want to put a number or initial on the top of the cake, I start at my computer. I use my publishing program to find just the right font and size and print it out.
Then I use fondant with tylose (to help it harden), roll it out pretty thin and cut out two of the letters/numbers with an Exacto knife. I put some water or fondant glue on the wrong or back side of one of the pieces. Next I add some narrow, flat craft sticks to the glued area extending down from the piece. This is what will stick into the cake. Then I place the other piece on top. I usually have to trim the letters a little after they are glued together.
I do all this because:
I don't like the look of sticks stuck on the back of the letter/number
I used sucker sticks once, and they slice right through the cake and the number fell over.
I like for the look of the number/letter to match the font/style of the rest of the cake.
Here is a finished # on top of a cake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/5381417078/in/photostream
Here is one before it goes on the cake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/5198734194/in/photostream
Here is one made out of rolled fondant with a craft stick pushed up inside the number:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/4373371739/in/photostream
And a letter/initial as a topper:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/6251741739/in/photostream
I mix my fondant/gumtex mix together and roll out into a rope. Then I put a skewer through the bottom into the rope after I have shaped it. They will be flat on the back because I let them dry laying down flat on parchment paper. I have several in my photos if you would like to look at them. I have never had a problem with them standing up. If you were going to put a candle into the top of the number then you would need to do that before it dried or use royal icing to place one on top after you have placed it on the cake. Good luck.
Good advice so far. I'll add my drop in the bucket.
Make them (or 1 if you are confident) days in advanced. I've had a 1 or 2 break or dry up and I didn't like it, but the other I made was great. Plus the whole "oops i dropped it, now what"
I usually harden mine overnight, not sure about others 
But that workflow is done 3 to 4 days ahead of time due to wanting the perfect one. Not good enough? You still have more time to try again!
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