I have a request for a 3D football helmet cake and I have no clue what pans to use or how to decorate one. I have seen several terrific 3D helmet cake here at CC wondering if anyone could help me with this?!

I did this one:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1290731.html

It was so easy! I used 1/2 of the sports ball pan on top of a 6x3 round. I shaved off a little of the 6 inch round to make the inside of the helmet flat (the part that you ice black) I also used a cake circle with a cut out to fit the "shaved" part of the 6 inch round. between the sports ball and 6 inch round.

The face mask was made out of two logs of gum paste. I used lollipop sticks for the vertical pieces. I dipped the lollipop stick in gum glue and then inserted it into the gum paste log. I propped the facemask up against an additional 6 inch cake pan to dry.

I hope this helps. I actually have to make another one tonight, so I will try to take pictures during the process.

I can tell you how I made the helmet in my little Avatar photo.
(I couldn't post a photo in the gallery because all my shots have people in the background...I don't have a good one of the cake alone)

The helmet is small, but could be adapted.
I made the face mask 4 days before it was to be put on the cake. It's made of gumpaste and fondant 50/50. I used a clay gun (or extruder) to get the 3 long coils + 1 extra coil (to cut up) to join the long ones together. I basically just left the 3 longs for a few hours on parchment paper to dry in the shape of a U, (they were separated from each other), and the extra (also separated) I just let dry straight.

After a few hours, I built the mask...I used a large sized Crisco can (on its side) and put my 3 U's on, then I cut pieces from the straight coil (I also cut the long way to get a flatter back) to join the 3 U's together in four places (2 in front, and 1 on each side). I used Elmer's glue to attach because I couldn't get them to stick so well with water, and I knew it wouldn't be eaten. Once the mask was constructed, I left it on the Crisco can (w/ a thick magazine on each side to keep it from rolling), until I needed it.
It was rock hard, but I was able to easily cut some off of each side because it ended up sticking out too far from the cake, I thought.

For specific team colors and logo, I looked on-line.
I printed out the GATORS logo (about 4"), cut it out, and used that as my template. I rolled blue fondant thin, placed the template on top, and carefully cut around. I made one for each side of the helmet and I did that the day before the party.

For the cake, which was 4 alternating layers of chocolate and white WASC, I used 3 - 6" layers + 1/2 of the Sports Ball Pan (Wilton), also 6" across. I stacked with buttercream in between each layer.
Once stacked, I carved out the space behind the mask. There's no real advice for this...you just have to eyeball it, and cut a little at a time.

Once I was happy with the shape, I used ganache made from a large Symphony milk chocolate bar + 1/4 cup of heavy cream (read that tip here on CC) to ice the outside of the cake. I chilled it and smoothed with boiling water and a spatula. Loved this and can't wait to try it using a Cadbury Dairy Milk choc. bar (my absolute fave). The thing I would do differently is to make a double batch of ganache. I had enough to cover, but I skimped on the part where I carved, instead focusing on the dome which I wanted very smooth for the fondant that was to come.

After the initial orange fondant was on, I carefully transferred the cake to the board and added the finishing touches. Lastly, I placed the mask (which I had already sized) up against the cake...it's not attached really, but looks like it is.

By the way, the board is all fondant, I made it 2 days before the party...I used the extruder to make all the lines and numbers. The opposite end is also blue, and has FLORIDA spelled out. Here's the one I was trying to copy : http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1199214

One final thing, I pushed a single bubble tea straw through the cake, from top to bottom before ganaching. I didn't use any cakeboards in between layers, and I'm pretty sure I didn't need the straw, but I had just gotten a 50-pk. and wanted to try them for the first time.

Good Grief...sorry...I didn't mean to write you a novel...I should have condensed a little!

Thank you so much for responding to my cry for help! I can't wait to get started on this cake! You have been so helpful to me!

What do you charge for a football helmet cake? I have never charged anyone for a cake before because I usually only do them for family but I have a friend of a friend who is insisting on paying me so I need to know what one would charge for the football helmet cake.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

I don't charge because I only bake for family and I love the practice, so as long as they buy the ingredients, I'm good.

I especially would've never charged for the helmet because my sister (it was for her son) purchased the ball pan, clay extruder, and colorings, on top of all the ingredients for the cake, bc, ganache, and gumpaste....she even wanted to buy cutters for the letters and numbers on the cakeboard, but I refused, choosing to do them by making templates instead (the extruder ended up working better than the templates, for the numbers).

Anyway, after all that she MADE ME take $50.00 and of course let me keep the leftover ingredients, the pan, and the extruder!

Oh my! What a great exchange! You did the work and you got all the equipment and payment on top of it! That's great! Thanks for sharing.

I have found that when people are really appreciative of your work they want to reward you in one way or another, whether it's money or gifts or even praise. For me, I've only done cakes for family and it's always been about just seeing their face light up when they see it! That's the best feeling!

Thanks for your help. That gives me an idea of what to allow her to pay me so I don't feel so guilty taking money....

You're welcome.

That is the best feeling, you're right...my nephew didn't know what design he was getting, just that I would be doing his cake...my sister and I planned it without telling him...when he saw it he gave me a big hug, and being 12, he's not such a hugger anymore. In fact, that's why I made a smaller sized helmet...he felt like he was too big for a party this year, LOL. So he had 4 friends stay over and they had a blast.

Now another nephew, who turns 11 at the end of March, wants the same cake (different team), and full sized, since he's NOT too big for a real party, LOL.

Dear FlourPots

Would you consider sending me your picture of the helmet - please? Your directions are great - but I am a visual person.

I know what the rules say about no people in the pictures - but I have seen several photos on this site that have people in them. I was quite surprised and wondered why they weren't removed if that is their rule for posting pictures of your cakes - NO PEOPLE.

I wouldn't mind if I knew how to edit it...I don't feel comfortable sending a photo with faces showing (especially kids).

thank-you i am going to try to make one this week-end,for my only grandson!hopefully it will turn out good, he loves the denver broncos!

Thank you Flourpots

You're welcome .

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I used two nine inch round cakes and one half of a soccer ball pan. I stacked the cakes and carved the shape curving in the back at the bottom and carving about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in the front. I then removed the layers and filled with a vanilla mousse covered in butter cream and then fondant. I used an edible image and silver fondant glaze. For the mask I cut out the shape and let it dry over the side of a mixing bowl. I did add Tylose to the fondant to help the mask dry faster. http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1686078

I also used a melon ball utensil to get the round indent on the sides.

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