Do These Cakes Suck _ GIANT Candy! _ How To Cake It
**Article: How to Cake It – Candy Themed Cakes**
This week, I decided to create candy-themed cakes because everyone loves candy. However, with so many types of candy available, I needed to narrow down my choices since I love them all. So, I enlisted the help of my friends, Orhan and Cody, for a fun adventure called "candy hopping."
### The Journey Begins: Candy Hopping
We started our day early at 9 a.m., which might seem unusual, but we were on a mission—to find the perfect candies for my cakes. Along the way, we stumbled upon Orhan's "dream girl," who turned out to be his girlfriend. It was a sweet moment as he talked to her about our candy hunt.
As we continued, we encountered a variety of candies, including pineapple gummy bears and unicorn-themed treats. Each candy sparked ideas for my cakes. I wanted something timeless, so I decided on three classic candies: a gummy watermelon slice, a Swedish berry, and a peppermint swirl candy—types you might find in your grandmother's candy dish or at the end of a restaurant meal.
### Creating the Watermelon Slice Cake
To start with the watermelon slice cake, I baked two cakes: a 10-inch round green cake and an 8-inch round pink cake. I dyed the batters to match the colors of a watermelon. After baking, I used a 7-inch round cake pan to cut out the center of the green cake, creating a ring shape. I then cut this ring in half, resulting in two "C" shapes. By stacking one half on top of the other, I achieved the desired layered effect.
For the pink cake, I realized I could have baked it lower and doubled up for thickness. To create the ridges on the watermelon rind, I used a ruler to mark five sections and then pressed small circle cutters into the dough, aligning them from one mark to another. With a serrated knife, I carefully carved out the indentations, giving the cake a realistic watermelon texture.
### Crafting the Swedish Berry Cake
Next was the Swedish berry cake—a challenging but rewarding project. I baked a 6-inch round red cake and a half-sphere red cake. The dome shape was meant to mimic the appearance of a raspberry. However, carving this intricate design proved difficult. Using a small circle cutter, I marked out the pattern on the dome and then carefully carved away the negative spaces with a serrated knife.
Swedish berries are known for their small details, so I wanted to highlight those by using red fondant rolled as thin as possible. After covering the cake in red fondant, I used my fingertips to push it into all the crevices, ensuring the texture was visible. Finally, I trimmed away any excess and enhanced the indents with a ball tool for added detail.
### Designing the Peppermint Swirl Candy
The last cake was the peppermint swirl candy, resembling an after-dinner mint. For this, I baked two 9-inch round marbled vanilla-red cakes to create the swirled effect inside. After carving the top edges with a serrated knife, I covered them in white fondant and then added red fondant swirls using a template.
To achieve the pinwheel pattern, I cut out multiple red swirl shapes and carefully placed them around the cake, ensuring they met in the center. This gave the appearance of a twisted peppermint candy.
### Decorating with Fondant
After shaping and baking all three cakes, I moved on to decorating with fondant. For the watermelon slice, I rolled out green fondant to cover the rind and pink fondant for the inner part. I lightly brushed the cake with clear piping gel and then coated it in sugar for a realistic look.
For the Swedish berry, I focused on highlighting its intricate texture by rolling red fondant thin and pressing it into all the crevices. Finally, for the peppermint swirl, I covered the entire cake in white fondant and added the iconic red swirls to mimic the candy's design.
### Challenges and Reflections
Throughout the process, I faced challenges like forgetting how I created certain details or carving intricate designs. However, these obstacles made me appreciate the creativity involved in "caking" something as simple yet specific as a Swedish berry. Despite the difficulties, I enjoyed experimenting with different techniques and bringing these candies to life.
### Conclusion
In the end, we had three unique candy-themed cakes that captured the essence of their respective treats. From the vibrant watermelon slice to the intricate Swedish berry and the classic peppermint swirl, each cake was a testament to the joy of baking and creativity. If you're inspired to try "caking" your favorite candy, let us know in the comments—there's no limit to what we can create!
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This article captures the entire journey of creating these candy-themed cakes, from the excitement of hunting for candies to the challenges of crafting each dessert. It reflects the creativity and passion behind bringing sweet treats to life through baking.