When I first made Dorie’s fabulous Perfect Party Cake a little over a year ago for a Daring Bakers challenge, I remember commenting that I wished I’d had an actual party to bring it to. Well, it took a while, but I finally got that wish. Last month was my twin nephews’ 7th birthday, and when I saw that the Perfect Party Cake was in the TWD queue, I volunteered to make it for the twins’ party.
The Perfect Party Cake starts with layers of lovely moist and light white cake, which are filled with raspberry jam and enveloped in clouds of fluffy white Swiss buttercream. Then, sweet, tender flaked coconut is pressed all around the perimeter of the cake. The result is a beautiful mountain of snowy cake perfection.
Because I had already made this recipe as written once before, I wanted to do it a little differently this time. Also, since I was making the cake for two little boys, I wanted to make it a little more kid-friendly. For the filling, instead of the raspberry jam, I used strawberry jam and fresh, sliced strawberries with a thin layer of lemon curd on top. I nixed the coconut altogether, because the boys don’t care for it.
Probably the last term I would ever use to describe myself is “cake decorator”. I’m pretty hopeless in that department! Anime characters and Transformers were just not happening. But still, I wanted the twins’ cake to look fun and whimsical. I tried to achieve that by decorating the cake with multi-colored polka dots that I made with a fondant cutter out of candy melts. I also found some really pretty candy melts that were white with multi-colored sparkles in them. I melted those down and let them harden into one big block. Then, I used a vegetable peeler to make big candy curls, which I piled on top of the cake. It was perfect because the flecks in the candy curls matched all of the different colors of the polka dots.
There were lots of “oohs” and “aahs” heard around the party table as the cake made its entrance. The adults all seemed suitably impressed. From the looks of those big smiles on those happy little faces, I think the kids liked it too!
Many thanks to Carol of Mix, Mix…Stir, Stir for choosing our recipe for this week. If you’d like to make your own Perfect Party Cake, you can find the recipe on Carol’s site. And, as always, check out the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll to see what the rest of the group come up with.
Filed Under: Baking, Cakes and Cupcakes, Celebrations, Desserts, Recipes, Tuesdays with Dorie
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On June 30, 2009 at 12:11am, Carol Peterman said...
What a fantastic looking cake, I think you can comfortably call yourself a cake decorator. Happy birthday boys!
On June 30, 2009 at 1:30am, middlesex said...
What a fantastic cake, I think you can comfortably call yourself a cake decorator. Happy birthday boys!
On June 30, 2009 at 2:54am, Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
Happy Birthday boys! What a splendid cake, wow!
Cheers,
Rosa
On June 30, 2009 at 4:00am, berkshire said...
oohhhhh!!!! what a cake. i think the kids like it too.
On June 30, 2009 at 5:27am, Steph said...
I think you're an amazing decorator!! The lemon curd sounds like a nice addition with the fresh strawberries.
On June 30, 2009 at 5:30am, City Girl said...
That cake is like the embodiment of a birthday party!
On June 30, 2009 at 5:44am, Jen of A2eatwrite said...
Oh, Susan, this looks SO beautiful! And the curls were an inspiration - I kept looking at them and thinking *how* did she *do* that??
So. Cool.
On June 30, 2009 at 6:08am, cookies and cups said...
What a great idea melting the candy down and making the curls! Very cute! It looks great!
On June 30, 2009 at 6:17am, Judy@nofearentertaining said...
One of my favorite cakes ever!!! I loved it as a DB challenge and it looks just as beautiful now!!!
On June 30, 2009 at 6:42am, Patsyk said...
You did an amazing job decorating that cake! I wish I had come up with the idea to use candy melts the way you did!
On June 30, 2009 at 7:06am, Nina Timm said...
Susan, that is one beautiful cake!!! I love how you repeated the colors in the white chocolate twirls on top!!! Super work!!!
On June 30, 2009 at 7:08am, Pamela said...
What a fun cake!! It looks really wonderful.
On June 30, 2009 at 7:15am, Isabelle said...
wow ! c'est splendide ! quelles belles couleurs !
On June 30, 2009 at 8:13am, Jacque said...
Yep, I'd say the birthday boys liked their cake! (they're so cute).
Your cake looks fantastic! I love those choco. shavings on top.
Those candy melts sound cool! Must find!
On June 30, 2009 at 8:29am, The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
What a beautiful and delicious looking cake. Those boys are very lucky.
On June 30, 2009 at 8:41am, 5 Star Foodie said...
What a fantastic looking cake! I love all those layers, the candy curls, and the polka dots!
On June 30, 2009 at 8:57am, Susan @ SGCC said...
Thanks so much, everyone! I'm so glad you like the cake. The Candy Melts are from Wilton, and I found them at Michael's. I've also seen them on the Wilton web site. They actually taste pretty good - kind of like white chocolate. I'll definitely use them again.
On June 30, 2009 at 8:57am, Lauryn said...
OMG your cake is AMAZING!!! I am in awe of how perfect it looks!! You should be very proud of yourself for creating such a fantastic looking cake!
On June 30, 2009 at 9:13am, Manggy said...
Bravo!! I don't think I can officially bestow the title of cake decorator on you, but you can be really proud of what you accomplished here. It looks smashing. And I love its imposing profile.
Now, what kind of kids don't like raspberry jam?!?! Gasp!!
On June 30, 2009 at 9:31am, sara said...
What a great looking cake. Good thing you had such a wonderful occasion to make this cake for!
On June 30, 2009 at 10:03am, vibi said...
For sure! I would have ooohed and aaaahed too!
This is brilliant, Susan! Actually even closer to perfect! WOW!
On June 30, 2009 at 10:37am, spike. said...
love the curls on top- beautiful work!
On June 30, 2009 at 11:08am, Cristine said...
Your cake looks amazing! You can definately call yourself a cake decorater! Great job! Love the polka dots!
On June 30, 2009 at 11:27am, Ingrid said...
Fantastic job on the cake! I think you did a great job making it festive looking for your nephews.
~ingrid
On June 30, 2009 at 11:33am, Erin said...
What a gorgeous cake!
On June 30, 2009 at 11:51am, Rachelle @ "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" said...
Now that's a FUN party cake!
On June 30, 2009 at 11:54am, Coleen's Recipes said...
What a beautiful cake, very professional looking!! I especially enjoyed the multi-colored sprinkles (I'm stealing that idea right away).
On June 30, 2009 at 11:56am, Nicole said...
LOVE how you decorated the cake! So cute!
On June 30, 2009 at 12:18pm, Linda said...
What a fun and festive looking cake! I'm a big kid, so I think I'll need one of these cakes.
I'm definitely going to go the fresh fruit in the filling— the close up of the slice with the strawberry layers is gorgeous.
Great job Susan!
On June 30, 2009 at 2:13pm, Jodie said...
Great job! I love the sparkles in the chocolate shavings on top! What a cute idea. Where did you find those?
On June 30, 2009 at 2:39pm, Colleen said...
OOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhh, Yummy! That sure does look like the perfect party cake…beautiful and ooey gooey. Well done Susan…xxx
On June 30, 2009 at 2:58pm, Amanda said...
Holy moly, I LOVE how you melted down that chocolate and shaved it, genius! This turned out PERFECT
On June 30, 2009 at 3:18pm, Maria said...
What a fun cake! I love it!
On June 30, 2009 at 4:24pm, TeaLady said...
oH!! mY! gOODNESS!!!! That looks fantastic. What a great looking cake.
On June 30, 2009 at 4:44pm, Mary said...
I love Dorrie's party cake! And your polka dots are ridiculous cute!
On June 30, 2009 at 4:45pm, The Food Hunter said...
Cute boys! The cake looks delicious. I love what you did with the decorating.
On June 30, 2009 at 4:47pm, Cakelaw said...
I love the flecks in the chocolate curls - so pretty. The lemon curd is also a great idea.
On June 30, 2009 at 6:46pm, Katrina said...
THAT looks absolutely awesome, fun and delicious! I love the white sparkly curls on top! GREAT!
On June 30, 2009 at 6:47pm, jillbert said...
I love how you decorated it!!
On June 30, 2009 at 6:56pm, MaryBeth said...
I love the whole thing.. it is a perfect cake!!!
On June 30, 2009 at 6:58pm, Jules Someone said...
That's just lovely! Lucky nephews!
On June 30, 2009 at 9:48pm, Leslie said...
That is a stunning cake! It sounds so delicious with the strawberries and lemon curd. I can't get over how beautiful the decoration is!
On June 30, 2009 at 10:12pm, Proud Italian Cook said...
I have a party coming up, will you make this for me?
On June 30, 2009 at 11:10pm, thecoffeesnob said...
That truly is a perfect party cake indeed!
On June 30, 2009 at 11:24pm, Tracey said...
I love your cake! You did such an amazing job decorating it. I'd say you achieved whimsical for sure
On July 01, 2009 at 12:13am, isa said...
Beautiful cake! Love the polka dots!
On July 01, 2009 at 4:26am, Bellini Valli said...
I do remember making this cake for the DB. Love the creative decorations Susan. I'd say you have a lot of creativity:D
On July 01, 2009 at 8:56am, AmyRuth said...
Perfecto! So fun for you and the boys, oh yea , those pesky adults too. he he Thanks for showing us great variations. Lemon curd sounds really good too.
AmyRuth
On July 01, 2009 at 11:04am, foodcreate said...
This Cake is Luxuriously Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing your cake recipe:)
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Join our growing food cummunity !
Post your comments.
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On July 01, 2009 at 11:13am, Teanna said...
How can you say you are not a cake decorator after all of that?! THAT IS STUNNING! And I need to find those candy melts! Where did you find the ones with all of the colors?
On July 01, 2009 at 11:25am, Maddy said...
what an amazing cake! i need to get into the kitchen asap to make some of your yummy treats!
On July 01, 2009 at 11:59am, pinkstripes said...
Your cake is gorgeous!! The layers are perfect and I love the way you decorated it. YUM!
On July 01, 2009 at 1:50pm, Eliana said...
I think your cake looks amazing - perfectly decorated!!!
On July 01, 2009 at 2:35pm, steph- whisk/spoon said...
how fun!! what a beautiful birthday cake!!
On July 01, 2009 at 6:31pm, Clivia said...
Fantastic cake - and fresh strawberries to boot! Well done.
On July 01, 2009 at 9:02pm, Likes Chocolate said...
Delish!
On July 02, 2009 at 12:58pm, Susan from Food Blogga said...
This cake makes me wish it was my birthday!
On July 03, 2009 at 3:05am, Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] said...
Your cake looks great! You can surely call yourself a 'decorator' with this baby up your sleeve!!
On July 03, 2009 at 4:20am, Kim said...
Susan, I am all about cake and yours is splendid. You are a cake decorator as far as I'm concerned. No wonder everyone's was excited when they say the cake. What a great way to celebrate two birthdays!
On July 04, 2009 at 1:14pm, Jennifer said...
WOW! Your cake is AMAZING!!!!!
On July 05, 2009 at 8:32am, Kevin said...
Great looking cake! I really like the curls on top.
On July 06, 2009 at 7:00am, lucy70 said...
That was a REALLY special cake with those flecks in the curls on top, Absolutely wonderful, i'm sure it tasted great too!!
(drool, drool)
On July 11, 2009 at 9:44pm, Erin said...
This looks beautiful! Perfect for a party!
On July 12, 2009 at 5:15pm, Susan said...
Thanks! I love it because it is so versatile (and delicious)!
On March 20, 2010 at 2:29am, sidrah said...
cake looks delecious…can you please share the recipe? thanx alot:)
On September 10, 2010 at 7:29pm, Maria Peres said...
Delicious amei seu site fique encantada as receitas são maravilhosas. Parabéns!