Easy Cake Transfers

CAKE TRANSFER

I am definitely not a cake decorator.  But I do not like to pay a huge amount of money for a yucky grocery store cake, so I usually attempt to make my kids birthday cakes.  I was a little stumped this year, when my four year old wanted a Lightening McQueen cake for his birthday.... for the second year in a row!  My friend, Jenifer, who is an INCREDIBLE cake decorator taught me this fun little trick on how to make frosting transfers for your cake.  And the best part is you can make ANY image you would like!

 

As you read this post you will probably think one of two things a) Wow, she was right, she does not know a thing about cake decorating... Or hopefully b)  If this girl can make a cake transfer so can I! So let's get to it.

Item's Needed for Transfer:
      Chipboard, or something flat like a clipboard.
      Black and white copy of the image you would like to transfer (You may need to copy a reverse
            image of your picture depending on if there is lettering on it. Because you will be making a   
            reverse image.)
      Wax Paper
      Masking Tape
      Round Cake decorating tips, a smaller one to outline, and a larger one to fill.
      Cake decorating bags.
      Butter cream frosting, I use THIS RECIPE, it is simple and just the right consistency.
      Chocolate fudge frosting (USE STORE BOUGHT) I buy the generic (Western Family) Brand 
              because it is not as creamy and will outline the best.


Step 1:

Find an image of ANYTHING you would like to transfer on your cake,  I went with Mr. McQueen, naturally.  Try to find the simplest image you can (especially if this is your first try), mine is a coloring page.  Your image will be a reversed, so if your image has words on it, print out a reversed image.  Tape the paper to a chipboard, or clipboard.  Place Wax paper over the copy.  I taped everything to the counter so it would not wiggle.

Step 2:

Using your small round tip, and chocolate fudge frosting, trace the outline of your image.  You could make black frosting, but that grosses me out a little, too much dye.

Step 3:

Using your larger round tip, fill in your images with appropriate colors.  If you get it over the outline a little, no worries, because this will be the BACK of the cake transfer.  Outline your image with whatever color frosting your cake will be.  (Mine is white obviously).

Step 4:

 

Carefully, spread white frosting (or the main color of your cake) over the image you just filled in.  Do not panic, this is the back of the image, and you need it a little thicker so it does not crack!  Place in the freezer.

Step 5: 

                           

Let image freeze for at least an hour.. or longer.  I did this project at midnight, so I left it in the freezer until the next morning.  Carefully remove the wax paper from your frosting.  Place on your cake!

Step 6:

The cake transfer might be a little jagged around the edges, so using your round cake decorating tip make a bead around the image.

My Son loved his Lightening McQueen Cake, and I learned how to make something new. He is already talking about his Lightening McQueen birthday cake for next year--heaven help me! 

 This really is a simple, easy, and fun way to dress up a cake!

 P.S. In case you are wondering this is his 3 year old version of the lightening McQueen cake!

I like to LINK to these fabulous parties!