Each layer was carved with 2 layers glued together with buttercream icing and cut on angles using smaller cardboards as guides, one on the top and one on the bottom.
This was the second tier, covered in fondant and the stringwork in royal icing with gold dragees. The edges were indented where the gold fondant cord would be attached with piping gel.
The bottom tier of the cake on a textured fondant covered board. The elegant mold is from Earlene Moore’s new mold collection.
The Finished Pillow Wedding Cake
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How To - Pillow Wedding Cake
By Kim McCall of The Pastry Bag
In this How-To, we learn about a neat creation called the “Pillow Wedding Cake,” as well as its creator, Kim McCall.
How cakes have evolved over the past 25 years! When I first started decorating cakes 28 years ago, it was the simple stars, shell borders, buttercream icing, staircases with bridesmaids and groomsmen, separator plates, columns and stick-on plastic pieces, not to mention a prayer for getting your cake set up before anything happened during transport.
It started out as a hobby to make a child’s first birthday cake, or to be asked to furnish the cake instead of bringing a dish for a party or a shower, for that friend who would rather gamble with their wedding cake and let them be your guinea pig. Over the years, the hobby grew and my name got out there, and I realized I could actually get paid for something I loved to do.
Back in 2004, a friend approached me and asked me to go into a cake decorating business with her. I was a little hesitant, because of all the nightmare stories that I’ve heard about business partnerships, but I did it anyway. Boy, was that the best decision I have ever made. Two and a half years later, her husband took an out-of-state job that relocated the family, which brought an end to the partnership. I was at a crossroads: continue solo or totally get out of the business. With the reputation already on a strong foundation, I decided to make a go of it, hook, line and sinker.
In 2006 I had heard about ICES, and in 2007 I became a member. I had attended several Louisiana ICES meetings and then attended my first ICES convention in 2008 in Orlando. Once attending that first convention, I was hooked. Since joining ICES, my network of cake friends has grown and the opportunity to be exposed to some of the greatest teachers and training in the cake world has broadened my knowledge.
This pillow wedding cake is my latest creation. But it would be unfair to take 100-percent credit for this cake. Earlene Moore was the first outstanding cake decorator that I met and studied under; I learned so much from her, and I recently purchased one of her new molds and used them on this cake. The puffed base under the cake was also from her instructions that I purchased. I also have been using Sharon Zambito’s buttercream high-ratio icing and ganache recipes.
And then there is Martha Hebert and Becky Guidry, the Sweet Southern Ladies, for presenting a mini-cake class at one of our Louisiana DOS on doing a pillow cake. After that class, I knew I could do this cake with confidence.
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