Design a Stunning Purse Cake with This Easy Guide
Creating a purse cake design is an exceptional way to blend baking skills with artistic creativity, capturing the essence of luxury and turning it into something beautifully edible. A typical challenge for many is achieving that perfect balance between aesthetic appeal and delectable taste. By diving into this guide, you’ll explore each step required to master this impressive purse cake design, from the initial baking to the final decorative touches. Whether carving the shape, applying intricate fondant details, or making edible zippers, you’ll uncover all the secrets to crafting a show-stopping purse cake design that will leave everyone in awe.
Introduction
Creating a designer purse cake is a unique and impressive gift idea that blends culinary skills with artistic flair. These desserts make people feel awe because they are edible art. They create a stunning centerpiece for any celebration, whether a birthday, anniversary or event that calls for a touch of elegance.
Imagine the look of surprise and delight on your loved one’s face as they realize the gorgeous handbag in front of them is a cake. The “wow” factor is undeniable, often leaving people speechless and filled with admiration. Comments like “That cake purse is amazing! My sister would love it. You did a magnificent job!” or “OMG, I had no idea it was a cake until I read the post!
More people are willing to spend a significant amount on custom cakes, showing the world’s increasing appetite for these miniature works of art. People assigned a premium to personalized items, with an 8-inch custom cake costing around $100. This trend continues to grow, bringing more elaborate and intricate designs into play.
These cakes are conversation starters and Instagram-worthy pieces. When you see remarks like, “This looks beautiful. Do you have an Instagram link? I would love to see your other work!!!,” it showcases the lasting impression such cakes make, compelling admirers to seek out more of the artist’s creations.
Ready to bring your cake to life? Let’s roll up our sleeves and bake the foundation of your stunning purse cake.
Baking and Preparation
Baking and preparation set the stage for everything that follows, ensuring your cake is sturdy and delicious. Let’s dive into the first crucial steps to make your purse cake design a reality.
1. Choosing the Right Recipe
To start, pick a recipe that yields a firm yet moist cake. A dense cake like a butter cake or Chocolate Cake works best for a purse cake design because it holds its shape well during carving. You want a cake that tastes great and provides a stable structure for the intricate details to come.
2. Baking the Cake
Follow your chosen recipe carefully, paying attention to the baking time and temperature. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. This step is crucial to prevent the cake from crumbling when cutting and shaping.
3. Preparing the Cake for Carving
- Cutting and Layering: Once your cake has cooled, slice it in half horizontally to create two layers. Spread a generous layer of buttercream between them to act as glue, holding the layers together.
- Freezing for Stability: After joining the layers, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about an hour. Freezing the cake slightly firms it up, making it easier to carve into your desired purse shape without falling apart.
Freezing the cake is crucial to ensuring your purse cake design remains stable throughout the carving and decorating process.
With your cake baked and prepared, let’s see how to bring your purse cake design to life through careful carving and shaping, turning your baked creation into a stylish masterpiece next.
Also, read our blog on a step-by-step guide to making truck cake.
Carving and Shaping the Cake
It’s time to shape it into the stunning purse cake design you’ve envisioned. This step is where the magic happens, transforming a simple cake into a stylish, edible work of art.
1. Trim the Sides for a Sleek Look
The first step is to trim the sides to create straight edges. Use a sharp knife and carefully cut away any uneven layers to achieve smooth, clean lines. Holding the knife at a slight angle helps prevent crumbling and makes the cuts more precise. This gives the cake a neat look and makes the next steps easier.
2. Carve the Cake
Next, you’ll start carving the cake into a tapered purse shape. This is where having a plan or a template becomes crucial. A cake turntable can be handy here; it lets you rotate the cake as you carve, making the whole process smoother and more controlled. If needed, break the cake into sections to handle each part better. Use a cake scraper or a long, flat spatula to smooth any bumps or ridges.
Keep a photo of the purse you’re trying to replicate for reference. Regularly check your progress against the image to ensure your cake matches the design you have in mind. Take your time with this step, as patience will pay off with a beautifully shaped cake.
3. Apply a Layer of Buttercream and Refrigerate
Once you are satisfied with the shape, apply a layer of buttercream. This crumb coat will keep loose crumbs in place and provide a smooth base for the final layer of frosting. Be generous yet even in your application. Refrigerate the cake to let the buttercream set appropriately, forming a solid base for your final decorations.
With the cake now shaped, it’s time to add the details that make it come alive. Let’s start with the zipper for a realistic touch.
Read our article for more insight on decorating your cake smoothly using buttercream Icing.
Creating the Zipper
The zipper is one of the most important elements in any purse cake design. This small but essential feature can add a touch of realism that takes your cake from ordinary to extraordinary.
Here’s how to create a highly detailed and authentic zipper to make your cake stand out.
- First, you’ll need a zipper mold and some brown fondant. The mold will help you make clean lines and consistent shapes for a realistic zipper, substantially simplifying the process. Once you’ve done this, gently remove the fondant zipper from the mold and let it set for a few minutes to firm up.
Option: Use a ravioli cutter if you don’t have a zipper mold. Roll the ravioli cutter over the fondant to create a zipper-like effect. This method requires more precision but is a good alternative when a mold isn’t available.
- After crafting your fondant zipper, place it on top of the cake. Take your time with positioning to ensure it’s straight and aligned with the handbag’s design. A misaligned zipper can ruin the overall look, so spend a few extra minutes to get it right. Use a stitching tool to mimic stitches along the zipper edges. These impressions add to the authenticity and tactile feel of the handbag zipper.
- To elevate the design further, consider adding metallic touches. Edible gold paint works well to give your zipper a luxurious finish. Lightly brush the zipper with gold paint for a shimmering, high-end look that draws attention.
Next, we’ll explore how to apply edible sheets to complete your purse cake design.
Applying Edible Sheets for Design
Print the Desired Pattern on Edible Sheets
You’ll need to print your chosen design onto edible sheets. Edible sheets are special sheets of paper made from starches and sugars. Use an edible ink printer to print on editable sheets. Companies like Icing Images offer a range of edible ink printer systems capable of printing high-quality patterns on small icing sheets, circular templates, or even large full-sheet sizes. Select the pattern you want beforehand and properly set up your edible printer to avoid mishaps.
Roll Out Fondant
Before applying the edible sheets, ensure that the sides are perfectly straight. Cover your cake with a thin layer of rolled-out fondant. Fondant is a sticky base that will hold the edible sheets in place. Once the fondant is securely on the cake, lightly dampen it with water. This slight dampness helps the edible sheet adhere better.
Smooth the Sheets Onto the Cake Surface
Carefully peel the plastic backing off your printed edible sheet. Lay the edible sheet on top for a sheet cake, starting from the middle and working your way outwards to avoid air bubbles and wrinkles. Gently pat out any wrinkles with your fingers. If you’re applying the edible sheet to the sides of the cake, measure the cake’s height and cut the sheet accordingly using a straight edge to ensure a clean cut.
Start by placing the edible sheet at the center of one side and smooth it outward to the edges. Smooth any air bubbles or wrinkles as they appear using a gentle touch.
It’s time to add some finer details to your purse cake. Let’s move on to fondant detailing, where you’ll learn how to make your cake stand out.
Check out our simple guide on buttercream cake design.
Fondant Detailing
Here are simple yet effective fondant techniques to bring your designer purse cake to life.
1. Mixing the Perfect Shade of Tan Fondant
Mix tan fondant to achieve that luxurious, leather-like appearance for your purse cake design. You can create this shade by combining white fondant with some brown and yellow gel food colors. Add the colors gradually, kneading the fondant until you reach the desired shade. The key is to ensure you distribute colors for a smooth and professional finish.
2. Creating Tags, Loops, and Stitching Details
- Tags and Loops: Roll out your tan fondant to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out small tags and loops using a sharp knife. You can personalize these tags by imprinting initials or a logo to mimic a designer label. These little details add a touch of authenticity to your purse cake design.
- Stitching: For stitching details, use a tracing wheel to press along the edges of the fondant lightly. This tool helps you replicate the look of absolute stitches, adding a realistic element to your cake. If you don’t have a tracing wheel, a small, sharp knife will work just as well for creating those fine lines.
3. Attaching the Details
Once you’ve prepared your fondant details, it’s time to attach them to the cake. Use a small amount of water or edible glue to securely adhere the tags and loops to the cake’s surface. Be gentle and precise. This is where your purse cake design begins to stand out.
Your purse cake design is almost complete, and your fondant details are ideally in place. Next, create and attach the handles. This step will bring your cake to life.
Making and Attaching the Handles
Perfect handles give your masterpiece an authentic, high-end look that will impress anyone who sees it. Here’s how to craft and attach elegant fondant handles.
1. Forming the Handles
Start by shaping the fondant into logs about half an inch in diameter. The length should fit the scale of your cake, making the handles appear proportionate and manageable. Wrap this fondant log in a strip of fondant with V-shaped ends for added visual interest, mimicking the stitched seams of an actual purse.
To shape the ends of the handles into loops, use lollipop sticks. Push the fondant around the sticks to form loops, ensuring they’re sturdy enough to maintain their shape without sagging. For added robustness, consider using flexible plastic tubing (like aquarium tubing) as a core. Cover the tubing with fondant, allowing for a bendable yet durable handle.
2. Attaching the Handles
Once you form the handles, flip them over and brush some water on the underside. The water acts as a glue, helping the fondant adhere to the cake’s surface. Carefully place the handles against the cake, positioning the ends below any looped tags or design features. Gently press them into place for a natural, polished look.
Add structural support for extra security, especially if transporting the cake. Insert lollipop sticks or dowel rods into the cake, threading them through the handles to ensure they stay firmly in place.
3. Adding the Fondant Cord
To complete the look, use an extruder to make a fondant cord. Cut this cord to the appropriate size, ensuring it’s long enough to loop through the handles and tags without being too loose or tight. Thread one end of the fondant cord through the handle and secure the other end to the tag, adding an extra layer of authenticity to your cake.
With the handles securely in place, it’s time to complete your stunning purse design with final touches
Final Touches
Adding the final touches to your designer purse cake is where you infuse personality and finesse, turning a simple cake into an extraordinary piece of edible art. This stage is crucial for ensuring that your cake looks polished and professional.
Covering the Cake Base
Start by rolling out a sheet of tan fondant. This subtle yet classy color is perfect for mimicking the look of luxurious leather. Carefully drape it over the cake, smoothing it out to avoid air bubbles or creases. Covering the base with this fondant gives the cake a polished, professional appearance and ensures it sits securely on your serving plate.
Painting Details with Gold Edible Paint
Next, bring the tiny details to life using gold edible paint. This step is what truly elevates your cake from good to extraordinary. Focus on painting the rivets, rings, and zipper. Using a small brush, delicately apply the gold paint, taking care to reach all the intricate parts. Gold’s metallic sheen adds a touch of luxury and makes the details pop, creating an authentic designer feel for your purse cake.
Adding Decorative Elements
Cover the cake board with embossed white fondant for a textured, elegant base. A red gum paste flower can introduce whimsical beauty, making the design more dynamic and visually attractive. Consider draping scraps of white fondant on any exposed parts of the cake board to soften the look and hide imperfections. This step also ties everything together, making your presentation more cohesive.
See this simple video to make your cake journey easy.
Frequenlty Asked Questions
How do you pack a baked cake?
If you’ve assembled your cake, wrap it in cling film or Saran Wrap, using two layers, to ensure it’s airtight and that nothing will leak later.
How do you know when the cake has finished baking?
- The edges pull away
- The top turns golden brown
- The cake smells fragrant
- When you touch the cake, and it springs back, you know the crumb structure has set, and you’ve fully baked it.
How do you get a purse to hold its shape?
Stuff the bag enough to retain shape without creating tension on the stitches. You can also purchase a “bag shaper,” which will keep your bag upright and filled out.
How do you store a cake once baked?
You can keep most halved, iced, or uniced cakes at room temperature for 4-5 days. However, it’s best to refrigerate cakes, especially those with icing, in hot, humid weather.
How do you keep cakes fresh?
To keep cakes fresh, store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve embarked on the creative and rewarding journey of making a designer purse cake. We started by gathering our essential tools and ingredients, then moved on to baking the perfect cake base, cutting and shaping it to resemble your favorite designer purse. From there, we carefully covered the cake with smooth fondant and added the final details to achieve that classic, iconic look.
Experiment with different designs and colors to discover your unique style. Whether it’s a sleek black bag or a vibrant, patterned masterpiece, the beauty of cake decorating lies in its endless creative possibilities. Remember, each time you try something new, you build valuable skills and knowledge. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey.
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