First tiered cake, covered in marshmallow fondant

[thekster]

I'm so excited! I made my first tiered cake tonight, and it seems fairly successful! I'm still unsure of exactly how to make it super secure (I put dowel rods in, but it's just sitting on top) but as it's not moving anywhere other than MY MOUTH hehe I'm not too worried.
I used a Martha Stewart yellow cake recipe, and chocolate ganache whipped into fluffy icing. I also tried to marble the fondant on the top tier but it's really subtle.

[glasstapper]

I love those cute little stripes on the bottom layer! Let me know if it tastes as delicious as it looks.

[megstar]

this is wonderful, and i LOVE your color palate!  are the star cutouts and stripes the only fondant, or is the blue "background" fondant as well?

[beth8144]

This is lovely, Great job this is amazing especially for your first. Wish I could take a bite.

[kerri_mac]

I'm so excited! I made my first tiered cake tonight, and it seems fairly successful! I'm still unsure of exactly how to make it super secure (I put dowel rods in, but it's just sitting on top) but as it's not moving anywhere other than MY MOUTH hehe I'm not too worried.

It's a lovely cake, nice job!
Most the time when I make a tiered cake a bit of icing between the bottom cake the the cardboard of the top cake is enough to secure it.  If I'm taking the cake a further distance or if it's top heavy or tall I force a sharpened dowel down the center through both layers and remove it at the location.  You may need to hammer it to get it through the cardboard between the layer.

[thekster]

thanks, all!
glasstapper - the actual cake by itself seemed to need more sugar, but once it was covered with ganache and fondant, it was fine. the fondant covering the cake tasted fairly good, but the decorations (which were made from the same batch of fondant) were gross. the only thing i can figure out is i used a bit more cornstarch to keep it from sticking to stuff when rolling it out. *shrugs*
megstar - the whole thing is fondant. my icing skills leave a LOT to be desired hah
kerri - i was thinking about the icing trick to stick them together, but i didn't have any left :/ and wouldn't sticking a dowel through both layers ruin the top tier? the way i'm imagining it, that would only work if you have some kind of removable decoration on the top. or maybe make a hole through the cardboard before placing the cake so you can just poke it through the bottom so it doesn't mess up the top. since most of the cakes i make never leave the house that's too much work for me. i'm super lazy! next time i make a layered one that'll be going somewhere, i may try that trick. thanks!

[kerri_mac]

The hole in the top is small and you could easily cover it after with an extra fondant star like the ones on the sides of your cake.

Did you make the marshmallow fondant yourself?  I've been to rushed or lazy to try that yet myself.

[thekster]

Yep it's super easy too make. Basically melt marshmallows with a bit of water and mix in powdered sugar. I figured out the lazy man's way though- use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead it. Waaaaay easier!