To make a pillow cake, you essentially bake a standard cake and then sculpt it into the shape of a pillow. This is done by trimming the edges of the cake to create a pillow shape and then covering it with fondant to give the smooth, clothed appearance of a pillow. Decorating can include adding designs like button tufting or piped edges to mimic the seams of a pillow. Below, I will go into depth about the process of making a pillow cake, including baking, shaping, and decorating it.
The Baking Process
Making a pillow cake starts with baking a cake that has a good structure to it, usually a pound or Madeira cake, because these types of cakes are dense enough to be carved easily without crumbling. Here’s how to go about the baking process:
Ingredients and Baking
In order to bake the cake, you’ll need:
– 3 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups of granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs, at room temperature
– 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
– 1 cup of milk (at room temperature is best)
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And for the baking steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour your baking pan(s). For a pillow cake, square or rectangular pans can be used.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a larger bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until fluffy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
6. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, spreading evenly.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Carving the Cake
Once your cakes are baked and cooled, you can begin carving them into the shape of a pillow:
1. Trim the top of the cake to make it level. Then, cut out small wedges from each side of the cake to create a “plump pillow” effect.
2. Taper the edges slightly so that the cake begins to resemble the contours of a pillow.
3. Use a serrated knife to round the corners and create a pillow-like shape.
Frosting the Pillow Cake
With the cake now shaped, it’s time to frost it. You’ll want to use a frosting that’s easy to smooth out, like buttercream or ganache:
Applying the Frosting
1. Apply a thin layer of frosting around the cake—this is your crumb coat, which helps to seal in crumbs. Allow it to set for a few minutes.
2. After the crumb coat has set, apply a thicker layer of frosting over the cake, smoothing it out as best as possible. A palette knife or spatula could be useful for this.
Covering with Fondant
Next, you’ll be covering the frosted cake with fondant to achieve the appearance of a cloth-covered pillow:
Preparing the Fondant
1. Knead your fondant until it is pliable.
2. Roll out the fondant onto a flat surface dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch (6mm).
3. Carefully lift the fondant and drape it over the cake, quickly smoothing it down on the surface and sides.
4. Trim the excess fondant, and keep smoothing until you have a nice pillow shape.
Decorating Your Pillow Cake
The decoration can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. To finish the pillow cake, you can add a variety of decorations:
Adding Details
– Use a stitching tool or a toothpick to create the seam lines around the edges of the pillow.
– Pipe a border along the edges of the pillow with buttercream to mimic piping on a pillow.
– For a more realistic appearance, consider creating button indentations by pressing a small circle cutter into the pillow’s top surface.
Color and Patterns
– If desired, add color to your pillow cake with petal or luster dusts to create a fabric-like effect.
– Use stencils or impression mats to add patterns to the fondant before placing it on the cake.
Extra Touches
– To create a silk or satin look, consider using a shiny luster dust or steaming the fondant gently to make it glossy.
– For a child’s party or as per the event’s theme, consider modeling figures or accents out of fondant or gum paste to place on or around the cake.
Finishing Thoughts
Making a pillow cake requires patience, attention to detail, and creativity. Following these steps carefully will help you create a whimsical and delicious centerpiece for any special occasion. It’s always a good idea to plan your design ahead of time and consider practicing some techniques, such as covering a cake with fondant or creating details with piping, before embarking on your pillow cake project.
Remember, the joy is in the process as much as it is in the final product. Happy baking and decorating!
