Need CAKE help!

[AttyGrl74]

DD's first birthday party is 9/18 and we're doing a Rubber Ducky theme - and I'm using the Wilton Rubber Ducky 3-D cake mold:

http://www.confectioneryhouse.com/prodimg/CPWM012094.jpg

I bought it last weekend - and the instruction say to fill one side with the batter then put the top on and tie it shut with kitchen twine.

The cake it supposed to rise enough that it fills the top and you end up with a three-dimensional cake like this:

http://www.shippony.com/coolestkid/cakes/birthday-cake-designs-07.jpg

I did a sample cake using betty crocker funfetti cake mix, but the cake never rose above the level of the top lip of the bottom cake pan. I didn't get the 3-D effect I was looking for.

I'm a good-enough baker - but can't figure out what went wrong.

I'm also at high-altitude, but didn't follow the altitude directions (I rarely do - we're sort of borderline).

Has anyone ever done a cake like this?

If so, how did it turn out?

I am not opposed to baking it from scratch and I'm planning on trying again later this week but following the high altitude directions.

[Marie]

You know what you could do is fill each side, shave it flat with either a sharp knife or fishing line, and "glue" it together with frosting. As long as you decorated it right before the party I think it would stay together.

Good luck!

Just thought of something else....

You could also just fill each side and bake but do a horizontal display instead of a vertical one. Like, line up 2 or 3 of the half ducks on a platter or whatever, frost, and do a water line on the bottom third and then sky or whatever on the top 2/3 of the platter. Like they are swimming in a line like ducks do. Does that make sense?

[AttyGrl74]

Thanks Marie - both good ideas!

I'm going to try another test-cake on Wednesday - following the high altitude directions and using 1.5 boxes of cake and see if that works.

Luckily I still have 3 weeks till the party!

[kagbsc7]

Yeah I would think if one cake mix filled the one side than 2 should fill both sides--so try 1.5 and see how that works....i would be worried that the middle wouldn't get done though....

[Mrs. M.]

You know what you could do is fill each side, shave it flat with either a sharp knife or fishing line, and "glue" it together with frosting. As long as you decorated it right before the party I think it would stay together.

That's what I would suggest as well.

[irish74]

I agree to bake each side separately and then glue them together with frosting.

[janders6]

Attygirl - could you post what works for you? I have the same pan and am planning to use it for DD's 1st birthday in Dec.

Thanks!

[AttyGrl74]

Attygirl - could you post what works for you? I have the same pan and am planning to use it for DD's 1st birthday in Dec.

Thanks!

That's very funny!

Yeah - I will definately let you know - an LJ friend of mine said she had to use 1.5 boxes - so I'm going to try that tomorrow.

btw - I have a lot of good links for rubber ducky plates and stuff - my mom bought the stuff from birthdayexpress.com - but I don't love it nearly as much as some others I have seen.

[janders6]

btw - I have a lot of good links for rubber ducky plates and stuff - my mom bought the stuff from birthdayexpress.com - but I don't love it nearly as much as some others I have seen.

please share the links! I've started compiling a list and have seen the stuff at Birthday Express, but don't love it.

Thanks!

ETA: have you seen this (http://www.mardigrasoutlet.com/details.asp?ProdID=649)? I think it would be hilarious to work them into the party.

[Jazz]

You're in Denver? You probably find that using the altitude adjustments make a big difference. I moved to Salt Lake (at 4800') a year ago, and initially skipped adjusting. After getting frustrating results a few times, I read up, and found that 3000' is actually where you should start making changes. It's definitely helped my recipes!

There's a great description here (http://allrecipes.com/advice/coll/baking/articles/154P1.asp) -- there's a bunch of changes, but the short version is that the lower air pressure results in bigger air bubbles as the cake initially rises, but because it rises too fast, it collapses, resulting in a lower final height. One easy modification is to raise the cooking temp by 25F.

That said, I think the 1.5 boxes trick sounds like it will work, and I'm sure you have enough on your plate this week to not worry about fooling around with recipe adjustment! (Though, can you ever have too much cake???) Good luck! :)

[singerwife]

No advice on high altitude baking, but my cakes tend to get fluffier/bigger when I use super-fresh farm eggs, not the grocery store kind.

Not sure if that helps, but just something I noticed.

[AttyGrl74]

Ok - so the cake turned out GREAT!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d738b3127cce94790c7769ca00000016108EcNXDFo0ac

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d738b3127cce9479025069ea00000016108EcNXDFo0ac

Not the best photos, sorry!

The trick was to follow the high altitude directions and use 2 boxes of cake mix - fill the pan to almost overflowing and it worked great! (ended up using about 1.5 boxes of mix)

[ellidew]

That cake is so neat! It turned out great! You should be proud of yourself. :D

[Jazz]

It's adorable! You have a lucky daughter. :)

[mrsfromage]

That is SO cool.

[elladee]

That looks awesome! Great job.

[ButterflyJen]

Wow, I am impressed. That turned out fantastic! :)

[ellidew]

The real question is... how'd you cut it? ha ha. :D

[AttyGrl74]

Thanks everyone - I don't think the photos do it justice, but anyway...

How did we cut it?

DH just massacred the thing - he cut off the bill and gave it to DD, then just kind of hacked away at it. NOT exactly the approach that I would have taken - but it was funny!