9.22.2014

Cakes for Men

Cakes for Men

It can be difficult to design a masculine birthday cake or other celebration cake.  Think about when you order a cake from a grocery store bakery - it normally comes with a few roses and an inscription.  Not very manly.  Even though the below cakes are designed for guys, they can work just as well for the gal who shares these interests. 

Sports Themed Cakes

Cakes with a sports theme are the obvious choice for guys.  Team colors can be incorporated to aid in the design.   One of the sports themed cakes that I made for
football cake
a young Mississippi State football fan incorporated the school colors and mascot/logo.  I added a jersey with his age for more personalization.







Outdoors Themed Cakes

Some guys (including my husband) are more inclined to enjoy outdoor activities like hunting or fishing.  This fishing theme cake uses an airbrush camo technique along with a gumpaste fish and cattails to create an attractive masculine cake.
fishing cake

fishing cake



Game Themed Cakes

Nintendo cake
Maybe your guy is more of the indoor game type.  If so, there are all kinds of designs that translate well in cake.  Here is an Nintendo console with controllers cake for the old-school "gamer".







Or, if your guy is more into the unplugged games, here is a great design that
chess cake
takes advantage of a square cake and molded chocolate pieces.











Cakes for Scholars

book cake
For the avid book reader (or perhaps writer), why not incorporate that love of books into a cake design.  Here is one I did that was a relatively simple stack of sheet cakes with buttercream piping.







Military Themed Cakes

Some ideas for the guy who is or has been in the service or otherwise has an interest in the military is a fondant flag drape, a design that incorporates elements of military uniforms or one that replicates weapons.  Here is one with a red, white and blue patriotic theme and another one shaped like a tank.
red white and blue cake

tank cake

Party Themed Cakes

For the guy who enjoys a good party (or two or three), here are a couple of cakes along that line.  One is geared towards the motorcycle riding "outlaw" and the other is an old-fashioned Red Solo cup cake.
outlaw cake

pouring beer cake

Miscellaneous

Most guys could probably care less about the "decoration" on the cake, after all, it's food.  Here are a few ideas for undecorated cakes that are still nice to look at, as well.
Senatobia MS cake

Senatobia MS cake

Senatobia MS cake

9.07.2014

Free Craftsy Class - Basic Fondant Techniques

Free Craftsy Class - Basic Fondant Techniques

FREE Cratsy Class

Have you heard of Craftsy?  Craftsy is a website full of craft project tutorials.  The tutorials are on video, sort of like Youtube.  Once you have purchased the class, it is yours to access anytime.  The video lessons are divided into segments and you "rewind" when you need to see something demonstrated again.

I have purchased several of the cake decorating tutorials on Craftsy and have not been disappointed with any of them.  The quality of the filming is very good and the instructors are well-known cake artists.  Craftsy normally runs "sales" where you can purchase some of these classes for up to 50% off.

Craftsy also offers several FREE "mini" classes.  These classes are fantastic and I recommend them if you have never used Craftsy before.  Here is a link to the FREE Basic Fondant Techniques.

This class is taught by Elisa Strauss, owner of Confetti Cakes in New York.  Basic Fondant Techniques has 10 lessons covering topics such as:  coloring, flavoring and handling fondant, covering round and square cakes with fondant, making a fondant rose and bow, appliques, inlays and embossing.  Wow-can you believe all that for free?

fondant inlay

See those pink and brown flowers on this cake board?  Those are "inlays".  

fondant applique

These hearts are an example of fondant appliques.

fondant covered cake

Here is an example of a cake and board covered entirely in fondant.

NOTE:  I am a Craftsy affiliate and receive compensation when you purchase classes or join.  I am also a Craftsy member and enjoy their classes!