The Baking Queen

Ben 10 is a frequently requested theme for cakes these days, but no cake pans exist to make it. But, you can create your own icing image to place on any size cake. It only takes beginner\’s cake decorating skills to do it.

If you\’re confident in your artistic skills, obviously you can draw your image directly on top of the cake by piping either buttercream icing, royal icing or piping gel. For those of you who would like a more foolproof method to recreate the image, there are a few different things you can do.

If you don\’t already have a picture, you can find one by searching Google images. Save the picture you like to your computer. Using the photo editing tool of your choice, turn your picture into a mirror image. (You\’re doing this because the picture will be flipped over when it goes on the cake). When you print out your picture, you\’ll want it to fit on your cake, leaving room for any writing or border. Size the picture accordingly.

Begin by taping the picture down to your work surface. Use either the back of a cookie pan, a piece of sturdy cardboard, a cutting board, or other sturdy flat surface. Now tape plastic cling wrap over the picture. Make sure the plastic wrap lays smoothly. Secure it with tape in several spots along the edge so it won\’t move while you\’re working.

Using Royal Icing: You can use either white or black royal icing to outline the picture. You will need the number 2 tip and thick royal icing. When the outline is done, let it harden up for half an hour. Now you will need to thin the remainder of the royal icing. Add water, one teaspoon at a time until the icing is the consistency of cream. While you are working, keep the icing covered with a damp towel, as it dries out quickly. Color the thinned royal icing according to the colors in the picture. Use food coloring paste for best results. Each color should have its own cup/bowl and cake decorating bag. You will be flooding each area of the picture with a number 4 cake decorating tip. When you fill each area of the picture, begin by piping around the inside of each section. Then fill in the area with a zig zag motion. Pop any air bubbles with a toothpick. When the design is done, you can put it under a heat lamp, if you have one. If not, let it dry at least 24 hours, depending upon humidity. When hardened, carefully peel off the cling wrap and invert the royal icing picture on to the cake where you want it.

Buttercream Icing Image: Repeat the same process of setting up your image with the plastic cling wrap on top. Using buttercream and a number 2 tip, outline the image. Fill in the areas to match the picture by first doing all of the small details. Leave the larger areas for last. When the whole picture is filled in, completely cover the entire picture with a thick layer of buttercream that is the same color as the part of the cake you are placing it on. Also add some buttercream around the perimeter of your image. Place the whole thing into the freezer until firm. When it\’s completely frozen, place the transfer where you want it on the cake and peel off the plastic cling wrap.

Either method is relatively easy and will make your Ben 10 cake picture perfect.

Theresa Happe is a baker, cake decorator, and author of Cake-Decorating-Corner.com, where you will find Ben 10 cakes and other cake decorating tips.