Chalkboard cakes are a popular request for wedding cake decorators, especially for vintage-rustic style weddings. This unique style was pioneered by Liz Marek of the Artisan Cake Company. To create a chalkboard cake, you will need a cake covered in black fondant, white food dust, vodka or a clear spirit, and a large, soft brush. You can then follow a simple 9-step process to achieve the chalkboard effect, which involves sketching a design onto the cake and using the brush to create the erased look. This effect can also be achieved using chalkboard spray paint.
What You'll Learn
How to make a chalkboard cake with chalkboard spray paint
Chalkboard cakes are a popular request for wedding cake decorators, especially for vintage-rustic style weddings. To make a chalkboard cake with chalkboard spray paint, follow these steps:
First, you will need to decide on the size of your cake and bake it. This technique works well with black fondant, so you will need to cover your cake with a layer of black fondant. If you would like to make your own black fondant, you can follow a recipe online or purchase a pre-made one.
Next, you will want to gather your materials for the "chalkboard effect." This includes white food dust, vodka or a clear spirit, and various sizes of brushes. You will also need to choose a design to feature on your chalkboard cake. You can sketch an image onto oven paper or use a stencil to trace.
Once you have your design ready, lay the oven paper onto your cake and gently press the design onto the fondant. You can then mix your alcohol with the white dust and, along the lines of your drawing, gently sketch with a very fine brush. To create the "erased" chalkboard look, take a large, soft paintbrush, and lightly brush the cake. The more you brush, the more erased it will look. Finally, you can use a hard-bristle brush to standardize the colour.
There are also a few ways to make your own chalkboard spray paint at home. One recipe calls for baking soda and matte or flat latex paint. Simply mix 1 cup of paint with 1/2 cup of baking soda, adding a couple of tablespoons of cold water if the mixture is too thick. Another recipe uses plaster of Paris, which can be found at most hardware stores, and latex paint. You will want to mix the plaster of Paris with water first to remove any lumps before adding it to the paint.
With chalkboard spray paint, you can transform your wedding cake into a unique and trendy design that is sure to impress!
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How to make a chalkboard cake with black fondant
Chalkboard cakes are a popular request for cake decorators, especially for vintage-rustic style weddings. This guide will take you through the steps to make a chalkboard cake with black fondant.
First, you will need to bake your cake. You can use a box cake mix or your own recipe, but a 6x6 inch cake is a good size to work with. Once your cake is baked, allow it to cool, and then frost the base layer with buttercream. Place the cake in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to let the frosting set.
Next, you will need to prepare the black fondant. You can buy pre-made black fondant or make your own using a recipe. Roll out the fondant to about 1/4-inch thickness, sprinkling powdered sugar on your work surface and the fondant as needed to prevent sticking. Carefully lift the fondant and place it over your cake, smoothing it outward from the top down the sides and trimming any excess from the base. Repeat this process for any additional cake layers.
Now it's time to create the "chalkboard effect." You can freehand a design or sketch it onto oven paper first. If you're not confident in your painting skills, you can use a stencil. Mix white food dust with a clear spirit like vodka, and gently sketch your design onto the fondant with a very fine brush. To create the "erased" chalkboard look, use a large, soft paintbrush to gently brush over the fondant. The more you brush, the more erased it will look. Finally, use a hard-bristled brush to standardize the colour.
Your chalkboard cake is now ready to be displayed and enjoyed! This unique cake is sure to be a conversation starter at any wedding or celebration.
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How to write on a chalkboard cake
Chalkboard cakes are a popular design request for cake decorators, especially for vintage-rustic style weddings. To write on a chalkboard cake, you can follow these steps:
First, decide on the surface you want to use for your chalkboard cake. You can use a variety of materials such as an old mirror, a piece of wood, a picture frame, or even a vase. It's best to choose a smooth surface and ensure that it is clean and dry. If you're using wood, sand it smooth and wipe it with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
Next, you'll need to create the "chalkboard effect" on your chosen surface. You can do this by covering it with black fondant or using chalkboard paint. If using fondant, simply roll it out and carefully cover your cake, ensuring a smooth finish. If using chalkboard paint, apply two coats, waiting an hour between each coat. For the best results, use a sponge brush to apply the paint, following the grain of the wood for the first coat and going against the grain for the second. Allow the chalkboard to cure for 24 hours.
Once you have your chalkboard surface ready, it's time to start writing! You can sketch your design directly onto the cake with chalk or chalk markers. If you're not confident in your freehand skills, you can sketch your design on oven paper and then gently press it onto the fondant to transfer the design. You can also use stencils to help guide your lettering.
If using fondant, mix a small amount of vodka or clear spirit with white food dust to create a liquid that you can use to trace your design. Gently sketch along the lines of your design with a very fine brush, and then go over it with a large, soft paintbrush to create an "erased" chalkboard look. Continue building up the "erased" look until you're happy with it, and then use a hard-bristled brush to standardize the colour.
And that's it! You now have a beautifully written chalkboard cake. Feel free to add any final touches or decorations to complete your design.
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How to make chalkboard contact paper for a cake
To make chalkboard contact paper for a cake, you will need the following:
- Chalkboard contact paper
- An empty picture frame with a glass panel
- Scissors
- A pencil
First, remove the glass panel from the picture frame and set the frame aside. Next, unroll the chalkboard contact paper so the paper backing is facing up, then lay the glass panel on top. Trace around the glass with a pencil and cut out the shape. Peel up the first two inches of the paper backing from your contact paper and line it up with the top of the glass panel. Carefully peel away the rest of the paper backing, smoothing out any bubbles as you go. Finally, place the contact paper-covered glass back into your frame.
You can now add your own chalk lettering and decorations. For a chalkboard effect, you will need black fondant, white food dust, vodka or a clear spirit, and a large, soft brush.
First, cover your cake with black fondant. Then, mix the alcohol with the white dust. Using a very fine brush, gently sketch your chosen design onto the fondant. Take a small amount of white dust with the large, soft paintbrush and brush the cake very lightly to create an "erased" chalkboard look. You can use a hard-bristled brush to standardise the colour.
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How to make a chalkboard cake with chalkboard paint
Chalkboard cakes are a popular request for cake decorators, especially for vintage-rustic style weddings. To make a chalkboard cake with chalkboard paint, follow these steps:
First, decide on the size of your cake. For a 6x6 inch cake, you will need a cup of matte or flat latex paint to make your chalk paint. You can make this at home by mixing in 1/2 a cup of baking soda or 4 tablespoons of calcium carbonate, one tablespoon at a time, with the paint. Alternatively, you can use plaster of Paris or unsanded grout, but be careful to avoid clumping. Mix your ingredients until the powder is completely dissolved, and adjust the consistency with water if needed—the mixture should resemble pancake batter.
Once your chalk paint is ready, cover your cake with black fondant. If you're not confident in your painting skills, sketch your design onto oven paper and lay it on top of the fondant, gently pressing your tool into the fondant to create an outline. You can also use a stencil if you prefer.
Now, it's time to mix your "chalk." Combine white food dust with vodka or a clear spirit. Using a very fine brush, gently sketch your design onto the fondant, following the outline you created earlier.
To achieve the "erased" chalkboard look, use a large, soft paintbrush to lightly brush over the design. The more you brush, the more erased it will look. Finally, use a hard-bristle brush to standardize the colour, and voilà! You've created your very own chalkboard effect cake.
For further inspiration, check out cake designers like Liz Marek of Artisan Cake Company, The Vanilla Bake Shop, Bake A-Boo Cake Design, and Sophie Bifield Cake Company, who have all created stunning chalkboard cakes.
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Frequently asked questions
To create a chalkboard effect on a wedding cake, you will need a cake covered in black fondant, white food dust, vodka or a clear spirit, and a large, soft brush. First, find an image you would like to reproduce and sketch it onto oven paper. Then, lay the oven paper on the cake and gently press to transfer the sketch onto the fondant. Mix the alcohol with the white dust, and gently sketch over the transferred design with a very fine brush. Next, take a small amount of white dust on a large, soft paintbrush and brush the cake very lightly to create an "erased" chalkboard look. Repeat this step as needed until you are satisfied with the effect. Finally, use a hard-bristle brush to standardize the colour.
Chalkboard cakes are a popular choice for vintage-rustic style weddings. You can combine the chalkboard effect with colourful elements to accentuate the dark colours. For a floral frame, consider using shades of burgundy, green, pink, and burnt orange. You can also add gold accents or drop string piping for a classical elegant touch. If you want to avoid using black icing, you can opt for slate grey icing or a black-and-white chalkboard-style cake topper.
If you're looking for an alternative to a traditional sweet wedding cake, consider a cheese wheel tower. This option allows you to incorporate a variety of cheeses, such as hard cheese, soft cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, and crumbly cheese. You can also style the cheese tower with flowers, fresh or dried fruit, herbs, mini bunting, cake toppers, greenery, nuts, dripping honey, and pretty labels (or chalkboard backdrops) naming the cheeses.