Innovative Ways To Securely Display Your Wedding Cake Topper

A wedding cake topper can be supported in a variety of ways. One way is to use white chocolate to adhere the topper to the cake. This method does not require any glue or screws and can be done in advance. Another way is to use dowel rods to support the topper, by inserting them into the cake and trimming them flush with the surface. If the topper is made of plastic, one can also consider counter-sinking a screw into a fender washer and attaching it to a wider base.

Use melted white chocolate to widen the base of the topper

If you're looking for a way to support a wedding cake topper, melting white chocolate to widen the base is a great solution. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a stable and secure base for your topper:

Step 1: Prepare the Work Area

Start by lining a cake pan, plate, or shallow bowl with parchment paper. This will provide a stable surface for you to work on and make it easier to remove the topper once the chocolate has set.

Step 2: Position the Cake Topper

Place the cake topper in the middle of the parchment paper. Ensure it is standing upright and securely in place before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate

Carefully melt white chocolate to a pourable consistency. You can use a double boiler or a microwave, stirring frequently to avoid overheating. Work with small amounts of chocolate at a time to prevent it from solidifying before you're done.

Step 4: Apply the Melted Chocolate

Carefully pour or pipe the melted white chocolate around the edge of the base of the cake topper. Build it up gradually, coating the base and widening it to your desired thickness. Remember, if you're in a warm environment, you may want to make the chocolate layer thicker to prevent early melting.

Step 5: Allow the Chocolate to Set

Once you're happy with the thickness and coverage of the chocolate, let it cool and set completely. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your topper will be secure and stable.

Step 6: Remove the Parchment Paper

After the chocolate has set, carefully peel away the parchment paper from the base. Now you have a widened base that will provide more stability for your wedding cake topper!

By following these steps, you can confidently secure your wedding cake topper using melted white chocolate. This method not only provides stability but also ensures that the solution is edible, blending seamlessly with the rest of the cake.

Create a support structure using dowel rods

To create a support structure using dowel rods, follow these steps:

Firstly, decide how many dowels you will need. This will depend on the weight of the cake above. For a smaller cake, you will need 3-4 dowels, while a medium-sized cake will require 4-6, and a large or heavy cake will need 6-8. If you are creating a tall cake, a single dowel in the centre should be enough to add stability.

Next, you need to decide what type of dowel to use. The two main types are rods and tubes. Rods are ideal for small cakes, decorations, and fruit cakes, while tubes are designed to support sponge cakes and add stability to very tall cakes.

Now, you can begin to insert your dowels. They should be spaced equidistantly under the tier they are supporting. To decide where to place them, arrange your dowels in a shape that reflects the number you are using. For example, use three dowels in a triangle shape, four in a square, or five in a pentagon. Push one dowel into the cake down to the board, then use a pencil to mark the dowel level with the top of the cake. Remove the dowel and use it as a guide to cut all the other dowels to the correct size.

Once all your dowels are the right size, push each one into the cake. If you are stacking your cake, you can use a small amount of royal icing between the tiers for added stability.

Finally, if you are stacking multiple tiers, you can add an extra support measure. Sharpen the tip of a long dowel and pass it through the entire cake, twisting as you get to each cake board until it reaches the bottom. Mark the dowel where it comes out of the top of the cake, then remove it, cut off any excess, and return it to the cake. This will provide extra support and structure. You can cover the hole in the first tier with fondant.

Make a miniature tree stump out of sugar

Making a miniature tree stump out of sugar is a fun and creative project that can add a whimsical touch to your cake topper. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Materials:

• Copy paper
• Toothpicks
• Mod Podge (or diluted tacky glue)
• Wood filler
• Tan paint
• Tin foil
• Paper sack lunch bag
• Paper towel
• Paint in burnt umber, black, and white colours
• Hot glue gun

Instructions:

• Cut copy paper into 1/4" strips.
• Take a toothpick and start winding a strip of the copy paper coated with Mod Podge around its centre.
• Continue adding strips of paper coated with Mod Podge until you reach the desired size of the stump. Try to keep the edges as even as possible.
• Finish with a few 1/4" strips of a lunch bag paper to mimic the outer ring of the stump.
• Trim the toothpick close to the paper on both sides.
• Coat the top surface with wood filler and let it dry.
• Once dry, sand the surface flat and add a wash of tan paint to even out the colour.
• Heat up your glue gun and start adding bunches of tin foil to the bottom of the stump, working from the base outwards to create roots.
• Crumple a paper sack lunch bag several times, then unfold and tear off pieces. Coat these pieces with Mod Podge and cover the tin foil.
• Peel the top layer off a paper towel to expose the bumpy texture of the bottom layer, perfect for tree bark. Mod Podge this onto your tree stump, rumpling the paper as you go to create wrinkles, especially around the base of the roots.
• Using a combination of burnt umber and black paint, base coat the bark, applying the colours in patches with a darker tone towards the bottom and crevices.
• Dry brush white paint onto the bark, followed by burnt umber, leaving some of the white visible. The more the colour varies, the more realistic the stump will look.

Your miniature tree stump is now ready to be used as a unique and charming support for your wedding cake topper!

Use fondant/gumpaste to mould a flat surface onto the topper

Fondant and gum paste are great options for moulding a flat surface onto a wedding cake topper. They are both edible, pliable, and can be used to create a variety of shapes and designs. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use fondant/gum paste to create a flat surface for your wedding cake topper:

Step 1: Prepare the Fondant/Gum Paste

• If using fondant, you can add a small amount of CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) or Tylose to strengthen and stiffen it. This will make it easier to work with and help it dry harder.
• If using gum paste, prepare a batch following a recipe like Veena Azmanov's, which includes ingredients such as powdered sugar, meringue powder, cream of tartar, light corn syrup, clear vanilla extract, and vegetable shortening.

Step 2: Tint the Fondant/Gum Paste (Optional)

If you want to add colour to your flat surface, tint the fondant/gum paste with gel food colouring. For example, you can add 1-2 drops of yellow food gel to create a golden hue.

Step 3: Roll Out the Fondant/Gum Paste

• Coat your work surface with a thin layer of vegetable shortening to prevent sticking.
• Use a small rolling pin to roll out the fondant/gum paste until it is long and wide enough to cover the base of your cake topper.

Step 4: Attach the Fondant/Gum Paste to the Cake Topper

• Place the rolled-out fondant/gum paste on top of the cake topper's base.
• Gently press the fondant/gum paste onto the base, smoothing out any air bubbles or creases.
• Use a sharp knife or X-Acto knife to trim away any excess fondant/gum paste around the edges.

Step 5: Let the Fondant/Gum Paste Dry

• Place the coated cake topper on a piece of wax paper and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.
• If using gum paste, you may need to let it dry for an additional 24 hours to ensure it is completely hardened.

By following these steps, you can create a flat surface using fondant or gum paste to securely attach your wedding cake topper. This method provides a stable base, preventing the topper from toppling over, and adds a decorative touch to your wedding cake.

Attach the topper to a wider base using frosting or hot glue

To attach a wedding cake topper to a wider base using frosting or hot glue, you can follow these steps:

First, you will need to create a wider base for your topper. This can be done by using a material such as cardboard covered in foil. Cut a large cardboard disc that is bigger than the base of your topper. Then, cut a hole in the centre of the cardboard disc that is slightly smaller than the base of the topper. This will provide a stable and wider base for your topper.

Next, you can secure the topper to the base using frosting or hot glue. If using frosting, you can use buttercream or royal icing. Apply a generous amount of frosting to the centre of the cardboard base, and then place the topper on top, pressing down slightly to ensure it adheres well. If using hot glue, be careful to only apply a small amount, as you don't want it to squeeze out from under the topper. Place the topper in the centre of the base and hold it in place until the glue dries.

Once the topper is secured to the base, you can then decorate the base to match your cake. You can use frosting, fondant, or any other edible material to cover the base and make it look cohesive with your cake design. If using fondant, you can roll it out and then drape it over the base, smoothing it out to remove any air bubbles.

Finally, when you are ready to place the topper on your cake, simply set the base with the attached topper on top of the cake. Ensure that the cake is already set up and in position before adding the topper, as it will not be attached to the cake itself. This method provides a stable and secure way to display your wedding cake topper without having to glue or screw anything directly onto the topper itself.

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