Fun and Original Children's Cakes. Maisie Parrish

For trimming the edges of cakes and boards for a neat result.

       Sugar press (9) For extruding lengths of paste to make grass, wool, fluff and hair –a standard garlic press, found in all kitchens, is very effective for this.

       Plunger cutters (10) For cutting out different shapes in sugarpaste – such as daisies, hearts, stars and flowers.

       Good-quality stainless steel cutters Round, square, rectangle, butterfly, heart, petal/blossom – in assorted sizes. For cutting out clean shapes for use in decorations.

       Frilling tool For making frills in sugar flower paste pieces – a cocktail stick or toothpick can be used instead.

       Cake cards For placing models on while working on them before transferring them to the cake.

       Mini turntable (11) Useful for placing a cake on so that it can be easily turned around while working on it – not essential.

       Measuring cups (12) For measuring out powders and liquids quickly and cleanly.

       Flower stamens (13) For creating whiskers or antennae on sugarpaste animals and insects.

       Non-stick flexi mat For placing over modelled parts to prevent them from drying out – polythene bags can be used instead.

       Cake boards (14) For giving support to the finished cake – 12mm (½in) thickness is ideal.

       Specific Modelling Tools

      A whole book could be filled talking about these, as there are so many different varieties available. However, I use the white plastic set that has a number on each tool. I refer to the number on the tool throughout the book. They are inexpensive, light and easy to work with, and are available to buy from my website (see Suppliers, page 126).

      Securing and Supporting Your Models

      Sugarpaste models need to be held together in several ways. Small parts can be attached with edible glue (see page 26), but larger parts, such as heads and arms, will require additional support.

      Throughout the book I use pieces of dry spaghetti for this purpose. The spaghetti is inserted into the models – into the hip, shoulder or body, for example – on to which you can attach another piece – the leg, arm or head. Leave 2cm (¾in) showing at the top to support the head, and 1cm (³⁄8in) to support arms and legs.

      The pieces will still require some edible glue to bond them, but will have more support and will stay rigid. When inserting spaghetti to support heads, make sure that it is pushed into the body in a very vertical position otherwise the head will tilt backwards and become vulnerable.

      I recommend using dry spaghetti because it is food and is much safer than using cocktail sticks or toothpicks, which could cause harm, particularly to children. However, I would always advise that the spaghetti is removed before eating the cake and decorations.

      Sugarpaste models sometimes need to be supported with foam or cardboard while they are drying to prevent parts from flopping over or drooping down. Advice on where this may be necessary is given in the project instructions.

       Basic Shapes

      There are four basic shapes required for modelling. Every character in this book begins with a ball; this shape must be rolled first, regardless of whatever shape you are trying to make.

      Ball

      The first step is always to roll a ball. We do this to ensure that we have a perfectly smooth surface, with no cracks or creases.

      For example: If you pull out the ball at the front, you can shape it into an animal’s face.

      Cone

      This shape is the basis for all bodies. It is made by rolling and narrowing the ball at one end, leaving it fatter at the other.

      For example: The cone can be pulled out at the widest part to form the body of a bird.

      Sausage

      From this shape we can make arms and legs. It is simple to make by applying even pressure to the ball and continuing to roll, keeping it uniform thickness along its length.

      For example: The sausage shape when turned up at the end will form a foot, or can be marked to make a paw.

      Oval

      This is the least used of the basic shapes, but is used to make cheeks, ears and other small parts. It is made in the same way as the sausage, by applying even pressure to the ball, but not taking it as far.

      For example: Smaller oval shapes can be used for ears.

       How to Give Your Characters Personality

      When you start to model a character start as if you have a blank piece of paper, and, just like an artist, begin to form the basic shapes. On top of these, then add the details that will eventually become the character you have in mind.

      The Head Shape

      There are many different head shapes. If you think about it, this is one of the things that gives us our character. Decide what the personality of the character is going to be, and then go ahead and create it. It is the details you put on to the shape that will determine the finished character.

      The heads shown on the right are made from a simple shape, and all the elements are then added to create the finished appearance.

      How to construct a head

      In this quick step-by-step example, I will show