A topsy-turvy cake, most common known as a “mad hatter cake,” can make for a dessert that is not only tasty but creative and whimsical.
What You’ll Need
9 chilled cakes (one each in a diameter of 12 inches, 11 inches, 6 inches, 9 inches and 7 inches; two 8 inches and 10 inches diameter)
- Frosting
- Serrated Knife
- Parchment paper
- Dowels
- Scissors
- 2 lbs powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons of water
- 16oz bag of mini marshmallows
- Fondant roller
- Microwave
- Flavoring
- Foam board
Creating The Tiers
Separate the cakes into three groups. The bottom tier should have one 12-inch cake, one 11-inch cake and 10-inch cake. The second tier should have one 10-inch cake, one 9-inch cake and 8-inch cake. The top tier should have one 8-inch cake, one 7-inch cake and one 6-inch cake.
Place frosting on the 9-inch piece and place the 7-inch piece on top of it. Frost the 7-inch piece and place the 5-inch piece on top of it. According to MySweetAndSaucy.com, each tier should have three layers of cake and two layers of frosting, which serves as filling.
Cut the top layer of the cake at an angle with a serrated knife. Flip the layer over to create a sharp curve at the top of cake.
Trim the sides of the cake with the serrated knife. This will help in giving it the topsy, turvy look.
Frost the entire cake and refrigerate it. Refrigerate it until the frosting is hard.
Repeat steps 1-5 for the other two tiers.
Place a piece of parchment paper over the cake. Trace a circle that is 8 inches in diameter, since that is the length of the second tier, according to CakeCentral.com. Cut the circle out and place it on the center of the cake. Use the serrated knife to cut the shape out of the cake. Remove the cut out section. Cover it with frosting and re-refrigerate it. Repeat this step for the second tier, but instead make the cut 6 inches in diameter.
Making The Fondant
Place the mini marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl. Add water. Place the bowl in the microwave for 2 minutes.
Stir the marshmellows to make sure they are melted.
Add flavoring and powdered sugar. Knead the dough using a fondant roller. Piece-A-Cake.com recommends rolling the dough on powdered sugar surface, and adding more powdered sugar so it is less sticky.
Let the fondant to sit overnight. Before using, microwave for 30 seconds and knead until dough is smooth and workable.
Cover all of the cake tiers in fondant.
Stacking The Cake
Place the largest cake section(the bottom tier) on a thick foam board. Stick five or six dowels, which will provide support, in the cut section of the cake. Place the dowels in a circle at even intervals. Cut the dowels down to same height. Place frosting over the dowels. Place the second on top. Repeat this step for the top tier.
Use fondant to decorate the cake as desired.
