birthday cake

[debster]

Hi guys just a couple of questions, i am making my daughters 21st birthday cake, the picture attached is what i want to do and the cake itself will be about 18" x 12", any idea how much butter cream i am likely to need, it will have a thin covering all over then the piped stuff on the top and sides, also the black that is on there would i be better using black icing (or would it run) or licorice?
many thanks for your help

[debster]

[star]

I reckon they would both run Debs. But there will be someone much more knowledgeable than me along shortly......

Its a great cake BTW.......Im sure it will turn out great ;D ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

Debs,

I am a fondant icing fan, find it much easier to use than using buttercream. And you can paint on the concentrated food colouring if necessary to get a better colour. (thinned with a little vodka first!)
Can't help you on how much buttercream required, but I would colour the buttercream with concentrated black food colouring to get the intense colour.

[pookienoodle]

I am also more of a fondant fan for this type of cake, be aware that most black icings have the effect of making your teeth black,bad if you will be taking photos.
the liquorice is a good idea.

[Jeanbean]

Lovely cake Debster. I have made many a birthday cake over the past 30 years somewher in the region of 2000, and agree with Doris and Pookienoodle, Butter icing doesn't have the keeping qualities of Regalice or similar roll out icings. If you just put buttercream in the centre and around the outside edges and top of the cake you can colour the roll out icing with the base colour. Let it dry overnight and then either paint on the design or cut out the various shapes to make the picture. I would then mix a little royal icing and colour black. Use a no 2 or 3 writing tube and outline where the black is on the design. there would not be enough to cause running so long as you keep the cake away from anywhere damp. I would also pipe some scrolls around the board and top edge of cake to finish it off. As for the quantity of butter cream, if doing the whole design in buttercream I would imagine you would need at least 2lb but obviously only about 1lb if putting in the middle and using to stick roll out icing.