So, it's been a while since my last post! That doesn't mean I haven't been busy! My computer was down for a while and then I was working very hard on something for my sister-in-law, for which the deadline has now been removed, so I can take the time to write about the carousel cake!
A few weeks ago my little girl turned two, and I got to make her a cake that I've been waiting to make for a long time - ever since I bought the carousel horses and separator plate kit, which was years ago. Someone asked me where I got it and I can't even remember. I just know that it was 50% off!
The only problem with this set is that it doesn't come with a roof. (The carousel set Wilton sells now comes with a plastic one and you just have to decorate it.) The box had a couple of nice examples showing how to decorate the cake without a roof, but I really wanted it to have one. So a couple of days before Victoria's birthday I sat down and started cutting out triangles, trying to figure out how to make a carousel roof. After cutting triangles for a half hour with none of them lining up properly and getting no closer to getting it right, I decided there must be a more logical way to figure out the right measurements for the base and height. Now, I always was a pretty good math student, but that was mostly because I could follow a formula and use a calculator. However, I was never very good at geometry, once it got complicated, and all that sin/cos/tan stuff. And whatever Math C30 was all about (or was that trig too?!). I remember thinking, a time or two, that I would never use some of these math skills again, even though Mr. E insisted we would. I guess you were right, Mr. E! So for anyone sitting in a math class thinking they are never going to use math again - pay attention and learn it. You just might need it to make a cake.
So, basically, there was no way I was going to figure this out on my own. I send out a mass text with my math problem to my smart siblings. I knew someone would know the formula and tell me how to figure it out! It took about 4 seconds before a couple of my brothers answered, with the formula and then the answer. I should have went to them sooner! For future reference: For a 8 sided roof, being built out of triangles, on a round house that has a diameter of 10 inches, with the peak of the roof being 4 inches taller then the walls - your triangles should be 6.4 inches tall, and have a 3.9 inch base!
And look at how perfect it all fit together!
And the rest of it!
This cake was a little tricky to decorate because I didn't want to move it around too much because I was a little worried about breaking the roof and I hadn't made any extra pieces. The side panels on the top part overhang a bit, so it had to be lifted up to put them on. I decorated most of the top with the cake all assembled, which probably wasn't the best idea because I was using a cake stand that wasn't very stable. I didn't want to risk knocking it over, so instead of turning it around I ended up reaching across the table at awkward angles trying to get at the back of it.
The best part about the cake, is the stand! Which is why I used it, despite it being tippy. It actually rotates - very slowly, has flashing lights around the plate, and it also sings 'Happy Birthday'! Perfect for a carousel cake! It is always a huge hit with the kids! And Happy Birthday gets sung about 15 times because everyone needs a turn pressing the button.
It was a fun cake to make and I'm glad I saved it to make for my baby girl!
