How To Make Alphabet Block Cake

Alphabet blocks birthday cake

Makes 2

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These adorable alphabet block cakes are a cute way to celebrate your little one's first birthday. Whether you choose to make one cake or six, this is a simple recipe that looks wonderful when topped with a candle or two.

Ingredients

To make two alphabet block cakes:1 Everyday chocolate cake baked in a 20x20xm tin, OR
1 butter cake baked in a 20x20cm tin
1 portion buttercream icing
500g ready-made white fondant icing (the Orchard brand can be found in most supermarkets)
3 food colourings (We used green, yellow and orange)

Method

1

Cook cake in a 20cm x 20cm cake tin, and allow to cool completely. You may prefer to use a butter cake recipe.
2

Using a bread knife, carefully cut the cake down the centre, and then cut each half in half again, so that you end up with the cake in quarters, each being a 10cm x 10cm square.
3

Spread a coating of buttercream icing over the top of two of the pieces of cake and then sandwich the other two pieces on top. You should end up with two cake boxes.
4

Cover each box with a thin coating of buttercream icing - this coating will give the fondant icing something to stick to. Set aside.
5

Cut the fondant icing into three equal pieces. Set one piece aside for colouring and decoration. Knead the icing until it becomes warm and pliabe and then roll the two remaining pieces out until they form a circle each of about 1/2cm thickness.
6

Carefully lay the fondant icing over the top of one of the cakes and using your fingers, gently begin to smooth the icing down against the cake so that the cake is completely covered and there are no creases in the icing.
7

Use a pair of scissors to trim the icing so that there is just enough to tuck under the cake. Turn the cake upside down tuck in the extra fondant icing.
8

Repeat with the second cake. Set cakes aside in a dry spot.
9

Divide the remaining portion of fondant icing up into three - one for each colour you want to use. Press your thumb gently into the icing and in this depression, pour a couple of drops of food colouring.
10

Knead the icing thoroughly until the colour is completely combined.
11

For the fondant borders, roll the icing out very thinly. Using a rule, cut the icing into long strips. Measure the strips against the edge of the cake and create a frame of icing. Paint a little water onto the back of each icing strip and fix to the cake. Repeat for each face of the cake.
12

For the letters and decorations, roll the icing out to 1cm thick and use cutters to cut out the letters and decorations you want to use on the block cakes. Paint a little water on the back of each shape and fix to the cake.

Equipment

Rolling pin
Bread knife
Ruler
Paint brush
Shape and letter cutters

Notes

Use gloves when kneading food colouring into the dough - or you'll end up with multicoloured hands!
Once you've completed the cakes, store in a dry place THAT'S NOT THE FRIDGE! The fridge will make the icing 'sweat' and becomes all clammy and gross.
If you've never used fondant icing before, don't be afraid. It is much easier than it looks and it is pretty forgiving. Just be gentle and you'll be suprised at how professional your cake looks at the end.
This recipe created two block cakes - if you want more blocks, simply double (or triple!) the recipe.
This recipe was created by Ella Walsh for Kidspot, Australia's best recipe finder.