Warning: Wedding Cake in Trunk!

by Jerry Huebel
(Groves, TX)

This wedding cake had to be delivered in the trunk of our car to my niece's wedding which was 150 miles away in a city where the traffic is absolutely crazy. We also were delivering the chocolate groom's cake, and hoping against hope, it wouldn't end up a big melted brown blob. Needless to say my heart was in my throat the entire trip and most of my conversation was a tense, "Please slow down!"

Both cakes arrived with only a few bumps and bruises that were easy enough to repair (or hide) but it was definitely a harrowing experience and not something I look forward to doing again. I stacked two tiers together and when I got to the venue I placed the top two onto the bottom two. It worked surprisingly well. I used bubble tea straws for support and a single wooden dowel rod through each of the separately stacked sets.

Cake Flavors

The wedding cake was deep dark chocolate with white buttercream frosting and raspberry buttercream filling.

Bubblegum Roses

The roses were made from bubblegum and sprayed with red coloring. I think they're as pretty and delicate looking as gumpaste or fondant flowers and my clients get a kick out of the fact that they're made from bubblegum.

How To Make Bubblegum Roses

To make the roses I microwave three pieces of bubblegum on high for fifteen seconds. Then I check to see if they're soft enough being very careful not to burn myself since they get very hot in the center. They usually are but if they're not soft enough I put them back for fifteen more seconds.

When they're soft but not too sticky I knead them just as I would gumpaste, then I pinch off a piece to make the base and attach it to either a wire or a lollipop stick. I then roll the remaining gum out on the counter which I've sprinkled with a little powdered sugar.

From there I do the same as I would with gumpaste roses, cutting them out the petals with my rose cutter, thinning the edges with the ball tool and attaching them to the base with a dot of water. They're a lot of fun to make.

Cake Topper Story

Interesting story about the topper. The bride's mother, my sister-in-law, told me they bought it in Spain for $800.00! Wow!

She said she'd bring it to my house before the wedding so I could put it on the cake. I thought, "Don't think so!!" I told her to leave it on the table at the venue and I'd let one of them put it on the cake. Of course that didn't happen and I had to do it... like I wasn't stressed enough!

Heavy Cake Topper Tip: Because the topper was heavy I had used bubble tea straws for support and put a small mirror on top of the tier to rest the topper on. I definitely used my handy dandy level to be sure it wouldn't be leaning. A level is a must to bring to the venue since you never know if the tables are going to be level. I learned that the hard way. Another story!

Jerry Thank you so much for your beautiful wedding cake entry and great story with tips and advice. Love it. Your chocolate grooms cakes is really nice too. Good luck.