Pillow or cushion cakes are a delightful confectionary trend that brings a touch of whimsy and elegance to any celebration. These cakes are crafted to resemble plush pillows or cozy cushions, often adorned with intricate designs, textures, and vibrant colors, creating a visually stunning centerpiece. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or special event, a pillow or cushion cake adds a charming and unique element to your dessert table, sure to impress and delight guests of all ages. Pillow or cushion cakes are often made for a variety of occasions, including birthdays, bridal showers, weddings, and anniversaries. However, they are particularly popular for Valentine’s Day due to their romantic and whimsical appearance. The soft, pillow-like shape of these cakes symbolizes comfort, love, and affection, making them a perfect choice for celebrating this special day with your loved one. The intricate designs and sweet decorations on these cakes further enhance their appeal, making them a beautiful and heartfelt gift to express your love and appreciation.
Why make this cake?
Detailed Instructions: The tutorial provides step-by-step instructions, making it easy to follow for both beginners and experienced bakers. Versatile: This recipe can be adapted to different cake flavors and fillings, allowing for creativity and personalization. Professional Results: The use of fondant and the lattice pattern creates a professional-looking cake that is sure to impress. Valentine’s Day Theme: The heart shape and red fondant make this cake perfect for Valentine’s Day, adding a romantic touch to your celebration. Decorative Options: The tutorial includes additional decorative elements like fondant hearts, giving you the option to customize the cake to suit your style. Easy to Find Ingredients: The ingredients required for this recipe are common and easy to find in most grocery stores or baking supply shops.
Step by step: Pillow Cake Recipe
Bake the cake
Preheat the oven to350℉/ 175℃/ Gas mark 4. Grease and line one 7-inch heart cake pan or 8 x 8-inch square pan Sift the flour with baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Followed by the vanilla extract. Lastly, add the flour mixture and buttermilk and combine until smooth. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Always cool cakes completely before you decorate or store cakes away.Pro tip – Freeze the cake for an hour (optional) as it makes it easier to carve.
Prepare frosting
In a large bowl with the whisk attachment, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Then, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Add the salt and vanilla extract followed by the heavy cream. Continue to whip until light and fluffy.
Pillow/Cushion cakes
If you use a square pan – Using the heart template, cut out the heart cake. Hold the knife at a 90% angle – straight up – so you get a nice straight side (not beveled) Round the edges and shape the heart, as shown in the video. Make sure to flip the cake over and crave both sides. Crumb-coat the cake and let chill for 15 minutes. Make sure to flip the cake over and crave both sides. Chill the cake for at least an hour. Then use a cling wrap to smooth the cake as shown in the video Roll red color fondant 10 inches larger than the diameter of the cake. Gently roll it over the rolling pin. Then, unroll it over the cake. Use your hands to smooth it out, cutting any excess as necessary. Tuck the fondant under so the edges are raised from the sides. Use a fondant smoother or your hands to smooth the sides and edges. Use a fondant lattice tool or the back of a paintbrush to create diagonal lines about an inch apart in one direction. Then, turn the cake over and do the same diagonally in the other direction.Pro tip: Starting from the center works best. Make a line in the center, then continue on one side, then the other. This helps keep them evenly spaced. You should now have a square (lattice) pattern on the cake. Use the back of a paintbrush to deepen the same lines. Use the bottom of your paintbrush to make a slight dip at every intersection of the lines. Using a tweezer place a dragee at the corner of every square. Dust the cake with luster dust for a smooth shiny finish.
This is one of the cakes from my Heart Cake Tutorials collections. You may like to also see the videos for my Heart Cake and Conversation Heart cakes.
How do you create a lattice pattern on cake?
Roll out a small amount of red fondant into a thin rope. Use a lattice impression mat to create the lattice pattern on the fondant rope. Alternatively, you can use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to create the lattice pattern by hand. Attach the fondant lattice to the top of the cake using a small amount of edible glue or water. Start from the center and work your way outwards, gently pressing the lattice onto the fondant-covered cake.
Tips for Success
Prepare Your Work Area: Make sure your work surface is clean and lightly dusted with powdered sugar or cornstarch to prevent the fondant from sticking. Use Fresh Fondant: Fresh fondant is easier to work with and will give you a smoother finish on your cake. Work Quickly: Fondant can dry out quickly, so work efficiently when rolling it out and covering the cake. Smooth the Fondant: Use a fondant smoother to gently smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles in the fondant. Chill the Cake: Chilling the cake before applying the fondant can make it easier to handle and less likely to crumble. Practice the Lattice Pattern: If you’re using a lattice impression mat, practice using it on a small piece of fondant before applying it to the cake to ensure you get the desired pattern. Be Patient: Decorating with fondant can be a bit time-consuming, so take your time and enjoy the process. Store Correctly: Store the finished cake in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the fondant from melting or drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
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