Monday, February 3, 2014

DIY Fondant Cake Decorating Kits by Ella Vanilla {Product Feature}


It's hard to believe, but I finally completed a personal goal: learning how to decorate a cake with fondant.





Here's a hint: I didn't take a class. I did it all at home (the cold winter months seem like the perfect time to try it!), and the end result was loved by all at our little Super Bowl gathering last night!!!

 


It was with the tremendous help of a DIY fondant cake decorating kit from Ella Vanilla that I was able to take my cake decorating experience (minimal) to a new level.


 


I had never heard of Ella Vanilla Cake Decorating Kits until late last summer when the lovely creator Noelle reached out and introduced herself. I am so glad she did--and in addition, I am so grateful she gave me a lovely opportunity to select a kit of my choice and try it out!

 


Months later, I set aside a wintery weekend in New England to create my cake. It got postponed due to illness, schedule conflicts, holiday gatherings--but that was one of the best parts. I could choose when to do the kit when it worked best for me and my family. I LOVE that.

 I opened that signature yellow and white box (which stores not only the kit, but also is used to transport your cake to your event--brilliant!!!), and found everything I needed to decorate the cake, as well as in-depth directions.

 
 


There are SO MANY designs to choose from!!!



Love this wedding one...



 There are many holiday ones as well, and this garden cake would be perfect for my mom!!!


 I opted for the rose petal cake kit. I figured it would be one of the easiest to learn with, and I could select my own color (pink, surprised?) which I loved.



After baking, cooling, leveling, icing and chilling the cake, I was ready to decorate! I followed the FABULOUS instructions in the kit, carefully coloring my fondant. Then, I rolled out my cake covering fondant, covered and smoothed the cake, and started with the center rose!



After finishing that first rose, I worked my way down the cake adding each and every petal. The directions were easy to follow, and the amount of fondant I had in each color was perfect.



It was SUCH a joy to see it all come together. And miraculously it looked lovely.



Note: I personally recommend some practice with the leveling process before working with your first kit--I accidently used 9" instead of 8" cake pans (even though 8" paper pans were included in the kit!!!)--first fail--then leveled the cakes so crooked, the cake looked like it was sunken on one side and center.

What you don't see, thanks to the rose petal design: the wavy uneven cake. The stretches and tear in the covering layer of fondant. Nope, I am not perfect at this, not by a long shot. Yet, miraculously, the cake came out looking lovely, and no one knew the better.



This was a fun, creative experience. I could see an Ella Vanilla Cake Decorating Kit party for a Bachelorette Party, Girls Night Out, Birthday Party...I also think these cake kits would be wonderful gifts for daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts...

If you want to try Ella Vanilla Cake Decorating Kits for yourself, or to treat someone to, Noelle is offering an exclusive discount code LANDERS15 for 15% off kits through February 9th!!! SHOP HERE.

Thank you so much Noelle for giving me this incredible opportunity to learn and expand my creative horizons.

Am I now a professional cake decorator? No!!!Fondant expert? Absolutely not! But did I learn a great deal? Yes. Do I have more confidence in how to work with fondant? Of course!

This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are very much my own.















4 comments:

Noelle said...

So glad you enjoyed decorating Kate. The cake turned out beautiful!

Nicole (Bellenza Party Suite) said...

What a lovely cake! You did awesome!

Unknown said...

Hi Kate,
I stumbled upon your amazing site. I am in love with the woodland themed party you did...I, too am attempting to do a woodland themed party for my daughter. Her name is also Elle!!! I couldn't believe it when I saw all of your beautiful work with her name on it. That said, I could really use some advice on where you purchased your items. Help?!

Thanks!
Marne
marne_murphy@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

This is fabulous!!! I want to try one day too!! Beautiful!