If you want to throw a Hawaiian-themed party, there’s nothing better than a cake decorated with edible surfboards! The surfboard-themed cake is ideal for birthdays, summer events, or any occasion when you want to bring a touch of sunshine to your dessert table. In this article, we’ll take you through every step of the way, so you can create the perfect surf-themed cake with edible surfboards.
Essential Supplies to Decorate Your Hawaiian-themed Cake
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies to decorate your cake. You will need plain or pre-made cake base, edible surfboard cake toppers, cake frosting or icing, green food coloring, sugar palm trees, fondant, and edible markers. You can purchase all of these at a local baking store or online.
Additionally, you may want to consider adding some edible flowers to your cake for an extra touch of Hawaiian flair. Hibiscus, plumeria, and orchids are all popular choices. You can either purchase them pre-made or make them yourself using fondant or gum paste. Just be sure to use edible flowers that are safe for consumption and have not been treated with any harmful chemicals.
Choosing the Perfect Cake Base for Your Surfing Theme
A white cake base is the most basic option for a Surfboard-themed cake. Smooth frosting over the top and sides of the cake. For a more natural and realistic look, you can also use a brownie as a base at the bottom. It’s easier to create texture on brownies and enhance the design.
Another option for a Surfboard-themed cake base is a sponge cake. Sponge cakes are light and airy, making them perfect for a beachy theme. You can also add a touch of coconut flavor to the sponge cake to give it a tropical twist. Additionally, sponge cakes are easy to carve and shape, allowing you to create the perfect wave or surfboard shape for your cake.
How to Make Edible Surfboards for Your Cake Decoration
The first step is to choose a delicious, light cookie or wafer, which will form the basis of your surfboards’ shape. Cut your desired shape and size from the cookie or wafer. Use fondant as the base layer to cover your cookies, not forgetting to make the foot strap. Apply colors to resemble real boards, by using colored fondant or edible markers.
To add some extra texture and detail to your edible surfboards, you can use a toothpick or small knife to create grooves and lines on the fondant. You can also add some edible glitter or shimmer to give your surfboards a shiny, metallic look. Another fun idea is to create mini surfers out of fondant or gum paste, and place them on top of the surfboards. This will add a playful touch to your cake decoration and make it even more unique.
Creating Waves on Your Cake with Frosting Techniques
To create waves on the cake, use green butter cream frosting and pipe ‘waves’ onto the cake at the bottom of the surfboard. Wave up the other direction, with a lighter shade for a less defined wave effect.
Another technique to create waves on your cake is to use a small offset spatula to create a wavy pattern in the frosting. Start at the bottom of the cake and use the spatula to create small, gentle waves as you move up the cake. You can also use different shades of blue frosting to create a more realistic wave effect. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and colors to create the perfect wave design for your cake!
Adding Palm Trees and Other Tropical Elements to Enhance the Theme
Add sugar palm trees or other tropical elements like sand cookies, shells, and fruit to enhance the Hawaiian-theme. You can plain shaped cookies and enhance them with sugar and fondant.
Another way to enhance the tropical theme is by adding colorful flowers such as hibiscus, plumeria, and orchids. These flowers can be used as table centerpieces or as decorations on the walls. You can also use flower petals to create a beautiful pathway leading to the party area.
In addition to decorations, you can also incorporate tropical flavors into your food and drinks. Some popular Hawaiian dishes include poke bowls, kalua pork, and haupia (coconut pudding). For drinks, you can serve mai tais, piña coladas, or fresh fruit smoothies. These flavors will transport your guests to a tropical paradise.
Using Fondant to Create Intricate Details on Your Surfboard Cake Toppers
Fondant offers the flexibility to develop detailed and intricate designs. Form the details of the surfboard like the designs, stripes, and logos. Define the bottom of the surfboard and add some foot straps with desired colors of fondant. Aiming for simplicity and bold design is best.
It is important to note that fondant can be tricky to work with, especially in warmer temperatures. To make it easier to handle, you can add a small amount of cornstarch to the surface you are working on and knead it into the fondant. This will help prevent it from sticking and tearing. Additionally, if you are having trouble getting the fondant to stick to the cake topper, you can use a small amount of water or edible glue to help it adhere.
Tips for Color Coordination on a Hawaiian-themed Cake
Choose vibrant shades of blue and green frosting for the waves and highlight other colors by using fondant. For example, you can roll out orange fondant and create small details that spell ‘Aloha’ with black color. Tropical fruit accents are also great for color coordination.
Another way to incorporate color coordination on a Hawaiian-themed cake is by using edible flowers. You can use hibiscus, plumeria, or orchids to add a pop of color to the cake. These flowers can be made out of fondant or gum paste and can be placed on top of the cake or around the edges.
Additionally, you can use different shades of brown and yellow to create a sandy beach effect on the cake. You can use crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers to create the texture of sand. You can also add small details like palm trees or surfboards to enhance the beach theme of the cake.
How to Transport Your Decorated Surfboard Cake without Ruining the Design
To transport your cake, use a cake container or box that is stable and secure. Keep the box upright to avoid the surfboards from falling or wobbling. Once you get to your destination, place the cake in the refrigerator for a few minutes. The frosting will harden, protecting the surfboards and waves during transport.
Another tip to keep in mind is to avoid placing any heavy objects on top of the cake box during transport. This can cause the cake to shift and potentially ruin the design. Additionally, if you are transporting the cake during hot weather, consider placing a cold pack or ice pack in the box to keep the cake cool and prevent the frosting from melting.
It’s also important to plan your route carefully when transporting a decorated surfboard cake. Avoid bumpy roads or sharp turns that could cause the cake to shift or slide around in the box. If possible, choose a route with smooth roads and minimal traffic to ensure a safe and smooth transport for your cake.
Examples of Hawaiian-themed Cakes for Inspiration
Online images and videos for Hawaiian-themed cake inspiration can offer a good compilation of inventive concepts—from basic des to more challenging creations. There are many ideas to jumpstart your creativity, and you can customize to suit your needs.
One popular Hawaiian-themed cake design is the hula dancer cake. This cake features a fondant hula dancer figurine on top of a cake decorated with tropical flowers and palm trees. Another popular design is the surfboard cake, which is shaped like a surfboard and decorated with bright colors and beach-themed elements.
If you’re looking for a more unique design, consider a volcano cake. This cake is shaped like a volcano and can be decorated with lava made from red and orange frosting. You can also add small fondant figurines of hula dancers or surfers around the base of the cake to complete the theme.
Step-by-Step Guide: Decorating a Hawaiian-themed Birthday Cake with Edible Surfboards
Follow this step-by-step guide to decorating your Hawaiian-themed cake with edible surfboards-
- Choose a white cake base or brownie base
- Cut, mold and shape the surfboard shaped cookies
- Cover the surfboards with the desired color of fondant
- Add foot straps, designs and logos with fondant and edible markers
- Pipe green frosting along the bottom of the surfboards to create waves
- Add sugar palm trees or other tropical elements to intensify the Hawaiian theme.
- Roll out fondant and use knives, cookie cutters, or rolling pins to create shapes and letters.
- Transport carefully in a stable cake container or box.
With these tips and a little creativity, you are ready to decorate a Hawaiian-themed cake with edible surfboards that will blow away your guests. Start decorating and transforming your cake now!
For an extra touch of authenticity, consider using edible sand to create a beach-like texture around the base of the cake. You can make edible sand by crushing up graham crackers or vanilla wafers in a food processor and sprinkling it around the cake. This will add a fun and unique element to your Hawaiian-themed cake that your guests will love.