I had so much fun putting together this tutorial for the faith cake! Oh, who am I kidding. It was a pain! I just hope its enough information to get you through.
I am very new to tutorials, so if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me anytime!
Now.
This cake I did not bake from scratch. To be honest, I have not found a good vanilla/white cake recipe yet! (if you know of one please point me in the right direction!) So! If you are a true foodie and my 'box' cake offends you, please, turn away now! Your not gonna like what you see.
To make this cake you will need:
2 boxes White Cake
1 box Devils Food Cake
For frosting:
1 cup veg. shortening (do NOT use butter flavor. seriously. just take my word for it.)
1 cup room temperature butter
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
8 cups sifted (sifting is a must!) confectioners sugar (powder sugar)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon milk
For frosting:
Cream together shortening and butter until light and fluffy. And extracts, mix until combined. Add sugar, one or two cups at a time, until fully incorporated. The frosting should look dry. You can now add the milk to get a smoother, glossier, and easier to spread consistency. (if you need to add some milk after 4 cups of sugar you can)
You will be using an 8in or 9in round cake pan (its totally up to you!) for the white cake. You will need to make four layers.
I froze my layers for at least an hour before assembling the cake. This steps makes your life SO much easier, I promise. You can also freeze them overnight to save time!
For the devils food, bake the cake in a rectangle pan. I'll tell you more about that in a second.
For now, lets look at some pictures.
The white cake.
The white cakes leveled.
This is the devils food cake. Before I removed it from the pan and crumbled it and added some frosting to make it stick together... I cut out this shape. (I just used a piece of tupperware that was about the right size)
(For one box of devils food cake add approximately 1/2 cup frosting. Blend with a fork or your hand to incorporate.)
Cut the same shape out of the white cake.
That devils food is going to fit perfectly into the white cake!
Now, to get started with assembly. Put one layer of your white cake on your plate. Add about 1/2 cup frosting and add another layer. Add another 1/2 cup frosting and add your layer with the cutout.
It should look like this.
Go ahead and add your devils piece into the white layer.
Add some frosting around the edges.
(the next step you can save until last, but I had to start now because my cake was getting so tall.)
Now go ahead and take a round cookie cutter or a smaller drinking glass or anything that is a smaller round shape and cut out a whole. You will need to go through all layers of the cake. Get a fork or spoon and carefully scoop out the excess cake.
I still have another layer to add... so I will just put it on top and then guesstimate where the hole was.
Now remember that devils food cake that we crumbled and added some frosting too to make it more usable?
We are going to fill up the entire hole with this cake mixture. Just start stuffing cake in there until its all full. (This works MUCH better if your white cake is frozen or very chilled)
Like that!
Next is the crumb coat layer. (Want to know what a crumb coat is? Want to learn how to do one? Click here.)
After I added the crumb coat layer I threw this bad boy in the freezer and went to bed.
When I opened my freezer in the morning it magically looked like this!
I'm kidding. This was after I added another layer of frosting. Dont be shy with your frosting! This cake is big and can handle it.
Next I started decorating... and I am sorry... but I only got pictures of the finished product.
If you want to try the technique I did... I think the technical term is 'swirly thingies'... get a piping bag and a decorating tip and practice on a piece of paper. Practice makes perfect! (and as you can tell, I am still practicing!)
Top view.
This cake is a big boy. This swirling stuff took me about an hour. Then I got frustrated and went back in and added dots. I didnt like that either so I added red dots. Then I gave up.
And this is what you see after you eat three pieces cut into your cake.
A cross.
Hence the name, 'Faith Cake'.
Ok. I'm ready for it. Be honest now... do you think you'll try and make one? :)
This is amazing!! I love it, and I've been waiting for the tutorial. I'm so glad you posted. :)
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet It Is | Dec 03, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Yes!!! I totally want to try it. I can't do the fancy schmancie frosting job but I can do the cake! Remember ... cake mixes rock!
Posted by: Darla | Dec 03, 2009 at 09:46 PM
I am amazed. I can't believe you just did all that. How do you do it? Thank you so much for this post. To answer your question...hmmm... I don't know... it looks complicated... But it looks like I have a good recipe for buttercream frosting!
Thanks!
Kathy D.
Posted by: Kathy D | Dec 03, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Your so sweet Kathy!!!
Been thinking about you lots... let me know if you need anything!
Blessings!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 03, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Cool... we'll have to give this a try. Looks kinda complicated though!
Posted by: Kari | Dec 03, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Showed this post to my teen daughter and she was so impressed. And I quote..."that is the coolest thing EVER"
Posted by: Jamie @ Six Bricks High | Dec 03, 2009 at 11:38 PM
It does look very fun. And I bet that little bit of extra frosting mixed with the crumbled Devils' Food gave it a) a lot more stability when cut and b) just a tad more richness.
I want some. Thank heavens I started a new "nutritional program." (NOT a diet. I *can't* diet over the holidays... so it must be something else!)
Posted by: Marti | Dec 04, 2009 at 02:17 AM
This is indeed a beautiful cake, I love the outside decoration
Posted by: Miriam/The Winter Guest | Dec 04, 2009 at 06:30 AM
Now THAT is a huge compliment!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 04, 2009 at 08:11 AM
I might just try this today! Looks time consuming. I will not be decorating the outside so nicely, but will think of something. God bless - Holly
Posted by: Holly Neaton | Dec 04, 2009 at 08:13 AM
This is such a beautiful cake! It looks so easy to do but I've done a cake decorating class and this would probably take me a good day and a half :)
Therefore, no I probably won't try it but it does look fantastic!
Posted by: sarah | Dec 04, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Wow. That is a pretty cool cake. And in all honesty, i love making cake form scratch, but white is a hard one to find a good one and in this case, w/ three cakes, you NEED to use box or you will go nuts!
Posted by: Niki | Dec 04, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Amanda,
I'm saving this link and hope to tell others about it in a post soon. This is awesome! (I remember when you posted about your Faith Cake...)
Genny
Posted by: Genny | Dec 04, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Very creative work!!!
Posted by: Adelina | Dec 04, 2009 at 12:57 PM
That's so creative! I haven't seen it before. I liked scrolling down and seeing what made it a "faith" cake!
Posted by: bp | Dec 04, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Oh my goodness...that is gorgeous. I'm not sure I could pull that off, but if you'd like to mail me a piece, I'd be happy to share it with you. :-)
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 04, 2009 at 03:46 PM
A BIG HUGE THANKS! That makes it so much easier for me! For some silly reason I could NOT figure out how that horizontal part worked!!
Posted by: ElizaBeth | Dec 04, 2009 at 09:42 PM
YOU ARE SO TALENTED! And PATIENT! I am totally making this for Easter this coming year!
Posted by: BJ_Mama | Dec 05, 2009 at 02:41 AM
Oh yes, I'm totally going to make this for our preacher's next birthday! And I'm not going to tell him what's inside so he'll be surprised. I love it. I also love your "swirly-thingies" (I call it scrollwork but that's probably not technically correct). Very beautiful cake!
Posted by: Veronica M. | Dec 05, 2009 at 02:45 AM
P.S. Don't be embarassed of using cake mix--it's the only way to go! :)
Posted by: Veronica M. | Dec 05, 2009 at 02:46 AM
Just gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Monique | Dec 05, 2009 at 06:56 AM
I just want to know - do you have to deal with a backache/neckache after that work of art is done???
Ju
Posted by: The Little Teochew | Dec 05, 2009 at 09:50 AM
lol no, I think I am usually just so relieved a huge weight is lifted! ;)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 05, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Okay, that answers my question about your cakes...I haven't found a good vanilla/white recipe either, and it drives me crazy! I think I'm going to just break down and buy white box cakes because that will be much better than eating the dry, tasteless cake recipes I HAVE been trying.
This is a gorgeous, gorgeous cake, by the way...I love it! :)
Posted by: Amy | Dec 05, 2009 at 10:31 AM
That is a beautiful cake! I love the squiggly decoration! I do not believe, however, that I will make that cake. My patience level is much too low and I would never take it out of the freezer to finish it. But you do a beautiful job!
Posted by: Liz | Dec 05, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Beautiful cake! It doesn't sound that hard, but I've been a baker for years, so that may change things. :) There is a pan, not sure if you know about it or not, that could make this easier... it's the checkerboard pan. Wouldn't that work? Have you seen this pan? I think it would work great for people who don't want to cut their cakes. May also save on cake mixes (I too, use mix... makes for a much neater, simplier, yummier cake!)
Posted by: Megan | Dec 05, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I have not ever heard of this checkerboard pan Megan!! How neat! Where could I see one or get one?? Do you have one? Do you use it??
Thanks for the neat info!
Blessings-
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 05, 2009 at 07:05 PM
I just love your blog! I have been gawking at all of your beautiful cakes and cookies! I am so impressed with your talent! This cake is so beautiful! My daughter and i have been baking and decorating fondant cakes for a little over a year. She loves to bake and decorate. We are getting all kinds of ideas here! I will for sure be back!
Posted by: Spruce Hill | Dec 05, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Gorgeous! And I like all the dots. :) Honestly, I'd probably think/dream about making this cake and be just as happy doing that and looking at your pictures than actually trying to make it myself! Of course, there's the whole not being able to eat it with that plan. So maybe I'll give it a shot someday. When I do, I'll let you know!
Thanks!
Posted by: Rachel Watters | Dec 06, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Oh, I LOVE THIS! Now I am super excited about this cake, and the red and green cake! Which to make , which to make? I will have such a hard time deciding. Thank you so very much for sharing! I am still getting rave reviews from your rainbow cake!
(this is Christina from Piggies and Pumpkins...I started a new blog, that I hope is more efficient :))
Posted by: christina | Dec 06, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Oh yea! If we can do the rainbow cake, we can *try* the faith cake -- perfect for Christmas! Wow, Amanda, you are making me pretty cool in my girls eyes! :) Thanks!
Posted by: Mary | Dec 06, 2009 at 10:22 PM
That's too cool! I just did an experiment for my husband's birthday but I don't think it turned out as tall and I used two cake mixes, making four round cakes. It turned out okay but your skills far surpass mine. Take a bow! You deserve it. Maybe one day I will give it a try. I just need to find the right occasion, and get a little more practice... and.... ummmmm... courage. Yeah, courage. Definately more courage!
Posted by: Ruth | Dec 06, 2009 at 10:56 PM
THAT IS AWESOME! I love love love it. I will never try to do this of course, because if I did my kitchen might explode... But still, I'm glad to know that someone else has this kind of talent!!
Posted by: Sharon | Dec 07, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I am in awe of your talent!
It looks sooo good.
If I get gutsy enough to attempt this I will make sure to document and blog about it;)
Posted by: Christina | Dec 07, 2009 at 02:59 PM
AMAZING!
Posted by: melissa~afamiliarpath | Dec 07, 2009 at 03:26 PM
I just discovered your blog and I am in LOVE. You are so creative, talented, and inspiring. I absolutely love all things baking and decorating and I am mesmerized by your creations! I am dying to try out your sugar cookie recipe. My husband and I recently moved to Germany and some of the key baking ingredients are different here. When I tried a Martha Stewart sugar cookie recipe that used baking powder, the cookies spread way too much and ended up being raw in the middle because the baking powder is just not the same. Yuck. The cookies I have made with baking soda (Natron here in Germany) have come out great.
I will definitely be a returning visitor!!
Katie
Posted by: Katie | Dec 07, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Love the cake, beautiful job...seems you think about desserts the way I think about food. You have a talent! BTW congrats on being featured on TK!
Posted by: Souffle Bombay | Dec 08, 2009 at 06:37 AM
hey amanda - random question not at all related to this post but i was wondering when you make your sugar cookies and then use the icing to outline and "flood" them, do you have to go over the outline after the flooded part dries? does the flooding ever cover the outline part? or should i just flood the whole thing before adding the outline details on top? not sure if that makes sense but if you have a moment i would love you advice:)
Posted by: Lucy | Dec 08, 2009 at 01:12 PM
beeeeeautiful cakey by the way!
Posted by: Lucy | Dec 08, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Very neat cake!
Posted by: Maria | Dec 08, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Wow! I think you'll be making that cake in heaven! Amazing! Are you sure you have toddlers? They must be very well behaved little ones! Thanks for the directions--if I'm snowed in for too long, I might just attempt this...or just bake a cake and eat it! :)
Posted by: Londa | Dec 08, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Hi Amanda,
I am going to try out your sugar cookie recipe tonight!I am wondering...does the frosting that you make dry hard or does it stay soft and sticky?
Posted by: Katie | Dec 09, 2009 at 03:14 AM
It will dry hard to the touch but it never gets as hard as royal icing... it should never crunch... hope you have fun baking!!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 09, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Nope, I will never be that adventurous and make it...but the piping on top is GORGEOUS!!!!
Posted by: Jenney | Dec 09, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Wow, wow, WOW! That's so cool! You do beautiful work!
Posted by: Melissa | Dec 10, 2009 at 05:07 PM
well, color me impressed and delighted! i've never seen anything like this, which is sad because it's truly incredible. your work is flawless and undoubtedly delicious too. :)
Posted by: grace | Dec 14, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hooray! I made one, and I think it was beauttiful! What a great idea! Actually I just posted a whole blog about all of your fabulous baking ideas that I have tried, minus the cookies (which I used another recipe for, and they were hard) so I will try your recipe next :) Thanks again for sharing!
Posted by: christina | Dec 15, 2009 at 08:58 AM
I was trying to figure out where this cake was going the whole time! And then I got the end- what a beautiful cake!
Posted by: Sidnie | Dec 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM
honestly, no, i will not try to make it but i LOVE it - so, so cool! and...your icing is gorgeous - so beautiful.
Posted by: Aimee | Dec 19, 2009 at 08:23 PM
beautiful cake!! I love the 'swirly things'!! And the peanut bars above looked like paydays...I'm salivating right now!! I think I found a new baking blog...love it!
Posted by: jessica | Dec 22, 2009 at 10:05 PM