Making realistic tree bark

I started with ivory fondant that I then added extra AmeriColor ivory to darken it. 

Then using the Oak Tree Texture Mat I rolled out a section at a time to cover the cake. 

I place the fondant over the mat and roll until I can barely see the texture through the mat. 

Then I flipped the whole thing over and peeled off the texture mat. 

I then cut the sections to the height of the cake plus approximately 1/4".  Using some "glue" of your choice attach to your cake. I just used water to attach to my buttercream. 

I forgot to get a photo of the sections on the cake prior to dusting.  So, here is one on the table showing how I dusted.

To color I used Penzey's Spices Dutch Process Cocoa powder -- any cocoa powder or a brown petal dust will work -- along with some corn starch to get the variegated colors you want. 

Blend the two items together and brush on the cake with a nice fluffy brush.  Making variations in the colors as you dust will make the cake look more natural.  ** Emailed question -- Which direction did you brush on the the color to get the best natural coloration?  Answer -- I didn't brush in any particular direction.  I brushed with the bark grain, sideways, in circles -- basically I was ubber messy in my dusting.  This of course required major cleanup on the board -- but a little Everclear on a napkin and it wiped up nicely.

As you can see in the photo below the left half is the undusted original fondant piece and right half has been dusted with the cocoa powder/corn starch. 

DTC Products Used:
Oak Tree Bark Large

Similar DTC Products:
Pear Tree Bark

Don't like fondant and want to use the mat with some buttercream?  Check out the this blog Silicone Texture Mats and Buttercream

Isomalt Log using Texture Mats

Today we are going to show you how to make a textured log for your next isomalt scene.

Remember when working with isomalt to take precautions against getting burned.  The sugar gets very hot!  Wear gloves and keep a bucket of ice water handy in the event you get sugar on you.

I'm going to use my Oak Tree Bark texture mat.  You could also use the  Pear Tree Bark texture mat.  For the first step I am going to pour the isomalt onto the back side of the mat.  You may use any smooth silicone mat or silpat type product for this step.

I used clear and white isomalt nibs from CakePlay.  They were melted in the microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted.  Then I added a few drops of brown food coloring until I reached the desired color; using a long bamboo skewer to stir the mixture.  

Pour out a portion of the isomalt onto the back of the mat.  Use a skewer to keep it from oozing off the sides.  

As it starts setting keep folding the mat over folding the sugar onto itself.  

Once the sugar forms together use your hand to roll the isomalt back and forth forming a log.  ** Remember to do what I say and not what I'm showing -- please wear a glove as the sugar may still be warm enough to burn. **

Continue rolling until you get a round log of the desired shape.  Times will vary depending on the amount of isomalt in your log.  The larger log below took almost 30 minutes to cool where the small one only took about 10.

Make sure they are solid and cold before you continue or the log will become misshaped on the next step.

Now heat up your brown isomalt again.  You will pour this onto the textured side of your bark mat.

Pour out an amount that is larger than your log.  Use the skewer to flip the extended ends back over itself as they start to cool.  Allow this to set until it is firm but still slightly soft.  Bend the mold, if it cracks it is too cool, you may use a blow torch to soften the top surface.

Once softened, place the log onto the middle of the area.  Fold the mat over the log.

Roll the texture mat around the log center.  I then used rubber bands to hold in place.

Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.....

DTC Products Used:
Oak Tree Bark Large Texture Mat
Pear Tree Bark Texture Mat

CakePlay Products Used:
Clear Isomalt Nibs
White Isomalt Nibs

March Madness

Thank you Virginia Marker for the latest blog post!

Here are the molds used for the project:  Basketball mold, Basketball Jersey mold, wood grain texture mat and basketball/football texture mat.  

Covering the board:  Roll out the fondant and texture with the wood grain mat.  

Cut the fondant into strips and arrange on the board for the flooring.

When doing the jersey mold, I mixed in some tylose so the jersey would stand next to the cake.

The unmolded jersey.  You may use different dusts and coloring to paint your jersey in a variety of colors.

Using the basketball mold, pour in some orange colored candy melts.

After the chocolate sets, pop out the basketball.  

You can then use some dust to enhance the lines of the basketball.  Wouldn't that make a great cupcake topper?

Cover your cake in orange colored fondant.

Using the basketball/football texture mat to texture the fondant.

Paint the board with a light brown to bring out the wood grain texture on the board.  Then draw on your basketball lines.

Add in the jersey and basketball mold to finish off the cake!

Check out more of Virginia's work on her Facebook page

V's Culinary Delights

DTC Products Used:
Basketball Jersey
Basketball
Football/Basketball Texture Mat
Tree Bark Texture Mat