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Fairytale Ruffle Cake

July 23, 2015 by Carrie Sellman

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

I’ve partnered up with Cakes.com to bring you inspiration for a fairytale Cinderella birthday plus a new buttercream ruffle cake tutorial.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Today’s cake is fit for a princess.  Specifically speaking – a little princess who loves fairytales, super frilly ruffles and all things magical!  I know a Cinderella lover or two and I’m guessing you do too.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

This cake takes me back to when I sold custom cakes professionally, long before The Cake Blog even existed.  Summertime was the season of birthday parties and my order book was constantly filled with Cinderella cakes, Ariel cakes, Spiderman cakes – you name it!  I always found it challenging to work with licensed characters, balancing customer demand for their favorite princess or action hero and the copyright laws that surround them.  At first, I tried to make the characters myself, either drawing freehand with buttercream or sculpting with fondant.  I must admit, sculpting 3D characters was definitely not my strong suit.  Once I educated myself on copyright laws, I knew that I needed a better option for my business.  That’s when I first found DecoSet® Cake Toppers through my bakery wholesaler.  All of the popular characters my customers wanted, made with food-safe materials and designed especially for cakes.  I would flip through the DecoPac catalog to check out all of the cute cake toppers and get ideas for new cake designs.

Fast forward ten years and now these same products trusted by professional bakeries are available online to everyone at Cakes.com.If you’ve never visited Cakes.com before, definitely check it out!  You’ll find cake decorating tools and supplies just like the pros use, from brands like DecoPac, Kee-Seal, Ateco and more.  Plus a gallery of ideas and tutorials to help you create an impressive cake display.

 

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

 

I love that you can incorporate DecoSet® Cake Toppers into any style of cake.  I personally gravitate towards minimal designs where the cake is inspired by a character rather than being a literal interpretation.  While this Cinderella topper would certainly work in an over-the-top cake creation, today she’s the leading lady in this dreamy ruffle scene.

Speaking of ruffles, let’s get a closer look at these buttercream ribbons!  They are definitely frilly and they’re actually easier than you may think.  A closed star tip gives us several lines of ruffles, all interwoven at once, which makes for quicker piping and more forgiveness when it comes to straight and even lines.  Which is something I think we all can appreciate!

 

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

To complete the Cinderella look, I sprinkled a circle of jimmies, nonpareils, sanding sugar and small fondant stars on top of the cake.  I wanted it to look like the magical stars that encircle Cinderella when the fairy godmother waves her wand.  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!  In the very center is Cinderella herself.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

My daughter had her eye on this Disney Princess Cinderella Cake Topper the entire time I was shooting this tutorial.  She was so pumped to finally play with it after we cut the cake.  It comes with a coordinating plaque and dress clings so the birthday girl can play dress-up long after the party is over.

 

Disney Princess Cinderella Transforms DecoSet® Cake Topper

I think it’s about time to slice this cake and start the Fairytale Ruffles tutorial!  Here we go!

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

CINDERELLA CAKE WITH FAIRYTALE BUTTERCREAM RUFFLES
a DIY by Carrie Sellman

Supplies

8″ Round Layer Cake
Swiss Meringue Buttercream Icing (2 batches)
Gel Food Color, in royal blue and violet
12″ Kee-Seal Ultra Grip Disposable Piping Bags
Closed Star Decorating Tip #852
Disney Princess Cinderella Transforms DecoSet® Cake Topper
Various sizes of sprinkles (white jimmies, royal blue jimmies, white nonpareils, white sanding sugar)
Fondant stars

 

Stack and fill a cake of your choosing.  Coat the exterior with a thin layer of frosting to lock in the crumbs.  Refrigerate 10 minutes or until firm.  TIP: To help keep your rows of ruffles straight, use a ruler to mark vertical lines around the side of the cake, spaced about one inch apart, before refrigerating.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Color remaining buttercream frosting to match the light blue portion of Cinderella’s dress using the royal blue gel and just a tad of the violet gel.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Fill a Kee-Seal disposable piping bag, fitted with the closed star decorating tip, with frosting.  I used a 12″ bag so that the heat from my hand didn’t melt the icing as I worked, ensuring good definition in the ruffles.  The ultra grip bag also has a little bit of texture to outside of it, more like a canvas bag, so you can keep a good grip even after the bag gets buttery.

TIP: It is best to decorate this cake directly on the cake stand or on a finished cake board that is at least several inches larger than the cake itself.  Otherwise you risk damaging the bottom edge of ruffles when moving your cake (like I did).  Keep in mind that you’ll want to store this cake in the refrigerator when choosing a cake stand verses a cake board.

Place decorating tip at bottom edge of cake, gently resting upon the side of the cake.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Using steady pressure, squeeze the bag and move side to side while also moving up the side of the cake.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Keep going until you have a complete vertical row, slightly overlapping the top edge.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

 

Create a second row of ruffles right next to the first, using the same process.  Repeat until you have completely covered the sides of the cake with ruffles.  Fill the remaining open portion on top with a swirl of icing.  Smooth and level the top of the cake using an offset spatula.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Sprinkle a light circle of mixed white and royal blue jimmies, white nonpareils, white sanding sugar and white fondant stars.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Add the Disney Princess Cinderella Transforms DecoSet® Cake Topper and your cake is complete.

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

 

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com

Store the cake in the refrigerator to keep the ruffle definition even in warm weather.  Serve at room temperature and enjoy!

Cinderella Cake - how to make a Cinderella birthday cake with fairytale buttercream ruffles | Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com


 

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Cakes.com is your online resource for high quality cake decorating products trusted by the pros.

Cakes.com is your online resource for high quality cake decorating products trusted and preferred by cake decorating professionals and bakeries across the continent. Cakes.com offers over 1,500 products from cake and cupcake toppers to fondant, gum paste and decorating tools. Whatever you’re creating, Cakes.com has what you need to make it memorable.

Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Cakes.com.  The opinions expressed are 100% mine.  Tutorial, styling and photography by Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com.

July 23, 2015 by Carrie Sellman

Carrie Sellman , Founder & Editor

Carrie Sellman is the Founder & Editor of The Cake Blog. Her work has been published in BRIDES Magazine, Country Living Magazine and featured online at People, Today, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Redbook, Real Simple, TLC, The Cooking Channel and more.

connect with Carrie :

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Comments

  1. Brittany says

    July 23, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    What an absolutely gorgeous cake!

    • Carrie Sellman says

      July 24, 2015 at 7:19 am

      Thank you Brittany!

      • Crystal says

        December 15, 2015 at 12:02 pm

        Where can I find the meringue Swiss buttercream recipe?

        • Megan says

          June 7, 2016 at 10:44 am

          I use Martha Stewart’s Swiss meringue. It’s been a favourite for me (the chocolate and coconut variations are to die for).

  2. Judith Hergert says

    July 26, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    Carrie, love, love, love the fairytale ruffle cake. Just about to finish my first course (4 lessons) in mastering buttercream. I can’t wait to make this beautiful cake! Thanks for sharing it.

    • Carrie Sellman says

      August 3, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      Thank you Judith! You’ll be a buttercream master before you know it!

  3. Belinda @ bindybee says

    July 30, 2015 at 7:19 am

    I love this cake! It looks absolutely beautiful. Simple but stunning. Pinning and sharing:)

    • Carrie Sellman says

      August 3, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks for the pin love Belinda!

  4. Megan says

    July 30, 2015 at 10:37 am

    I’m impressed with how straight/clean your layers look! What is your secret to such perfectly leveled cakes?

    • Carrie Sellman says

      August 3, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      Thanks Megan! I use a long serrated knife to cut the tops off each layer of cake before assembling. I also measure the filling between each layer so that it is uniform. Not much of a secret, but that’s how I do it! Hope it helps!

      You can also find a step-by-step guide by one of our contributors here:
      https://thecakeblog.com/2014/04/how-to-build-a-cake-like-a-pro.html

  5. Helen Abt says

    August 9, 2015 at 7:16 am

    Thank you for the tutorials! ! Your cakes are amazing! ! I have a long way to go! !! 🙂

  6. Hershy says

    August 26, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    Hi 😊 i just want to ask about the icing colour you mention that its a royal blue gel and a tad of violet gel as well i just want i really love the colour of your icing thank you for sharing you fantastic cake

  7. Lovie says

    September 23, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    the inside of your cake is beautiful, is it a recipe that has been shared on your site before?

  8. Mindy says

    September 24, 2015 at 9:48 am

    LOOOOVE this cake and was wondering along with Lovie if you have the recipes for both the cake and frosting used posted elsewhere. I love the look of that slice!

  9. Carolyn says

    June 2, 2016 at 12:09 am

    While icing your cake do you store it in the fridge in between lines I recently made a Cinderella doll cake but the roses were melting how do you keep that from happening

  10. Faby says

    January 3, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    I was just wondering what tip are you using to make the design on the cake?

  11. Vanessa Christiane says

    June 25, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Wow that’s truly stunning! I ordered a new icing set to bake /ice cupcakes for the CuppaForCansa I hosted, wanting to use the double bag I found I’d made my pink icing too runny and my white way too Stiff! What a mission I eventually just gave up!

  12. Neelam says

    January 10, 2019 at 10:01 pm

    You make Awesome cakes

Trackbacks

  1. 50+ Charming Birthday Cakes for Grown Ups – With Recipes! ⋆ says:
    October 23, 2019 at 1:24 am

    […] Cinderella Ruffle Cake […]

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