Pirate Ship Cakes

Pirate Ship Cake

This is a 4 layer cake. Each layer is a marbled cake. There is a cardboard sheet between the second and third layers for support. The cake is 8" wide and 8" tall at its highest point. 40" in length from tip to tip. the tallest mast is 23" high. The sails are made from paper so I could get the design I wanted.

I made the cannons and windows out of fondant. The waves are piped buttercream. The "wood" effect is piped buttercream, then I used a paint roller to smooth it instead of spreading it. I find a paint roller works well for creating a texture in crusted buttercream. I have used it several times to create a "leather look" on the purses I have made.

Lewis' Pirate Ship Cake

I used two rectangular plain sponge cakes, and built up the structures on the bow and stern (and the treasure chest) with lamingtons - a good old Australian sponge cake coated in chocolate icing and coconut.

I used buttercream piped on as long planks - very easy.

I made the masts from plastic chopsticks, and cut out simple paper shapes for the sails. These were taped to the chopsticks. Each sail was double-sided, which was a little fiddly but not difficult.

Other ingredients include:

Kit Kat - for the 'walk the plank' extension
Rolo - for the cannons
M & Ms - for portholes
liquorice straps cut on angles - for the shark fins
a plastic toy pirate figure
Cachous - silver and gold for the treasure chest
Ready-made lettering for the name and greeting
Candles - watch their proximity to the paper sails though!

Pirate Ship Birthday Cake