I've been getting questions about the how-to's of my dolly cakes, so I figured I'd do a little show and tell with how to construct one of these lovelies. My most recent dolly cake was triple fun because a) Dolly got a Rihanna hair cut to match the birthday girl b) McQueen is always fun c) rainbows!
Here's a breakdown on the process:
1) choose a dress and doll. I always hunt down dolls that look like the model on the runway or if requested, the birthday girl.
2) visualize the finished product, and how you're getting there. Redecorating the cake is a massive hassle, and a little forethought will save you a ton of effort. With this McQueen cake, I knew the easiest solution was to paint on black food coloring with a paint brush, and using a tooth pick marble the food coloring in one motion. You don't have to get it exactly right. Just pick out the main elements and get those down, such as color, texture, or one big detail. You're creating an impression, not an exact replica.
3) bake the cake. You need a special dolly cake tin for this, and I have to be honest, scratch cakes are hit or miss because of the depth of the tin. I have some go-to recipes, but after my third attempt has cratered, I relent and pimp out some box mix. If you want to get a little crazy with it, you can tie dye or ombre fade the center by separating the batter and dying it with food coloring. For a fade, use at least 5 different shades.
4) while the cake is cooling, style the doll's hair and get started on the torso. I have used food coloring, cocoa powder, copper wire, crimping iron, glue, icing, and God knows what else to get the hair just so. Adjust the make-up if need be. It's amazing what a sharpie and some face powder can do. With the torso, I almost always use powdered sugar icing, which is just powdered sugar, a touch of water, and dye. For the McQueen cake I hot glue gunned coffee filters I had cut to create the bat wing effect of the sleeve. The texture had a bit of grip so it was perfect for the icing. The final, and worst part, is cutting off the dolls legs at the knees if she's not a doll cake topper. At this point, after primping and dressing her, I've grown attached, and that snip snap is excruciating.
5) Decorate the cake. Stick the doll in the top of the cake and get started. Make whatever frosting you like, careful to keep it cool. When you're working with it the heat can cause the butter to separate, which is an awful greasy mess. Also, if you're using a ton of sprinkles, go easy on the sugar in the frosting. The sprinkles have plenty of sweetness on their own. If you're testing out a technique, try it in the back first where mistakes are easier to mask. I take a break halfway through if I can, just so I can come back at it with fresh eyes. My sister has walked in and asked, "What the hell is that?" in the midst of my frosting fueled delirium, and I always end up agreeing with her.
6) It's done and your kitchen looks like a train hit it! At least it does if you're me. Take a break and then hit those dishes and a glass of wine, you deserve it!
7) cut into her skirt and enjoy with a scoop of ice cream!
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