Ben 10 Cake Design

by Theressa Happe

I receive many inquiries about how to create a Ben 10 cake.
There are a few different ways you can add a Ben 10 picture
to your cake and really have the results come out looking
realistic and professional.



If you're confident in your artistic skills, obviously you
can draw your image directly on top of the cake by piping
either buttercream icing, royal icing or piping gel. For
those of you who would like a more foolproof method to
recreate the image, there are a few different things you can
do.



If you don't already have a picture, you can find one by
searching Google images. Save the picture you like to your
computer. Using the photo editing tool of your choice, turn
your picture into a mirror image. (You're doing this because
the picture will be flipped over when it goes on the cake).
When you print out your picture, you'll want it to fit on
your cake, leaving room for any writing or border. Size the
picture accordingly.



Begin by taping the picture down to your work surface. Use
either the back of a cookie pan, a piece of sturdy
cardboard, a cutting board, or other sturdy flat surface.
Now tape plastic cling wrap over the picture. Make sure the
plastic wrap lays smoothly. Secure it with tape in several
spots along the edge so it won't move while you're working.



Using Royal Icing: You can use either white or black royal
icing to outline the picture. You will need the number 2 tip
and thick royal icing.

When the outline is done, let it harden up for half an hour.

Now you will need to thin the remainder of the royal icing.

Add water, one teaspoon at a time until the icing is the
consistency of cream.

While you are working, keep the icing covered with a damp towel,
as it dries out quickly.

Color the thinned royal icing according to the colors in the
picture. Use food coloring paste for best results.

Each color should have its own cup/bowl and cake decorating bag.

You will be flooding each area of the picture with a number 4
cake decorating tip. When you fill each area of the picture,
begin by piping around the inside of each section. Then fill
in the area with a zig zag motion. Pop any air bubbles with
a toothpick.

When the design is done, you can put it under a heat lamp,
if you have one.

If not, let it dry at least 24 hours, depending upon
humidity. When hardened, carefully peel off the cling
wrap and invert the royal icing picture on to the cake where
you want it.


Ben 10 in Buttercream Transfer: Set up is the same as with
royal icing, only you will outline the picture with
buttercream icing using the number 2 tip.

Fill in each area of the picture, beginning with the smallest
details first.

When the entire picture is filled in, spread a thick coat of
buttercream icing over the whole thing.

This should be the same color as the icing on your cake.

Also, pipe that same color around the outline of the whole
picture.

This will make the design look better when you put it on the cake.

Place the buttercream transfer into the freezer until hard.
When hardened, turn the buttercream transfer over, place it
where you want it on the cake and peel back the plastic
wrap.

Viola! Either way, you will end up with a proportionally
accurate replica of your original Ben 10 picture.

Theresa Happe is a baker, cake decorator, and author of
Cake-Decorating-Corner.com, where you will find Ben 10 cakes
and other (http://www.cake-decorating-corner.com) cake
decorating tips.