How to Make Suit/Tuxedo Cake Tiers

This is a tutorial on how to make fondant suit or tuxedo cake tiers. These cakes are great as birthday cakes for men. They can be made in single or double tiers. The benefit of a double tier is that the bottom tier can be made in a different theme. These cakes are easy to make and can be made in a wide range of colors and designs.

Suit Top Tier with Pipe Fittings Themed Bottom Tier

Suit Top Tier with Gears Themed Bottom Tier

TOOLS:

(1) Cylindrical Container wrapped with Parchment Paper to dry Collar

(2) Rolling Pin

(3) X-Acto Knife/ Sharp Blade

(4) Button Mold

(5) Fondant Stitching Wheel

(6) Paint Brush

THE PROCESS:

(1) First, make the bow tie and buttons. I used a silicon button mold for the buttons. A tutorial on how to make bow ties can be found here. You can also make a regular fondant tie instead of a bow tie. If using a regular tie, this should be done while the cake is being decorated as the fondant needs to soft.

(2) Make the shirt collar. Roll out fondant and cut into a 2 inch high strip. The strip of fondant should be long enough to wrap the cylindrical container around which the collar would be dried. Cut the 2 ends of the fondant strip to form the collar shape. Use a fondant stitching wheel to stitch the edges of the collar.

Cover the side of the cylindrical container you are going to use with parchment paper. The size of the container should be smaller than the cake tier of the suit by about 2 inches. Wrap the collar around the container and stick the tips together in front. Curve the top of the collar in front and leave it to dry this way. I would advice making the collar at least a day before decorating the cake. It also helps to use firm fondant for the collar so it holds shape when curved in front.

When the collar is dry, remove the container. Roll out more fondant, brush the rolled out fondant with a bit of water or vodka, stick the collar to it and cut out the excess fondant. This will create a base for the collar.

(3) With the collar completed, its time to cover the cake tier with fondant. I prefer to use the panel method for this design. You can also drape the tier.

(4) Make the shirt insert. Roll out fondant and cut into a triangle the same height as the cake + 2 inches. Cut out the tip of the triangle, invert the triangle and stick it to the front of the cake. Any excess fondant should be laid on top of the cake. This excess fondant would help connect the shirt with the collar when the cake is completed so the collar does not look disjointed. If you covered your cake using the panel method, the shirt can be used to cover the seam. Make a placket for the buttons, stitch the edges and stick it to the front of the shirt.

If you want to make a stripped suit, add the stripes now. I have a tutorial here on how to make vertical stripes on cakes.

(5) Make the suit lapel. To do this, measure the length of one side of the shirt. Use this measurement to make a lapel template on paper. Roll out fondant and cut out 2 lapels using your template. Stick the lapels to both sides of the shirt.

(6) Make the breast pocket and pocket square and stick to the cake.

(7) Next, finish assembling the cake starting with the shirt collar. Stick this to the top of the cake.

(8) Finish the cake design by sticking the buttons and bow tie to the shirt.

That’s all there is to it. Happy caking!

About Terry Adido

Terry Adido is passionate about showing people how easy it is to recreate restaurant quality meals in the comfort of their kitchens. With a style of cooking he refers to as Afro-European Fusion, his meals are influenced greatly by French and Italian Cuisine with a West African twist. If you love good food, you are in for the ride of your life.