Fondant “Wooden” Cake Board Tutorial
A wooden cake board is the perfect way of finishing your cakes. This is how to achieve a perfect wood finish on your fondant covered cake board. For a more detailed post on how to cover cake boards, click here.
TOOLS:
(1) A Cake Board
(2) Paint Brushes
(3) Knife/Pizza Cutter or Fondant Cutter
INGREDIENTS
(1) Gel Paints (Brown)
(2) Water or Alcohol (Vodka)
(6) Fondant. See how to make easy fondant here.
PROCEDURE
(1) Cover your cake board with fondant. It helps to spray some little water on the cake board before covering it with fondant. Trim the edges of the cake board to remove excess fondant. It is good practice to cover the sides of the cake board with ribbons when you are done.
(2) Use a ruler to cut horizontal lines (grooves) across the fondant covered cake board. Use a sharp knife, pizza cutter or fondant cutter to do this. Knives some times leave drag marks on the fondant. The lines should be deep but not so deep as to reach the cake board itself. I usually use the width of the ruler as my guide for how wide the horizontal lines should be.
(3) Next, use a knife or fondant cutter to make vertical lines on the fondant. Arrange the lines so that the finished product looks like a wooden floor. Pretend as though you are laying bricks.
(4) Next, mix some brown color paste with alcohol or water. The quantity of liquid you use will reflect on the final color of the cake board. I use Wilton color paste for this. I prefer to use alcohol (Vodka) because it gives the fondant a glossy finish. Also, paints mix better with alcohol.
(5) Use a large paint brush and paint across the cake board. Make wide brushes. You can’t go wrong here.
(6) This next step is optional. You can use another color like orange or yellow to provide some contrast. If taking this step, use a small paint brush and apply the contrasting color in the middle of each tile. Next, use the large paint brush to brush over it until blended. You can deep the paint brush in some liquid to help with the blending process.
(7) Next, use a small paint brush to apply some brown color paste on all the grooves you made earlier and on one edge of each tile. This will make the grooves stand out. It also adds contrast to the cake board.
(8) Finally, use your large brush dipped in some liquid to blend the colors. Keep blending until you achieve the desired look.
You can make the finished product darker by not blending the brown color paste fully.
Below are some cakes I made using the wooden cake board.
VARIATIONS
This technique can be varied in a lot of ways.
(1) You can choose to make only diagonal lines on the fondant and color. In the picture below, I used yellow fondant to give the wood a different look. I also colored with ivory color paste and not brown.
(2) This technique can also be used with different colors to make various types of cake boards.
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.
What ‘re you? You ‘re definitely out of this world! U’re the Albert Einstein of Cakes.
Thanks. I’m flattered.
Can I use brandy in place of vodka pls?
As a general rule, I would prefer a white and neutral liquor for cake decor. Since however the wood would be brown, brandy should work. Brandy is quite expensive though, might be hard to use it liberally.
Mr. Terry tnx alot of sharing this! Ure d best.
You are welcome.
Thank u Terry for dis tutorial. Am planning to bake nd decorate a bed cake for my daughters nd d wooden board is perfect for wat I want. U’re awesome. Luv u so much.
You are welcome. Loving you right back.
Wow! U’re so good. Well done sire
Thank you.
You are great
Thank you.
This is awesome! I so much love it. Thanks so much
You are welcome Bolu.
May almighty GOD bless u and establish ur business.
Thanks Cynthia
Pls terry am in Nigeria how much and what will it take to learn from you directly
Hi. I do not offer classes for pay. Thanks for inquiring.
I ve never seen a more selfless person! Thanks for all your detailed tutorials….
Thank you.
Awesome tutorial, thanks for sharing. I’m using the concept for the cake I’m making next.
You are welcome Tosin
thank u soo much terry u inspire me. i usually use dusting colours for painting but recently i tried wilton food colour but didnt like d outcome .i noticed while painting some colour coming together like twas not properly mixed, and dis stains d painting, making it difficult to achieve d desires effect. What do u think happenes?
I cant say what happened. Wilton is all I use. Did u use water? These colors work best with alcohols like vodka.
Ur very creative,always d best
Thanks
Weldone Terry! Cute! Actually googled ‘how to make a bed cake’ wen I saw ds n decided to chek it out. Definitely trying it out. Pls, have u got a tutorial for the bed cake @ the top of ds page? Wil realy apreciate it.
Hi. I do not have a tutorial for bed cake. I however do have one on how to make the bed frames. It can be found here.
U’re too much!I’m learning endlessly from u Oga Terry. Tnx n God will continue to bless ur efforts n reward ur free gifts to us. Tnxx! Sir pls can I use edible spirit in mixing d colour n brushing out unwanted icing sugar? Tnx
Thanks. Edible spirit will work.
U re alwayz a life safer.Pls,can vokda be used to paint a cake to have a shinning effect?
Thanks. Yes, I always brush my cakes with vodka both to remove any icing sugar residue and also to give it a glossy effect. For an even more glossy effect, consider steaming your cakes if you have access to a and steamer. Adding a bit of corn syrup to the vodka before brushing the cake will add even more gloss.
I recently discovered your site (hence the late comment) and I’m in awe. Your tutorials are so easy to follow and you do it for free. Not every gifted person is as willing to share their gift with others. Kudos to you.
You are welcome. Welcome.
Thanks so much. . really inspiring, God bless you
You are welcome.
thank you Mr. Terry. I tried the method yesterday and it really made a lot of difference. how can I send you the picture so you can see the cake and the work of your silent student( always eager to get new tutorials from you, the cake maestro). you always rock. have a lovely holiday
Hi Jules. Glad to hear. You can send me a picture on my facebook page.
Terry,you are just the best. You teach from the depth of your heart. I always come over to you as the final tutor in any tutorial and I have never been disappointed. Thumbs up!
Thanks Grace.
Hi Terry,can i use vodka with My color paste for kids birthday cake?
The alcohol is supposed to evaporate. If its a worry, you can use lemon extract.
I’m being taught by the best, yay!! I’m learning so much from you, Terry. Thank you for another excellent tutorial. You teach from the depth of your soul.
You are welcome Joy.