Train Cake

I used the Wilton Choo-Choo pan to make a gingerbread train during the winter, so this time I decided to try out it's intended use and make a cake.  The instructions stated that I needed to fill one of the pans (the one without the hole) until it was almost full. I figured this would take about 2 boxes of cake mix so I used two different ones, chocolate and Funfetti, and alternated layering them.

I first prepared the cake batter. (Beat eggs, then add oil, then water, and lastly, cake mix) I greased both halves of the pan with vegetable shortening by using a paper towel to wipe shortening into every nook and cranny. I started the layering process with the chocolate cake batter. I poured a small amount in the pan and used a spatula to spread it evenly, adding more batter if necessary. Next, I added the Funfetti batter. I continued alternating between the two types of cake batter until the train pan was full. I placed the filled half on a baking sheet to ease the transitions to and from the oven (and to catch any possible overflow while it was baking). I placed the other half on top and moved everything into a 350F oven.

Since the cake would rise to meet the top of the pan, I wanted to make sure that the shape would still be preserved even if it rose too much. I originally planned on putting a sheet cake pan on top, but realized that it would block steam from exiting the hole in the top pan. Instead, I solved the problem using a cupcake baking tray. It was heavy enough to keep the top down, and the shape allowed the hole to remain unblocked. Cake batter came out of the side of the pan while it was baking, but sitting the cake pan on a baking sheet helped me avoid a mess in my oven.

Because of the cake's thickness, it takes a while to bake. To check on the status of the cake without risking damage to its form, you can insert a skewer into the steam hole.

When the cake is done, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Carefully remove the top piece. If you have greased the pan well, this should be fairly easy. After removing it, place it back on the cake and flip the pan over. Removed the other pan carefully. Replace the pan. When the cake has cooled completely, place it on your cake board.

I frosted the cake with Wilton Buttercream.

A piece of sliced cake.

 
I wanted to try something new with the excess cake batter. I got a set of cookie cutters and decided to try and make mini shaped cakes. I picked a few cookie cutters, put each on a square of aluminium foil that I had already greased with shortening, and folded up the sides of the foil to match the shape of the cookie cutter.

I removed the cookie cutter, filled each foil shape half full with cake batter, and then baked them on a baking sheet. When they were ready, I let them cool for a few minutes, then carefully peeled the foil off. 

It's best to choose distinctive shapes--after the cakes have baked, they may loose a bit of detail. In this case you can see that I had used an elephant cookie cutter but the train is a little difficult to make out.

Star Wars Cupcakes

This weekend we had Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) and today is Revenge of the Sixth. So in honor of Star Wars, I am posting directions for Star Wars cupcakes, complete with a chocolate Death Star. (These were actually birthday cupcakes I made in February.)  I used a recipe from Brown Eyed Baker for Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting.

The cupcakes are fairly straightforward (and delicious!) The only two things I substituted were the sour cream in the cupcakes and the heavy cream in the frosting. I didn't realize that I had neither item on hand so I just substituted the sour cream with strained homemade yogurt and light cream for the heavy cream. The cupcakes and the frosting still turned out well. For the frosting I used the regular beater attachments on my hand mixer. I beat the peanut butter first, then added the confectioners sugar.

To make these Star Wars cupcakes I bought an X-Wing mold from ThinkGeek. (They were available a few months ago...) I filled the molds with melted candy melts, tapped them on the counter to get rid of air bubbles, and placed them in the freezer to harden. Removing them from their molds is a bit tricky. Since the wings of the X-Wing are thinner and therefore weaker than the body, they are prone to breaking when you unmold them. If they do break off, like most of mine did, just dip the broken edge into some melted candy melts and reattach it.

To make the Death Star I used a balloon. The idea came from an episode of Dessert Circus I had seen as a kid where Jacques Torres made a chocolate Easter egg using a balloon.  First, inflate your balloon to your required size. Do not overinflate. (I can only imagine what your kitchen would look like if a balloon covered in chocolate popped.) Tie your balloon with a ribbon or string.

I first covered about 3/4 of the balloon with chocolate using a spatula. In order to make it easier to hold the balloon, I placed the uncovered part of the balloon in a cup and attached it using tape. You will need to put a layer of chocolate on the balloon, let it cool, and repeat a few times to build a thick enough layer.

After I had a thick enough layer of chocolate, I used a pastry bag to drizzled melted candy melts.

If your fridge has enough space you can place the balloon and the cup in together. If not, wait until the chocolate had completely hardened (it will no longer look glossy), then remove the tape and carefully place the balloon in bowl to chill overnight. Since I did not tie the balloon with string, I had to carefully poke several holes in the neck of the balloon to allow for it to slowly deflate. Since this method took a while, I kept it in the fridge. If the chocolate got too warm while the balloon was deflating, it would crack. Slowly but surely, the balloon deflated. After the balloon deflated enough, I carefully peeled it away from the chocolate.

 

I placed the cupcakes and the chocolate Death Star in my cupcake carrier. I then placed the Death Star on the top layer and it fit perfectly... or so I thought. I didn't realize that the reason the cupcake carrier would not snap shut was because it did not fit. So I ended up destroying the Death Star. Yay?