Creating a 'Sharky' Goldfish Birthday Cake

Supplies:

• 2-layer cake, baked and iced
• gum paste
• 5 lb fondant, divided and colored
• orange gel color
• black gel color
• blue gel color
• fondant tools
• fondant roller (with guides)
• rolling mat
• circle cutters
• toothpicks

Steps:

1. Prepare the cakes according to the package instructions. Fill and layer them, then apply icing to the top and sides. You need one 8 inch 2-layer cake and one 6 inch 2-layer cake.

 

 
2. Divide fondant in half. Color one half orange and set the other half aside. Roll out the orange fondant. Then use a small circle cutter to make the scales. Cut some of the circles in half for the first row around the cake. Note: Save the leftover orange fondant. You will need it for the goldfish body, tail, and "ball" trim for the base of the cake.

 

 
Advertisement


3. Add the first row of half scales to the cake. Then add the second row, partially overlapping the first. Continue up the side of the cake, as shown below.

 

 

 
4. When you get to the top, wrap the row of scales up over the edge, then continue towards the center of the top. See photos below. I didn't go all the way to the middle, since the smaller cake would cover it.

 

 

 
5. Take the fondant that you set aside and knead in some gum paste. Then divide it and color it as follows:
   
   
   • dark blue (top of small cake and 2 rows of ruffles)
   • medium blue (2 rows of ruffles)
   • light blue (2 rows of ruffles)
   • white (bubbles for trim and goldfish's eyes)
   • black (shark fin, strap, and pupils)
   
   
   Note: The added gum paste should help the ruffles hold their form and prevent too much sagging.

 
Advertisement


6. Thinly roll out the light blue fondant and cut it into 1 in. strips. Repeat with the other 2 blue colors.

 
7. Cover the top of the cake with a piece of dark blue fondant. Then begin adhering the light blue fondant strips to the icing, ruffling them as you go.

 

 
8. Then do the medium blue and dark blue ruffles. I did 2 rows of each color, working from top to bottom.

 

 

 
Advertisement


9. Create the body of the goldfish and add the small side fins. Then place the body on top of the cake, as shown below.

 

 
10. Cut out the tail from a rolled out piece of orange fondant. Place it at the base of the goldfish and drape it onto the cake. You can add a secondary tail fin, (see step 11 photo), if desired.

 
11. Use fondant tools to make holes for the eyes and mouth. Roll two small balls of white fondant for the eyes, then add tiny black fondant pupils. Make the shark fin and strap out of black fondant and place them onto the goldfish's back.

 

 

 

 
Advertisement


12. Option: Create lips for the goldfish and attach them to his mouth.

 
13. Create bubbles from white fondant. I alternated small and large balls. Place them around the base of the smaller cake, as shown below. Then make large orange fondant balls to go around the base of the larger cake. Tip: To make consistent sized balls, use 2 sizes of circle cutters, then roll them into balls.

 

 
14. Here is the finished cake from various angles. Have fun!

 

 

 

 
Advertisement


15. "Happy Birthday!"

 

 

msjodiwms
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 182 Feedbacks

January 10, 20170 found this helpful

Creative and intricate work on the cake! A cake that will always be remembered. Good job!

attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts

July 27, 20170 found this helpful

You're so talented.. Love this!