Ben 10 is a very popular cartoon character these days and lots of kids want a Ben 10 cake for their birthday. You make the cake yourself, without much cake decorating experience, by using an easy technique to copy a picture you select.
You can always draw a picture on the cake freehand in buttercream, piping gel or royal icing if you're artistic. If you want your picture to come out as close as possible to the original picture you select, here are a few 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.
Either method is relatively easy and will make your Ben 10 cake picture perfect.
You can always draw a picture on the cake freehand in buttercream, piping gel or royal icing if you're artistic. If you want your picture to come out as close as possible to the original picture you select, here are a few 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.
Either method is relatively easy and will make your Ben 10 cake picture perfect.
About the Author:
Theresa Happe is a baker, cake decorator, and author of Cake-Decorating-Corner.com, where you will find Ben 10 cakes and other cake decorating tips.
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