While I don’t have time to decorate right now (I’m just hoping to get to making some costumes!) I do LOVE October and in honor of this wonderful month and my favorite season (fall) I just had to share one of my all time favorite cakes. It’s from back in the day when I had maybe one blog reader so it won’t be too familiar to you all so I hope you enjoy it.
I actually made it for Thanksgiving dinner 2 years ago. If I made it for Halloween I’d make it a Jack O’ Lantern! Wouldn’t that be SO cute! I might just have to do that! This was my first airbrushing ever. It was also an all-nighter for me, but most of my cakes are!! I hand carved the cake, covered it with Orange fondant and then started airbrushing away!!! I was so nervous. But I love love LOVE the end result! I added a green marbled fondant stem and airbrushed it as well.
When I showed it to my Uncle the next day he actually grabbed the stem and pulled! AHHHH! He thought it was a ceramic container and that the dessert was inside! We ended up using it as our centerpiece for the meal! This was the first time I used Ganache under fondant instead of buttercream. Changed my life! It’s my favorite way to do it. It holds in the moisture AND it doesn’t squish out all over the place when you put the fondant on. So happy October and early Halloween festivities!
Heather (@slclunches)
This cake looks amazing. I can’t believe that it’s a real cake. Beautiful!
Ashlee
Thank you! I really love this cake and how well it turned out!
Amanda @ Every Crafty Endeavor
Your cake is totally awesome! What talent you have! I love it – are you going to the GNO on Thursday? If so, I will see you there!!
Ashlee
Thank you! And I WILL be heading to GNO! I’m SO excited! I’ve never been to The Chocolate, have you?
Stephanie
That cake is awesome! I wish I had an airbrush machine – it looks SO good!!
Thanks for sharing again!!
Ashlee
Thanks! It’s a really fun toy! I haven’t used it as often as I THOUGHT I would, but I love having it!
Sandy Toe
I cannot believe that is a cake…I kept looking at it!
sandy toe
Ashlee
Thanks! I’m not always in love with my cakes, but this one was different! I love love LOVE how well this one turned out!
Cheapskate4Life
This is amazing! You should send this to Cake Wrecks for their Sunday Sweets feature! Every Sunday they feature amazing beautiful cakes from various decorators & I think this should be included!
Ashlee
Thank you! I’d love to be featured there someday! Just as long as I don’t ever end up on a wreck page! Ha! I actually based this cake off a fall/pumpkin wedding cake I saw featured on Sunday Sweets around 3 years ago!
Lorie
That cake is amazing!! I love it. Thanks for linking up to Show and Tell Saturday!!
Ashlee
Thanks for hosting! I started hosting my own party because it’s just so much fun to see everyones amazing crafts!
Lizibeth @ thePathLessTraveled
that thing is just GORGEOUS!!!
what flavor was the cake?
Ashlee
Chocolate of course! Does dessert even count if it’s not chocolate? My motto has always been “if it’s not chocolate, what’s the point”. And I have a TO DIE for Chocolate cake. I have great cakes in other flavors, but this one is over the top AMAZING! I guess I could have gone with my pumpkin cake, but since I also made a few pumpkin pies I didn’t think it was neccessary! I also made a few lemon pies, pecan pies, and of course chocolate pies for the gathering!
Allie
Wow! It looks amazing! I have never done ganache rather than buttercream but it makes Absolute sense! WIll be trying this for upcoming fourth birthday… You should come link this up to my Making It With Allie party! It ends shortly but will be open again later this week. I would love to have you add your projects! They are lovely!
Allie
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Ashlee
Thanks! I love working with Ganache. It’s so much better for under fondant. You put it on and let it dry, then if there is any place that’s no perfect just rub your finger over it. The little heat from your finger melts the bad spot. So it seals in the cake and moister, and it’s a smooth, strong support for fondant. LOVE it! BTW I absolutely LOVE your candy corn dress! Was that all done with a serger? I’ve got to get myself one of those! AMAZING!
Southern Fried Gal
Oh.My.Word! Girl – that is gorgeous. I can’t believe it is a cake! You are one talented gal!
Ashlee
Thank you! I really should have taken a picture once it was cut into to “prove” it! It totally surprised everyone there! Oh, and I love those HUGE black urns by your door! Did you get them like that, or paint them?
Amie Irwin
I love the pumpkin cake.. it looks SOOO real.. amazing.. hope you post a tutorial!
Ashlee
I’m glad you like it! I actually made it almost 2 years ago for Thanksgiving, WAY before craft blog’s and tutorials had entered my life! I didn’t even think to take pictures of the process. But I just started with an 8 inch round cake 6 inches tall and just started carving away. Then covered it with Ganache then fondant. Then airbrushed it and voila!
Shayna @ Texas Monkey
This is amazing just beautiful! I’d love for you to link up with my Pumpkin theme link up party this week.
http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/2010/10/all-aoubt-you-monday-link-up-party.html
Ashlee
thanks for the invitation! I linked up!
Ami Allison
OK….that is a cake!?! SERIOUSLY!? WOW!! That is AWESOME!!! It looks like a ceramic pumpkin you would find at pottery barn!! Oh. Em. Gee. Awesome job girl!!!
Ashlee
Thank you! I’ve been meaning to do it again this year, maybe that jack o lantern this time!
Birgit K.
That is one awesome looking pumpkin! And seriously it has GANACHE in it too! I think that might just make it the perfect cake 🙂
Ashlee
I thought so! It turned out better than I expected, and it was SUPER tasty too! I really LOVED how it turned out!
Nestygirl
That is so beautiful! It really doesn’t look like a cake!
I’m visiting from Making the World Cuter. Have a great week!
Ashlee
thanks! I still can’t believe I didn’t take a picture once it was cut!
Miki
Your cakes are amazing!
Ashlee
Thank so much! I really enjoy making them.
Satakieli
Oh. My. Goodness.
What a stunning cake!
Ashlee
thank you very much! Your pear and dark chocolate crumble looks just DELICIOUS! I am in love with all things dark chocolate!
Al
Look out cake boss – there is a new boss in town
Ashlee
You are TOO sweet! Wouldn’t that be so much fun, to get to make fun cakes ALL the time? And I love your pillows! I hadn’t looked too much into designing my own textiles, but now I’m going to check out the companies you use and look into it!
Sunny's Life in Rehab
Woman, I simply DEMAND a tutorial! This is so seriously amazing, I honestly thought it was ceramic!
Ashlee
I’ll have to make another one, since back when I made this I never considered a tutorial! It’s our pet pig’s birthday this month (on the 31st) though so maybe I’ll be able to throw one together in honor of him!
Jessica Sorensen
This is crazy good. I wish I was any good at cake decorating.
Ashlee
Thanks! Those High top cupcakes look great! They are on my list of things to do soon! I wish I was good a photography so I guess we all have something more we wish we could do! I bet you’d be better than you think at cake decorating, you obviously have a good eye!
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue
It definitely fooled me. I thought it was a ceramic piece as well. It is so real looking. You are awesome!
Ashlee
I’m tickled every time I hear that! It really was so much fun to create!
Kimra
Okay, I can’t even tell that’s a cake! Amazing!!
Kimra
http://kimraskreations.blogspot.com
Ashlee
Thank you so much!
cheryl@scrapaddicat4sure
When I first saw this picture I thought it was
pottery ,too! This is really well done. If you like you can post a link to this project on my blog.
Ashlee
I linked up! Thanks for the invitation!
Lei
Whoa, i can’t believe that’s a CAKE! Fabulous!
Ashlee
Thank you so much! I’m tickled that everyone likes it!
Kathleen
Holy Guacamole! It’s just beautiful. You’re so talented. Thanks for sharing your creation.
Ashlee
Thank you! Even 2 years later I’m still super pleased with this one!
Donene Jones
Wow, that is some cake! It is gorgeous!
Ashlee
Thank you!!!!
Mandy
Beautiful! It looks to amazing to be real! I’m super impressed 🙂
Ashlee
Thanks so much! It was really fun to make!
Stacey
Wow! What an amazing cake! It would almost be painful to cut into that piece of art. But I am sure it tasted oh so good once you did! What an amazing tallent to have, I wish I had the patience!
Ashlee
Lucky for me it doesn’t bother me to cut into a cake. But usually people make me do it because they don’t want to!
Shannon- Cozy Home Scenes
That cake is so pretty. I would have thought it was a figurine too if you hadn’t said it was a cake. Bet you felt sick when your uncle pulled the top off. I can imagine that was funny, but I’d be upset after making something so pretty.
Ashlee
Lucky for me (and him) he just tugged on it a little before I screamed a bit and he stopped! It was still soft (hard for fondant to dry out when the chunk is that big and it’s THAT humid) so it pulled a little, but it didn’t pull off all the way. I was able to shape it back easily, no harm done! It was actually flattering!
Krista @ While He Was Napping
This is amazing. You are so talented! I know you said Thanksgiving, but I hope you’ll still come link it to my Halloween party this weekend. What a great cake! whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com
Krista
Ashlee
sure I’ll come by and link up! I’m so glad you like it!
cheryl@scrapaddicat4sure
Thank you so much for linking up with me .
I do appreciate it.
Ashlee
Thank for hosting! it’s fun visiting to many other sites and seeing the many crafts that are out there! When I first started my Topsy Turvy Tuesday’s I did just what your doing, going around to other parties and inviting crafters/crafts I liked to come join me. It didn’t take long to branch out!
heather
I L O V E it! I’m starting to dabble in modeling chocolate cakes and have one for thanksgiving in the works 😛 Thanks for sharing!
Ashlee
oh… What are you working on? I can’t wait to see it! I really need to play with modeling chocolate more! There are just so many possibilities when it comes to cakes!
tara
I can not even believe that is a cake. It looks like a glass pumpkin. You did such a great job.
Ashlee
Thanks! I’m usually pleased with my cakes, but this one is special! It really did turn out better than I expected~
Mindy
Oh my GOSH! I saw the photo and I did a double take. Cake?! It looks like someone mixed the photo up from the post! So I had to check it out and I’m amazed at this cake. No wonder your Uncle thought it was ceramic. The sheen is perfection. Such a beautiful job. Kudos!
Ashlee
Thank you very much! I’m just honored that so many people seem to like it as much as I did! I think I’ll have to do a tutorial on it this month! Plus I’ll get to unpack my airbrush gun, win win!
Vivienne
Shut UP!!! You’re kidding! This looks like a real pumpkin!! It’s gorgeous!
Ashlee
yes WAY! it totally is! And Thank you! I love that it still tricks people!
April
beautiful work! Hope you’ll link up to my DIY Halloween Party & Tutu Giveaway….
http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-halloween-linky-party.html
Ashlee
Of course I’ll link up, thanks for the invitation.
Shelly
An artistic beauty! So curious to see the inside too! Oh, well, next time. 🙂
Ashlee
Well I’ve had enough people ask for a tutorial that I think I’ll have to make another one, then I can show the inside too!
Red Head
Freaking amazing. You are the cake master!
Ashlee
Thank you so much! I wish every cake turned out as well!
Amanda - Small Home Big Start
This looks WAY too good to eat. I can’t believe that it is a CAKE!
Ashlee
Luckily it tastes even better, so it only took me cutting into it for the crowd to dig in!
Lamb
No way! Is this really a cake? Really?? I swear that is a ceramic pumpkin! 🙂
If you get a chance, I’d love for you to stop by tonight or tomorrow to link up to Not “Baaad” Sundays with LambAround 🙂
Ashlee
I linked up! Thanks for the invitation! And yes, it really REALLY is a cake!
Cheryl
Amazing!! The details are incredible! I’ll be featuring this on Craftastic Monday – thanks for linking:)
Ashlee
Thanks for the feature! It was such a fun cake to make! I’ve always wanted to do it again, I’m thinking about doing a jack o lantern version as well as a tutorial!
Lisa
OMGness!!! This cake blows me away. It is absolutely PERFECT. Wow 🙂 I’m in love with it.
Ashlee
thank you so much! I love it too!
Different Things
Simply Amazing! I’m so excited I haven’t checked out the rest of your blog yet… have you done any other amazing cakes?
Ashlee
I do! I have lots of cakes on here, as well as a cake website http://ashleemariecakes.com/ ! I’m so glad you liked my pumpkin!
Krista @ While He Was Napping
This blows me away every time I see it. Amazing! Thanks for linking to my halloween party last weekend!
Krista
Ashlee
Thanks! your so sweet! I’m happy to link up! thanks for doing the same!
somedaycrafts
This is crazy cool! I could never cut into this cake. It is too beautiful. I am highlighting this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Ashlee
Thanks! I really really love this cake! I think I’d like to do a multi tiered one next time! Thanks for the feature! I can’t wait to hear more about your vacation!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape
STUNNING! I mean, seriously, this is amazing.
Ashlee
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Lindsey
LOVE this cake! I made a pumpkin cake on my blog, but it’s not nearly as perfect as yours! Here’s my link if you want to see it….. I hope one day I can make one more like yours! It’s absolutely perfect!! http://loveissomethingthatwedo.blogspot.com/2010/09/ill-make-you-offer-you-cant-refuse.html
Ashlee
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it! How did you get into cake decorating? Your cakes look like mine before I took any classes! Your doing a great job! Your frosting is nice and even! Very very hard to learn!
If you interested in getting you frosting smoother (without the lines I mean) one way is to take a piece of parchment paper and once the frosting has “crusted” lay it over the frosting and GENTLY slide something flat over the top to push down the “hills”. Another way is to “Iron” the frosting while your putting it on. I take a pair of Lrg frosting spatula’s and lay them in boiling water. Once I get a nice thick coat of frosting on the cake I take out one of the spatula’s, dry it quickly with a towel and take the heated spatula and run it over the cake. The heat of the metal kind of irons down the frosting. But only take one swipe before putting it back in the boiling water and grabbing the other one.
I started by taking Wilton Classes. I’d heard good and bad things about them so I went around to the local classes and sat in on a class for each teacher. That way I found the teacher that I liked best, the one I understood and fit my style. She was terrific, with lots of tips and tricks. And soon after I taught at the same place with her! It was a GREAT way to get started!
Michelle
This cake is absolutely amazing! I found your blog from Lambaround’s blog hop and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that the pumpkin I was looking at was a cake and not a real pumpkin. Great job, it makes me hungry looking at it. 🙂
Ashlee
Thank you so much! This is one of my all time favorite still!
Joann
I would love to see a tutorial on this cake!! It’s awesome!!
Ashlee
Made one last year http://ashleemarie.com/carve-airbrush-realistic-pumpkin-cake-video-tutorial/