Image Cake Topper

Red Velvet Cake fondant topper?

I have to make a red velvet cake with cream cheese filling. Originally I was going to cover it with fondant and make a big fondant bow to top it off. But now I don't really have time to make and cover the cake with fondant but I do have the bow already made. Can I just cover the cake with a cream cheese frosting and top it with a fondant bow? Will it ruin the cream cheese somehow?

Here is a picture of the cake I'm trying to do:

http://www.noisette.ca/images/2tiercakes/2tier_birthdaybow-big.jpg

It won't be as big, but will have the same sort of design. If you have any other simpler designs you can suggest, that would be very helpful.

A couple of questions:

Do you want the fondant bow to remain soft and edible, or is it just for decoration? If you don't care how firm the fondant gets (and the firmer/more dried out it is for your purpose, the better), you can either 1) blend the fondant with an equal amount of Ready To Use Gum Paste (Wilton Gum Paste is sold at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann's, etc.) OR 2) blend some Gum Tex powder, a strengthener, into the fondant. (Use 1 teaspoon Gum Tex per 12 oz. of fondant. It's best to do this inside a Ziploc type bag, kneading the closed bag until all the powder is absorbed into the fondant.) The Gum Tex will make the fondant stronger and also speed up the drying process so your bow holds its shape. You can use crumpled paper towel to keep the loops of the bow from sagging, or prop them on their sides so they don't droop.

Are you using a real cream cheese frosting or a canned variety? If it's made from real cream cheese, it (the frosting/a cake covered with this frosting) should stay refrigerated, and refrigerators and fondant don't get along well.

As your fondant bow sits on your cake, it will absorb moisture from the frosting and the fondant will start to soften. This will take some time, but it would be best to put the bow on the cake just shortly before serving, if possible, or just before the event.

The link in Sources has instructions for making a bow, if you need them.

Good luck, and Happy Decorating!
~ Maria

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