Ann Reardon

3D unicorn cake tutorial


cute unicorn drawing: 1 and 2
 

This 3D unicorn cake is a 4 out of 5 for cake decorating difficulty so if you’re just starting out you may like to try this easier unicorn cake. Or you could use the unicorn on the surprise cakes app and add it to the top of any cake.

To make this 3D unicorn cake you will need:

Unicorn Cake Template

Template for cutting the cake and fondant pieces

 
25cm (9.84 inches) Stainless steel threaded rod and 5 nuts to fit (found at hardware store, wash well in hot soapy water before use)
3 Cake pop sticks
Gold Luster Dust
Chocolate Cake (see recipe below)
Buttercream frosting (see details below)
Wooden base cake board. Mine was 50cmx45cmx1.2cm (0.47 inches) mdf covered in foil. You could use a slightly smaller one but you do want some weight in the base when making a top heavy cake like this. I also added four feet to the underneath this makes it easier to move the cake on the counter and gives room for the nut under the board. Note some hardware stores like bunnings will cut mdf to the size you request.
2 round cake boards 10cm (3.94 inches) and 15cm (5.91 inches). I suggest that the 15 cm (5.91 inches) one is wooden you can use card for the other one.
A drill – you need to drill a hole through the base board and the three cake boards.
70g (2.47 ounces) blue fondant
70g (2.47 ounces) purple fondant
120g (4.23 ounces) pink fondant
100g (3.53 ounces) black fondant
70g (2.47 ounces) yellow fondant
1kg (2.2 pounds) white fondant
80g (2.82 ounces) grey fondant
Ball tool (optional but helpful)
400g (14.11 ounces) white chocolate, sprinkles, stars cut from the left over fondant (optional, to decorate the board)

Step 1: Make the fondant details

These can be made up to a month ahead, let them dry out then store in an airtight container to stop them getting dusty.

Unicorn Horn

Roll out a snake of black fondant making it skinnier at one end. Twist it around the cake pop stick to make the horn. Check the size against the template and adults as necessary. Squashed the base of the horn flat at the back so it will sit flush against the cake.
Brush with gold luster dust and then leave to dry out.

3d unciroan cake how to cake cook ann reardon

Eyeballs

Roll a ball of black and cut it in half. Roll each of them into a ball and double check the size using the template.

Unicorn Ears

Using the template cut the ear shapes out of white fondant. Gently press a cake pop stick onto each ear. Cut the inside part of the ear out of pale pink and use a little water to stick it onto the ears.

Front legs

Roll a cone shape of white and shape it using your template as a guide, don’t make the hoof part now, we will do that when adding it to the cake.

Step 2: Bake the cakes & Make the frosting

I like to do this the day or evening before I am going to be assembling the cake, simply because cakes take quite a long time to cool completely.

Rich Chocolate Cake,

This cake is yummy and great for carving.

450g (15.87 ounces) dark chocolate
710g (25.04 ounces) or 3 1/4 cups margarine / butter
1100g (38.8 ounces) or 5 cups caster sugar
18 eggs
450g (15.87 ounces) or 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
70g (2.47 ounces) or 1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 1/2 tsp baking powder

Melt the chocolate and margarine together in the microwave. Mix in the sugar then whisk in the eggs, yes there really are 18 eggs. Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and mix until they are just combined – do not over-mix.
Pour into three baking trays 38cm (14.96 inches) x 28.5cm (11.22 inches) and bake for approximately 15 minutes each or until cooked through. Leave to cool then if not using the same day leave in the trays and wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap.

how to cake a unicorn cake tutorial

Level the tops of your cakes and using the template cut out all the shapes that you need.

Buttercream frosting

Make four times one of the buttercream frosting flavourson this recipe page. If you’d like to use chocolate buttercream then I’d suggest only using it between the layers and then using vanilla on the outside of the cake so it doesn’t show through your white fondant.

3d unicorn cake tutorial who to

Simple Syrup

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Heat the sugar and water in a cup in the microwave until the sugar is dissolved. Leave to cool.

Step 3: Assembly

Starting with body layer 1 add some simple syrup, a layer of frosting then cake layer 2 then more simple syrup and frosting. Continue that pattern until the body is complete.

Pick up the body and add it to the centre of the rod sliding it down to the base. Put the body template in front and carve down each side to match the shape of the template. Do the same at the front and the back.

Cover the body in butter cream and smooth it out and flatten the top.

Add a nut and three cake pop sticks into the cake and top with your 10cm (3.94 inches) cake board. Add a little bit of frosting then add head layer one. Screw on a nut down to be level with the cake then add a layer of frosting.

how to make a unicorn cake video

Add the 15cm (5.91 inches) round wooden cake board on top. Secure it into place using another nut and tightening it with a spanner. Add your next layer of cake, simple syrup and frosting then place the next layer on top and continue to layer it up all the way to the top.

Place the head template in front of the cake and trim around the template to make the rounded unicorn head shape. Do the same on the front and corners so that it is rounded all the way around. Cover the whole head in buttercream and smooth it out using a spatula. Take some acetate and use it to make the head totally smooth.

Decide which side is the front of your unicorn and drape the fondant over the head smoothing that side first. shape and trim around the head. Watch the video for a demonstration. This is the step most people find the hardest. Dealing with large pieces of fondant without tearing them takes practice. When you are lifting it to move it to your cake rest it on your forearms instead of just your hands so the weight is spread out and it is less likely to tear.

Wrap a rectangle of fondant around the body and smooth it into place. Trim off the excess and tuck it under so that it is rounded.

Cut the grey mouth shape using the template and add it to the front of the face using a little water to make it stick. Use a ball tool to make the nostrils. Make an indent where the eyes are and add the eyeballs into place. Add a small dot of white onto each one.

how to make unicorn cake

Make the grey hoof for the front legs and add them into place. Then make the two back legs and wrap them around the side of the body.

Poke the ears and the unicorn horn into the head.

Roll some snakes of coloured fondant getting skinnier at one end and add them along the template for the hair and add that down one side of the face.

unicorn cake youtube best

Repeat on the other side then make another piece for the tail. Twist the tail together and add it at the back of the unicorn cake.

Cover the board in melted white chocolate one section at a time and add sprinkles over the top.

Take a photo of the birthday boy/girl with their cake before the party guests arrive. It is hard to snap a good shot kids excitedly squeezing in close to see the unicorn.

amazing unicorn cake how to cook that ann reardon

Copyright © 2017 Reardon Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. How To Cook That

My Cookbook

ann reardon crazy sweet creations cookbook
Stores that sell my book listed by country: http://bit.ly/ARcookbook
All recipe quantities in the book are in grams, ounces and cups.

58 Comments View Comments

  1. Rating: 4.5

    Hey Anne I like your videos of ? and I hope you make more they are pritty

  2. Rating: 5

    hi Ann I just watch the episode it is so cool and I am really excited to try it

  3. Rating: 5

    Once again.. Thank you Ann for the template, instruction and amazing inspiration! I tried your spiderman last year and this year the unicorn was a hit! I changed it slightly but could not have made it without your guidance!

    • So cute SG. Well done!

    • Rating: 4

      Turned out great! What size eggs did you use?

      • Hi Amanda, Ann generally uses medium eggs which in Australia are around the 55g mark.

  4. Rating: 4

    Hi Ann,
    Thank you for the great tutorial. I was just wondering, could you use a different cake for this? I was thinking of a white cake or a white chocolate mudcake, as my daughter would like a rainbow cake…but would they be either too light/too heavy for the head? Many thanks in advance. Bae

    • Hi Bae, Yes you can. Dense cakes are easier to sculpt but the heavier they are the more support that is required. So if you want to use a denser cake, then add more support. Sponge cakes don’t tend to cope with all the scu;pting very well. I would use a vanilla cake recipe or something similar to that.

  5. Rating: 5

    My daughter loved this cake!

    • Great work Kylie. Hope your daughter enjoyed eating it too!

  6. Rating: 4.5

    Thank you SO much for this fantastic tutorial, Anne! I made mine with a half-sphere of Rice Krispie treats for the bottom half of the head, which gave the head a slightly rounder shape. Absolutely in love with this unicorn!

    • Hi carla, Your unicorn cake is beautiful. We love it! Well done!

  7. Rating: 5

    Hi

    Can I just check on the measurements

    The steel rod is 25cm and the cake is 12.7cm tall
    I understand that some of the rod will go below the base board to keep the nit secure but still the rod seems to be too long

    Regards
    Cass

    • Hi Cass, the completed cake is more than 25cm tall.

  8. Rating: 5

    Hi Ann,

    Thanks for your fantastic inspiration and clever techniques in making beautiful cakes. I’ve gained many brownie points as my daughters benefit from your great ideas. Look forward to making more with your website always at my fingertips.

    • Beautiful work Nathan!

  9. Rating: 4.5

    Beautiful cake and so yummy!

    • Great job Lindie well done

    • Well done Lindie!

  10. Rating: 4

    Hello Ann, am thinking to open my own business in selling different types of desserts, but am facing a problem in pricing items, can you please help me, for.example this type of cake how much do you sell it or the Christmas sugar snow globe dessert, I will be very thankful for your help,
    BTW I love your videos, your inspiring,
    Thank you,
    Khawla

    • hi Khwala, it depends on your country as that effects costs. You will need to take into account ingredient costs, electricity and then your hourly rate (how much time did it take you to buy ingredients, make it, deliver it). Add all of that together and that is how much you should charge.

    • Hi Khawla, Ann doesn’t sell her desserts. The cost of baking would vary significantly from country to country, so you are better to seek advice in your local area.

  11. Rating: 5

    Hi Ann! I’m a giant fan of yours 🙂 my mom and I are making this suuuuper pretty cake for my birthday. We’ve also made the Jello flowers, the chocolate strawberry roses and the giant ferrero rocher for my other birthdays. You’re amazing 😀
    Thank you !! <3

    • Wow Thanks Caroline & Celina. You made Ann’s Day. Keep baking!

  12. Rating: 5

    What temperature do you bake the chocolate cake?!
    By the way- huge fan!! Love all your cakes! You have made me a hero in my kids eyes. Thank you!

    • Hi Shray, Ann cooks cakes in a moderate oven unless otherwise stated.

  13. Rating: 5

    Hi Ann, my husband purchased the template for me, wonderful! The only trouble is, it’s come through as 3/4 size. Our printer is on full size, so not sure what’s wrong. Your original draft shows the 1inch cube as 3/4 inch on the screen. Can you help? The template was purchased in his name and email address, not mine. xSu

    • Hi Susan, as long as the printer is not scaling to fit the page, then it should print at correct size. The templates are designed to print on A4 paper, so if your printer uses a different size, then just adjust the printer settings to print on a4 and without scaling or adjustment.

  14. I purchased the template, w/paypal, but accidently closed it before I could print out the template, how do I get back to the template?

    • Hi Michelle, You should have received a back up email with the link as well. Check your emails and if you can’t find it then contact customer-care[at]howtocookthat.net

  15. Rating: 5

    Please do tutorial on:
    1) Korean bean paste flowers
    2) Korean bean paste lace
    3)sugar lace with aquafaba
    4) sugar lace with agar agar
    5) fondant with agar agar
    6) royal icing with aquafaba

  16. Hey, Ann, you asked for my drawing to be uploaded and here it is.

    • Hi Stormie,
      thanks so much … it’s really lovely 🙂 Well done

  17. Rating: 4

    Hi Anne, could you make a smurf cake please?
    My little boy would sooo love it!

  18. Rating: 4.5

    Hi Ann…you are awesome
    Wanted to know if we could freeze cakes to make craving easier…thanks
    ?from Georgia US

    • Rating: 5

      Semi-frozen is ideal for carving…too frozen and you won’t be able to cut through it, too soft and it’ll crumble.
      You should also use a cake recipe that’s more sturdy and dense to begin with when making a cake that requires so much carving.

    • Hi Patricia,
      You can freeze the cake prior to carving but you’d need to let it completely defrost before covering in fondant. Otherwise the condensation from the cake defrosting will cause the fondant to go soggy and sag.

  19. Rating: 4.5

    Hey Ann,
    Is the rod food safe?

    • Hi Khawla, Ann only uses food safe items in baking.

  20. Rating: 4.5

    Hi Anne
    I am writing for you from Iran
    i made your vanille cake for 20 cm . But if i want to make bigger size pans or even smaller size how much batter i need ? how can i measure the materials?
    Thanks

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