3D Thomas Train Cake Recipe
Would your Thomas obsessed pre-schooler love a themed birthday party with an amazing cake in the shape of the famous little blue train? Well, you’re not alone. Thomas the Tank Engine toys are amongst the best-selling preschool items in the US, UK and Australia. Kids everywhere love a Thomas party and thankfully, plenty of other brave parents have paved the way (check out their party ideas here). And read on for step by step instructions to make the 3D Thomas train cake.
To make this Thomas Cake you will need:
The Cake & Fondant Template
This Thomas cake will serve 40 people, you can scale it down if you have less guests.
Cake: two and a half times the rich chocolate cake recipe baked into five trays 25cm (9.84 inches) x 38cm (14.96 inches) baked at 356F (180 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes.
Fondant for thomas train cake
400g (14.11 ounces) black fondant
650g (22.93 ounces) blue fondant
450g (15.87 ounces) red fondant
30g (1.06 ounces) yellow fondant
160g (5.64 ounces) grey fondant
Note: Fondant quantities are actual amounts used on the cake, so allow extra for rolling out.
Frosting for train cake:
Two quantities of buttercream recipe in flavour of your choice
Two quantities of ganache recipe, allow to cool completely at room temp overnight. Whip together with the buttercream, use to cover the outside of the train before adding fondant.
Equipment needed for train cake:
Fondant extruder (makes it quicker and easier but optional you can roll long skinny snakes instead).
Circle cutters
Ruler
Pizza cutter (optional)
drinking straw to cut small circles
rolling pin
non-stick baking paper
spray oil
metal piping tip or something with 1.7cm (0.67 inches) diameter to cut circle
To make the thomas train face see this previous post:
Instructions
1: Make the fondant details ahead of time so they can dry out (see video)
2: Bake the cakes, prepare the frosting and make the simple syrup. This can be done 2 days before the party. See above for quantities.
3: Construct and decorate the cake the day before the party. See the video for demonstration. You will need a very strong cake board that is at least 35cm (13.78 inches) long and 20cm (7.87 inches) wide.
4. If it is very hot where you live, store in the fridge otherwise room temperature is fine.
5. Enjoy the birthday boy or girl’s face when they see their Thomas cake. Don’t forget to take photos!
by Ann Reardon
2013
My 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.
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I tried to buy the Thomas the Tank Engine template but it won’t let me I’ve tried several times to buy it quite upsetting as I would love to make this cake
Donna, I just purchased it on PayPal and it worked 🙂
Can I freeze the cake? I’m going to run out of time the day before my sons birthday as we have another party… So wondering can I freeze the entire cake fondant and all? Wrap in glad wrap a few times then foil? Maybe I could freeze it with just the first layer of fondant then apply the premade extra decorations the night before… just thinking logically if I can pull this off ? thanks!!
Hi Lauren, You can’t freeze the fondant. You can make the undecorated cake prior and freeze, but you would need to fully defrost before adding your fondant. Instead I would make the cake a day or 2 prior, assemble and shape according to the template, spraying each layer with sugar syrup to keep moist, then completely cover with the buttercream and ganache mix. Then refrigerate the whole thing overnight. Either the day of or the day prior when ready to decorate, take the cake out and allow it to slowly reach room temperature and decorate with your prepared fondant pieces. Give yourself plenty of time or choose a design that fits within the time you have available.
Hi where do I find the templates
Hi Michelle, Just click on the BUy it Now button to purchase the templates or look ynder the shop page for all the templates on offer.
Hello.
Please could you send me the template for this design? Many thanks
Kate
Hi Kate, The template is available for purchase via the Buy it Now button. Once purchase is completed a download link is provided.
Hi thank u for ur video I made this Thomas cake every one appreciated me
Well done Sivany! It looks so good!
Many thanks for the wonderfull receipe yes we did it . Never mind the perfection of course we are first time bakers . My son was extremely happy to see his Thomas cake . Again the chocklate cake was a super hit in the party . Many thanks
Well done Rav!
Trying to make a cake for 20 guests . Planning to make 1 qty of chocolate cake and 1/2 the amount in the above fondant quantities . Will it work . Also any advise how to size the template accordingly . Thanks in advance
Hi Rav, Because of the level of detail in the fondant work etc, the template and quantities are given at the optimum size. If you want to scale for 20 generous serves then you would be better to make 2 quantities of the chocolate cake and freeze any you don’t use. I would scale the template at about 70%.
Thank you . Will let you know with the outcome
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It was my first 3D cake and I don’t think I could have done it without you! We have one very happy boy this morning.
Wow Ashley that is an amazing result for your first 3D cake.
Hi Ann
Thank you so much for your of your step by step guide I have attached a pic for you to see the end result.
Great result Viviane. I hope Jeremiah loved it!
Hi. I was just wanting the thomas the tank templates to make the cake u demonstrated. How do I go about this?
Hi Natasha, You can purchase the templates using the BUy it Now button or visit the shop page here: https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/shop/?orderby=date
Hi just want to know how can i buy the temllate for the thomas cake.? Thanks
hi Deneelee, the ‘Buy It Now’ button is above on the recipe page 🙂
What recipes would be best for a plain sponge not chocolate and which buttercream please?
Hi Katie, Ann’s preference is for this sponge recipe: https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/sponge-cake-recipe/ and the basic buttercream flavored to suit: https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/buttercream-cupcake-frosting-recipes/
I’d love to make this with egg substitute as my son has an allergy. How would I convert this
Hi Gemma, It will depend on the egg substitute you wish to use. The substitutes usually give you clear directions or you could try one of these vegan alternatives for the chocolate cake: https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/best-vegan-chocolate-cake-recipe/
Thanks Ann! Your cake instructions and templates made it so much easier. Thank you for all the videos and tutorials, they’re amazing and please keep them coming. You inspire me! 🙂
Beautiful work Ryn. Your fondant work is exceptional.
Can I have the print of of the cut outs for the details of the cake….your work is amazing
Front view
Thank you for the templates and the tutorial. I’ve covered round cakes in fondant before but Thomas was my first fondant covered sculpted cake. I doubt I would have tried without your help. My nephews love watching your videos and when it came time to pick a cake, Erik said he wanted “one in video”. His brother is currently asking for Lightening McQueen, so I may be back for more in a few months.
Well done Alenz, Your cake looks amazing and the fondant work looks exceptional!
Hi Ann,
Thank you for the great instructional videos and tutorials! This was the first cake that I ever made and my little boy was thrilled!
One quick question: Do you think I rolled out the blue fondant too thin before covering the body of the cake? It was prone to ripping and really showed the buttercream frosting beneath.
Thank you again!
Well done James, Fondants vary. Some products are easy to work with and others less tolerant. If you feel the blue fondant was difficult you can try rolling it a little thicker next time and see if it handles better. If not try a different brand. Generally speaking all your fondant pieces look a little thin in the picture.
Thank you for taking the time to look at the picture and for the feedback. I’ve been using Satin Ice brand fondant, but will do some research and some experimentation.
Hi,
I am making this cake for the first time and have never dried out fondant before. How should I do it and any tips you have would be gratefully received.
I cut my first pieces yesterday. They are air drying and seem quite brittle this morning.
Should I wrap them in anything or put them in a container etc
I am going to construct the cake tomorrow for a party on Saturday
Hi Debbie, the fondant pieces should dry out and become firm/hard. Don’t cover them but you can put them in a container (without a lid) just to protect them till you are ready to use them.
Can i have the buttef cake recipe for the thomas cake please?
Hi Priyangi, Here is a vanilla cake recipe: https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/shopkins-cake/ and a sponge : https://www.howtocookthat.net/public_html/sponge-cake-recipe/
I’d like to try the (shopkins) vanilla cake recipe for the Thomas cake. How much do I need to scale the recipe for the Thomas cake? Thanks!
Hi Tammie, Without testing it You are looking at roughly 5-6 times the Vanilla cake recipe.
Thanks, I’ll give it a go 🙂