Frozen Buttercream Transfers

This particular cake was an experiment, of sorts, since I was intent on trying out a new technique, not to mention that I didn't have the time or patience to carve a dumptruck. A FBCT is just what it sounds like, frozen buttercream image that you transfer onto the cake.

It can be a very tedious process. I don't recommend it, unless you have a couple of days to work on it. It basically works like a painting, except that you start with the details and work backwards. Have your picture under a piece of wax paper so it comes off easily after your done.

For this particular picture, we started with the black outlines, wheels, lifting mechanism, and any other black details.

Freeze for at least 30 minutes, but an hour is better.

Next we did the darker yellow detailing on the back of the truck, plus the white details.

Freeze again.

Then we filled in all the yellow on the truck.

Freeze again, and this time at least an hour.

The last step was to cover the entire picture with green buttercream that matched the fondant that the cake was covered in. Make sure to use a generous amount since this fills in any holes between the other parts. Also, be sure to smooth out the top so that it's smooth when it becomes the back of the transfer.

Freeze again, overnight if possible.

When you're ready to put it on the cake, flip it over onto the cake so that the top becomes the back and peel the wax paper off of it. At this point, you will want to trim the edges with some type of border. We chose M&M's for ours, but you can use a shell or bead border too.

Cake details:

The cake is a 9x13x6 chocolate cake with chocolate chip buttercream. It's covered in green MMF. The "dirt" on top is crushed chocolate teddy grahams.

Emily and I had a lot of fun making this cake, and the birthday boy enjoyed it too. He especially loved the M&M's.