I've said it before and not stuck to it, but this time, I'm serious. This 1965 Chevy Truck Cake is my last 3-D car/truck cake EVER! I was (mostly) happy with the way this one turned out, but it stressed me out so much that I swear - I'm never doing another!
In the past, I've been downright embarrassed by the truck and car cakes that I've done. In fact, a few weeks before making this cake, I made a car for another client and I cried when I delivered it - I was so upset with how awful it was.
My very gracious client didn't complain even a little bit and said her son loved the cake. But those closest to me were honest with me... it was just baaaad.
You know what's really sad?This 1965 Chevy Truck Cake wasn't even real cake. It was edible, but I'd had such terrible luck with vehicle cakes in the past that this time, I told the client I'd make it, but it had to be Rice Krispies Treats - not actual cake.
1965 Chevy Truck Cake
And admittedly, that did make the process a little easier. But still... I just don't have an eye to get the details, the proportions, the angles and nuances right for this kind of work.
Like I said, in the end I was happy with it and the client (and her daugther and new son-in-law) all loved it. But gosh it stressed me out - even more than the wedding cake. Or any wedding cake, for that matter!
Here's the main picture I was given as inspiration for the cake:
The mother-of-the-bride, who ordered the cake wanted me to match the paint (or lack thereof) as much as possible. She sent me other pics, from the back and side so I had a lot to work with!
One thing that did make this cake easier was my discovery of Edible Art Paints. Ya'll. This stuff is ah-mazing!! I was able to paint on modeling chocolate and it worked beautifully! It also works on fondant and gum paste!
shop here
You can order it directly from the source in Australia (they even have metallics!!) or you can also find it on Etsy here.
So let me give you a few details:
- I used a piece of styrofoam underneath the bottom and painted it black with Wilton Black Color Mist.
- Then I made the bulk of the "cake" with Rice Krispies Treats. Of course, you could buy premade Rice Krispies Treats as well.
- I covered the entire thin with modeling chocolate.
- Then I painted it with the Edible Art Paints.
- The tire mold was also ordered from Etsy (I think this is the exact one)
- I covered the board in white homemade marshmallow fondant, then I used a wood grain mat for texture and I painted it with brown and black paints. To finish it off, I painted it with Confectioners Glaze (<-- that stuff ruins paint brushes - only use a cheap one you can throw away!)
- To finish it off, I wrapped the board with black ribbon secured with hot glue.
And that's that! Do you have any questions about my 1965 Chevy Truck Cake? Leave me a comment! Also, you can shop some of the products I mentioned below and I'd love for you to PIN THIS!
Paula
Are u crazy? ABSOLUTELY cool!!!! You couldn't have gotten any closer to the REAL thing! This is pretty amazing, I had a burgundy 65 when I turned 16. SO of course, I'm crazy bout this truck. But I'm positive the customer you made it for was very happy. WELL DONE !!
Rose
Thank you Paula!! xx
Halana Jones
I'm sure it was extremely stressful but that turned out spectacular! Great job!
Rose
Thanks so much Halana!
Judy Dunnett
You had the proportions wrong that's why it didn't look right. The easiest way (I have found) to get car cakes proportions correct is to do a pattern cut out by (going to a printer if you have to) and having a copy of the photo done in the size of the cake. And then cutting out the cake from this pattern. Hope this makes sense. Once you have the proportion right it is ... a piece of cake LOL. Give it a try, you are so good at other things I'm sure you will get it right.
Rita
The truck came out GREAT and is a spot on representation of the original!! I love your candidness about your cakes. You do beautiful work while remaining honest about the process! You are very inspiring to many.
Rose
Thank you Rita!
Janet
That cake looks awesome! Like me, you critique your own work a lot more than anyone else. I do have a question, did you make your own rice crispy treats or did you use store bought? I’m making a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang cake in a couple weeks and I think I’m going the RC route too.
Rose
I usually buy the pre-made ones for projects like this. The homemade version doesn't always harden up enough for me (which is DELISH for eating - not so much for carving!).