Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi,

Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to make a badminton racket to go with a figure and various other bits and pieces for a retirement cake?

My attempts so far have not been very successful!!

Many thanks

Carolyn

You don’t say how big the racquet is so I am presuming smallish.  I would cut out a circle of flower or modelling paste, rolled not too finely and cut a second circle within that (leaving an O shape).  This would be the frame that you could lightly reshape into racquet shape.  Then I would cover a short piece of linguini (stronger than spaghetti) with the paste (lightly glue the linguini, place on top of a small ball of paste and roll with fingers on work surface until the paste covers it).  When dry wrap a second piece of paste around it to form grip of handle.  On some non-stick baking parchment draw the shape of the racquet and royal ice fine lines to form the net.  A little pinch of gum tragacanth or Tylo added to the icing will make it less breakable.  Carefully peel from baking parchment when dry and attach onto paste frame.  If frame is to be seen both sides you may want to make 2 thin frames and seal ‘net’ between them.  You could fill the gap with royal icing.  If you don’t want or can’t use icing for net buy a piece of fine netting and use that instead.  Attach handle with royal icing or paste mashed to a creamy consistency with a little clear alcohol or boiled water.  Hope this helps but I am better at doing than telling!

Jx

Thanks, I had used the tecnique you suggest for the handle but think from what you say I’ve been making the head too thin! I’ll put your advice into practice tomorrow! Thanks again
Cx