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Hi, I’ve made a Peppa pig topper. She weighs 150g and is ice skating so she is on one leg and leaning forward. I’ve made her with a wooden skewer going through her body, leg, ice skating boot and have left 6″ of skewer coming out from under her skating boot.
She is going on the top of a 2 tier cake. Each cake is 4″ high. I had planned to make a hole in the centre of the cake card, of the top cake, and push the skewer through into the bottom tier to give it extra support. Then suddenly thought today that if I do that Peppa is probably going to sink into the top cake. In hindsight I should have left 8″ of skewer under her :-/. I can’t change the skewer as I have used royal icing to glue it as I was worried the weight of her body would push down her leg and boot, so now she is solid.
When I have made heavy toppers in the passed, I’ve used a hollow dowel/column under the topper to stop it from sinking but as the topper is on one leg, if I do this the hole in the dowel is going to show as iher foot won’t be big enough to cover it. Plus, the last topper I did this with had a dangerous wiggle as there wasn’t enough cake inside the dowel to keep the skewer still. Any ideas what I can do other than placing her on a covered cake board?
Just had a thought, could I put a centre dowel in the top cake before I cover it in fondant and pack it out with cake cut offs then cover in fondant so it doesn’t show?

Well, it all worked out in the end. After inserting the hollow dowel I suddenly realised Peppa’s skate wasn’t actually big enough to sit on any two bits of the dowel – doh :-/. Obviously I couldn’t take the dowel out as the cake had compacted inside it. So I packed it out with off cuts and covered the hole with fondant, then with a fondant and water mix, I patched up the seams as best I could. I then inserted a straw, filled it with royal icing as you suggested and hey presto, Peppa was supported :-). A few ‘thrown’ roses on the ice to cover the not-so-perfect patching up and she was finished. Thanks for your help. Can I post a pic on Paul’s facebook page?

Is it possible that you could pack a hollow skewer with cake and royal icing and then place Peppa in that to make her secure. I realise you have said that that would leave the hole showing, but could that not be covered up with some royal icing skating slush under the boot? The slush could be twinkled with edible glitter. That’s how I see it in my mind, perhaps that’s not quite what you mean. Does it make any sense? I have to say I’m so impressed with your skating Peppa pig, wow and respect! x

It does make sense, thank you. I’ve just inserted the hollow dowel and packed it out. You are worrying me now about my skating Peppa, I’m only a hobby baker, I shouldn’t be impressing you, at least not yet haha. Thanks for your help. I’ll let you know how I get one x

You’re welcome! And you are impressive!! I really hope it turns out as you want it to. x

I think Paul will be delighted to see your work on his face book. He’s always saying share your work, so go for it!
I’m so pleased it all worked out good for you. Can’t wait to see pics x

Hello Sue

I’ve just seen your beautiful cake, my word you certainly made a good job of that! It’s really lovely, you should be very proud of yourself. I wish I could be as good as you. I’ve learned so much from Paul but I’m a little lazy so my work doesn’t improve as much as it should. Thank you for letting me have a peek. x