Need Help with Aircraft Carrier Birthday Cake

[barbszy]

Yes, you read that right, LOL!

My soon-to-be-5 year old son wants an aircraft carrier birthday cake. I've done decorated cakes before (football, football jersey, SpongeBob, Blue's Clues pawprints, train, volcano, Barbie, Game Boy) but this is going to be more difficult.

I figure I will bake the cake in 2 9X13 pans and lay the cakes end to end. (I WILL need that much cake).

Little planes, I should be able to get at the dollar store.

What I really have to figure out is how to make the icing "battleship gray" but still have it taste like vanilla.

I also need suggestions for what kind of board I should use, to hold a cake that is 26 inches long. I'll cover it with blue Saran Wrap for the "ocean."

Any good ideas on the icing & the board--or anything else about this--would be much appreciated!

[cat lover]

Use a pine board, a 1 x 10 should work and will give all the support you need. Cover it in foil first and then put the blue saran wrap over that.

1 box (16 oz.) confectioners' sugar
5 to 7 tbsp Milk
Black paste food coloring

Mix the confectioners sugar and milk together till desired consistency and tint with the black paste food color; only add little bits at a time till you get the right gray color.

You'll have to post a pic of this cake when you get it done; sounds cool!

[barbszy]

Brilliant idea, cat lover!!

I probably will just tint canned icing with the paste color. I have to shortcut where I can; decorating this one will be a challenge.

[cat lover]

You can make litlte flags out of toothpicks and stickers folded onto the toothpicks. You can also make the "railing" out of toothpicks and kitchen string. And I bet you can find little people, ladders and whatever else you need at the dollar store in the toy section. Good Luck!

[barbszy]

Dollar store was really disappointing today! No flags, no planes....Good thing I have almost 3 weeks! I'll have to check another dollar store!

[dval]

Hot Wheels has some jet planes in their collection. Try that for planes. I was going to suggest the wooden board too but cat lover beat me to it:D

[ajrsmom]

Hot Wheels has some jet planes in their collection. Try that for planes. I was going to suggest the wooden board too but cat lover beat me to it:D

Darn it, Our Dollar Tree used to carry nice metal jet planes.

Have you tried Walmart? They used to carry a 5 pack of them and a bigger WalMart brand set too. (Since my DH works on planes, my kids have always been fascinated with planes ;))

Toys R Us will probably have something but they will probably cost a little more there.

How about a Party store? They would be cheap plastic, probably, but as a last resort, they might work.

[cat lover]

I was also going to suggest something like "Card Factory" if you have a store like that. There is one in Louisville and they sell greeting cards cheap and have LOTS of party supplies too. And I guess the regular department store for maybe the bagged set of people and such. Good Luck!

[dval]

You could try Oriental Trading Company if you have enough time for mail order. Or I-Party or The Party Store (chain stores).

[orangefield]

You can also pipe chocolate shapes on baking paper, chill and lift with flat tweezers to put on the ship (portholes, railings, stairs, odds and ends) Just melt dark chocolate, pour into a freezer bag, snip the tip (tiny snip) and you have a sac-a-poche. It's quick and fun and easy.

You can also write the name of the ship or whatever, just lift the letters and gently press onto the icing, it will hold them there.

Post a photo!!!

Fabrizia

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Orangefield, welcome to Moms Menu. I look forward to getting to know you and sharing cooking and food ideas with you. Be sure to hop over to the Introduce Yourself (http://www.momsmenu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252&page=31)thread so that others can be able to "see" you and greet you.

[barbszy]

Thanks for the chocolate idea! I may try that.

I did find the little airplanes at a different dollar store. I got 3 packs of 5 so there are PLENTY of airplanes. Friday I should be pulling my hair out as I get this cake made, LOL!

[dval]

Good luck barbszy!
Don't forget to take some pics!

[cat lover]

Can't wait to see this cake! Good Luck! Should be fun doing it though!

[barbszy]

The cake is all done!!

Thank you all so much for your help! :) Luke is thrilled.

[cat lover]

The cake looks great; bet it was good tasting too! Thanks for posting he pic!