Ski Chalet Wedding Cake

Ski Chalet Wedding Cake
by Mia S. (British Columbia, Canada)
Cake Contest Winner Dec. 2010!

I made this cake for my sister-in-law's wedding in October 2010. They had asked me to make them a wedding cake, as I'm well-known in the family for my love of baking and have made many character cakes for birthdays, baby showers and other special occasions. They gave me the green light to be creative and dream up whatever I wanted, theme cakes included. Since they are both avid skiers and live in a ski chalet at the top of a ski hill in Ontario, Canada, AND I have many gingerbread houses under my belt, I decided to combine the two and just go with what I know.

I asked my mom in law to send me photos of the chalet from all four sides and designed the gingerbread template from that. I baked the gingerbread, using crushed clear peppermint candies for the windows (melted in the oven the last few minutes of baking). Since we live in BC, I transported the gingerbread pieces, unassembled (making an extra set in case something went awry!) across the country and assembled it there.

I made this cake for my sister-in-law's wedding in October 2010. They had asked me to make them a wedding cake, as I'm well-known in the family for my love of baking and have made many character cakes for birthdays, baby showers and other special occasions. They gave me the green light to be creative and dream up whatever I wanted, theme cakes included. Since they are both avid skiers and live in a ski chalet at the top of a ski hill in Ontario, Canada, AND I have many gingerbread houses under my belt, I decided to combine the two and just go with what I know. 

I asked my mom in law to send me photos of the chalet from all four sides and designed the gingerbread template from that. I baked the gingerbread, using crushed clear peppermint candies for the windows (melted in the oven the last few minutes of baking). Since we live in BC, I transported the gingerbread pieces, unassembled (making an extra set in case something went awry!) across the country and assembled it there.

How to Make a Ski Chalet Wedding Cake

To make this triple layer cake, you will need three 14 inch round cake pans. I used baking cores and insulated baking strips (these are aluminum/cloth bands that are designed to even out temperature while baking). You will need to bake two layers of pumpkin spice cake for the top and bottom and one layer of chocolate cake for the middle. This is a fun creative and delicious cake combination, especially with the use of cream cheese icing. 

Once all three cakes are fully cooked, set them aside to cool. Use a cake leveler to cut off a thin layer off the top of the cakes. This will allow for them to be even more level and balanced when stacked on top of each other. Then place one of the pumpkin cakes onto the serving plate, then apply a thin layer of cream cheese icing. For the icing, I added more icing sugar for a stiffer icing so that it would stand up being transported in a car for a two hour drive. Continue working on the cake by placing the chocolate layer on top, applying another thin layer of cream cheese icing and then placing the last layer of pumpkin cake on top. Then, finish prepping the cake by applying a thick layer of cream cheese icing around the entire cake. 

For the trees, I used both sugar cones and mini cones and spread green icing on the outside (a darker shade for bigger, "older" trees and lighter for smaller, "younger" trees), using the spatula to make the "branches". I used wooden dowels secured with royal icing for the tree trunks (I had used pretzel sticks for a "camping" cake I made my son but they absorb the moisture from the cake and topple the tree!). For the figurines, I used Playmobil (these are edible cake toppers). Then, roll out a thin layer of black fondant and cut it out and place it around the bottom of the cake. 

The Ski Chalet Wedding Cake was very well received by my brother and sister in law and, thus, worth all the effort that went into it!

Special shout out to Mia, S. from British Columbia, Canada for being chosen as the winner of the December 2010 Cake Contest. Thank you to everyone who participated, all of your efforts are greatly appreciated. If you would like to submit your latest cake or party pictures or ideas, please click on one of the links below and fill out the form.