How do you make a piano shaped cake?

Here's a guide to making a piano-shaped cake, along with tips for making it look impressive:

1. The Foundation: Choose Your Cake and Frosting

* Cake:

* Shape: You have two main options:

* Rectangle: This is the most straightforward. Use a 9x13 inch pan or two 9x13 inch pans stacked on top of each other.

* Rounded: For a more realistic piano shape, use a round cake pan, preferably a 9-inch or 10-inch.

* Flavor: Choose a cake flavor you love! Vanilla, chocolate, or even red velvet work well.

* Frosting:

* Type: Buttercream frosting is classic for its smooth finish and ability to hold its shape.

* Color: White frosting is traditional. For a more dramatic look, consider black frosting, or even a contrasting color like red for the keys.

2. Shaping the Piano

* Rectangle Cake:

* Cut and Shape: Once cooled, cut the rectangle cake into a piano shape, trimming the edges to achieve the desired dimensions.

* Carving: For a slightly rounded shape, you can use a serrated knife to gently carve the edges.

* Rounded Cake:

* Slice and Stack: Slice the cake horizontally into three layers.

* Shape the Layers: Carefully cut each layer into a piano shape, shaping the edges and curves to your liking.

* Stack and Frost: Stack the layers, frosting each layer to create a smooth surface.

3. The Keys:

* Black Keys:

* Frosting: Make a batch of black frosting.

* Piping: Use a piping bag fitted with a small, round tip to pipe out the black keys.

* Placement: Use a ruler or template to ensure they are evenly spaced and aligned.

* White Keys:

* Frosting: Use the same frosting as your cake base, or use a contrasting color for visual appeal.

* Piping: Use a piping bag fitted with a rectangular or square tip to create the white keys.

* Placement: Pipe the white keys to create the alternating pattern of black and white.

4. Additional Details:

* Pedals: Pipe or sculpt three small pedals at the bottom of the cake.

* Strings: Use thin white licorice or fondant to create strings running across the top of the piano.

* Keyboard Texture: If you want more realism, create a slight texture on the white keys with a knife or a piping tip.

Tips:

* Templates: Create a paper template of the piano shape to help with cutting and aligning.

* Chill the cake: Chill the frosted cake for a few hours to firm up before adding details.

* Use a turntable: This will help you frost and decorate the cake evenly.

* Keep it simple: If you're a beginner baker, don't be afraid to simplify the design.

Enjoy your beautiful piano cake!