Coolest Train Cake

This train cake is my first 3D cake which I made for my 3-year-old nephew who loves all things mechanical (this was actually my second attempt on this cake – I found out you really do have to use ALL the batter (6 cups) in the recipe so it will rise and fill the pan). Also, I found that being patient with each step was important.

I used the Wilton 3D ‘Choo Choo Train’ pan and the delicious Sour Cream Chocolate Pound Cake recipe from the www.bakedecoratecelebrate.com website.

I used chocolate frosting for the brown parts of the train and the face and a gumdrop for the nose. Most of the train is done with #16 & #18 star tips. For the track I used licorice. I tinted coconut for the grass, which I adhered with to the cake board with corn syrup applied with a pastry brush.

Transporting this cake was tricky – my mom held it on her lap for the half-hour drive to the party. My family loved it!