I enjoy making homemade cakes for my children, nephew, neighbors, friends etc. I have made several character cakes and last year a tank cake for my son’s 6th. This year, my nephew challenged me by requesting a Homemade Sinking Titanic Cake, when it was sinking! As I stood there expressionless in front of him, I knew I had to give it a try. I get a little obsessed with these cakes trying to make them as fun for the kids as possible. I was not sure if a moist cake would hold upright for the ship design, so after watching many cooking/baking shows, I remembered that they sometimes use rice krispy treats.
So, after baking the “ocean” I got to work on preparing the treats in a bread loaf pan (figuring it would be the best shape to start with for the ship, nice and deep. From there, I began the building of the Titanic (well at least half of it). I realized that in order for it to properly sit in the cake, it had to be made on an angle, so once I had the basic shape created, I literally continued to push it down on a cutting board in the back of the ship to slant it on an angle. I froze the treats overnight to make sure that they would be firm enough to withstand the weight of the icing, it worked great. The next morning, I placed the “ocean” cake down on a large wooden cutting board covered in foil and cut out a section the width and length of the ship from the base cake. This was the perfect left over to build the iceberg. Next, I iced the base cake (I would recommend icing the base cake prior to doing so, the loose cake was difficult to ice over afterwards.) I figured that the more stable I could make the ship, the better. This was a great idea, it really made the ship sit upright with no stilts etc. I then built an icebery out of breaking apart the piece I had cut from the middle of the cake, remember it doesn’t have to be neat or exact, after all it is an iceberg. I tied the iceberg in the Whipped White icing making it more white than the rich and creamy vanilla I used on the ship. Next, because I have never used fondant, I used a piping bag and tips to do individual stars in red, black and white. I placed the cake in the frig to still up a bit before using the yellow. I also periodically place the icing bags in the frig as well to avoid them getting too soft to pipe.
Next, I tried to figure out what I could use for the steam pipes and realized that a wine cork would be the perfect size! Oops, forgot to mention that I actually made small indents in the rice krispy treat ship prior to freezing figuring I would need to place the steam pipes the next day. I continued to cover each level of the cake with the appropriate color. Next, I used the yellow to simulate the port windows on the ship in different sizes and patterns.
Last, I had to figure out what I could use for the dingy/inflatable boats for the survivors. I found one of my sons little surfboard toys and a very small military inflatable boat. I didn’t have any little people that I could use, without running to the store, so because my nephew loves Lego’s I borrowed my son’s Lego men. I iced the surfboard (I think it would have worked just as easily with a piece of Styrofoam or cardboard and placed the men upright on both, the icing worked great as an adhesive to avoid them from falling over. I went around the rim of the “boat” with the icing again just to add the effect of an inflatable side around the boat.
Lastly, I added the writing Titanic on the back of the ship and the Happy 10th Kyle. I am free pleased with how this cake came out first try! I typically do a test run, of which my friends think I am nuts, so this time I decided to just chance it, and it worked! Tomorrow is the party, I hope my nephew is pleased with the results of his Homemade Sinking Titanic Cake! My children (6 and 3) have already started thinking about their next take challenge for me…..Bring it on.
**Note from Elad (Editor): Along with the comments below, this cake sparked a heated FB discussion several days after a cruise ship ran aground off the West shores of Italy in January 2012. I just want to say to Audrey that your cake is wonderful and the writeup is great and I really hope that the people’s comments don’t discourage you in any way. On the contrary, you should be proud that your creation has sparked such emotion and, in a way, has helped keep the memory of that disaster above water and not lost in the hidden depths of history.
My 7 year old is obsessed with the Titanic, I’m glad he didn’t see this in time for his birthday! Although I know I”m going to have to make it for him very soon! Thanks for the detailed directions.
It was a shock when my 10 yr old nephew said that he wanted the Titanic half sinking…I figured he was going to ask for Star Wars…it was a fun challenge and I am happy with the way it turned out. Good luck if you try to make it next year,
My stepson is 7 and he totally obsessed with the Titanic, even asking for documentaries this past Christmas. I am sooooo making this for him for his 8th bday party. Thanks for the detailed instructions. You are awesome!
Traci, appreciate your comments. If you need any other pointers or have questions, you are welcome Good Luck!!
My soon to be 7yo son is crazy about all things Titanic. Thought I would google cake ideas & stumbled upon yours, which is fantastic.
Thanks so much, I am looking forward to the challenge.
Hi Karen, thank you for your compliments. I hope it works for you! Enjoy :-)
You’re just full of talent, huh?! This looks great!
Great Cake! Getting back into this again with the grandkids! Let me know when you go into business!
Thanks Karen, good luck send me a message through the site if you have any questions…it doesn’t allow me to provide my email on here. Glad you found this helpful! Enjoy :-)
I freaked out when my sister-in-law wanted me to make a Titanic cake for my niece’s birthday. I didn’t know where to begin! I modeled my cake after your example, and it looked great. My niece loved it. Thanks so much or posting your Titanic cake creation, you really saved me.
thank you so much !! i am in the process of making this cake tonight for my sons 10 bday. when he told me what he wanted all i kept thinking was how immpossible this was going to be. but luckily i came across your cake. i will let you know how it goes.
Audry from Indiana….would love for you to share a picture of your cake….you should submit your cake as well. Glad it helped, thanks for your feedback! Have a great day – Audrey from PA
My 9 yo son and niece are both totally into the titanic!! This will be an awesome cake for their birthdays!! Thank you for the dynamite idea!!
I’m 14 years old, turning 15 on the 100th anniversary (to the day) of the Titanic’s sinking. I’ve been planning a Titanic-themed bash since I was 7, and this is the icing on the proverbial cake for the most awesome bash yet!
I’m thrilled. (My mum – the cook – is less happy…. :o) But, she says the instructions are really good, and she’ll do her best!)
Thank you so much for posting this cake and the detailed instructions! Can’t wait to surprise my soon to be 9 yr. old son with this cake. He is really into Titanic history right now. I just finished the rice treats and it seems like it will work. So glad you are this creative and willing to share that with others!
My 18th birthday is on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, and I thought this year (since I’m OBESESSED with the Titanic), I’d attempt a cake of the ship. I’m going to start baking it within the next couple days, and the detailed instructions you have provided are the easiest to follow so far! Thanks for posting, and hopefully my cake comes out as good as the one you have made. (:
Brilliant
Brilliant Cake!!!!!!!!!!!
What a b=rilliant cake
My nephews bday is coming up in a month hes absolutly bonkers about the titanic and this is what i want for him in a cake would it possible to pay you for your creative skills
Hello Annonymous I would be happy to make this cake fr you but wanted to make sure you were local I live in Elverson Pa and do have a cake business on the side please let me know
This cake looks fantastic. I’m going to attempt to make it this weekend for my little titanic obsessed kid. He will totally freak when he sees it. Hopefully mine will look similar. What kind of cake did you make the ocean with. A pound cake or just any recipe?
A friend just asked me to build a titanic cake… I was thinking she meant titanic as in huge…,
My heart sank when I saw her pics until I found your pin with amazing directions!!!!
Thank you!!!!
I would like to know if you could make this cake for me please. I will pay. It’s for my nephew’s birthday. My number is 302-333-2778. We will need it in August.
Thank you!