This is a super simple Lego cake. You really can’t go wrong.
Here is how it’s done…
Start by making the fondant toppers first as these will need time to dry.
Loving the primary colours of these cute Lego cupcake toppers. Whilst these look fiddly they took around 20 minutes for each colour and that’s for a fondant novice like myself. I made these three days before adding to the cupcakes but I did use tylose powder to help dry the fondant quicker… so if you didn’t plan to use tylose powder allow a few weeks for drying. Here is how you make the Lego fondant cupcake toppers in 8 easy steps.
Step 1 – Cover chopping board or bench in baking paper so fondant is easily removed
Step 2 – Knead fondant icing until pliable
Step 3 – Add a light sprinkle of tylose powder and knead again until well combined. Tylose powder as you might know helps to harden fondant so you don’t require weeks to dry
Step 4 – This part of the fondant is going to make the circles for the top of the Lego. Using a rolling pin gently roll fondant flat to desired thickness. The thickness you choose will be dependent on the size of the Lego block you are making. My thickness is based on making them as close to real Lego as possible
Step 5 – Now, some of you might have fancy cutters to create with fondant. As for me, I didn’t want to spend too much to cut the little Lego circles so I hunted around the kitchen for something to improvise with. I found that a straw works really well. I cut the straw down to a small piece so I could easily push fondant pieces out with a blunt toothpick if they got stuck
Step 6 – Cut lots of fondant circles with straw then allow them to dry for about 1 hour before applying
Step 7 – To make the Lego bricks, start by making one as a sample and then use that to measure up all the others. Make sure a sharp knife is used to cut the fondant so that the edge is smooth
Step 8 – Time to add the circles to your Lego bricks. Cover each brick piece in sugar glue, position each circle one at a time then press very lightly to attach
And you are done! If you have used tylose powder allow a couple of days before applying to cake. If you haven’t used tylose powder allow at least two weeks to dry otherwise you risk the colour running or fondant breaking down.
It’s time to bake!
When creating cakes with serious decoration time I like to use my tried and trusted method of using a packet cake whilst making some adjustments to make it taste home made. Learn how to by clicking here … How to Make A Packet Cake Taste Homemade
To make the cakes you will need to use the following packet cake mixes: 1 x Vanilla Cupcake Mix and 1 x Vanilla Cake Mix. My favourite brand to use is White Wings as they always turn out so moist and delicious, especially when I add the extra ingredients.
For the cupcake mix it will make 12 cupcakes and the cake mix will make a loaf cake in a 24 x 12 cm loaf tin (10 x 4 inch). The loaf tin will form the large Lego brick feature.
Time to shape and decorate!
Shaping the Lego cake was fairly simple. Begin by using a cake leveler to even out the top of the cake as this will form the base of your Lego brick cake. Cake levelers are fairly inexpensive. I picked mine up from Big W (a large discount chain store) for under $10. I picked the Wiltshire brand but any type will do. Discard the thin layer of cake or if you are like me you might like to keep a piece for taste testing!
To make the circles for the top of the Lego cake I used a scone cutter to create circles out of the edges of the cake. That way the shape was made into a square Lego brick. Once the circles have been cut use the cake leveler to cut down to size.
I actually think my circles are a tad tall, so if I did make the cake again I would make the circles even thinner.
If you prefer a rectangular shaped brick you could make the circle portion of the brick out of round cookies or large marshmallows cut down to size.
To ice the Lego cake I made my favourite vanilla butter cream and coloured it yellow! For a really rich colour I prefer to use food colour gels rather than the liquid forms. The recipe for this amazing icing can be found at the end of this post.
This stage of cake decorating was a bit of mess… but it doesn’t matter as you will be transferring to another plate or cake stand any way. A few tips to make icing easy:
#1 – As so much of the inner part of the cake is exposed this makes for lots of crumbs so do two layers of icing. Complete one layer then place in the fridge for 30 minutes to set then do the remaining layer. This makes for no crumbs in your top layer of icing and is much faster.
#2 – Don’t forget to secure the Lego circles with tooth picks otherwise when icing they move around too much.
#3 – To smooth the final icing layer my tip is to dip a metal spatula or knife into a cup of boiling water, quickly wipe and then smooth around the cake.
The icing for the cupcakes was yet again my favourite vanilla butter cream icing with the addition of Wilton White Icing Colour to make it extra white so the Lego bricks will stand out.
I was in a bit of a rush to do the icing for the cupcakes and wasn’t in the mood for cleaning piping bags, so I purchased Multix Piping Bags and used the nozzle that was closest to a star tip. As the Lego bricks are the main feature you can really ice these any way you like. A few tips for icing the cupcakes:
#1 – When filling your icing bag roll it over a tall glass to make filling easy and less messy
#2 – Cover the base of your cupcake with a light covering of white icing – this will help cover any small gaps in piped icing if they occur
Top with Lego fondant bricks and you are done!
To display the Lego cakes I raided my son’s Duplo box… no Lego in this house yet as he would probably eat them! I can’t say I’m amazing with building blocks but making this little cake stand was not as hard as it looks and I think the larger sized Duplo blocks made building easier.
If you aren’t much for building you could use a Duplo mat as the base like this.
Happy Lego Making and Baking!
- 250 grams (9 ounces) butter
- 600 grams (4 cups) pure icing sugar sifted
- 60ml ( ¼ cup) milk
- Wilton White Icing Colouring (optional)
- Butter needs to be at room temperature so remove from fridge at least one hour prior to use
- Cut butter into small cubes and place into mixing bowl
- Use electric beater on high and beat butter for 3 minutes or until fluffy
- Gradually add icing sugar a cup at a time with a small amount of the milk until all combined
- If icing is fairly thick add small amounts of milk until happy with consistency
- Add chosen icing colour and mix until well combined
- This recipe will make enough icing for one cake or 12-18 cupcakes depending on the icing technique used