Surprise Inside Cake - Hidden Downton Abbey

I have a fondness for Downton Abbey. Like the rest of some of the millions of viewers that have made it so popular.

I was so looking forward to Season 5 that I decided to make a cake in honor of it. No special occasion. No gathering of any sort. Just wanted to see if it could be done.

My first attempt was a fail. The batter wasn't baking up high enough to surround the tops of the castles.

So I added more batter. Just not quite enough.

After flattening the tops of the cakes the castles were still peeking through and I wanted a bit more white space.

Even this wasn't enough since once the cake tops were flattened the top of the castle lost some of its definition.

The next attempt wasn't a complete success since the castles weren't exactly lined up to mirror each other but I'm getting closer. Perhaps the 3rd time will be a charm?

The letters were cut from modeling chocolate using Marion Frost's Patchwork cutters from Global Sugar Arts. The castles for the exterior were hand cut from a modeling chocolate/fondant mixture.

Now that the cake drama is over I'm looking forward to some real drama at Downton!

Confectionately yours,

Deborah