Treasure Chest Cake

I got a call on Wednesday from a friend of the mom I did the Star Wars cake for.  She had been planning to make her sons' cake, but did a practice round and didn't like it.  She wanted to know if I could make matching treasure chest cakes for her sons for this Saturday.

I told her yes, and then freaked out.  I had no idea how to do it.  After a quick search online though I found that lots of people have made this cake because the idea had been in several parenting magazines.  I flagged a few I liked and got started.  

Even though the directions are online in several places, I found that many of the directions are missing bits of information that might frustrate beginners, or tired people like me.  I took pictures as I went along so that you too can recreate this design.

For 1 cake:

Bake a 9x13 cake, in any flavor, but firmer flavors are better.   I used yellow cake.

Cut about 1 inch off the long edge and cut the cake in half down the middle.  This will make a small rectangle.  Level, then split each half into 2 layers.  Torte and fill 3 of the layers.

If you are using chocolate icing, then ice the cake.  If you are using buttercream, crumb coat with white icing.  I iced the top white and then used color mist to color it black.

Using one of the inch wide pieces, cut 2 wedges, ice with brown (or chocolate) icing and set it on top.  I made mine about 2 inches shorter than the cake and set it about 1 inch from the edges.  This will support the lid.Now ice the entire cake with brown.  I set my lid on a piece of cardboard and iced it separately.  The cardboard will keep the lid from sagging in the middle.

For the straps and lock I used black fondant rolled out thinly and cut into strips about one inch wide.  To get the look of the nails, I used a Wilton fondant ribbon tool.  If you have taken the Wilton fondant class, it comes in your kit, but you can buy it individually as well.

I laid the strips on the cake and used scissors to get a straight edge at the edges of the box.  For the key hole, I used an exacto knife and cut the shape freehand.
To turn my fondant bronze, I mixed about 1/4 tsp. bronze luster dust with about 1/2 tsp. vanilla.  I then used a paint brush and painted my bands.

Normally you would want to use a clear alcohol such as vodka or even a clear extract, but I wanted my bands to look aged so I used regular vanilla.  Just make sure you don't use water, it won't evaporate.

Here is a shot of the cake before adding the decorations.  I used brown sugar for the sand.  Off to the side is a map I made with Happy Birthday written at the "X".  It is just parchment colored fondant rolled out very thinly.

I then filled the box with necklaces and both plastic and chocolate gold coins.
The pictures don't really do it justice, it turned out awesome and almost looks real.

If you are a beginner, you can make this cake quite easily.  I did both cakes in under 2 hours and that was with taking care of a one year old.  If I would have focused I could have done it more quickly.