3D Thomas Train Cake Recipe
Would your Thomas obsessed pre-schooler love a themed birthday party with an amazing cake in the shape of the famous little blue train? Well, you’re not alone. Thomas the Tank Engine toys are amongst the best-selling preschool items in the US, UK and Australia. Kids everywhere love a Thomas party and thankfully, plenty of other brave parents have paved the way (check out their party ideas here). And read on for step by step instructions to make the 3D Thomas train cake.
To make this Thomas Cake you will need:
The Cake & Fondant Template
This Thomas cake will serve 40 people, you can scale it down if you have less guests.
Cake: two and a half times the rich chocolate cake recipe baked into five trays 25cm (9.84 inches) x 38cm (14.96 inches) baked at 356F (180 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes.
Fondant for thomas train cake
400g (14.11 ounces) black fondant
650g (22.93 ounces) blue fondant
450g (15.87 ounces) red fondant
30g (1.06 ounces) yellow fondant
160g (5.64 ounces) grey fondant
Note: Fondant quantities are actual amounts used on the cake, so allow extra for rolling out.
Frosting for train cake:
Two quantities of buttercream recipe in flavour of your choice
Two quantities of ganache recipe, allow to cool completely at room temp overnight. Whip together with the buttercream, use to cover the outside of the train before adding fondant.
Equipment needed for train cake:
Fondant extruder (makes it quicker and easier but optional you can roll long skinny snakes instead).
Circle cutters
Ruler
Pizza cutter (optional)
drinking straw to cut small circles
rolling pin
non-stick baking paper
spray oil
metal piping tip or something with 1.7cm (0.67 inches) diameter to cut circle
To make the thomas train face see this previous post:
Instructions
1: Make the fondant details ahead of time so they can dry out (see video)
2: Bake the cakes, prepare the frosting and make the simple syrup. This can be done 2 days before the party. See above for quantities.
3: Construct and decorate the cake the day before the party. See the video for demonstration. You will need a very strong cake board that is at least 35cm (13.78 inches) long and 20cm (7.87 inches) wide.
4. If it is very hot where you live, store in the fridge otherwise room temperature is fine.
5. Enjoy the birthday boy or girl’s face when they see their Thomas cake. Don’t forget to take photos!
by Ann Reardon
2013
My Cookbook
Stores that sell my book listed by country:
http://bit.ly/ARcookbook
All recipe quantities in the book are in grams, ounces and cups.
Thanks so much for this recipe and video! I had fun making my first 3D cake after watching the video over and over. I decided that the only way to get a cake like that (since we didn’t have a lot to spend on a party) was for me to make it myself. It wasn’t perfect, but the kids loved it, and it made my son’s party really special. Thank you!
Hello I’m in the middle of making this cake and have noted down ingred for ganache and frosting!! Do you just use frosting or both? Thank you!
Hi,
Cant wait to start this thomas cake looks so cute. Just wondering what trays did you use ? I cant seem to find any with the dimensions that you specified ?
I found this very helpful, although it looks easier than it is. After sweating for hours I came up with it, my nephew was in the clouds with joy. Thank you.
Hi Ann, I cannot seem to be able to find the template of this cake on this page please could you send a link on where to buy it please it would be very helpful
Hi Lauren, The link is on the recipe page, but you can also find it on the shop page here: https://wellness-wave1.news/public_html/shop-cook/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I made this cake for my sons second birthday. It was a huge hit at his party. It took me a week to make and the perfectionist in me made me only get about only 8 hrs of sleep this past week….it was worth it
Nik, This cake looks fabulous! Well done. I love your railroad track on the board as well.
Made the Thomas cake for my son’s 2nd birthday party this past weekend. It turned out good! I will definitely be coming to you for future cake designs:-)
Hi Jessica. You did a fantastic job. Well done!!
I am a huge fan of your 3D templates. I have made Thomas and also your fire truck. Any chance you have a Dusty Planes template?
Sorry Tabitha, we don’t have a template for that at present.
my husband and I made this cake for our son back in August. We thought it came out pretty good! it took forever, and its definitely not perfection, but he LOVED it!
Hi Melanie, you both did a brilliant job. Great job on the face! Well done.
Could you please LMK what size cake tin to use for this cake.
Thank You
Can you please share with me, all that equipment you use to make any cake?
Hi Ann,
I’ve got the template and done the first sections. What size circle cutter do you use for the wheels (can’t find on the instructions).
Many thanks
Phill
Hi Phill, Ann just selected the best fit for her template from a cookie cutter set. There is a link to a similar set in the recipie. I can’t give you and exact size, so just select what works with your template.
hi ann,
love your videos and i had been asked to do a thomas tank engine cake and i had a go for first time im really pleased with it.
Kids loved it at my friends party x
Hi Tracey, This cake looks fabulous! well done.
Hi, I have purchased the template, please can you advise how I can scale down the size of the template to make a smaller cake? Thank you.
Hi Jenna, If you want a smaller size check if your printer allows you to scale in your printer settings? If not then you may need to use a photocopier to scale it down.
Hi ann , you say thomas can be scaled down how would you do that please
Hi Ruby, most printers allow you to choose if you print the size it is or scale the print to a smaller size. You can choose a size appropriate to the number of people
Hi, Im struggling to find pre made grey fondant. Is there somewhere i can order it from?
Hi Lou, Ann just makes her own buy colouring white fondant with a very small amount of black gel colouring. This gives you a nice grey fondant.
Hi Ann,
I am so excited to put my whole cake together next weekend! I was wondering, where do you put the ganache and where do you put the butter cream or does it matter!?! Does one work better than the other in holding the fondant to the cake? Thanks so much for your videos and your time!
Hi Kristen,
Whip the ganache and buttercream together.
How much in US dollars? Can I purchase this?
Hi Chenoa, When purchasing templates, you should be able to click on the Buy Now Button. The price should be displayed in your local currency.
Having trouble ordering the cake and fondant template for Thomas The Train cake
Hi Mary Jo Lawrence. Not sure where the problem might lie. Try again, by clicking on the Buy it now button. If you have actually purchased the template but it is not downloading, then please email contact Tech Support by emailing: howtocookthat (at) iinet.net.au and we will get it sorted.
Hi, thank you so much, this cake turned out amazing!! One thing though, I don’t think you specified in the tutorial how to attach the head? Did you do it with picks, or granache or buttercream?? I’ve tried a few different ways, hopefully the head won’t fall off tomorrow!!!
Thanks again, such a feeling of achievement!!
Hi Jennifer, The weight of the face should be supported by the cake underneath. The fondant should be enough to hold it in position so it doesn’t fall forward.