The Ultimate Party Hat! Cake

Step 1

Several days in advance: Make fondant cake top pieces. Mix 24 oz. fondant with 2 teaspoons Gum-Tex; tint yellow. Roll out 3/16 in. thick. Cut 8 arch strips, 8 1/2 x 1 in. wide.

Step 2

Cover arch patterns with waxed paper; dust with cornstarch. Position strips on patterns, resting on sides; let dry. Also: Using pattern, cut out cross.

Step 3

Insert toothpick in bottom and let dry on cake board dusted with cornstarch.

Step 4

Roll and stack 1 1/4 and 2 in. diameter fondant balls for cross base; stack together and make center hole using toothpick. Remove toothpick; position on cornstarch-dusted board. Reserve remaining yellow fondant.

Step 5

For jewel pieces, tint 4 oz. portions of fondant purple, rose and green. Roll out 1/8 in. thick. Using smallest round Cut-Out, cut 50 circles in each color.

Step 6

Brush tops with water and sprinkle with matching color Cake Sparkles.

Step 7

Prepare 2-layer cake mix; bake and cool cake following pan directions. Prepare whipped icing mix, and add confetti sprinkles.

Step 8

Fill and assemble cake following package directions. Ice smooth.

Step 9

Roll out reserved yellow fondant 1/8 in. thick. Cut a 3/4 in. wide strip for top and bottom borders, long enough to wrap around cake; position on cake.

Step 10

Using damp brush, attach fondant circles 1/4 in. apart on arches and border strips.

Step 11

Roll out violet fondant 1/8 in. thick; cut letters and "!" using Cut-Outs. Attach message with icing. Insert cross in base; position on cake top.

Step 12

Position arch pieces.

*Combine Lemon Yellow with Golden Yellow for yellow shown.