Create a Wildly Beautiful Safari Animals Cake

Make the Elephant Family
Lightly coat the Elephant Family Silicone Mould with a small amount of white vegetable fat to prevent sticking. Cornflour can also be used if preferred. Work grey fondant until pliable, then press it firmly into the mould, making sure it reaches the legs, trunk, tail and detailed skin texture. Remove any excess and keep the back of the fondant flush with the mould. Gently flex the silicone away from the larger areas first, taking extra care around the trunk, tail and legs. Repeat to make the remaining elephants, then leave them to dry before colouring.

Add Colour and Shading
Use matte edible dusts to add depth and bring out the moulded detail. Build up natural shades of grey and brown, concentrating darker colour beneath the tummy, around the legs and inside the ears. Lighter shades can be brushed over raised areas and the tusks, while a small amount of edible black paint can be used for the eyes. Always begin with a little colour and gradually build the intensity.

Make and Paint the Giraffes
For the Giraffe Mother and Baby Silicone Mould, begin with cream or pale beige fondant. Lightly prepare the mould with vegetable fat, then press the fondant firmly into the body, neck, head and legs. Make sure the legs are completely filled so they remain strong when released. When demoulding, ease out the larger head and body section first, leaving the delicate legs until last. Once the giraffes have dried, mix brown and orange edible gel colours with a small amount of rejuvenating spirit. Using a fine brush, paint the individual markings, allowing the raised moulded pattern to guide you.

Create the Lion Family
Use warm caramel-coloured fondant with the Lion Family Silicone Mould. Press it firmly into the design, paying particular attention to the deeper areas around the lion's face and mane. Smooth away excess fondant and tidy the edges before flexing the mould to release the decoration. Repeat for the lioness and cubs, then allow the pieces to firm before colouring. Use yellow and brown edible dusts to highlight the sculpted fur, adding deeper shades around the mane, legs and underside. Finish with a little black edible colour around the eyes.

Add Extra Details to Cake
Small white fondant dots scattered across the tiers add a simple decorative finish without distracting from the animals. Lynsey used the Measuring mould to create these ones. Allow them to firm slightly before attaching with edible glue so they retain their shape. A moulded pearl and rope-style border can also be added around the base of each tier to create a neat finished edge.

Attach the Animals
Arrange the animals on the cake before gluing so you can check the overall composition. If borders or other decorations prevent an animal from sitting flush against the cake, attach a small piece of fondant to its reverse. Brush this lightly with edible glue and use it as a spacer to provide a secure contact point with the cake. Arrange the elephant family around the bottom tier, the giraffes on the middle tier and the lions towards the top. Take care when handling dusted decorations, as some colour may transfer onto your fingers and mark the cake.

Make the Flowers and Leaves
The Hellebore – Christmas Rose Silicone Mould creates the delicate flowers and foliage used throughout the design. Dust the mould lightly with cornflour, then press in pink fondant with a little Tylo powder added to help the decorations dry firmly. Release each flower and place it in a flower former, or a simple shaped piece of foil, so it dries with a gentle cup rather than completely flat. Create the leaves in pale green fondant, curving them slightly before drying to give them a more natural shape. Once firm, brush pink edible dust into the flower centres and lightly over the petal edges. Add green dust to the leaves, blending from the centre towards the edges.

Arrange the Finished Cake
Add the flowers and leaves in small clusters around the tiers, using them to frame the animals and connect the different sections of the design. Vary the sizes and positions rather than spacing them too evenly for a more natural effect.

The finished cake combines detailed safari animals with soft floral decoration for an elegant design that can be easily adapted to suit birthdays, baby showers, christenings and other special occasions.