Instructions for Kit
Please do not place the burn away topper on the cake far in advance.
For best results, assemble the burn away topper as close to serving time as reasonably possible. Ideally, this should be done within a few hours of the event, not earlier in the day if it can be avoided.
Once the topper is attached, keep the cake in a cool indoor environment until it is time to serve.
Before you begin
Make sure you have:
Keep everything away from moisture, steam, or wet countertops while assembling.
Step 1: Prepare the empty piping bag
Take the empty piping bag and insert the decorating tip into the bottom of the bag.
Push the tip down so it sits securely in the pointed end. If needed, trim a very small amount from the end of the empty bag so the tip fits through properly. Only trim enough so the tip opening is exposed and held snugly in place.
The tip should not fall out or slide around.
Step 2: Transfer the buttercream
Take the pre filled buttercream bag and snip a small opening at the tip.
Place the open end of the filled bag into the top of the empty piping bag that now has the decorating tip inside.
Squeeze the buttercream from the filled bag into the empty bag until the buttercream has transferred over.
Once transferred, gently push the buttercream down toward the decorating tip and twist the top of the empty bag closed so the buttercream is ready to pipe.
You can discard the original filled bag once the transfer is complete.
Step 3: Apply the buttercream glue
Using the bag fitted with the decorating tip, pipe small dollops of buttercream onto the top of the cake where the burn away topper will sit over the existing piping.
You do not need to pipe a border or anything decorative. Just add a few small dollops on the existing border..
Think of them as little anchor points rather than full coverage.
Use enough buttercream to help the topper stay in place, but not so much that it squishes out heavily from underneath.
Step 4: Place the burn away topper
Carefully position the burn away topper over the cake and gently press it into the buttercream dollops.
Do not press hard.
The goal is simply to secure the topper in place. The buttercream should act as a gentle adhesive.
Once placed, avoid moving it around too much. Repeated handling can damage the wafer paper or affect the setup.
Step 5: Add your decorative layer to lock the topper down
Using the piping bag, you can now make any decorative border around the topper to add your own decorative touch!
The easiest method is simple, equal size dollops. You can practice a couple on a sheet of paper if you like.
1: Positive the piping tip straight down and gently squeeze out a quarter sized dollop or about .5 to 1.0 inches in diameter.
2: Once the desired dollop size is reached just pull straight up smoothly to finish.
3: Move to either side of this dollop and repeat the process all around the border of the topper until complete.
Feeling adventurous?
We include a generous portion of buttercream, so if you are feeling adventurous you can try other techniques.
Youtube is a great resource for video guides on basic piping techniques.
Step 6: Keep the cake in a cool, dry place until serving
After assembly, keep the cake indoors in a cool environment until it is time for the reveal. If serving within a couple of hours do not refrigerate!
Avoid:
- placing it back into a very humid refrigerator if possible
- leaving it in a hot car
- exposing it to outdoor humidity for long periods
- storing it near steam or heat
The less environmental change the topper experiences after assembly, the better.
Why this method works best
We know a fully finished cake might sound more convenient, but in practice, attaching the topper too early creates too much risk.
Our goal is not just to make something visually exciting. Our goal is to make sure it actually works when the moment comes.
This final DIY step allows us to offer the burn away effect in a way that is more reliable, more practical, and much better suited to real world pickup, delivery, refrigeration, and event timing.
