• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Decorated Treats

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Cookies Recipes
    • Brownies & Bars
    • Bread & Pastry Recipes
    • Sweets & Candies Recipes
    • Jellies, Mousses and Puddings
    • Frosting and Icing Recipes
  • Designs & Tutorials
  • Tips & Techniques
    • Preparing Cakes for Decoration
    • Fondant Decorating
    • Piping Techniques for Cake Decorating
    • Gum Paste Flowers - How to Make
    • Decorating with Chocolate
    • Other Techniques
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • Techniques
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tutorials
    • Techniques
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Decorated Treats » Recipes » Designs & Tutorials

    Tools Cake Design for Birthday

    Published: Aug 31, 2020 · Modified: Jan 14, 2024 by Priya Maha

    Jump to Recipe

    This tools cake design is perfect for men. It is a two-tier chocolate cake covered in rich chocolate buttercream icing and decorated with mini handmade fondant handyman tools. With the fondant tools shaped entirely by hand, this cake is definitely fun to make!

    Poster for a 2 tier tools chocolate cake.

    The cake consists of 2 tiers of chocolate pound cake measuring 6 inches and 9 inches in diameter. It is filled and covered in chocolate buttercream. There are 4 different types of fondant handyman tools on the cake - screwdrivers, spanners, hammers and pliers.

    The pliers and spanners are placed on the top tier (in alternating order) of the tools cake while the screwdrivers and hammers are placed on the bottom tier (also in alternative order). All of these are shaped by hand, painted with edible silver and food coloring and attached to the side of the cake with toothpicks.

    If you like this tools cake design, you should also check out my other similar tools birthday cake. It is also decorated with more handyman tools, all made of fondant.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️Why You Will Love This Tutorial
    • 📋Supplies Required
    • 👩‍🍳How to Make
    • ❤️More Cake Designs You Will Love
    • 📖Recipe

    ❤️Why You Will Love This Tutorial

    • The combination of chocolate pound cake with chocolate buttercream is delicious.
    • You get to learn how to shape fondant handyman tools by hand.
    • You can make the cake at a fraction of cost as compared to ordering it from a bakery.
    • You get to customize the size and design to your liking.
    • This tools cake design is not only suitable for birthdays, but also Father's day and as a groom's cake.
    A 2 tier cake covered in chocolate frosting and decorated with fondant tools.

    📋Supplies Required

    • Chocolate pound cake - 2 layers of 6 inch round cakes and 2 layers of 9 inch round cakes.
    • Chocolate buttercream - to fill the cake layers as well as to frost the cake tiers.
    • Fondant - to make the handyman tools and lettering on the cake. I used my homemade fondant. You can also use marshmallow fondant or store bought fondant.
    • CMC powder (tylose) - added to fondant when making 3D decorations. It helps fondant set firm and hard and helps the decorations hold their shape.
    • Food coloring - to paint the fondant tools.
    • Silver edible dust and lemon extract - these are mixed together to form a thick paste and used to paint the fondant decorations.
    • Fondant glue - to attach the screwdriver shank to its handle.
    • Cake decorating brush - to paint the fondant tools.
    • Bubble tea straws - to provide support for the bottom tier to hold the top cake tier.
    • Star piping tip and disposable piping bag - to pipe the rope border for the cake.
    • Alphabet molds - to make the lettering on the cake.
    • Toothpicks - to attach the tools to the cake.

    👩‍🍳How to Make

    Step 1: Shape the Fondant Handyman Tools

    Knead some CMC powder into white fondant. Shape the tools in white fondant, by hand.

    Fondant plier.

    To make the pliers (image 1), roll 2 long strips of fondant. Cross both at one third mark (for the pivot point). Press lightly and attach them together with fondant glue. Bend the jaws slightly and flatten the tips to make the teeth. Attach 2 toothpicks, one at the pivot point and another one at one of the handles.

    Note: It is advisable to add 2 toothpicks to each fondant tool instead of one to better support the weight of the tools on the sides of the cake.

    Set aside for the pliers to set completely. Repeat the process to make 2 more fondant pliers.

    Note: Make at least one extra tool for each tool to give allowance for breakages.

    Fondant hammer.

    To make the fondant hammer (image 2), roll white fondant into a sausage, with one end thicker than the other. Shape the hammer head at the thicker end. Attach 2 tooth picks at the back, one at the head and the other at the handle. Set aside to set completely. Make 5 hammers.

    Fondant screwdriver.

    To make the fondant screwdriver (image 3), make a short fat sausage with white fondant for the handle. Use the end of a cake decorating brush to mark the lines on the handle.

    Take another piece of white fondant and roll and shape it into the shank and blade. Use the end of a dowel rod or the cake decorating brush to make a dent at the end of the handle. Apply some fondant glue and attach the shank into the handle. Lay the screwdriver flat and support the shank with folded kitchen towel until the glue sets. Make 5 screwdrivers.

    Fondant spanner.

    To make the spanner (image 4), roll white fondant into a slightly thick sausage with slightly fatter ends than the middle. Flatten it to make the shaft and heads on ends. Use a toothpick to imprint the lines on the spanner. Attach 2 toothpicks at the back, on each head and set the spanner aside to set completely. Make 3 spanners.

    Step 2: Paint the Tools

    Use gel based food coloring and dilute slightly with water when painting. Paint the hammer handle in yellow, the pliers handle in green and the screwdriver handle in pink. For the rest of the parts including the spanner, paint them in silver (mix a few drops of lemon extract into about one eighth teaspoon of silver edible dust. Mix to form a thick paste to paint the fondant).

    Set the tools aside again until the paint is completely dry. Use the toothpicks attached to each of the tools to hold them by poking them into a styrofoam block to allow the paint to dry on both sides.

    Note: Make the tools in advance to allow sufficient time for them to set and for the paint to set.

    Step 3: Bake the Cake and Make the Chocolate Buttercream

    Bake 2 layers of 6 inch round cakes and 2 layers of 9 inch round cakes. Each layer should be approximately 2 inches high. These will form the top tier and bottom tier of the cake. Cool all the cake layers completely before carving and decorating.

    Make the buttercream.

    Step 4: Frost and Stack the Cake Tiers

    Once completely cooled down, level all 4 cake layers. Sandwich the 6 inch layers together with buttercream to make the top tier and the 9 inch layers together to form the bottom tier. Place the 9 inch tier on a cake board measuring 12 or 13 inches. Place the 6 inch tier on a 6 inch round cake board.

    Give the cakes a light crumb coat to lock the crumbs on the cake. Refrigerate the cakes for 20 to 30 minutes before frosting them with the chocolate buttercream.

    Note: Refrigerating the cake after crumb coat with keep the crumbs in place while you apply the final layer frosting.

    Poke 4 bubble tea straws into the bottom tier, making sure the straws are within 5 inch diameter from the center of the cake. Cut the straws so that they are all of the same height and level with the cake.

    Note: The bubble tea straws are meant to provide support for the bottom tier to hold the weight of the top tier without getting compressed. The straws should not be visible once the cakes are stacked.

    Rope border with chocolate buttercream.

    Carefully place the top tier cake onto the bottom tier. Pipe rope border for both tiers (image 5).

    Step 5: Make the Letters on the Cake

    I used one of Wilton lettering tools for the letters. You can use any other alphabet cutters or molds you like. If using silicone molds, dust them with powdered sugar or cornstarch before pressing the fondant in for easy release. See my post here on how to use silicone molds for cake decorating.

    Happy birthday lettering on a round chocolate cake.

    Place the letters on the cake top (image 6). The buttercream icing should be able to hold them in place without any need for fondant glue.

    Step 6: Attach the Fondant Tools to the Cake

    Once the paint on the tools have dried completely, attach them all around the cake in alternate order with 2 spanners and 2 pliers on the top tier and 4 screwdrivers and 4 hammers on the bottom tier to complete the tools cake design.

    Note: If the cake is to be transported to a different location, it is best to attach the tools to the cake at the destination. This is to avoid the risk of the tools falling off the cake and breaking.

    A 2 tier cake covered in chocolate frosting and decorated with fondant tools.

    ❤️More Cake Designs You Will Love

    • A black and white 2 tier cake with guitar topper and black music note topper.
      Guitar Cake Design (How to Make)
    • A round cake with the top decorated in a black and white football.
      Easy Football Cake Design
    • A round black cake with Star Wars themed cake.
      Star Wars Birthday Cake (How to Make)
    • Laptop cake poster.
      Laptop Cake for Birthday (A Computer Cake Design)

    Do you like this tools cake design? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐rating in the recipe card below and consider a review further down this page. I would love to hear from you. Thank you!

    📖Recipe

    A 2 tier cake covered in chocolate frosting and decorated with fondant tools.

    Tools Cake Design

    This tools cake design is perfect for men. Decorated with fondant handyman tools, this cake is really fun to make. Here's how to make it.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Decorating time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Yield: 1 Two tier cake
    Author: Priya Maha
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cake decorating brush
    • Bubble tea straws
    • Star piping tip and disposable piping bag
    • Alphabet molds
    • Toothpicks

    For best results, use the metrics measurements. US customary measurements have not been tested and are only meant for guide.

    Ingredients

    • 2 round cakes measuring 6 inches in diameter
    • 2 round cake measuring 9 inches in diameter
    • Buttercream
    • Fondant
    • CMC powder (tylose)
    • Food coloring
    • Silver edible dust
    • Lemon extract
    • Fondant glue

    Instructions

    Shape the handyman tools

    • Knead some CMC powder into white fondant. Shape the tools in white fondant, by hand.
    • To make the pliers, roll 2 long strips of fondant. Cross both at one third mark (for the pivot point). Press lightly and attach them together with fondant glue. Bend the jaws slightly and flatten the tips to make the teeth. Attach 2 toothpicks, one at the pivot point and another one at one of the handles (see Note 1).
    • Set aside for the pliers to set completely. Repeat the process to make 2 more fondant pliers (see Note 2).
    • To make the fondant hammer, roll white fondant into a sausage, with one end thicker than the other. Shape the hammer head at the thicker end. Attach 2 tooth picks at the back, one at the head and the other at the handle. Set aside to set completely. Make 5 hammers.
    • To make the fondant screwdriver, make a short fat sausage with white fondant for the handle. Use the end of a cake decorating brush to mark the lines on the handle.
    • Take another piece of white fondant and roll and shape it into the shank and blade. Use the end of a dowel rod or the cake decorating brush to make a dent at the end of the handle. Apply some fondant glue and attach the shank into the handle. Lay the screwdriver flat and support the shank with folded kitchen towel until the glue sets. Make 5 screwdrivers.
    • To make the spanner, roll white fondant into a slightly thick sausage with slightly fatter ends than the middle. Flatten it to make the shaft and heads on ends. Use a toothpick to imprint the lines on the spanner. Attach 2 toothpicks at the back, on each head and set the spanner aside to set completely. Make 3 spanners.

    Paint the tools

    • Use gel based food coloring and dilute slightly with water when painting. Paint the hammer handle in yellow, the pliers handle in green and the screwdriver handle in pink. For the rest of the parts including the spanner, paint them in silver (mix a few drops of lemon extract into about one eighth teaspoon of silver edible dust. Mix to form a thick paste to paint the fondant).
    • Set the tools aside again until the paint is completely dry. Use the toothpicks attached to each of the tools to hold them by poking them into a styrofoam block (see Note 3) to allow the paint to dry on both sides.
    • Bake the cakes and make the chocolate buttercream
    • Bake 2 layers of 6 inch round cakes and 2 layers of 9 inch round cakes. Each layer should be approximately 2 inches high. These will form the top tier and bottom tier of the cake. Cool all the cake layers completely before carving and decorating.
    • Make the buttercream.

    Frost and stack the cake tiers

    • Once completely cooled down, level all 4 cake layers. Sandwich the 6 inch layers together with buttercream to make the top tier and the 9 inch layers together to form the bottom tier. Place the 9 inch tier on a cake board measuring 12 or 13 inches. Place the 6 inch tier on a 6 inch round cake board.
    • Give the cakes a light crumb coat to lock the crumbs on the cake. Refrigerate the cakes for 20 to 30 minutes before frosting them with the chocolate buttercream (see Note 4).
    • Poke 4 bubble tea straws into the bottom tier, making sure the straws are within 5 inch diameter from the center of the cake (see Note 5). Cut the straws so that they are all of the same height and level with the cake.
    • Carefully place the top tier cake onto the bottom tier. Pipe rope border for both tiers.

    Make the letters on the cake

    • Dust the mold with cornstarch or powdered sugar. Press fondant into the mold and level the top. Gently tap or push the letters out (see Note 6)
    • Place the letters on the cake top. The buttercream icing should be able to hold them in place without any need for fondant glue.

    Attach the handyman tools to the cake

    • Once the paint on the tools have dried completely, attach them all around the cake in alternate order with 2 spanners and 2 pliers on the top tier and 4 screwdrivers and 4 hammers on the bottom tier (see Note 7) to complete the cake.

    Notes

    1. It is advisable to add 2 toothpicks to each fondant tool instead of one to better support the weight of the tools on the sides of the cake.
    2. Make at least one extra tool for each tool to give allowance for breakages.
    3. Make the tools in advance to allow sufficient time for them to set and for the paint to set.
    4. Refrigerating the cake after crumb coat with keep the crumbs in place while you apply the final layer frosting.
    5. The bubble tea straws are meant to provide support for the bottom tier to hold the weight of the top tier without getting compressed. The straws should not be visible once the cakes are stacked.
    6. I used one of Wilton lettering tools for the letters. You can use any other alphabet cutters or molds you like. If using silicone molds, see my post on how to use silicone molds for cake decorating.
    7. If the cake is to be transported to a different location, it is best to attach the tools to the cake at the destination. This is to avoid the risk of the tools falling off the cake and breaking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 3480kcal | Carbohydrates: 732g | Protein: 64.8g | Fat: 32.4g | Saturated Fat: 9.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11.4g | Cholesterol: 1224mg | Sodium: 7476mg | Potassium: 1188mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 440.4g | Vitamin A: 1848IU | Calcium: 840mg | Iron: 32.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @decorated_treats or tag #decoratedtreats!

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there!

    I'm Priya, and I'm so excited that you dropped by 🙂 Welcome to DECORATED TREATS, a place where I share all my cake decorating ideas & true and tried recipes for all things sweet.

    More about me →


    Currently Trending:

    • Light fruit cake cut into slices on a green plate.
      Moist Light Fruit Cake (the Best Ever)!
    • 3 dessert bowls of pink jelly with gold flake decoration.
      Agar Agar Jelly Recipe (How to Make)
    • Pink bars of coconut candy stacked on a plate.
      Coconut Candy Recipe (How to Make)
    • A stack of 4 green tea bars.
      Matcha Blondies (Perfectly Fudgy Green Tea Blondies)
    • A round cake on a cake board.
      Why is My Cake Wet In the Middle (and How to Avoid It)
    • A glass of milk on a brown tray with cookies on the side
      How to Make Milk with Milk Powder

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    SUBSCRIBE TO DECORATED TREATS

    Sign up for latest recipes and tutorials!


    Thank you for joining!

    Keep watch for my latest updates in your email.

    .

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

    Resources

    • Conversion Chart
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Me

    Decorated Treats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Decorated Treats also contains other affiliate links, which if you purchase from may earn me a small commission. The full disclosure policy can be found here.

    Copyright © 2024 Decorated Treats

    Poster for a 2 tier tools chocolate cake.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.