Flat Cake Designs

• Flat, one-layer cake designs are the easiest and quickest ways to make stroller cakes. These designs can have rounded edges or you can make them from square or rectangular cakes. Cover large donuts in icing to make the wheels of the baby carriage. Lay a small baby doll "inside" the carriage. Use lace and ribbons to trim the cake. Make canopies from a separate piece of cake, or even a small piece of fabric. You can also use hard candy to decorate the stroller.
  
  

Standing Cake Designs

• A standing, or "upright," cake design is by far the most challenging to make. The bed portion of the stroller cake can be set directly on narrower strips of cake that are frosted at each end as "wheels," or it can sit on plastic tiers. The props can be hidden behind the stroller's wheels. To make the canopy, cut a round cake smaller, or cut a small piece of cloth and attach it to the cake with toothpicks. Pipe cleaners wrapped in ribbon make a great handle for the stroller. Use fondant can to make "ruffles."
  
  

Layers & Tiers

• Layers can be added to most designs to feed a larger group of people. When creating a flat cake, layers can be stacked directly on top of each other with frosting between, or they can be stacked with tiers. Stacking several layers is the best way to create a freestanding stroller cake. If tier props are not available, stack the layers on top of each other on the platter; you can draw "wheels" with icing on the sides. If donuts are used as the wheels, they can be placed next to the bottom layer and attached with toothpicks.
  
  

Cut Outs vs. Cake Pans

• Depending on your time restraints and decorating expertise, you may choose to purchase a stroller-shaped cake pan. These are available at stores that provide party supplies or some baking supply shops. That would be the quickest way to get the basic shape for a flat cake design. If you feel a little more daring or creative you can use your own basic baking pans and cut out the specific shape you need. When creating a standing cake design you may wish to cut out your own designs and use various sized baking pans. Draw your designs on heavy paper and cut them out. Then place them on your cake and cut around them.