Step 1: Bake the cake! This is a 13×8 standard sized cake pan. Recipe is http://iambaker.net/the-perfect-white-cake/ I made 2 of these.

Step 2: Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then foil. Put in freezer for a couple hours. I did mine for 3 hours.

Step 3: Cut out the peripheral shapes using tall shape cutters. These are petit fours cutters.

Step 4: Use food coloring markers to draw the shape of the cake, then cut it with knife. Frost one side of the cutout shape.

Step 5: Lay cutout shape, frosting side down, on top of other cake. Trim bottom cake with a knife to create a double layer shape.

Step 5: Use extra cake to create flames. Skewer each flame with a bamboo skewer. (you can also do this with uncooked spaghetti, so it’s 100% edible) Pull them out and set aside. Label them with food coloring marker so you know where they belong.

Step 6: Place on cake board and apply icing. Carefully wipe away any wayward icing from the board as you go. Use a wet paper towel.

Step 7: Put the flames back in place.

Step 8: Ice the flames. To create the multi-colored effect, I created a couple different colors, then filled the icing bag with alternating spoonfuls of each color. Pipe onto flames using a star tip. *Make 2 batches of vanilla buttercream! I ran out part way and had to make a second batch.

Step 9: Write on cake and add decorations. Pictured here are fondant windows and piped buttercream writing.

Step 10: Ready for takeoff! Pictured here is a Wilton cake box I purchased at JoAnn Fabrics.