>>m working on a cake in the next week, and the problem I'm having is that due to the amount of time it will take, I need to make the top design now, but the actual cake in about 5 days. I'm trying to think of something not too hard to cut, and edible, that can be used as a base for the top, that I can then slide onto the cake. I will probably use a piece of sheet metal to move the top to the cake, but I still need something to build the top on in the 5 days prior to that. The top is a country village, so I'm expecting some amount of repairs will need to be done to it after the move, if only because it will be created on a flat surface, and the cake top will be slightly rounded. The real problem is that it needs to be stiff enough to move reasonably easy, but still be edible and able to be cut when it's time to eat. Any ideas anyone?
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>>Work on the top on an aluminum pan (Terry: I know it's aluminium, for you to understand it).
>>Put a baking sheet on top of it so it doesn't stick. Freeze afterwards for 5 days.
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>>To use later, thaw properly and user superglue to tie to cake. It works better that duct tape. Trust me. :)
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>Ok, in lieu of using superglue, I was thinking more in the line of royal icing. Interesting idea to make the cake on the aluminum, but it will be about 18" x 22" so freezing is out. One of the issues is how to slide it off without having to use something like parchment paper, which couldn't be left between the top and the cake. Maybe if I use a thin layer of rolled fondant directly on the metal with some non-stick spray underneath...

When I posted my suggestion I didn't read the whole thread. Interestingly we have the same idea. And I know nothing about the whole baking business... I cook only ocassionally...