Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Would it be wrong not to use fondant to cover the board but use coloured tissue paper instead?

Hi michala-dench

Coloured tissue paper does leak the dye if it becomes damp or wet. The dyes are not food safe so take care that the paper does not come into contact with any of the edible parts of the cake. I’m sure no one will be eating the dragon’s sugar paste legs which will be touching the tissue, however you can now decide whether you still want to use it. For my dinosaur cake I coloured up some dessicated coconut with green food dye, brushed the board with piping gel and sprinkled over the green coconut. It can be a bit messy but does look the part!
Other members may have some more suggestions.

Hi Michaela I have done this before but also covered the crepe paper with clear cellophane as you can easily wipe it and it protects the cake and board,so far nobody has been poisoned ????

Thanks guys. I think I am going to do the fondant and have coloured gumballs dotted around him, just as a wow factor because I want to sell this as one of my ‘Special Effects’ cakes on my website, lots of great ideas though for different budgets.