Need a cake recipe that will hold up to fondant

[Kammy]

hello,
Every year we buy our cakes for our little ones b/days...however...that is getting a little expensive at 175 a pop per 4 kids lol...so..I'm going to venture baking the cakes inbetween the landmark birthdays. I am an experienced baker in pastries and chocolates, but cakes are not my cup of tea per se. So, I am looking for a cake recipe that will have a dense texture and will hold up to fondant unlike the light airy textures. Does anyone have a recipe that they would recommend --vanilla (or yellow) would be great. Our idea for this one is a cake shaped like a gift box, covered in white fondant and a red ribbon and bow to complete...any comments or ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks again for your help

 

[ChefJune]

For years I have relied on the advice and recipes of Rose Levy Beranbaum (in The Cake Bible). I've been baking since I was a child, but Rose knows WHY everything works the way it does.

When my nephew married many years ago, I baked a chocolate cake from that book that was frosted with fondant to look like a woman's hat.

I know you'll find a selection of recipes if you consult her. Here is her web site, but I would recommend the book as well, and/or her new prizewinner, "Rose's Heavenly Cakes."