How to Make a Beautiful Ballerina Birthday Cake with Fondant Silhouette

For my daughter’s 8th birthday, she requested a ballerina-themed cake.

Every year, I love to ask her what kind of cake she wants, and each time, she comes up with something unique and fun.

Over the years, we’ve done a flower crown cake for her 12th birthday, a leopard-print stencil cake for her 10th, princess dress pull apart cupcakes for her 2nd birthday, and plenty of other creative designs I can’t wait to share on the blog soon.

It’s been such a joy to create these cakes for her special days, and I’m excited to share today’s project: the ballerina silhouette cake for her 8th birthday.

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1. Building the Cake Foundation

For this cake, I started with a three-layer vanilla cake—one of our absolute favorites! After baking and letting the layers cool completely, I stacked and filled each layer with my go-to vanilla buttercream.

I’m a fan of American buttercream because it’s easy to make, has a delicious flavor, and is forgiving to work with, especially for decorating.

I tinted the buttercream pink, as my daughter wanted a classic ballerina color theme, which added that extra pop to the whole look.

After frosting the cake with a smooth, even coat of pink buttercream, I placed it in the fridge to chill. Chilling the cake at this stage is crucial; it helps set the buttercream so it’s firm and ready for decoration.

While the cake was chilling, I moved on to the focal point of the cake: the ballerina silhouette.

2. Crafting the Ballerina Silhouette

To create the silhouette, I used Wilton black fondant, which is my go-to for decorative accents.

Fondant can be tricky if it’s not prepared correctly, so I started by kneading it to make it soft and pliable.

Kneading fondant is essential for smooth and even rolling, as it eliminates any lumps that could distort the final look.

I set up my non-stick mat (a lifesaver for fondant work) and dusted it lightly with powdered sugar to keep the fondant from sticking.

I found a beautiful ballerina silhouette template online that had an elegant pose and printed it to use as a guide.

After thoroughly kneading the fondant, I rolled it out evenly—not too thin, or it would tear, but not too thick, as that would make the figure heavy and difficult to attach to the cake.

Using a light dusting of powdered sugar on the top of the fondant also helped prevent the template from sticking.

This trick can make all the difference because if the template sticks, you risk ruining the fondant, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

I used an X-Acto knife to carefully cut out the silhouette, following the template precisely.

This part takes some patience since it’s delicate work, but it’s so worth it for a clean, sharp result.

After cutting out the ballerina, I used fondant tools to smooth the edges, as the knife sometimes leaves a bit of a rigid edge.

The tools helped soften any rough spots and gave the silhouette a polished look.

I set the silhouette aside to dry completely on parchment paper, as this prevents it from bending when it’s placed on the cake.

3. Assembling and Adding Finishing Touches

Once the ballerina silhouette was dry and firm, I was ready to attach it to the cake. I took the chilled cake out of the fridge and gently brushed a small dab of water on the back of the silhouette to act as an adhesive.

Carefully, I placed the silhouette on the front of the cake, making sure it was centered and secure.

For the finishing touches, I added a number “8” to the ballerina’s hand, symbolizing my daughter’s new age.

To give the cake a touch of elegance, I brushed some edible gold luster dust around the top rim.

Gold luster dust is one of my favorite ways to elevate a cake because it catches the light beautifully and adds a subtle glam factor.

Lastly, I added a few white and pink pearls around the base and along the top to give it that extra pop.

Looking at the finished cake, I loved the simple yet sophisticated design.

The pink buttercream, the black ballerina silhouette, and the gold luster dust came together to create a cake that felt both celebratory and elegant.

It’s exactly what I envisioned for my daughter’s special day.

A Few Reflections on the Cake-Making Process

Reflecting on this cake, there’s only one small thing I would change if I were to make it again.

I would have loved to use a cake drum instead of a plain cake board.

Cake drums have a thicker, more polished look, which would have matched the ballerina theme beautifully.

However, at the time, all I had was a standard cake board, which worked just fine. Sometimes, you make do with what you have, and it still turns out great.

I talk more about the difference between the two boards here.

Creating this ballerina cake was a memorable experience, and it reminded me why I love making cakes for my daughter each year.

Watching her face light up when she sees her cake for the first time is worth every minute spent kneading fondant and smoothing buttercream.

Cakes are more than just desserts for us—they’re a way to celebrate her personality and interests as she grows, each one a little snapshot of her life at that age.

Tips for Making Your Own Ballerina Silhouette Cake

If you’re thinking about making a similar cake, here are a few tips based on what worked well for me:

1. Chill Your Cake – Chilling the cake after frosting helps set the buttercream, making it easier to work with when you add the fondant decorations.
2. Use a Non-Stick Mat for Fondant – This will save you so much hassle. Fondant can be sticky, and the mat makes it easier to roll, cut, and move the pieces.
3. Choose a Good Template – A clear, simple silhouette works best for clean lines. If the design is too intricate, it can be challenging to cut out without tearing.
4. Roll the Fondant Evenly – Aim for a balanced thickness. Too thin, and the fondant can tear; too thick, and it becomes heavy.
5. Smooth the Edges – Once cut, use tools to gently smooth any rough spots for a polished look.
6. Dry the Fondant – Allow your fondant figure to dry completely before attaching it to the cake to avoid bending or sagging.

Each cake I create is an opportunity to learn something new and to celebrate a special occasion in a way that’s meaningful to our family.

I hope this ballerina cake inspires you to create something beautiful and unique for a loved one, whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or just because.

Thanks for being a part of this journey with me—I can’t wait to share more cakes and stories with you all! Keep an eye out for more birthday cake posts coming soon, including that leopard-print cake and the flower crown cake.

Every cake has a story, and I’m excited to keep sharing ours.