How to Create a Cheese Wheel Cake

This clever fauxcheese dessert looks just like a round of gouda but is actually a cake, and it makes a delightful centerpiece that will fool and delight your guests.

Ingredients & Tools

Yellow cake mix (and ingredients called for on the box)
Frosting (storebought or homemade)
Fondant
Egg white (for sugaring grapes)
Granulated sugar and confectioners' sugar
Food coloring (pale yellow)
Vegetable oil
Two 9inch round cake pans, parchment or wax paper, nonstick spray
Small serrated knife, rolling pin, sharp knife, cake board

Directions

1. Prepare and bake the cakes. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two 9inch round pans with parchment or wax paper, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and divide the prepared yellow cake batter evenly between the pans; bake according to package directions.

2. Cool and shape the layers. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 15 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to reach room temperature. Use a small serrated knife to carve the top edge of each cake at an angle so the sides slope down, mimicking the rounded surface of a cheese wheel.

3. Assemble and chill. Place one layer on parchment with the cut side down, spread a layer of frosting on top, then position the second layer (trimmed side up). Frost the entire cake, reserving about 1 cup of frosting, and freeze the cake for at least 30 minutes to set.

4. Make sugared grapes. Brush grapes lightly with beaten egg white, sprinkle with granulated sugar to coat, and let them dry at room temperature for at least an hour.

5. Roll and place fondant. Lightly dust a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll out one quarter of the fondant to about 1/8inch thickness and cut an 8inch circle; place it on wax paper or parchment and set the chilled cake on top. Combine the remaining fondant scraps and roll into a 13inch circle, about 1/8inch thick, and drape over the entire cake.

6. Smooth and finish. Gently smooth the fondant over the cake, tuck and trim the excess at the bottom, and cut a wedgeshaped slice from the cake to enhance the cheese illusion. Tint the reserved frosting a pale yellow with food coloring and spread it on the exposed cut sides. Rub a little vegetable oil over the fondant for a glossy sheen.

7. Plate and decorate. Place the cake on a board and arrange cookies and your sugared grapes around it for an impressive display.