The goddess and the scuba diver
I learned one thing last week. If you want to remain inconspicuous, do not take a jelly cake for a car ride. When Mr NQN and I were driving the jelly cake through Surry Hills with it precariously perched on my lap, it’s glistening wobbling presence was like a spotlight beam into our car and people stared transfixed at the wobbling, jiggling creature in my lap. Although if you want to feel like a celebrity driving around in a car, this is a good way to get get the same effect as there was a lot of gawping, curious looks and a bit of finger pointing from the public.
When my friend The Second Wife celebrated her 1st year blogsoversary for her blog She Goes I wanted to make her a cake to celebrate the occasion. The inspiration came from discussions about her wedding cake which I am also making. She had given me carte blanche to make anything for the wedding and had even suggested a jelly cake. The idea of a jelly cake stuck in my head and so determined to give her a “normal” wedding cake, I decided to give her a fun, kitsch cake for her blogsoversary. I thought that since her blog is a travel blog and she had just come back from a trip to Thailand, that there should be an underwater theme to the cake.
I picked up some little sea creatures and a scuba diver from a toy store. I wanted to insert them into the jelly so that it appeared like an underwater scene. You could of course buy some of those chocolate foil wrapped chocolates if you are serving these to children. David Jones sells sells foil wrapped fish in their Elizabeth Street underpass. I can’t promise the children won’t eat the cardboard and foil but at least you don’t have to worry about them accidentally swallowing these small toys. Whilst I wasn’t able to get her a mermaid, I got the next best thing-a woman with her arms raised triumphantly which signalled her brave traveller status.
Our brave traveller rides the choppy seas!
And then the trouble began.
Failure 1: I wanted to make an alcoholic jelly so I set about making a vodka and lime jelly. It tasted delicious but failed to set. When I rang the place where I bought the titanium strength jelly leaves to find out how much gelatine to use (I used one titanium leaf per cup), they told me it was trial and error and to just “keep trying”. Humph. Not Happy Jan!
Failure 2: Bespoke and alcoholic jellies were abandoned. Instead I bought some packets of blue and green jelly thinking that I could combine the two to make a sea green. They turned out so dark that you couldn’t really see the little creatures within the jelly. Fail.
Failure 3: I wanted to make several tiers of jelly. When I unearthed the jelly onto the bottom tier, it split in places. I don’t actually mind the look-to me it looked like she was riding choppy seas (see picture above) and it seemed even more triumphant given her pose but it would have fallen apart during transportation.
I finally got the result I wanted, twelve packets of jelly later. And I was delighted not just because it worked out but because of the look on her face when she saw it. And I now have three huge bowls of jelly in the fridge earmarked for the jelly loving Mr NQN. Win win really.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever or do you ever get the urge to make a crazy cake? And do you ever get the urge to do crazy things in general?
Jelly Cake
- 3 packets of jelly, each making 500ml of jelly in a light blue colour
- 3 leaves titanium strength gelatine leaves
- A little vegetable oil to oil the mold
- Whipped cream
- crushed cookie crumbs
- underwater themed decoration (from a toy store, I bought mine from Kidstuff)
- 2 litre jelly mold
Buyer’s tip: Underwater themed decorations can be found at toy stores. Be careful that children don’t swallow these.
1. First of all, check the capacity of your mold. You need to make enough jelly to fit this mold. Place the jelly crystals in a big bowl and make according to directions. You should have 1500ml of liquid now. The blue jelly is a bit too strong to see the sea creatures through and jelly is already quite sweet so I water it down.
2. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water. When soft, squeeze them and then add them to the liquid blue jelly. Then add enough cold water to make 2 litre in total of liquid. Allow to cool a little but not solidify.
3. Lightly oil the mold and then pour half of the cool jelly mixture into the mold. Set the timer for half an hour and when this is up, check that the jelly is not fully set but it has some body to it so that the sea creatures don’t sink to the bottom of the pan (which is in fact the top). Push the sea creatures into the jelly towards the edge so they can be seen from the outside and allow this to set firm.
4. When set, add the rest of the jelly liquid and set firm. When the jelly has completely set, about 4-6 hours later, take a presentation plate or stand. Have a basinful of hot water and plunge the outside of the jelly mold in it for a few seconds just to loosen it (not too long). Firmly clamp the plate onto the bottom of the jelly mold and upturn it in a swift motion jiggling it slightly if necessary.
5. Place cookie crumbs around the bottom of the edge in place of sand. Pipe some whipped cream around the mold and in the centre to fill the gap if you are using a ring mold. Place any additional sea ornaments on top.
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97 Comments | Add your own
Hehe this looks wonderful Lorraine! I’ve never seen a jelly cake like this before!
I don’t really have the patience to create crazy cakes (at least in terms of decoration, etc.). Crazy things in general, yes
Hahaha…I love logging on to your blog first thing in the morning – always makes me smile! Great jelly cake, and maybe you could turn all the reject jelly into trifle for Mr NQN?
I love it! I’ve always been a fan of jelly…
Cheers,
Rosa
This looks so good, despite all the trouble you went through. What a tough woman!
My niece would go absolutely crazy for this cake! She’s in love with mermaids and loves anything aquatic-themed. The goddess and the scuba diver are adorable, Lorraine!
That is so utterly charming. My niece would be besides herself if she saw this — I might have to make it for her!
Lorraine, I love love love that jelly cake. The color is just fantastic and a whipped cream wave is what everyone wishes for in their sweet dreams. No wonder your friend was over the moon with this… I would have swooned. GREAT!
I admire your patience – I would have given away the game at the first pass. This jelly “cake” is quite spectacular – and the shade of blue green is perfect. Love it!
What a great idea!! Looks awesome – you’re so clever Lorraine.
Wow that was excellent service and advice on the gelatine – I’d go back there for sure…..So sweet I love all the little animals floating about in it.
That is soooo cool!!!! Now I want one!!
Hi NQN! Love your jelly cake!! It’s a great inspiration for my next cake! (and the best part, it’s fat free!) Anyway you could also try konnyaku jelly. I don’t know if it’s available in Aust, but it’s a hot favourite here in Singapore because it’s chewy, wobbly and firm, all at the same time!
Too cute!!!
This could, quite possibly, be one of the coolest cakes i’ve seen. Lorraine, you are a genius!
Genius! Perfect for my boys’ birthday party!
I did something similar the other day. I set a green and blue jelly in shallow dishes When they were set I chopped up the jellies, dropped spoonfuls of the two in to a oval glass bowl(goldfish bowl like)Use half, then place small jelly fish and worms lollies over the jelly, then covered with the remaining jelly. Cut some fish in half and placed them with their tails or heads poking out of the water. Good idea about using the extra gelatin and cake tin.
Oh my! My cherub just spotted this and is completely in love!
That is a very clever design – I love it!! I made your Chocolate & Avocado Cake with Avocado Buttercream last night. It is my secretary’s 30th birthday today and she is vegan. Fingers crossed that everyone likes it!
You’re a trouper, twelve packets of jelly later!!! I’m afraid I’m not that crazy, oh I mean persistent. hehehe
I’ve found through experience to always use more titanium leaves rather than less.
I’m not crazy in the least but somewhat obsessive when it comes to food.
What an amazing cake – you certainly have imagination!!!
I can just see you with it in the car,it just above your lap, you holding your arms straight to avoid it moving – and you wearing it!!! Been there done that – not with a cake – but with other suitably sloppy things!!!
HAlloween is coming up – what do you have planned – I’m in the market for a cake???
What a great idea!!!!
Your creativity and commitment is really inspiring! I am always so impressed
I am nowhere near the baking goddess I wish to be. I have many adventure in the kitchen yet!
Heidi xo
Lorraine, this is such a good idea. So cute too! Well done. I try and avoid crazy cakes, they tend to backfire and fly all over the kitchen…
I love the scuba diver swimming around in there! So cute!
I love it!! My mum had a jelly cake cookbook and growing up I was always asking her to make me one of the crazy multi coloured cakes (never happened though! boo!)
You are so clever – this is great, concept and execution. LOVE your work and the Second Wife is so lucky.
That looks amazing. You’re so creative and I’m not, so I love to ‘borrow’ ideas from you! This little treasure will appear at my niece’s 4th birthday in December! Thanks!
little mermaid + jello = lsd cake
Well done
Such a great idea for someone who loves jelly! Love the scuba diver!
This looks beautiful- lots of trying to get it right. Sounds like you are a perfectionist!
The Second Wife is so lucky!!! I loved this cake so much. It made me laugh and laugh… it is a work of art as much as an edible treat. Thank you for making my blogoversary so memorable and hilarious! x
I am very impressed with your patience – your friend is lucky to have you!
This is the little mermaid cake I dreamed of having as a 7 year old! I think the cake turned out so well, from the decoration and colour and the “waves” from the jelly mould!
PS. I have a crush on the second wife’s blog.. When it comes to crazy behavior, I think I am much more daring in my travels than I am with my cake construction, so I live on the wildside vicariously through your baking
Oh that is amazing! Quite the smart idea, I love it!
It’s impossible not to look at this and laugh with glee. Magnificent, Lorraine!
That cakes is the cutest wobbly thing ever. Well done
This is so fun, Lorraine! You have the best ideas
.
Very creative idea indeed! Your friend is so lucky to have this cake to celebrate her 1 yr blogoversary lol
I love this cake! I think you know I scuba dive, but you probably don’t know that sometimes I do my mermaid moves underwater when I’m diving and try to swim with a school of fish. So fun! xoxo Mum
WOW!!!!!!
You take my breathe away…….
This is fantastic…..
For her adventures ‘She Goes’ really deserves this adventurous jelly cake…..
Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts – Nachiketa
Catch me on facebook @ Crazy Over Desserts
I love it!! May have to give it a try (minus the alcohol) for Missy Mood’s next birthday.
Never thought much about making ‘crazy’ cakes until I had kids. Now it seems like a given. And I’ve discovered it’s actually fun! God bless the internet though because without it (and awesome people like you), I’d still be making plain old basic cakes.
I love how the little sea-goddess looks so triumphant on top of the cake. Oh, and why not try those little gummy-candy fishies and sharklets instead of the toys; less of a choking hazard, I would think.
As for doing something unusual, well I just managed to make several dozen chocolate-filled mochi for a workshop and am planning to do a Nutella-filled version of Filipino-Chinese buchi dumplings. ;p
I would have been one of those people craning my neck to get a look at the jelly cake! You did such an awesome job! I bet your friend was amazed!
Would love his for my birthday by the sea when I am in Tasmania,it won’t melt there. alas I no longer look as lithe as the lady on top. Thanks for the instructions Roz
Oh Wow! This is awesome – I wish someone would make me a cake like this! I quite like the colour of the ‘ocean’ it looks like the creatures are lurking about down there, ready to pounce!
this is so cute.I would imagine how a kid who fancies mermaid would love it. Now my mission is to find that kid!
My sis-in-law is the cake maker of our family & I bet when she sees this she’ll go nuts. This is so cool, bet your friend loved it & I can imagine the wobbly old trip in the car… lots of fun.
Very cool!! I know a lot of oceanographers so I might have to copy this in the future
I HATE the car drive with a special cake/cupcakes/insert-breakable-dish-here. You have to turn corners at about 1 km/hr and break/accelerate at the speed of snail.
I’m so glad you didn’t give up! The craziest cake I’ve made is the sarcophogus of Tutankamen for my littlej’s birthday. She is desperate to become an archeologist when she grows up.
I love this…more adults need to celebrate with jelly!
How I would love to have your imagination! Well done for not giving up – the cake is amazing!
I just love clicking onto your blog: I never know what to expect and you surprise me each and every time! You have some imagination girl!! And it was really funny to see the star fish my kids have in their bathtub on the other side of the world perched by your jelly cake. Love it.
Very interesting!
This is freakin’ fabulous! I grew up eating jello though haven’t had any for decades! This is a bit surprising but I love the idea – cute and kitsch! And how brave to have tried so many times without losing your cool. Perfect color and love the figurines. Very cool! And I rarely bake crazy cakes but I always do crazy things. My husband always sings “Ma femme est folle! Me femme est folle!” which I think is an old French song.
This is such an amazing creation, Lorraine! Incredible!
i love your imagination. and I love the post with its failures.
Awesome, awesome, awesome! L-O-V-E this.
that lady on top sure is triumphant but I miss the frogs in the pond
love the mould and the final colour – and admire the persistence of your experiments – glad your friend loved it
That….is the best thing I’ve seen at the end of a long long day,absolutely fantastic!!!! lol !
Hehehe this is so adorable!!
Oh my gosh, this made me chuckle. It reminds of the famous Jello salads of the 70′s here in the states. Nothing goes better with Disco, than a Jello mold. Love it!
So creative!
Impressive ! is the little girl on tob eadiable?
Awesome! Thanks for doing all the experimenting, that is the prettiest blue I’ve ever seen in a jelly and the lady IS a mermaid, she’s just got her landlegs on!
Incredible! You are so persistent. If you gave me that cake, I will be like ………. yeap. speechless. I can never bake like you. I shall leave baking to you
this is so in-genius! i love it!
I think it’s important to let the crazy out every now & then
Great cake & thanks for the great blog link!
You always make the most amazing creations in the kitchen, Lorraine! This is beyond my wildest dreams.
Beautiful!
How fun! You are so creative!
I LOVE this cake! And I don’t even like cake!
Very cool! I love the design and the color!
Oh WOW…!! This jelly cake looks very cool I must say! A very creative idea! Thumbs up
!!
Fabulous! For future reference, and from a misspent youth, I can tell you that when making vodka jelly a 3:1 volume ratio of water:vodka works well and will set.
your perseverance is very impressive. i would have burst into tears and given up after fail 2, MAYBE even after fail 1. but luckily you continued, bc it turned out great!
That is one awesome cake. I’ve seen jelly cakes before but none are as cool as this one! The little details really make it special, I’m sure she loved it.
Wow! That’s all I can say!
Wow! It looks amazing!! You did such a fantastic job and you are so patient….12 packets of jelly and 3 failed attempts. Ahhh it was worth it in the end though right? : ) The second wife is a lucky lady
oh disappointing there;s no vodka
That’s cool!
i love the little marine animals in the jelly =)
haha that’s a brilliant idea!
the latest crazy cake I tried was this one http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/01/heart-cake.html – worked spectacularly and was thoroughly appreciated
Hi Maria-thankyou so much!
Hehe well that’s probably a good thing! 
Hi Celia-Aww thanks Celia!
Haha yes I’ve got to do something with it! 
Hi Rosa-Ahh well then this is perfect for jelly fans!
Hi almond-Thankyou! I am very stubborn and persistent
Hi Faith-Oh how perfect for her!
Thankyou Faith! 
Hi The Nervous Cook-aww shucks thankyou! Oh you should, it’s so simple!
Hi deana-Thankyou Deana!
Aww you are so sweet! 
Hi Cakelaw-hehe I am stupidly persistent!
Thankyou! I was quite pleased with the final shade of jelly! 
thankyou!
Hi Katrina-aww thankyou! You are too kind!
Hi Linda-Oh fabulous! I was hoping for edible ones but alas that was not to be
Hi Rhonda-Thankyou! hehe they’re very easy to do!
Hi dayah-Thanks so much!
Oh yes I forgot about that bit! Oh yes I think you can buy it already made here! 
Hi Stefania-Thankyou!
Hi Kristy-Hehe you are too kind Kristy!
Hi Angela-Absolutely! You could definitely make it boy friendly!
Hi pam-sounds spectacular! Thanks for sharing your idea!
Hi Holly-hehe cool! And the best part is how easy it is!
Hi Chris-Thanks so much Chris! Oh I hope she likes it! I wasn’t such a fan of the icing but the cake was good!
Hi Matilda-haha it’s ok I know I’m crazy
hehe are you sure? 
Hi Cate-Thanks Cate!
hehe you know exactly how I was holding it don’t you! 
thankfully I didn’t wear it-sorry to hear you did! hehe I’m up to all sorts of things! 
Hi Nic-thankyou!
Hi Heidi-Thanks Heidi!
I bet you are really! 
Hi Loll-Thankyou! Hehe that can definitely happen
Hi Betty-hehe yes I really wanted a scuba diver in there!
Hi Sarah-thankyou!
Oh a whole cookbook? How fabulous! 
Aww no! 
Hi Karen-Thankyou Karen! You aretoo kind!
Hi Rachael-Oh you’re welcome to borrow them! They’re all for sharing!
How fabulous! I’m sure she will love it!
Hi Gabriel-haha thanks!
Hi Jen-I know, he is such a jelly lover! Thanks! That was my favourite!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Thanks! I am especially when it comes to a cake for someone’s celebration!
Hi Emma-Aww darling, it was worth it to see the expression on your face! x
Hi Amanda-I don’t know if I am crazy or not but thankyou for your kind words!
Hi Gianna-Oh fantastic!
Thankyou! Yes I chose that mold as I thought that might make the nicest waves 
Isn’t she fabulous? Haha great!
Hi Celeste-Thankyou so much Celeste!
Hi Hannah-Aw fantastic! That’s just the reaction that I wanted!
Hi Amy-hehe thanks Amy!
Hi Xiaolu-Thanks so much! I try!
Hi mashi-Hehe thankyou! I was just happy to help!
Hi mum-Thankyou! I know, I will make this for you too next time you come over!
xxx
Hi nachiketa-aww thankyou!
I agree! 
Hi Naomi-Oh great idea!
Hehe I don’t have any but I love making them! 
Isn’t the internet great for that! 
Hi Midge-I know, I had to pick her because of that!
Yes I couldn’t find any of those!
Hi Sue-hehe I must admit I might have done that too!
I think she was very pleased! 
Hi Roz-Oh yes it won’t melt there at all! Aww I bet you do!
Hi Jess-Thankyou! I know, I was so happy with the colour of the jelly-I was so worried it would be too dark!
Hi Kulsum-Thankyou! Hehe I think most kids like underwater creatures
Hi Anna-Oh great! I hope she likes this! Hehe I know, it was funny at the time too
Hi Conor-Oh that is ideal for them!
I know, transportation is the hardest thing ever isn’t it! 
Hi InTolerantChef-Thankyou! Oh wow, that is amazing!
Hi Jennifer-haha that is too true!
Hi Hanna-aww thankyou Hanna!
Hi Nuts about food-Aww thankyou lovely! haha isn’t that hilarious! the starfish travels across the world!
Hi Debra-Thanks!
Hi Jamie-hehe thanks Jamie! Crazy and kitsch is how I love most things!
Hehe you are hilarious darling!
Hi Ting’er-thankyou so much!
You are too kind!
Hi maybelles mom-thankyou very much!
Hi sally-Thankyou so much!
Hi Johanna-Frogs in the pond? Sadly that’s not quite oceany enough
Hi Anna-Hehe thankyou Anna! I’m so glad!
Hi Avanika-Thankyou so much!
Hi Bethie-Hehe I’m so glad!
Oh yes very true! 
Thankyou!
Hi pigpigscorner-thankyou!
Hi Obesebaby-sadly she isn’t!
Hi Moya-Thankyou! Aha I like the way you look at things!
Hi penny-Thankyou! I think I’m probably a bit crazy too
Hehe the best part is no baking for this! 
Hi Vivian-thanks Vivian!
Hi Phunk-Haha very true indeed!
You’re welcome!
Hi Patricia-thankyou Patricia! That is so sweet coming from a baking goddess like you!
Hi Chantel-Thankyou so much!
Hi Blond Duck-hehe thanks Duckie!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-thanks Natasha!
Hi CG-Thankyou so much! You are so sweet
Hi Sara Maria-Ahh cool thankyou very much!
Hi clearlytangled-Hehe I am one of those obsessive types
Hi Su-yin-Thankyou!
I hope so-she seemed very pleased so I was relieved! 
Hi Gummi Baby-Thankyou!
Hi Brenda-yes I think it was in the end!
I’m lucky to have her as a friend 
Hi Fiona-well you can certainly make your own
Hi Yuki-Thankyou!
I kept them just in case-of what I’m not sure! 
Hi georgie-thanks so much!
Oh that is fabulous! 
Well done!
I love it!! I am always making cakes & some have been kinda craxy lol. The last was a six layer, six flavour cake with each layer being a different colour. It was for my girls 8th birthday & was loved by all.
Cheers Meg
Hi Lorraine,
Why don’t you try using agar agar next time? You can buy them in asian shops (I use the Swallow globe brand). All you need to do is add 900ml water +120g sugar and colour of your choice. it sets harder than gelatine jelly though you can manipulate it by adding more or less water. Agar agar is used in SE asian cooking.
Very clever – and what a great friend you are! The Second Wife is a lucky gal!
oh I love it! well done on the jelly cake and getting it there – your description of driving with it is hilarious
Hello! I love your site, thanks again for another very inspiring idea! I have a friend’s Tiki-themed 30th coming up that I’m now very excited about…
There’s a duo here in London called Bompas & Parr who do the most insane, awe-inspiring food projects. (I highly recommend checking out their website.) Their forte lies in jelly, and here is a link to an article published earlier this year in which they impart the ‘universal jelly principle’- all you need to know to dip your toes into the waters of bespoke jelly-making http://gu.com/p/2hkt8
Oops! Also meant to link this one – their tips to avoid jelly-fails in particular situations, such as manipulating ‘the flesh-eating enzyme bromelaine’ in pineapples so that they will actually set!
http://gu.com/p/2hkfz
My inner mermaid (I’m a scuba freak) is DYING over this cake. It’s beyond creative. Fantastic!
How fun is that cake! The trial and error were well worth it.
WOW! This looks so amazing and just the perfect timing for you to post this as my bestie loves jelly and her birthday is coming up
Also thanks for your patience, a quality I lack, but thanks to yours I should hopefully have a fantastic cake using your recipe!
I love it! What a fabulous cake for someone who loves diving (I know just the person…)
what a fantastic idea! and kudos to you for being brave enough to attempt transporting it somewhere. i would’ve been a gawker for sure.
12 packets?!!! That sounds like my 17 batches of foot-less macarons last year!!
I’ve never heard of a jelly cake but it looks fantastic, I especially like the fish inside it.
I am so upset I missed this – probably one of the coolest cakes to have ever been made!
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