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Wilton 3-D Express Train Cake {Review & Giveaway}

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A year ago I never would have imagined that I’d start making homemade birthday cakes for my family. I used to buy a decorated cake for a fairly good price at Sam’s Club and was happy having one less thing to think about while planning a party. But one thing that I’ve learned is that it is hard to always find exactly what your child would love to have at a bakery unless you are willing to spend a lot more for a specialty cake.

After learning the basics of decorating from the professionals at Wilton headquarters, I’ve found out  is it not as hard to create an amazing cake as one might think once armed with the knowledge of how to do it, the right tools and a little practice.  Not much can top that feeling of accomplishment when you finish a cake that you know will make your child’s birthday special. I never would have imagined a year ago I would be making my son this..

But I did and you can too!  With the Wilton 3D Choo-Choo Train Cake Pan, which retails for an inexpensive 14.49, you can use two standard cake mixes like I did (I used vanilla, do not use white!) to get six cups of batter and have some left over for cupcakes. Simply fill to the top and I do mean the very top or you run the risk of it not filling the other side and therefore not even on both sides. (Trust me, I know.)

Next tie with string to keep it from being separated by the rising cake. You can just tie it in two places but my husband decided he wanted to “help” and tied it like this make sure it couldn’t move.

To check for doneness stick a toothpick in the hole in the top half and when it comes out clean you are done! After baking follow the instructions with the pan to prepare it for removal.

After it had a chance to cool it was surprisingly easy to transfer it upright and I was ready to start decorating!

With my icing all ready to go, it took about 1  1/2 hours for me to do the actual decorating. I did take a minute or two here and there to rest my hands.

Using the online instructions made it easy. With a color picture and arrows for exactly what tips and colors to use where, it wasn’t hard at all. It just took a little patience.

To see a more detailed tutorial, see my Wilton 3-D Express Train Cake Tutorial on my baking blog, Oh My! Sugar High!

The scariest part was transporting it to my parent’s house for Lucian’s birthday which was over an hour away. Miraculously it stayed completely untouched!

And my son was thrilled with his train cake! I couldn’t be more pleased by his excitement.  It felt so good to have been able to make him exactly what he wanted without having to turn to a bakery. And truly you can too! The zigzags and stars used on this cake are some of the easiest decorating techniques to master and instructions are included both online to teach you how. Even if you can’t afford or make the time to attend a Wilton Method of Decorating course near you, you can make this cake if you take the time to practice the star and zigzag a bit beforehand. Just be sure to not decorate the cake the day of the party. Give yourself plenty of time the day before so you aren’t stressed and don’t feel inclined to rush!

How would you like all the materials necessary (and even some that aren’t) to make a 3-D cake with the Wilton Choo Choo Train pan? Wilton has generously offered all you see below so you too can make this fun and show stopping cake!

Buy it:

The Wilton Choo Choo Train Pan Set retails for $14.49 and is available at Wilton.com or at your local craft store such as Michael’s, A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann’s Fabrics.

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{ Giveaway }

Wilton would like to give one of my very lucky readers the prize bundle worth more than $75 as shown above to make a 3-D Train Cake!

MAIN ENTRY: Take a look at all the Wilton specialty pans and tell me another pan that caught your eye and for what occasion you’d love to use it!

Want more entries? (There is no doubt in my mind that you do!) After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Each is worth one entry unless otherwise noted. Your comment is your entry so please leave the appropriate number of comments for each extra entry.

-Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
-Follow Wilton on twitter
-Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
-Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
-Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (Leave me the link. You can do this daily!)

Win a Wilton prize bundle worth $75 w/ a 3-D Train Cake Pan & more! @babylovingmama from @wiltoncakes http://ow.ly/1qPAtw #giveaway PLS RT!

-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog
-Blog about this contest and link back here and to Wilton (3 entries)

This contest will end on 9/21/10 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S. residents 18+ only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 72 hours to respond to winning notification email before  I draw another winner or do a live giveaway.

Disclosure: I am a Wilton Mom Ambassador and have received some sample products that were used in the making of the train cake. However the 3-D train pan and all baking ingredients were purchased my myself.  No monetary compensation was received and my opinions and experiences with these products are 100% my own.

About Emilie

Emilie is a mom of three boys ages 11, 10, and 6. She loves to share recipes and crafts along with stories about parenting, travel and awesome products. Favorite activities include watching football, cuddling with kids and spending time in the kitchen. Not a fan of laundry, nagging, or drama. Join her here and on her dessert blog, ohmysugarhigh.com where she shares her love of baking!

Comments

  29. Krystal says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:02 am

    I’ve always wanted the giant cupcake pan… it’s so versatile for birthdays and it can be used to make other items like circus tents… mushrooms…

    Reply

  50. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    1 of 8

    Reply

  52. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    2 of 8

    Reply

  53. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    3 of 8

    Reply

  54. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:49 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    4 of 8

    Reply

  55. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:49 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    5 of 8

    Reply

  56. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:50 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    6 of 8

    Reply

  58. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:50 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    7 of 8

    Reply

  59. Suzanne says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:50 am

    I did ..
    -Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton
    -Follow Wilton on twitter
    -Like Wilton on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them what you think of this contest (2 entries)
    -Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
    -Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
    -Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
    -Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (http://twitter.com/sahmof5kids/status/23242293374)
    Subscribe to the Oh My! Sugar High baking blog

    suzannebake@gmail.com
    8 of 8

    Reply

  68. Anita says

    September 7, 2010 at 10:38 am

    The Party Pony Pan caught my eye, and I’d love to use it for my daughters’ birthdays… will be turning 11 and 9. They both really love horses. 🙂

    Reply

  78. Bonnie says

    September 7, 2010 at 10:52 am

    this is hard to choose a pan, I just love the book pan and can think of many cakes to make for the daughters,the train pan would be great for a grandsons and my husband’s Birthday, I also love the ducky for a new great grand baby cake, I also really want their new pillow pans set, I just can not find them in the stores. I really want one of those holders for the icing tubes, I hadn’t seen that yet and would it be so handy, I use glasses to hold my bags when I am decorating… Do they have a dragon cake pan yet??

    Reply

  116. S Club Mama says

    September 7, 2010 at 11:45 am

    I could use the football pan for Husker parties. I could use the Car one for birthday parties. I could use the cross one for church pot lucks. I could use the baby bottle one for baby showers. So many uses

    Reply

  133. Lauralee Hensley says

    September 7, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    I really like four of the pans that I think would be perfect for a baby shower, but out of those four I think I’d pick the Baby Bottle Pan.
    lfhpueblo at msn dot com

    Reply

  138. Lauralee Hensley says

    September 7, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    1. I Like Wilton on Facebook and left a comment on their wall under a comment made by Randi S. (just put the last initial not the whole name which is seen there).
    Lauralee Hensley
    lfhpueblo at msn dot com

    Reply

  143. Lauralee Hensley says

    September 7, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    I Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook, comment went into others filter.
    Lauralee Hensley
    lfhpueblo at msn dot com

    Reply

  190. Suburban Prep says

    September 7, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    I have a young niece who will be making her First Communion this year so the Cross cake would be a great pan for that event.

    Reply

  191. Carol Harrity says

    September 7, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    I love to bake (which is obvious on my hips), and I also love to share with my neighbors in this senior complex. I think the giant cup cake pan would be really nice to have.

    Reply

  204. Christy Thomas says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    I LOVE the dinosaur pan! Looks like Buddy from Dinosaur Train… I’m thinking that’s going to be the 2 year old’s birthday party theme!

    Reply

  213. joanne major says

    September 7, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    I would love the princess carriage pan. I would make the cake for my grand daughters birthday she already thinks she is a princess
    jmajor4870(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply

  272. Jessica says

    September 8, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Wow, you did a great job! I LOVE this pan and so would my son (he’s a train fanatic). I think he’d also like the Tractor Pan or the other Train Pan (the simple one that is not 3d).

    Reply

  307. shaina eusepi says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:03 am

    I would totally love to try the ‘He’s a big wheel cake’. How realistic! I use Wilton pans every year to bake my son’s birthday cake. I make it yearly because he has a serious peanut allergy and wouldn’t dream of buying a dessert from a bakery. He’s the biggest truck fan there is and would LOVE to sink his teeth into this cake!

    Reply

  351. Debbie Stanton says

    September 9, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    another Wilton novelty pan that caught my eye is the Cupcake Pan to use because i could use it for years for both my teenage daughters birthdays and my son’s birthdays.

    Reply

  394. RefreshMom says

    September 11, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    There are several cute new pans since the last time I went cake-pan shopping. I think I could get a lot of use out of the Sports Ball (3-D) pan, but I like the Cupcake Pan a lot too!

    Reply

  414. sheila calhoun says

    September 12, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    I’d love the giant cupcake. Not only would it work for multiple birthdays for my older kids, but we’d kick it off with my soon to be planned “I beat cancer!” party once I finish radiation and get the all clear. After having to stay out of the kitchen while ‘radioactive’, I’ll be glad to make a cake for myself!

    Reply

  448. Peggy Gorman says

    September 14, 2010 at 12:12 am

    I get a kick out of the Dimensions® Giant Cupcake Pan,it would be fun making! I would make it for dessert and tell everyone “I am only making 1 cupcake because I don’t want us going off our diet!”
    Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  490. Sarah McKee says

    September 15, 2010 at 10:11 am

    I have actually made many character cakes from wilton pans. My son is turning 4 this year and I have made everyone of his birthday cakes. I had a class when I was in Junior High and loved it! This year I am making him a Diego cake. I would also love to try the football cake pan for Superbowl Sunday in a few months.

    Reply

  515. Melissa S says

    September 16, 2010 at 8:14 am

    Oooh, I have three little ones, so choosing a favorite is hard! I would love to try the giant cupcake pan, though! That looks neat!

    `Melissa
    melissaAtsqueakycleanreadsDOTcom

    Reply

  549. colleen says

    September 17, 2010 at 6:31 am

    I’d love to win the choo-choo train pan set for my son. He is obsessed with trains. I also like the butterfly pan for my daughter.
    cthompson1477@gmail dot com

    Reply

  580. Mel W says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:27 am

    The animal crackers pan is so cute! I would use to create the pig cake for my friend’s bday, who loves piggies as much as me!

    Reply

  599. CathyB says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    I would love to try the Book Pan item # 2105-2521. I am in a monthly Bunko group and I like to always fix something to celebrate whoever has a birthday during the month. This pan would work great!!! Would love to have it to try. Thanks for the giveaway.

    dancejamboree at gmail dot com

    Reply

  606. Jenn S. says

    September 18, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    My oldest is such a book worm. I would love to bring one of her favorite books to life and use the Book Pan to complete the theme. The characters could jump of the pages.

    Reply

  610. Carmen says

    September 19, 2010 at 8:12 am

    i think the stand up bear is so cute!!

    I am trying to get into making cakes and selling them and all that and this would be wonderful to have as I have nothing!!!

    hope I win!!

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    Reply

  616. Sara at Saving For Someday says

    September 19, 2010 at 11:09 am

    I’m stopping by from SITS. I’m always so in awe of those of you who bake such beautiful things. I think I’m going to add “Take Cake Decorating Classes” to my someday list. I’ve always wanted but never have. Thanks for sharing thing and getting me motivated!

    Now, do I go for the practical and choose the heart or star or the one that I really want, the purse pan! If only they had a high heel shoe one. That might actually get my MIL to like me! (hehe)

    Reply

  617. Kirsten says

    September 19, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Subscribe to A Piece of Cake blog by Wilton!!! Better believe it. I just bought a BUNCH of fondant things and a book from them so I am totally into the blog!

    Reply

  630. Michelle m says

    September 19, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Omg that monkey pan is sooo cute. I might have to ask my husband to get that. My daughter is OBSESSED with monkeys and her bday is next month. I would attempt to make her a mo key cake! I really want this train one though for my husband who works for the railroad!

    Reply

  632. Michelle m says

    September 19, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I follow baby loving mama on facebook
    Under michelle m******x (just dont want to post my full name but will message you if u need it)

    Reply

  661. Marjorie Whitney says

    September 20, 2010 at 8:57 am

    The Topsy-Turvy Pan looks like one you could use fornearly any ocassion , from birthdays to showers to “just because”!

    Reply

  681. dddiva says

    September 20, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Ian would LOVE the train- thanks for the chance to win.
    I’d also like the book pan for Dev – she does NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) and last year she wrote a novel in 30 days so we’re sure she will again this year- for a teenager with a busy social life, school, activities, volunteer stuff, extras with the gt program and work that’s really an accomplishment- this would be an awesome way to show her how proud we are.

    Reply

  696. Valeen N says

    September 20, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    I love the Giant Cupcake Pan and I would use it every chance I got, but first use would be for my daughter’s birthday!

    Reply

  738. Eileen says

    September 20, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I’d love the Tractor pan as my 3 year old grand son is OBSESSED with tractors…I’d need a WHOLE LOTTA green frosting for that one!
    Id love it for his 4th birthday next spring! (He’d love the train too as loves the Thomas the Train theme as well)

    thanks much!

    Reply

  749. Eileen says

    September 20, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    I LIKE Wilton on Facebook and left a message about how I love this pan and thanks for sponsoring!

    eileen richter

    thanks!

    2nd entry

    Reply

  768. Pauline M says

    September 21, 2010 at 9:08 am

    Since football season has started, the First And Ten Football Pan would be great! We have little parties throughout the season and this would be a fun treat to make for one of these!

    Reply

  787. Wendy says

    September 21, 2010 at 10:04 am

    All of them are cute, but the Cupcake pan I could get a lot of use out of. It would suit anyone’s birthday, or just any fun occassion but my daughter would absolutely love it.

    Reply

  804. Lissa Grigg says

    September 21, 2010 at 10:52 am

    Tweeted http://twitter.com/lissalovesjimmy/statuses/25128920462

    I follow Wilton on Twitter. I follow BabyLovingMama on Twitter. I like both on Facebook as well. I subscribed to the “A Piece of Cake” blog on Wilton.

    Its hard to pick a favorite Wilton pan, but I like the flower pot pan, the puffed heart pan, the pillow pan set, and the pineapple pan. If I had to pick a fave, I guess the pillow pan set, just because of the way the cake looks. Very pretty! =)

    Id love to have the 3D train pan set. My nephews birthday is in November, and he is absolutely obsessed with trains! He would love a train cake! =)

    Reply

  813. Christy Montgomery says

    September 21, 2010 at 11:07 am

    I like the batman and the superman pans the best because they are my boys absolute favorite superheros!! We dont celebrat holidays or birthdays, so to still be able to give them something special all their own just because feels really good!!

    Reply

  827. Robin S says

    September 21, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    i’d love to try the fanci-fill or topsy turvy pans, just for fun!! plus we have a 4th brthday coming up in december 🙂

    Reply

  836. Rosey says

    September 21, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    I like the football helmet cake pan and I would use it to make a cake to rub it in to my hubby when I beat him in fantasy football, he he he. Or, I would use it to bake my husband a celebratory cake if he ranks higher (boooooo).

    Reply

  877. Breanne says

    September 21, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    I would like to have the Lady Bug Pan. I could make the cat cake for my husband’s birthday since he’s obsessed with cats.

    Reply

  922. Angela Morando says

    September 22, 2010 at 1:38 am

    I would love the Wonder Mold pan. I would use it to make a gorgeous princess for my niece and anyone else who would like one. I have seen some people go the extra mile to make them awesome!

    Reply

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