The Crystal Skill

For full-on bling, this cake is encrusted with more than 530 Swarovski crystals! Though you can always use dragees for a more economical option. The skull can be made weeks in advance, stored in a cardboard box, then placed on the cake on the day. If you double the cake and ganache recipes and bake for 35-45 minutes in a 30cm, 7.5cm deep round tin, this will make one large and delicious plain cake that you can decorate with gold leaf.