birthday cake

birthday cake

I made this cake for my mothers birthday. I used a devils food chocolate cake mix, dark chocolate frosting and homemade marshmallow fondant. I like to make items from scratch whenever possible (when it doesn't take away from the taste and quality). Store bought cake and frosting is so much easier and tastes much better.  It also saves a lot of time!! 

 

Supplies :

• Nested cake pans (I used Celebrate It Round Cake Pan 4-Tier Set)
• The set comes with one 6", 8", 10" and 12" pan
• I used only the 6", 8" and 10"
• 4 Boxes cake mix
• 3 Containers of frosting
• Fondant ingredients
• 2 lb. bag powdered sugar
• 16 oz. bag mini marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• gel icing coloring
• Crisco

Directions: 

• Make the cake mix according to the directions on the box (I like to use slightly less oil than the recipe calls for so it's not quite so greasy, but still moist).
•  Boxes of cake mix was enough to fill the three pans (the 6", 8" and 10") once.
• Be sure to grease and flour the pans enough so the cake wont stick, but not too much as to leave muck on the cakes.
• Let the cakes cool completely before removing from the pan, and especially before frosting.

 

• Trim and frost the first layer of each cake.
• Cut the rounded top of the cake to create a flat surface for the next layer.
• Frost the top and add the second layer.
• Trim the top of the second layer to flatten it like the first.  

 

• "Dirty frost" the two layers (it's easiest to use an angled spatula and a turn table)
• Start with the sides so you can hold the top.
• Then do the top.  Use the spatula to push the frosting to the sides, be careful not to break the corners. 
• Place the cake in the fridge to allow the frosting to harden.

 

• Make the fondant (I made 3 batches: 2 purple and 2 white to later dye pink and yellow)

• (This can be done in a stand mixer if you have a dough hook attachment)
• Melt the marshmallows in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Mix water and vanilla into the marshmallows.
• At this time you can also add in the coloring.
• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar.
• Once the fondant becomes thick like play-doh, you can start kneading it on the counter
• Cover your work surface in TONS of powdered sugar, and cover your hands with Crisco.
• Knead the fondant until its not sticky anymore.

• Place the fondant in the refrigerator for several hours at least and several days at the most.
• Make sure the fondant is covered in airtight plastic so it doesn't get hard and dry.

• Roll out the fondant.

• Roll fondant on powdered sugar, continually flipping it and adding more powdered sugar. 
• Once it is the desired thickness (mine was between a quarter or a centimeter and a half a centimeter) carefully roll it onto your rolling pin and place it on the cake.
• Smooth the fondant and carefully stretch the sides so they fall smoothly, without folds.
• To remove the white appearance of the powdered sugar brush a small amount of water onto the fondant.
• I have also seen where you can lightly spray the cake with Pam to create a shiny surface.

 

• Add decorations.  
• Color can be kneaded into white fondant after it is completed.
• I glued fabric flowers onto skewers to stick into the cake.
• I also added circles, spirals and stripes.
• Add whatever shapes you like!

Fondant is super easy to make and fun to experiment with.  You'll be amazed at what you can do with it! Making your own cake is such a great surprise for a special occasion.