Magic Moments....making memories

My family loves celebrations; bringing family and friends together--making memories :) So, for a recent birthday  party I was thrilled to get the green light to go ahead and make the cake for a very special four year old!

I have decorated traditional cakes using buttercream or decorators icing to frost,  pipe borders, flowers and designs many times.  But, I am a total rookie when it comes to using fondant--a flexible frosting that you can roll and shape.  Since our birthday girl is in a princess phase, I figured it was a perfect project to experiment with a little fondant (and a doll) to create a princess cake.   

Fondant can be purchased in a variety of colors; Walmart and Joann Fabrics and Crafts carry a nice selection of Wilton products or you can order them online. Just roll it out in to a thin sheet, cut to shape, place it over a prepared base of buttercream and form to cover your cake.  Here is how it went together.

I started with two cakes;  A party chip baked in a medium sized oven safe glass bowl, and a chocolate 9 inch round.

You will also need two batches of icing. I  really like cooked buttercream icing because it is not as sweet as traditional powder sugar recipes, and are super creamy and light.  Here is a recipe that is well worth the extra time that it takes to make.

Ingredients:

3T flour

1/2 c 2% milk

1/2 c heavy cream

1 cup granulated sugar

1 c unsalted butter

1 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

In a measuring cup combine the milk and cream. Pour half of the liquid in a saucepan with the flour and whisk until smooth.  

Stirring, cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken

Add the remaining milk and sugar.

Whisk continuously-bring to a boil and cook for one minute. Allow to cool to room temperature .

Beat room temperature butter until light and fluffy.  Add one tablespoon of milk mixture at a time. Add salt and flavoring.

Beat until smooth and creamy.

Use the buttercream to put a crumb coat on the 9 " round layer, apply a little extra on the top and position the dome shaped layer.  

Apply a thin coat of icing to the entire cake, filling in the gap between the two layers.

With a spatula apply a layer of icing to uniformly cover the entire cake. 

Next roll out the fondant to the desired size.  

 Roll fondant into a round thin circle.

 Drape the fondant over the cake forming the folds of the skirt-pinching, shaping and forming with your fingers. Next press the legs of the doll (dressed in a fondant bodice) down in the center of the cake.

After applying an overlay of fondant to connect the doll to the skirt use decorating tips to add the finishing touches. I added pearl candies along the bodice and on the top of the skirt. 

Use a long strip of fondant (cut like a ribbon) to shape a sash and bow. Place the sash around the waist with the bow and ribbons flowing down the back.

The last step....enjoy the moment!!!

Additional Decorating Resources

http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Buttercream-Icinghttp://www.wilton.com/decorating/

http://www.wilton.com/decorating

/http://www.wilton.com/decorating/decorating-basics/

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/department.cfm?id=D753C51F-1E0B-C910-EA028724EF621B61&fid=D753C53F-1E0B-C910-EA14C2024672BBF9