Occasion: My Darling Nephew Turned 3.
What else could be a better gift to a three year old than what she asked for. The priceless look she gave and the way she said "athai super" when showed the cake, what more could I ask for? Though the Barbie was leaning, she was extremely happy.
I had decided to give her a little surprise too. Yes she asked for a Barbie but I decided to make a rainbow inside the barbie. Though I couldn't finish it like how I wanted I was very happy with the outcome. This is not the first time I am working with fondant but this is the first time the fondant refused to work well with me :(. Had a tough time, but it was yet another learning curve. Learnt how to make the fondant soft and roll-able after it went dry.
Once I figured out how to make the fondant soft, the rolling became easy. After that, all the patch up happened and the cake was saved. And this time because of the colours in the rainbow kids loved the cake and cleaned up the plate :). So overall the cake was a success.
Now for the cake
- Cream 500 gms of butter and 500 gms of caster sugar
- Add 1 eggs gradually
- Add 500 gms of self-raising flour alternating with milk
- Add vanilla essence or any essence of your choice - I used Rose essence
- Now separate them into five equal parts and add the colours of your choice
- Pour them in 8cm baking tray and bake them in moderate oven - 170 - 180 degree - for 25 mins
- Once the cake is done let them cool and level them from top and bottom.
- In case you want to place a barbie either make a hole in the middle of the cake and place the barbie or cut the cake in half and a circle in center and stack the cake.
- I used a mild layer of whipping cream and stacked them. But you can use either Buttercream or Mascarpone cream cheese frosting .
-Once its stacked, design it however you want and cover it with cream of your choice and then cover it with fondant.
Now for the fondant
This recipe calls for 8 cups of icing sugar
-Combine 1 package (.25 ounce) of unflavoured gelatin with 1/4 cup of cold water and let it stand until thick.
- Place it on double boiler and heat until dissolved.
- Add 1/2 cup of glucose and 1 tsp of glycerin and mix well.
- Add 2 tsp of shortening and just before it gets melted remove it from heat.
- Add vanilla and stir it.
- Let it cool till lukewarm
- Place 4 cups of icing sugar in a large bowl, make a well in the center and using a wooden spoon, stir in the lukewarm gelatin mixture.
- Mix in sugar and add more a little at a time, until stickiness disappear. Take 2 drops of glycerin in palms to avoid too much stickiness.
- Knead in the remaining sugar until the fondant is smooth, pliable and does not stick to your hands.
- If its too soft, add more sugar. If its too stiff, add a pinch of butter and knead the fondant.
- You can use it immediately or store it in fridge.
Tips:
- Since I ran out of glucose I used corn syrup.
- I used liquid food colour instead gel. So I added the colour when I took the gelatin mixture out of heat. I separated the mixture into 2 equal parts since I have decided to use only 2 colours.
- Kneading takes at least half hour so be prepared with all your energy.
- Try and let me know :)
