Super Mario Brothers Birthday Cake

A few months ago I had asked my daughter what kind of birthday party she wanted. I had assumed that she wanted another Princess party, boy was I wrong. My very awesome daughter informed me that she wanted a Super Mario Brother's party and cake.

So for the next few weeks I looked online, made a few calls and visited a few bakeries. There is a lot of talent out there, A LOT but my only problem was the price. You see this was for a soon to be 6 year old you would look at the cake and "ohh and ahh" at it but then in the end would just go out side and play. The moonwalk took prestige over everything you see.

So after having a mini heart attack and the attacks of the sweats under my arms I decided that this inexperience baker with only 2 years under her apron would attempt to make a Mario cake.

And so you have it, the results of two very long days of baking, making and shaping...


So as you can see the bottom of the cake starts off as the water world and it works it way all the way up to the castle in the sky.




On the side of the cake I made thee number 6 in gold coins.




I added blocks, more gold coins and a pipe on the other side of the cake.




And as you can see here in the front of the cake I have a vine coming out of a block going all the way up to the castle. I also added a green turtle shell.




I'm going to have to say that making Bob-omb was my favorite to make only because he was the easiest to do though making the pipe trap wasn't as hard as I first thought.




Now looking at this cake I'm sure you've notice a few missing characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad. Well let me tell you that trying to make characters out of fondants is a lot harder than it looks. Maybe next time I'll try making cupcakes with the characters.




But overall the cake was a hit and my kid loved it to no end.


Missy

White Chocolate Banana Cake with White Buttercream Frosting

So I've been sitting on this recipe for a while now. Every time I came across it I have always wanted to throw it out. I just never thought that chocolate and bananas would be a good combo you know other than in a banana split. Well needless to say I am very glad I did not throw out this recipe because chocolate and bananas do go VERY well together!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


What you'll need:
2 cups cake flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 oz. white chocolate
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 ripe bananas, mashed

You'll need to grease two 8 in round cake pans and then line them with wax paper.

Next you'll need to cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.


Add eggs one at a time. In a microwave safe bowl melt the white chocolate for about 20-25 seconds and then 10 seconds at a time until melted. Let it cool for a few minutes and then add it into the batter.


Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.


Add the dry ingredients to the batter. You can dump it in all at the same time like me or you can alternate between the batter mixture and the mashed bananas.


Stir in the vanilla next.


Pour into the cake pans and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until cake is done. Cool for 10 minutes, then gently remove from pans and set on wire racks. Remove the wax paper also.

Now you're going to make the white buttercream frosting.


What you’ll need for the frosting:
2 lbs (8 cups) sifted powdered sugar
1 ¼ cups vegetable shortening
½ cup cool water
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
2 tsp. clear vanilla extract
2 tsp. butter flavor extract
1 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

In a mixer cream the salt and shortening until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing after each cup. Then add the vanilla and butter extracts and mix well.
Slowly add the water while you mix and add the corn syrup. Beat on high for 20 minutes then beat on low for about 2 more minutes.

Next you're going to place your cooled down cake on wax paper.


Next add a good size scoop of frosting on the cake. Frost all the way to the edges of the cake. Add the second cake on top and frost.


Frost the whole cake.


Using a food processor chop up the nuts into little pieces.


Now you'll coat the cake with the nuts. You can coat it anyway you like either the whole cake or just the top or sides.


Oh man can I just tell you how surprised I was by this cake. I really didn't think chocolate and bananas would be good but I was very delightfully proven wrong.


I hope you will enjoy this cake as much as I do..err did.



Missy