Reunited and it feels soooooooo good!

Ahhhhhh, my KitchenAid and I have been brought back together *sigh* it was so nice baking this time around with it...how did I ever go withought her? And yes, I said her...her name is Ruby, don't judge. I was able to make my own fondant this time (so much better), except for the black...I thought it would have been SUPER messy coloring that one, so I opted to just buy it. Next time I think I'll just suck it up and color it myself, then there's no difference in the flavor on the cake. Ok...on to the cake! This was suppose to be the topper on a cupcake tower for my friend's little girl's 2nd Birthday. The cake turned out to be too heavy, so it sat in front of the tower. I tried to take as many pics along the way but I got so involved that some things were left out. Here we go!

I used this to make the ears on Minnie hard. Just add to your fondant and knead away until it feels like it's stiffening up. Shape and then let dry at least a day.

Ready to shape!

2 ears! I put lollipop stick in so I could attach them to the head.

Starting the fondant! Powdered sugar and crisco (crisco is underneath all the sugar)

Marshmallows on top

If you plan on using your mixer for this (you can do the fondant by hand, but I feel this is a more sanitary and easier way to do it) make sure when you start mixing, you keep the head of the mixer tilted up a bit, otherwise the powdered sugar in the bowl....will be on your counter.

Oh and make sure you use the dough hook. This is also the point where you can add flavor, or color if you are doing all 1 color. I needed white and pink so I kept this all white.

This is what it looks like when it comes out of the bowl

Now you knead

And knead

Knead some more...

Until you get this! Smooth, soft, and a tad on the tacky side

Cut a chunk off to dye it pink

what you get after you knead the color in . Yes I said knead. I know, I know...you just kneaded. Well, you need to knead again :)

Start of the bow making process. Cut 2 rectangles, brush water on the inside edge, fold over a rolled paper towel to hold it's shape

Pinch the edges on each one then brush with water, and push together

Cut a smaller rectangle out to make the center of the bow. I loved the way this one came out, especially seeing it was my first ever BUT it ended up not being big enough, so at the last minuet, I made a bigger one.

I didn't make Minnie's head out of cake or krispy treats because I was trying to keep it as light as possible. It still wasn't so next time I do something like this I will use cake or the krispy treats. This is a styrofoam ball, cut, and covered in fondant. Make sure, if you use styrofoam, you "dirty ice" it as well, otherwise your fondant will show all the nooks and cranny's.

With the ears.

Strawberry cake before baking.

And after....yum.

Zebra stripes side one.

Side two.

Finished head. See how this bow is much bigger? Looks so much better.

And Voilà! Finished cake!



Marshmallow fondant recipe:
1/2c Crisco
2lbs sifted  powdered sugar
16oz of mini marshmallows
3Tbs of water

In a microwave safe bowl, add marshmallows and water. Microwave for 1min 30sec, the marshmallows wont all look melted, but once you stir them around, you'll see they are.
In your mixer, add the crisco, then the powdered sugar, and then your marshmallows. Turn mixer on low (this is where you want to keep the head of the mixer tilted just a bit until the mixture starts to encorporate) You'll need to whack the sides of the bowl here and there to get the remaining powdered sugar off the sides. Mix on low until it's mostly encorporated and then move to medium and mix until you hear it "slap" the inside of the bowl. Take it out, making sure to get as much out of the bowl as you can, it all has bits of all the good stuff in it. Now knead, knead, knead! This is not bread, you won't over knead it, so don't worry! You want a smooth, soft ball...a little tacky because it's harder to get it sof again if it's too dry. You can always add more sifted sugar if, when you try to roll it out, it just sticks to the surface. If you do happen to get it too dry, add more Crisco, but remember with either one, too dry or too wet, add a little at a time because it doesn't take much to change the consistancy of the dough.
Once you've gotten the desired consistancy make sure you double wrap it, and store in an airtight container. It will store up to 2 weeks on the counter like that, any longer and you want to toss it in the fridge, just warm it up in the micro on power level 3 for 10sec incriments until it's soft again.

Strawberry cake recipe:
I used the recipe from Annie's Eats for her strawberry cupcakes

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup cake flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2¼ cups sugar

1½ tsp. vanilla extract

3 large eggs plus 1 large egg white

1 cup milk

2½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries

Bake at 350 and check it at 35min. Let cool in the pan for 10min and then on wire until completly cooled.

 Strawberry cream cheese frosting from food.com
8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 -3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 cup mashed drained fresh strawberries

1. Blend together the cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
2. Add 3 cups powdered sugar, gradually, and the mashed strawberries; blend frosting again on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, 1 minute.
3. Increase mixer speed to medium and blend frosting until fluffy, 30-45 seconds more, adding up to 1/2 cup more sugar to make desired spreading consistency.
4. Use as desired.