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Leopard Birthday Cake
by Erin Sarnes
(Staten Island, New York)
About a year ago I started making some cakes for my friends and family. After a few under my belt - my sister who was turning 21 requested a "Leopard Cake." At first I was a little stumped but then my wheels began to spin....
As far as the cakes are concerned - I cheat and go with good old Betty Crocker or whatever is on sale. I enjoy the decorating part - not making things from scratch.
I used a 10" x 18" Sheet cake - and made three layers with basic chocolate icing in between the layers. I iced the entire cake with vanilla icing first. I personally use Betty Crocker whipped icing. The Leopard image is an edible image. I got this custom made on ebay - I looked up a Leopard background on google - sent it to the guy and he mailed me (2) edible images. He didn't have any larger than that so I just used two and put them side by side - which is why you see the break in the middle. I did have to trim the edible image a little - but a scissor did the trick.
For the walls of the cake - I used Wilton color food mist in lavender. I also used Wilton Lavender and Pink Sugar Sprinkles on the sides and top of the cake where you see frosting. I used the Better crocker icing matched up with Wilton Rose and Lavender coloring. I use disposable pastry bags and the #32 tip.
Now the pain in the #$@ part. The hearts and lettering were done with Wilton ready made and colored fondant. I rolled out the fondant and used Wilton Hearts and flower cutters as well as their letter cutters which are so small and was a very tedious task!
After all was said and done the cake took about 4 hours to bake and decorate - but it was well worth it. Although there are definitely imperfections - I was very happy with the out come.
