I love this cake. It is so simple and beautiful, but looks amazing! This was the first time that I have really tried to make a person shaped figure out of gumpaste (besides the zombie for the movie cake, but zombies don't really count, do they?) I was not really sure how she would turn out, but I am very happy with her!
I make the house out of two 6inch round layers that I carved into a more round top. The roof of the house is a third 6 inch round cake, also carved. I put the cake on a 6 inch round cake board and used frosting to make up the difference in the space between the board and the cake. The first time I covered the roof with fondant, as careful as I was, the fondant still ripped as I tucked it under the "eaves". I decided to cover it with a second layer of fondant rather than remove the old fondant. I am glad that I did as I think the first "cover" made the bottom edge look neater in the final piece.
The flowers, leaves, and critters are all made of gumpaste. I like working with gumpaste for the decorations as I can make them as far in advance as I would like and they stay nice, they are also still edible. I also like that they get very stiff so they will hold the shape that I want.
With everything ready, putting it all together is just a matter of placing pieces on and adding some stems and grass. My grass tip was very frustrating today. I must need a new one.
Delivering the cake was amazing. The birthday girl gave me the best compliment ever. She didn't see me there and turned to her friend to say, "See, I told you that she makes the best cakes ever!" I love making cakes! The joy and amazement on peoples faces when they see my work is priceless. I also love that they seem surprised when the cake tastes good too!
