If you're on Facebook, you probably already knew that I had a huge project I was looking forward to.....
I've been planning this cake for 2 months, but with great trepidation knowing I would most likely regret my choice to make THIS my first 'from scratch' with fondant cake experience!
Believe it or not, it's quite the contrary! I won't tell you I didn't almost cry a few times, but follow along with my pictures and I'll take you through the last 3 days of my adventure.
Frugality, thy name is the Coleman Household! Andy had an old closet dowel lying around which I 'pretty-pleased' him into cutting into 3 pieces for me. Next step, painting morning with the girls!
This cake, a grand piano, needed a solid guide for me to follow when it came time to cut the actual cake. I drew my piano on cardboard, then covered with frilly tinfoil.
(Yes, they do make the stuff.)
Next step: First timer's fondant! I'd heard horror stories of how awful classic fondant tastes, so I tried the recipe of a friend....Marshmallow Fondant! Not only does it hold up WAY better than classic fondant, it actually tastes GOOD. Surprise, surprise. Nothing like having a strong husband around for the morning, that fondant gets TOUGH to work with. (Ok, my birdie muscle arms might have something to do with it)
After we made our fondant, I pulled my pound cake out of the freezer and began to chip away. Cutting and fashioning a cake is actually one of my favorite parts. This particular pound cake recipe is extremely rich (which I know most are), hope I don't send all the cousins into sugar shock tomorrow.
The cake is cut andmolded into my grand piano form. (next time I'll make the keys area longer....it was a first time mistake) I applied a rough round of butter cream frosting. (more sugar, great)
On the other counter, the foundant is being made black. We used a combination of black food coloring and cocoa powder. It worked! Not jet black, but close enough to make me very happy. With enough fear and concentration to ruin even the best couple's team-work (Grin) Andy and I rolled the fondant over the cake WITHOUT a tear!!!
Now....for lack of time and with consideration to how little people want to hear complaining, I will spare you from my horrific chocolate battles of the day, but let's just sum it up by saying, after FOUR different chocolate attempts, including visiting 2 gourmet chocolate shops, the chocolate keys were a complete flop. Failure. Disaster. I was close to tears when Andy got home. ...
Amazingly and despite his ankle literally killing him, he kissed me up and promised to help me make yet another batch of fondant to make the keys I saw in my mind. True love? Absolutely. 2nd batch of fondant was even easier than the 1st. Happy Wife.
My finale roll of shots....
The "P" stands for an extremely special lady in my life....Grandma Pat who tomorrow, turns 80 years old. She is an incredible pianist, which will always be my most vivid thoughts of her, listening to her play, the duets we did when I was in high school and the consistent beautiful baby grand piano that graces her living room.
This cake is for her. (pray it survives the 2 hr trip!)
In the end, I'm happy that I tried pound cake, marshmallow fondant and with how all the extras came together. No one could pay me enough to do this for a living, it HAS to be for people I really love. Haha. So, if you ever get a cake from me, know that it's from my heart.
Happy Birthday Grandma Pat!
I love you!
3 comments:
Well done my friend! It's beautiful! <3
Wow!!!! Nellie, that is amazing!!! You are inspiring, really that must have been quite the project.
Turned out so great! Did you decide to do another one for Andy's school?
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