In 2000, Ian Falconer introduced the world to his new children's book, "Olivia", about a precocious little pig and her family. Since the first book was released, a total of 10 books, a Nickelodeon animated television series and countless merchandising toys have hit the market. Whether your little one loves the books, the television show or is just a piggy fan, create an Olivia themed birthday cake for your next birthday cake. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Prepare your favorite cake recipe or store-bought mix according to the directions. Bake the cakes in a 9-by-13 inch cake pan and a 5-inch round oven safe bowl. Let the cakes cool completely on a cooling rack before removing them from the pans. Transfer the cooled cakes to your serving platter.
2. Use the end of a wooden skewer to draw the outline of Olivia onto the top of the 9-by-13 cake, taking up as much of the cakes surface as possible. Press 1/8-inch into the cake just to make the outline. Use an online image, book or Olivia toy as a guide. If you are not comfortable free handing the shape, print out an online image to a 9-by-13 inch size. Cut out the image and use it as a stencil to draw the shape.
3. Cut out the cake using the outline you drew, using a serrated knife. Place the 5-inch cake on top of the cut out shape to create Olivia's stomach. Apply buttercream frosting to the flat, underside of the cake and position it where her stomach should be. The frosting acts as glue.
4. Cut three triangles from the scraps of cake from cutting Olivia out. You need one 2-inch triangle, one 1-1/2 inch triangle and one 1-inch triangles. Stack the three triangles on top of one another, using buttercream to secure them together. Apply buttercream to the bottom of the 2-inch triangle. Place the triangle stack on top of the Olivia cake where her nose belongs.
5. Use red gel food coloring to color a batch of white buttercream frosting pale pink. Insert a toothpick in the color to pick up a little bit of gel. Insert the tip of the toothpick into the buttercream and stir. Add more coloring until you achieve the pale pink of Olivia's skin.
6. Tear or cut pieces of wax paper. Insert the paper under the edge of the cake to prevent frosting from getting all over the serving platter. Use an offset spatula to cover the entire cake with the pink frosting. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the frosting.
7. Apply a second layer of buttercream frosting to the cake using the offset spatula again.
8. Use the tip of the wooden skewer to draw the outline of a dress on Olivia. Add some red gel food coloring to the buttercream frosting to create a bright red. Use the red frosting to cover the cake where you drew the swimsuit. Apply the frosting and smooth it around using the offset spatula. Then, alternate red and white stripes of buttercream on the legs for her striped tights.
9. Use a store-bought black decorating gel to draw the face on, using a picture of Olivia as a guide. Remove and discard the wax paper.
Tags: buttercream frosting, offset spatula, 2-inch triangle, 9-by-13 inch, Apply buttercream, birthday cake