I am by no means a traditional cake maker. I like the excitment of making a character cake much more than the presice business of flowers and figurines. This is probably just an excuse because I actually can’t make flowers or figurines, but I can make a good cake. A character cake means one that is suited to the colours or interests of the recipient and hopefully involves a bit of their wacky life or humour. I was very pleased to be asked to make a cake for my Aunty who was having a surprise birthday.
My Aunt is both wacky and colourful, so a character cake was going to be fun. I asked my cousin to send 3 recent pictures that might give me some ideas to help me along with a design for the cake. She sent me a picture of Lexy the black and white spotted dog. A picture of my aunt in spotted and stripped clothing and another of her feeding her dog Lexy, in her favourite dog bowl. Can you see where the theme came from?
As you get older it becomes so very much more important to connect with your roots. We used to see our family all the time. Each family member had their own birthday celebration and Father and Mothers days were a time that we got together . We are all too busy for family in this new world where the internet is God. We’ve all moved further apart and every weekend is taken up with ferrying kids to sports.They probably desperately need those outdoor activities for the simple reason that they might turn into pumpkins and roll out the door, after spending so much worshipping time on the internet. We feel like we are in each others lives beause we have facebook or maybe it is because of facebook that we can stay in touch. We are a family that would love to see more of each other but each meeting has to be organised months in advance. How sad is that?. This big party was keenly anticipated and we got to see distant realtives and catch up with each other. Any excuse for a cake. Oh what the hell am I saying? There needs to be no excuse for cake, but decorating a spotted cake requires an occasion.
Here it is and the recipes I used are attached. The vanilla cake is a cracker and comes from I am Baker. The chocolate cake is an old favourite that works perfectly for this kind of cake. Both are moist and not too heavy. They work with buttercream so very beautifully. Here’s how I decorated the cake board for more impact.
This cake is made from 2 recipes of chocolate cake coloured with black food colouring. Then two recipes of Vanilla cake. (minus the colouring). Use this recipe for vanilla buttercream. I used 5 kg of roll out icing for this design.
Love you Aunty Michelle. 
Wow! Such a gorgeous cake!! I wouldn’t let anyone eat it, it’s too beautiful! 🙂
What a beautiful cake, it looks absolutely delicious and so cute!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Gorgeous cake Tania but I especially love the dog bow. I don’t think I have ever seen a dog bowl cake before!
Such a whimsical cake! And I agree – big family gatherings are such a long lost art but so worthwhile.
How fun Tania, I love a good theme! I bet she just loved this, and the inside looked gorgeous as well! What a sweetie you are to take so much time to make your aunt feel special 🙂 xox
You may not be a traditional cake baker, Tania, but you’re a darn good one. These 2 cakes prove my point. How clever and how beautifully executed! These 2 would put the “surprise” in any birthday party.
How pretty!
Adorably cute Tania! I bet it tastes fantastic to boot too 😀
This looks incredibly beautiful!
Amazing, fun and most certainly totally delicious! So much talent!!!
Aunty Michelle must have been so thrilled when you arrived with this cake. I love how you also decorated the cake board. What a gorgeous cake! Very special and I love the black and white theme and the dog’s bowl is so cute xx
This reminds me of 101 dalmations. Cruella de Ville. Wonderful looking cake. Hope your Aunt enjoyed the cake.
How clever you are. So much time and thought went into this cake. Your aunt should be very proud of you.
How inspired! Love, love it.
I love this – clever, darling and delicious. What more could Aunty ask for! Well done.
You never cease to amaze me with your craftiness in the cake department. I am trying to come up with a celebration cake for next week. John and I met 20 years ago on the 12th/13th depending upon which continent you are in. The best bit is he doesn’t really like cake so it’s probably all mine. winner.
I love your spotty cake!
This looks so sophisticated! What a beautiful outcome – and definitely perfect for a family gathering.
Oh my goodness – this is incredible! You are so talented 🙂