Coolest Airplane Baby Basket Cake

by Melisa M. De Leon
(Colorado Springs, CO, U.S.)

This was made for boy baby shower. The theme of the baby shower was airplanes so I came with the idea of a baby in carrier with an airplane blanket.

I made 3 rectangular cakes stacked them with buttercream icing in between each other. Then I carved the cake, giving it a basket carrier shape. Then I cover the cake with fondant, weaving the fondant to make it look like a basket.

The baby, I made out of rice krispies treats. I shaped first the head and made the cheeks with an oval piece of fondant. The nose, the forehead and chin I made it with fondant as well. When I had the desired shapes I covered the face with another piece of fondant, rolled. The rest of the body was made the same way. Because the baby was going to be covered with a fondant blanket, I did not cover the whole baby with fondant. Instead, I made the top part of the shit just to give the illusion that he was dressed and the rest I covered it with the blanket. The handles of the basket were made with a wire covered with fondant.

Cake recipe:
4 sticks of butter or margarine
12 large eggs
3 cups sugar
½ tsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
4 cups All-purpose flour
4 oz. evaporated milk

Baking instructions:
First thing, divide the egg whites from all the yolks. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter until fluffy. Then add the sugar and mix, at hi speed, for about 8 minutes. Then lower the speed and add the egg yolks 1 at a time. Mix until well blend. Then add the vanilla extract, lemon juice and the zest. Then add the flour and the evaporated milk, little by little, until all is incorporated. Do not over mix. Whip the egg whites until you have the consistency of merengue. Fold the egg whites into the cake mixture. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Fondant:
10 oz. of marshmallow
2 tbsp. water
Desired flavoring (I use vanilla extract)
32 oz. powdered sugar

Cooking procedures:
Microwave the marshmallow, with the 2 Tbsp. of water, in a microwave save container for 1 minute. Stir and microwave again until completely melted. Add the vanilla extract, or your choice of extract flavoring. At this point you can also add the desired color.
In a mixer and with the dough hook, add the melted marshmallow and add the powdered sugar a cup at a time. Keep adding the sugar until the mixture will not stick to your fingers. Let it sit for at least 2 hours before used.