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December is right around the corner, which means the holiday season is finally in sight! If you’re opting for a unique approach to a holiday cake this year, you’re in the right place. I’ve taken some of my favorite luxury pool floats and combined them with a snow globe to create this cake that is undeniably snow sweet! Everyone at your holiday shindig will fall in love with this edible piece of art that doubles as decor.
Ingredients:
- cake
- frosting
- fondant (in a variety of colors)
- shredded coconut
- fish bowl (slightly smaller than diameter of cake)
Instructions:
1. Start off by making the fondant cake toppers. These will need time to dry, so you can make them the night before constructing the cake.
- Flamingo pool float: Separately make the body, head, tail and wings with pink fondant. You’ll also need black and white for the beak and eyes. Attach the smaller elements to the “body” using chocolate as glue.
- Swan pool float: Follow the instructions for the flamingo, but use white fondant instead. You’ll also need orange and black for the beak.
- Unicorn pool float: Use the same method as above. You will also need to create a rainbow strip for the mane and tail, as well as a gold horn. To make the horn, create a small cone shape with white fondant, then paint it gold with a combination of luster dust and an alcohol-based liquid.
- Trees: Roll green fondant into cone shapes, then using small, clean scissors, snip into the fondant to create the appearance of leaves and branches. Continue to do this until the cone is covered.
- Pond: Roll out blue fondant, then hand cut into a pond shape.
- Presents: Mold fondant into cubes, then cut thin strips of white fondant for the ribbon. Attach them directly to the cubes before they begin to set.
2. Bake your favorite cake in 6-inch tins (or any size you desire), and allow to cool. Alternatively, you can just buy pre-made cakes to save some time! When completely cooled, level the cakes, then layer and crumb coat them. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
4. When chilled, add another coat of icing to the cake, then cover with shredded coconut. This part will get a little messy! Place cake back into the fridge to firm up.
5. It’s time to assemble the cake. Place the fondant toppers on top, then add a sprinkle of coconut for the snow. Carefully place the fish bowl on top of the cake as the finishing touch.
Separately make the body, head, tail and wings with pink fondant. You’ll also need black and white for the beak and eyes. Attach the smaller elements to the “body” using chocolate as glue.
Follow the instructions for the flamingo float, but use white fondant instead. You’ll also need orange and black for the beak. Add fondant Santa hats onto some of the floats for a festive touch.
For the unicorn float, use the same method as the other pool floats. You will also need to create a rainbow strip for the mane and tail, as well as a gold horn. To make the horn, create a small cone shape with white fondant, then paint gold with a combination of luster dust and an alcohol-based liquid.
Roll green fondant into cone shapes, then using small, clean scissors, snip into the fondant to create the appearance of leaves and branches. Continue to do this until the cone is covered.
Leave fondant toppers to dry before decorating the cake.
Bake your favorite cake and allow to cool. Alternatively, you can just buy pre-made cakes to save some time! When completely cooled, level the cakes, then layer and crumb coat them. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
When chilled, add another coat of icing to the cake, then cover with shredded coconut. This part will get a little messy! Place cake back into the fridge to firm up.
It’s time to assemble the cake. Place the fondant toppers on top, starting with the pond and trees.
Add the rest of the toppers, then add a sprinkle of coconut.
Carefully place the glass fish bowl on top of the cake as the finishing touch.
Show us your favorite Christmas baking ideas by tagging us on Instagram + using the hashtags #bcfoodie & #britstagram!
More From Dessert Recipes
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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