Farmtastic Second Birthday Cake--image heavy

[kjlutz]

My daughter loves farms and tractors, so I decided to make her a farm birthday cake.  My husband had the great idea to make it a Smartie Farm since she also loves smarties candies (they are very similar to M&Ms).  All the recipes came from Edna Stabler's book Food that Really Schmecks (it's my go-to book for baking recipes) except for the marshmallow fondant, I found that recipe on a blog somewhere.

Both cakes were 2 layers with icing for the filling.  This was my first time layering cakes, filling cakes, decorating a cake, and trying to make tiers.  All in all I think it was a success. 



The bottom layer was chocolate cake with a chocolate icing that was intended to keep the cake moist (it ended up taking over an hour of fiddling with it to get it to thicken so I'm not so sure about it, but it tasted fantastic and 2 days later the cake was still moist so maybe it was worth it).  It was covered in marshmallow fondant.  It was my first time ever working with or making fondant.  I found it really elastic and therefor hard to roll out, and it shrunk up after I cut around the edges.  This layer was supposed to look like a red barn. 



On top of that I put the white cake, I used a bit of buttercream icing to hold it in place (I did not use any supports for the tiers). 



After icing the white cake green I added the farmer's field.  The dirt was oreo cookie crumbs mixed with whipped cream, which I placed on the cake (it looked gross while I was doing it), and after I planted the Smarties I added some more loose crumbs.  I then added some coconut that I tried to dye green around the edges. 



Then I added a little replica John Deere tractor we had, and some farm animals that I bought to finish the decorating. 



The birthday girl loved her cake...



but was only interested in eating the Smarties...



Next year we will skip the cake I think...

[HSG]

You did a great job on the cake! You know how kids are though. Would rather play with the box than the toy that came inside. Looks yummy to me! 

[MissingWillow]

That is truly awesome!  She looks so happy!

[kjlutz]

You did a great job on the cake! You know how kids are though. Would rather play with the box than the toy that came inside. Looks yummy to me! 

Isn't that so true.

That is truly awesome!  She looks so happy!

Thanks.

[Knickertwist]

ADORABLE! I love the smartie garden

[FoxyBlue]

Totally awesome! Nice work mama!

[kjlutz]

Thanks Knickertwist and Foxyblue.

[Calabaza]

C-U-T-E! I want one like that for my birthday! 

[dfabbric]

Why can't I grow Smarties in my garden? Very cute, I love how colorful it is.

[kjlutz]

C-U-T-E! I want one like that for my birthday! 

Thanks.

Why can't I grow Smarties in my garden? Very cute, I love how colorful it is.

I know, I would love a Smartie tree.