A Fondant Darth Vader

My kid turned 6 on Labor Day.  In 2005, September 5 was also Labor Day.  People who are born on holidays are so lucky.  The whole world celebrates.  (Steve T. need not comment on that point.... Christmas babies may be the exceptions.)  My friend Jen was born on Valentine's Day and she has always felt her birthday was extra special because of all the chocolate and love.  Anyhow, our three-day weekends around Tucker's birthday are memorable every year.

This year we went up to Marriott Shoals in Florence, Alabama.  They have an awesome swimming area with a water slide, baby pool,and indoor pool.  The on-site restaurant, Swampers, makes me ridiculously happy.  If you go there, order the Monte Cristo sandwich with the sweet potato fries.  I ordered it both nights we had dinner there.  Delish.

We headed back home on the actual birthday, after three days of pre-birthday fun, like swimming, bowling, general merriment.  I didn't plan ahead much for Tucker's real birthday celebration, so we stopped at Joann Fabrics on the way home for me to peruse the cake decorating section.  Tucker had been talking about a "Star Warts" cake for months.  

Joann's didn't have any character cake toppers.  But they did have pre-colored, rolled out sheets of fondant.  A lightbulb went off in my head.  In an instant, I figured out how to do the the cake.  And then I thought, Did I really just come up with my Star Warts cake scheme?  On  my own?  I never have my own ideas... I copy everyone else's good ideas, so I was a bit giddy and full of myself for having an original idea.  (Well, perhaps other people online have had this idea too, it's just this time I didn't copy those people.)  

I picked up a sheet of white and a sheet of black fondant.  (First several photos taken with cell phone.  Planning fail.... good camera's battery was dead.)

As soon as we got home, Tucker and I made his traditional Wacky Cake and got it in the oven.  He was banished from the kitchen as I worked on the next step.

While the cake baked, I did a Google image search for "Darth Vader's Head" and scrolled through until I found a black and white rendering... I didn't want a photo or a life-like drawing.   I needed it to be graphic.  And, I have no idea if that is the right term.  I'll just show you what I found.... it was somebody's greeting card that I blew up to the size I wanted, printed out and cut out.

I used this image to create a copy with the rolled fondant.  I laid my paper template directly on the black icing, and cut out the head shape with an exacto knife.

Then, I cut out the white pieces, cutting directly through the paper template and the fondant at the same time . Sometimes it didn't go all the way through the fondant, but the marks were visible, so I cut again after removing the paper.  

I laid each white piece in place as I cut.... but I didn't afix it permanently.  I wanted to do that all at the same time when I was finished cutting.

Once finished cutting, I used a tiny paint brush and applied water to the backs of the white fondant pieces.  Then, following the original template (by now all sorts of cut up), I placed the white pieces on the black Darth Vader head.  

The fondant on the left, the template on the right ::

I was pleased with how it turned out.  I admit, looking at the photo now, my Darth looks a little "concerned" due to eyebrow placement.  But, whatever.  He still looks marginally evil and scary.  More important, he was recognizable.

Tucker was allowed back in the kitchen to ice the cake, though Darth was covered with a towel.   (I'm pretty sure its not kosher to call Darth Vader simply "Darth," right? Whatever, it sounds really funny to me.)  I followed America's Test Kitchen recipe for butter cream frosting.  Can I just say.... holy smokies?!  It might have been the best icing I have ever eaten.  And I might have eaten a lot of icing in my life time.  Let's just say cake for me is just an excuse to eat icing.  

The cake, pre-icing (and btw, I cut off part of the top.... it had too much of a crown and needed to be flatter... the white stuff on top of the cake is errant powdered-sugar)  ::

Not only did it taste good, but it spread perfectly.  There were no cake crumbs stuck in it.  It was just stiff enough.  

Tucker got kicked out again so I could attach Darth to the cake.   Here's where the good camera's battery was finished charging!   Oh yeah, I added edible star glitter and a number 6 (icing from a tube) on a piece of fondant cut into a circle.

And now... time to present it to the birthday boy!

I got two enthusiastic "Awesomes!" out  of him.  Oooooh, my heart.  

After singing happy birthday and making a wish, I asked T-man what he thought about cutting up Darth Vader.  He said "That's what he deserves for being mean to good guys!"  Funny, considering he has only seen Star Warts once about six months ago and has refused to watch it since then.

Oh, have I mentioned here on IDO that Tucker is a bit, um, directive?  Check out what he's doing in the next two shots  ::

Yep, he's telling me exactly what to do.  That's my kid.  That's what he does.

And yep, that might be my other kid sitting on the table with no pants on.  He does have undies on, though.  And I have washed the table cloth since then, in case you were wondering.

This is the exact piece Tucker wanted  ::

The rest of the crew approved, as well.

I am not sure what clicked while I made this cake, but something did click for me.  I caught myself smiling while I worked, especially while cutting out Darth Vader.  I guess I couldn't wait to show everyone.  It was turning out far better than other cakes I have made.... they always tasted good, but looked like a hot mess.  I kind of get why some people cook or bake... it can give a ton of pleasure to family and friends, so all the planning and work is worth it!  Maybe I am now inspired to be less utilitarian with some of my cooking.... maybe I can find it in myself to cook just for the pleasure of it, now and then.

Six years, my son!  I love you.