Easter Basket Cake, Take 2

The original Easter Basket cake I'd done was turned into a bassinet for a baby shower. This particular basket stayed as just that, an Easter Basket.

For this post, I will photo detail and explain how I put together both bunny and cake.

STEP 1.

The cake itself was done as usual. Two oval pans used to bake whatever flavor of choice, in this case, vanilla cake. After the cake was cooled and filled, a thin layer of icing was spread across it's surface followed by using the star tip to create a lattice design along the body of the cake.

cake without decorations.

STEP 2.

Now for the real design, the bunny. 

You will need fondant, gumpaste, a rolling pin, vanilla extract, a small paintbrush, and a pair of able hands for this section. I used Satin Ice as my choice of fondant but you can use whatever you like. If you are new to fondant Wilton fondant  and gumpaste, you can buy it at most Walmart's and Craft stores with baking sections. As a warning for beginners, Wilton fondant is known for being a bit tougher to work with than other brands.

I start off making the bunny by rolling a fist size of fondant in the center of my palm shaping it into an egg shape, and only adding a light dusting of cornstarch on my hands so the fondant does not stick. Do this quickly as not to overwork the fondant.

After rolling the body, I separated a medium sized ball in half and rolled both into "logs". These I shaped into arms by bending slightly and using a detailing tool to add indentations to mimic fingers. I stuck both "arms" to the body using a paint brush and clear vanilla extract as paste.

Following this, I did the same process for the legs except I bent them in a shape more to resemble a bunny rabbits hindlegs. It's like a capital letter "L" that bends at the top.

Fondant and Fondant tool kit.

Bunny body complete with legs and arms.

close up of bunny body, peek of head (instructions for that below!)

Step 3.

For this process you will need a small ball of pink fondant, two medium balls of white fondant, two black sprinkles (or tiny beads), three toothpicks, and an edible marker. 

For the first ball of white fondant, this will be  rolled into a circle as it's actually going to be for the head. It doesn't have to be perfect, just be sure it's circular. Once this is complete, set this ball of to the side and take up the pink ball of fondant.

You will pinch a piece of the pink fondant off and roll it into a tiny ball and stick it on the cent of the large ball you created for the head. Now the head has a nose. Using the last of the pink fondant roll it into a thin sheet with your rolling pin. Set it off to the side covered with plastic or a moist towel to keep pliant.

Taking up the second ball of fondant, you will but it in half with a tool and create two spade shapes for the bunny's ears. When you have a size that you like (the shape and size of the bunny's ears are up to your choice) insert both both with a toothpick, then uncover the pink fondant. With a small knife you will cut out smaller spade shapes to fit in the center of the "ears", gluing them on with vanilla extract.

Stick both ears into the head.

Poke two dots in the head where the eyes will be located with the pointed end of a tool. Don't make them too big or deep, these will serve as sockets for the sprinkles "the eyes" as you will press them into the holes. Then using the edible marker make little dots beside the nose to signify whiskers.

the bunny head.

the bunny head and body.

STEP 4.

This is the final step. Using the last toothpick, poke a hole into the base of the head and insert the toothpick halfway into the body. Put a little vanilla extract around the "neck" area surrouding the toothpick then carefully attach the head onto the body.

Voila!

The bunny is complete.

Now that bunny is finished, you can add it to the basket and add whatever other decorations that you will like for the holidays.

Happy Easter!