As stated, I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to baking, so please be kind!
It's my son's 2nd birthday on Saturday and I'm planning (probably foolishly given my limited skills) to make him a Henry Hoover cake. I'm aiming for something like this (though the outcome will probably be a little... different!):
i.pinimg.com/originals/ea/d1/2c/ead12c49358a3eea52c88378f4d8325c.jpg
The actual baking bit I think I'm ok with: I'm planning a 4 layer vanilla birthday sponge. It's the decorating I'm a bit concerned about (I've never used fondant before). Mainly, I'm not sure how to get the two separate red and black bits - every tutorial etc. I've seen for using fondant is just using a single colour. I've come up with a few different ideas for how I might do this:
- Assemble the bottom two layers and apply the red icing, then apply black over the top two as if a separate cake, before putting whole thing together.
- Assemble whole cake, then apply red to bottom and black to top separately.
- Assemble whole cake, apply red all over, then black on top of the red on the top of the cake (would that make the icing too thick?).
Which of these sounds most doable? Or indeed, does anyone have a better idea?
Also, is buttercream under the fondant totally necessary (apologies if that's a really stupid question)?
Thanks for reading, if you made it this far!