DS is turning one shortly and I foolishly insisted on making his birthday cake myself and am now stressing about it! I've decided on a lion cake with cupcakes as the mane (see inspiration pics) which I think is achievable but I'd love tips on how to stop it looking totally crap (DS won't mind but I don't want to embarrass myself in front of DH's Italian food-obsessed family!).
I was planning on a cheesecake (as DS will actually eat it) surrounded by chocolate ganache cupcakes - obviously a weird mix but people could have one or the other... Any ideas for what I can use instead of icing for the eyes/nose etc on a cheesecake? Or will the mix of cakes look rubbish? I don't like eating paste icing and would rather have something tasty...