So my dear son, whom I so lovingly refer to as "The Monkey" has a thing recently for Shaun the Sheep, as well as it's counterpart, the more juvenile Timmy Time. He also likes cupcakes. I really dig him. This is the result:
These certainly took a decent effort to make, but were completely worth it. Everything but the marshmallows I made from scratch, but it always comes out better that way doesn't it? Who really likes that frosting that comes in those plastic cans anyway? Gross.
So, the details...
The cake is a standard white cake, butter version, not oil. (I don't think posting a recipe is necessary, but if you'd like one, I'd be more than happy to share it upon request.)
The frosting is a simple sweetened cream cheese with a little bit of heavy cream.
(I just realized that I am starting to sound like Paula Deen here. Shall I crumble some bacon on top?)
The wool is just mini marshmallows.
The heads I made out of a chocolate and marshmallow kind of homemade fondant. It is similar to tootsie rolls and I suppose you could in fact use those too.
To make the "fondant" I melted down some mini marshmallows in a double boiler with just a few drops of water (really, only a FEW DROPS, just to help the melting start) and some semisweet chocolate chips, then removed from the heat and added confectioners sugar while stirring until I reached the correct consistency. It should begin to form a ball and pull away from the edges of the bowl. Allow it to cool on some wax paper (I dusted mine with a little cornstarch to give extra non-sticking strength).
To form the sheep's heads I rolled the "fondant" into balls, placed them on wax paper, and pressed my thumb into the back end while gently pinching the front end with my opposite hand. I then added drip shaped ears, two dots of white icing and two black tiny non-pareils for the eyes, and a little puff of icing for "hair" on top.
Immediately after frosting the cupcakes I placed the heads then surrounded them with marshmallows pressed into the frosting. Allow to set before transporting anywhere.
Making a dozen or more sheep heads can be tedious, but they come out so cute and really impress everyone. Plus, now The Monkey thinks I am even more awesome than he already knew. How can you beat that?
