Noah's Ark Cake & Cupcakes

by Julie M.
(Rochester, NY, USA)

I made this cake using several stacked tiers: first, a 10" round single-layer for the bottom. Then, the Ark is made out of 2 small oval layers (5x7"), and a little loaf cake. The Ark roof is two graham crackers leaning together, and iced in chocolate buttercream. The Ark house and base is also iced in chocolate buttercream, and textured with a decorating comb. The 10" layer is iced in light blue buttercream, and textured with a spatula or spoon to look like waves. I piped a C scroll border in darker blue striped with white, around the base of the 10" tier- to look like waves.
The animals are the fun of this cake and cupcakes! They are made with multi colored icings and mostly round (large and small) tips. I use large round to pipe the base or head shape, and then use the little round tip to make facial features, like nose/nostrils, mouth, ears, and smile. Using a #3 tip I made the snakes, mice, and birds. I used a star tip and small round to make the lambs. The elephants ears are with a petal tip, #104. The male lion and giraffe has a tip 2 pull out mane.
It was a hit at the party! :-)