Even though it is holiday season, I have found little time for baking so far in 2012. Between socialising and the Australian Open, my plans of attempting different flavoured macarons and a series of other delicacies have been put on hold. However, as the first celebratory event falls in January, I had to whip my butt into shape and start the cake decorating season.
My partner’s childhood obsessions were Super Mario and Lego (I, too, recall wasting away the days trying to save Mario’s bitch - whatever kept us kids out of the kitchen!). As his previous cake was Mario-themed, this year I made the latter: Lego building blocks with the infamous Lego head. My excitement to start on my first cake of the year – which also happens to mark my one year anniversary of cake decorating (!) – quickly faded as Melbourne decided to have one of its weather spasms and set high temperatures on both days of business! Heat to marzipan is like water to the Wicked Witch of the West.There is no saving her; bring out the next witch!
I decided to experiment with a new recipe. I’m not one to seek out recipes that are gluten-free or dairy- free – only because I have never needed to – but after having sampled Planet Cake’s Flourless Orange and Almond Cake, this had to be the cake! It is soft, moist and delicious – full of flavour! Definitely a new favourite!
To make the Lego bricks, I simply cut my square cake in half (to form two bricks) and covered the cakes and marshmallows with marzipan! Although my blocks looked more like Duplo blocks than the Lego Technic micro pieces that my partner is used to, he still loved the design. In the end, the smile of gratitude makes the Wicked Witch’s death and her resurrection well worth it!
