Arsenal Birthday Cake

On the 24th day of April, my sister's close friend celebrated his birthday. He is a HUGE fan of the Arsenal's Football team so I decided to bake him a themed cake! :)

I did not own a soccer ball pan, so I decided to bake him a normal cake and decorate it accordingly... I made some butter cream icing and stored it in the refrigerator to chill while the cake baked....

While the cake was in the oven and the icing was chilling, I decided to make some fondant cut outs using my 'sun mini cookie cutter'

In the center of the cake, I decided to write the word "GO" indicating a chant for the team and the red and yellow sprinkles around the cake represent the colors of the Arsenal football team! I'm not a big fan of sports but I tried! :)

I hustled home from school just to decorate this cake! :D

Helpful Hint:

Butter Cream Icing:

• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar (1 lb)
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

Medium Consistency:

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer or by hand. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often.

When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Keep bowl covered with damp cloth until ready to use.

For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored two (2) weeks. Re-whip before icing.

Note: For thin (spreading) consistency icing, add two (2) tablespoons light corn syrup, water, or milk.

For pure white icing (stiff consistency), omit butter, substitute an additional 1/2 cup shortening for butter and add 1/2 No Color Butter Flavor. Add up to four (4) tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk for thin icing cakes.