On Wednesday, 1 June, it was screen goddess Marilyn Monroe's 90th birthday. Can you imagine the timeless Marilyn at 90?
Unfortunately I did not have time to make something for the day, but I did get around to my Marilyn tribute cake a day later. While the likeness is not perfect, you can see the resemblance, I think:
Her lips are a little bigger than I'd like, but I was constrained by my candy mould, which produced a very voluptuous pair of closed lips.
I used Rose Levy-Berenbaum's recipe for White Velvet Cake from Heavenly Cakes - you can find the recipe online here. Why White Velvet? Well, I had never made a white velvet cake before, and it sounded rather luxe, like Marilyn herself. Here is the cake before frosting:
My inspiration for the cake design came from these cookies and this wall sticker. Originally I had been going to cut the black parts of the design out of black fondant, but my black fondant had dried up, so I decided instead to draw a free hand design and transfer it into the fondant, then fill it in with black edible ink. When I transferred the design, of course it came out as a mirror image of what I had drawn, hence why Marilyn's face is in the reverse orientation to the way she was mainly photographed.
As mentioned above, I made the lips by pressing red fondant into a lip-shaped candy mould, then putting it in the freezer for a while so I could pop it out. Even then, it was quite a struggle to get the fondant out of the mould.
I frosted my cake with vanilla buttercream from my faithful Primrose Bakery recipe. To assemble, I lifted my fondant drawing onto the buttercream, making sure I was happy with the position before smoothing it down. Next, I wet the back of the fondant lips with a little water and placed them onto the face. Finally, for Marilyn's beauty spot, I used a little choc coated rice crispy ball from some Coles sprinkles that I had in the cupboard.
Here's a peek inside:
I was pretty happy with my artistic efforts. Happy birthday to Marilyn.
You can definitely see the resemblance! I had never heard of white velvet cake but it certainly sounds Marilyn-worthy - refined, fancy and decadent :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is just plain cool!!! Great cake, voluptuous lips and all. Amazing that MM would be that old now, but what a life she had. Bet your cake was delicious, white velvet is new to me too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Gaye, you did such a fabulous job designing that cake! I can hear Marilyn now, lol...
ReplyDeleteI've seen recipes for White Velvet Cake in many of my vintage cookbooks but I have never seen one actually baked. It looks moist and delicious Gaye:)
Thank you so much for sharing...Good job!!!
wow so impressive - I had not even heard it was her birthday but you really do keep up with these dates in a great culinary way - white velvet sounds like a great cake
ReplyDeleteWell done! Both the inside and outside look marvelous. Now I need to check out the white velvet recipe :)
ReplyDeleteIf Marilyn had eaten this cake she would not be the goddess she was. This looks lovely. I love a good white velvet cake.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty cake - love the lips!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see the resemblance and I love the arched eyebrow!! I have never heard of a white chocolate velvet cake. It sounds like something I should definitely eat!! Yum.
ReplyDeleteYour Marilyn cake is gorgeous and it looks like her no doubt about it. What else would you have but a white velvet cake for Marilyn? Perfect. And, no, I cannot imagine Marilyn at 90. She will always remain young and beautiful. Lovely tribute and cake, Gaye.
ReplyDelete