Due to my limited experience in baking and decorating, I decided to make a Marshall cake instead of Chase for my 5-year-old, who is a huge fan of Paw Patrol. I opted for Marshall because it offered more feasible color options. Achieving the two different shades of brown required for Chase would have been challenging. Marshall, being a Dalmatian firefighter, required white, black, red, and yellow colors. Instead of using black icing, I melted chocolate chips to create a dark brown shade. I managed to decorate the cake without using a turntable, piping bag, tips, or an offset spatula. Instead, I used simple ziplock bags and the back of a spoon.
- Start by baking a 9×13 inch cake using Betty Crocker’s butter pecan cake mix. This flavor is delicious, unlike the chemical taste sometimes found in chocolate cake mixes.
2. Draw Marshall’s image on a sheet of paper.
3. Place the paper cutout on the cake and carefully carve out the shape of Marshall. Remember to transfer the carved cake onto a plate or tray for serving.
4. Prepare the colors you’ll need by mixing food coloring and getting your ziplock bags ready. To ensure stability, use a smaller ziplock bag inserted into a sturdier one, and cut a small hole in the tip.
5. Use the ziplock bag to pipe the white color for Marshall’s face onto the cake. Then, use the back of a spoon to smooth it out.
6. Use the ziplock bag to pipe a yellow line for Marshall’s helmet.
7. Pipe a line of red just below and above the yellow line, and then smooth it out with the back of a spoon.
8. Melt some chocolate chips in a double boiler and use the ziplock bag to pipe the eyes, nose, mouth, and the logo on the helmet.
9. Add a touch of white icing to the paw print on the logo.
Allow the icing and chocolate to set by refrigerating the cake for a while. Add some additional Paw Patrol-themed decorations around the cake, such as Paw Patrol figurines or toy fire trucks. Present the cake to your 5-year-old and enjoy celebrating together! Remember, the most important thing is the love and effort you put into making this cake for your child. Even if it doesn’t turn out exactly as planned, your child will appreciate the gesture and enjoy the delicious treat. Have fun and enjoy the baking process!
