My First Fondant Cake - A Birthday Cake for my better half :-)

Today is my husband's birthday and so I made this cake for his birthday.I would like to thank all my blogger friends who inspired me with their beautiful fondant cakes.This was a much awaited wish to prepare and so am very happy today that I could make a presentable cake for S's birthday.The base of the cake is Eggless Chocolate Cake that I already posted.Layered the cake with whipped cream and covered with homemade marshmallow fondant.The recipe for marshmallow fondant is taken from Manju's Eating Delights,Thanx manju for the recipe.Kids loved the cake very much as it was their favorite chocolate inside and yummmy fondant outside.Am very sorry about not posting the detailed pics,as I was short of time to click pics.Though am not an expert in decorations,just referred videos Hubby was very much impressed and was happy at my first attempt.And that made my day,feeling happy !!!

Ingredients
Chocolate cake (refer notes)
heavy whipping cream 1 cup
icing sugar 3 tbsp
gelatin 1/2 pkt(refer notes)
vanilla extract 1/2 tsp

for home made marshmallow fondant
mini marshmallows 10 oz bag
powdered or confectioners sugar 4 cups +extra (if needed)
water 1-2 tbsp
vegetable shortening to grease work surface and hands

Method
FOR WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING-
-Place the bowl in freezer for 30 mins and the blades of hand mixer as well.
-The whipped cream should be cold otherwise it will not form peaks.
-Add the whipped cream in the cold bowl,whisk on low speed.Continue to whisk along with sugar until you reach soft peaks.
-In the mean time,add cold water to gelatin.Leave for 6 mins and then add about 50ml hot water or bring the mixture to boil.Leave to cool.
-Add the gelatin mixture,vanilla extract to the soft peaks and whisk again until you reach the stiff peaks.
-Scrape and refrigerate until you use for frosting.

FOR HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW FONDANT-
-In a microwaveable safe bowl,add 1-2 tbsp of water and the bag of marshmallow.Heat on high for 1 minute or until marshmallows begins to fluff and melt.Stir with a spatula to get a thick paste.
-Add powdered sugar little by little in the bowl and mix.
-Then finally grease your kitchen counters,hands and scrape down the mix on the counters,mix it well,kneading.Sprinkle extra sugar if required,knead until you get a smooth dough.(as I did the cake and marshmallows in a day,so couldn't click pictures.Sorry about that)
-Cover with a cling wrap and keep aside until you use.
-Add wilton icing gels to incorporate colors to fondant.(refer notes)
-This is the video link ,I referred to make fondant rose.

Serves~ fondant covers for 1 square cake of 8" size

NOTES
* I had not used gelatin in whipped cream and so the whipped cream became very soft by the time we cut the cake.Gelatin helps to stabilise the frosting.
* Add the icing gels in a short piece of fondant and knead softly until the gel is incorporated completely.
* Tried adding shades to roses,marbling effect-referred this video link.
* Always keep your fondant wrapped in cling wrap,If your fondant dries up.Add a tbsp of water.If your fondant is sticky add powdered sugar or corn starch or corn syrup.
* Usually gum paste is added to the colored fondant to prevent sticking,I haven't used that.
* You can use store brought cake mix to make the cake too.

Enjoy the yummy cake:)

PS: The round up of last month's EP Series -Curry leaves or Dry red chillies is posted here,please visit Poonam's space for details and Congrats to all the winners :)