Birthday Cake Part II: Conviviality

Con*viv`i*al"i*ty\, n.; pl. Convivialities. The good humor or mirth indulged in upon festive occasions; a convivial spirit or humor; festivity.

My coworker's Best Friend called me one day asking if I would make a surprise cake for B for her actual birthday celebration. She only had one request: that the phrase "Welcome to Your Mid-Twenty's" be on the cake, since B has been excited to turn 24, since that will put her in her mid-20's.

She has also proclaimed this year the year of Conviviality. And what says "conviviality" and "welcome to your mid-20's" than a Topsy-Turvey Moulin Rouge-esq cake? The top tier was 3 Vanilla with a Raspberry icing, the middle tier was carmel with carmel icing, and the bottom tier was chocolate with a chocolate ganache filling and chocolate frosting. This cake was actually relatively easy to make. The fondant went on smoothly, EC helped make it all Topsey-Turvey and the decorations were no where as detailed as the Jungle Cake. I personally think the feathers made the whole cake. Sometimes it is good to sweat the little things.

Ganache Filling

From RecipeZaar.com

6 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate
2 cups heavy cream

Directions

Place chopped chocolate in a medium-sized bowl.
Heat heavy cream and sugar (if using) in a large heavy saucepan over med-hi heat until it simmers gently.
Immediately pour the hot cream over the chocolate and stir gently until the chocolate is mostly melted.
Let stand for 15mins to be sure all chocolate is melted.
Stir ganache gently until perfectly smooth, let cool.
Cover and chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight (it must be very cold or it will curdle when it's whipped; ganache can be made up to 4 days ahead).
When you're ready to assemble the cake (and NOT before), whip ganache until it's stiff enough to hold a nice shape and seems spreadable (Don't overwhip; overwhipped ganache looks granular, so watch carefully).
Spread whipped ganache immediately, as it will firm as it sits.