So, as indicated yesterday I am attempting to make a Prinsesstårta cake for @poetreestick’s birthday.

Ideally, it looks like this.

Last night I made the vanilla custard, getting things done early!

This morning I started with the sponge. I never made a sponge before.

You know where this is going.

I got the ribbon stage on the eggs and sugar, sifted the flour in, gently folded it and the butter.

Then discovered a lump of flour in the bottom where the sifted stuff fell.

So I carefully mixed it in. I was hopeful it wasn’t too much.

(Narrator: it was too much)

It me

Stay tuned! Sponge #2 is about to begin!

Okay, I got everything incorporated and in the pan. We will see what 25 minutes does!

It isn’t as flat as the last one, not a terrific rise, but it will do. Think I will use both sponges for three layers.

Sponges 1 and 2, cooling.

Did you know ready made fondant has an expiration date? One that is clearly on the box (if you turn it over)?

Guess who bought expired fondant that is hard as a rock?

So @poetreestick is getting new fondant and more caster sugar, and I have somewhat successfully sliced one of my sponges!

But now I have to put on my librarian face to get ready for LJ Day of Dialog! I’ll see you at 1:15 for the Science Fiction/Fantasy panel!

I am back! We had an ice cream and mountain vista interruption.

Next up, the fondant rose. We have gone off book here because Mindy wanted yellow. The new fondant was much better.

Custard and jam layer is on!

And cream has been whipped, separated with 1/3 added to the custard.

Custard cream over jam, then layer, then rest of custard cream, then third layer.

Now the rest of the plain whipped cream is spread over the cake and domed on top.

It has to chill for an hour, so I move everything off the top shelf of the fridge.

It is still too tall for the fridge.

So I move everything else still on the top shelf off, shift a few second shelf items, lower the shelf, and BAM!

Ok marzipan.

Actually it wasn’t too bad.

So we didn’t have paste food coloring, so the tint isn’t quite right but

Well shit it sticks worse than pie crust when you roll it.

Well, when *I* roll it.

And it fell apart.

Rolling Take 2 and this time I rolled it on parchment.

Success!

Look at my giant green mushroom!

I have to whip cream AGAIN?!?

Ok into my brand new piping bag and star tip and voila!

Not too bad.

We are almost there! I need to melt chocolate.

Chocolate is all in my bowl going