I really enjoy making cakes for holidays! This Leprechaun cake was a lot of fun to create, inspired by the elegant yet simple designs of Unicorn cakes. I love how these designs look so nice and clean. Trying out a similar style for the Leprechaun Cake turned out great.
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the easy steps to make your own Leprechaun Cake. I’ll also show you how to get those neat edges with buttercream. Don’t forget to check out my previous post on making Buttercream that isn’t too sweet and 4 Tips for Sharp Edges with Buttercream, as I’ll be using the same buttercream recipe and techniques.
Now, let’s get started!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 layers of cake (each 6 inches in diameter)
- Buttercream
- Cake Board
- Green Fondant
- Flesh Tone Fondant
- Orange Fondant
- Black Fondant
- Gold edible paint
- Poster Board
- Tylose Powder
- Picture of the Leprechaun
- Cake Spatula
- Cake Scraper
Creating the Face:
To start, I made the parts of the Leprechaun’s face like the eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. I used a picture of a cartoon Leprechaun as a guide. Make sure the pieces fit well on the cake. You can adjust their size by comparing them to your cake.
Making the Top Hat:
For the top hat, you’ll need green fondant and Tylose powder. Mix 2 tablespoons of Tylose powder with the green fondant. Roll out the fondant and use a 7-inch circle cutter for the hat’s base. Then, cut out the top part, making it 16 inches by 6 inches.
Create a cylinder with poster board and secure the edges with tape. Apply a bit of shortening to the fondant to help it stick to the poster board. Roll the fondant onto the poster board, ensuring it wraps around completely.
For the top opening of the hat, cut out a 6-inch circle and let it dry. Once all the hat pieces are dry, assemble them using water or fondant glue. Add a black belt and buckle for the finishing touch.
Covering the Cake in Buttercream:
Start by leveling the top of each cake layer. This helps them stick together and gives you clean edges later. Fill the inside with buttercream and apply a crumb coat on the outside. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let it set. Then, add the final layer of buttercream, smooth it out, and refrigerate again.
Placing the Pieces on the Cake:
To ensure the face looks proportionate, start by placing the hat on top. Add the ears under the hat on the left and right sides. Then, place the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth in their designated spots. Step back to check if everything looks even and in proportion.
Piping the Rosette Hair:
For the hair, I used a large star piping tip to create rosettes around the cake. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Congratulations! You’ve made a fantastic Leprechaun Cake. This tutorial was a lot of fun and similar to making a Unicorn cake. It’s a simple cake that’s perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with your family. Enjoy!
