Train Cake

This isn't really a recipe, but rather me showing off my son's 2nd birthday cake :)

Isn't it adorable?! The tutorial I used is here.

Also, I highly recommend making your own buttercream frosting to decorate the cake with. I made both white and chocolate with recipes I found on recipezaar. They are much easier to work with that store bought frosting.

Chocolate:

1/2 cup softened butter

2 2/3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup half and half

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for light)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for medium)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for dark rich)

Directions

Cream the butter in a small bowl.

Blend in the cocoa powder (the amount desired for a light, medium or dark flavor), vanilla, confectioners sugar, alternately with the cream.

Beat with an electric mixer, until the desired texture is achieved.

**NOTE** because of the additional cocoa powder more cream may have to be added in to reach desired consistency.

White

Ingredients
1/3 cup white Crisco shortening, softened
1/3 cup butter, softened
4-6 tablespoons 35% cream, unwhipped
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2-4 drops food coloring

Directions

In a large bowl using an electric mixer at medium speed beat together the shortening or butter with whipping cream or milk, salt and vanilla until smooth (about 3 minutes).

Add in sifted confectioners sugar starting with 2-1/2 cups; beat very well until smooth and fluffy, adding more confectioners sugar or cream or milk until you achieve desired consistency.

Add in the food coloring (if using) until the desired shade is achieved.