Max & Ruby Cake

After creating my first birthday cake for my son's birthday I decided to try again for my daughter's birthday.  Max and Ruby is her favorite t.v. show so I decided to create a Max and Ruby cake.  The cake was a chocolate cake and the filling was a pecan praline filling.  I covered this cake in fondant and created the characters & decorations out of gum paste.  I had so much fun creating this cake!  I am addicted!

Chocolate Cake

1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. shortening
3 c. sugar
5 large eggs
2 c. cake flour
1 c. Dutch process cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract


Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended.

Combine cake flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.

Pecan Praline Filling

1/2  cup  firmly packed dark brown sugar
3/4  cup  dark corn syrup
1/3  cup  cornstarch
4  egg yolks
1 1/2  cups  half-and-half
1/8  teaspoon  salt
1  cup  chopped toasted pecans
3  tablespoons  butter or margarine
1  teaspoon  vanilla extract

Whisk together first 6 ingredients in a 3-quart saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat.

Whisk in pecans, butter, and vanilla. Place a sheet of wax paper directly on surface of mixture to prevent a film from forming; chill 4 hours.