How to Decorate a "Spider-Man" Cake

Spider-Man is a vintage comic book character that has remained a favorite since his introduction in 1962. Although the cartoons may have changed, his character and appearance have not. Whether you're hosting a vintage comic book party or a child's birthday party, making your own Spider-Man cake is sure to please your guests. Use a standard 8-inch pan to create a Spider-Man face --- sure to please even the most avid comic book lover.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups white icing
• 1 cup chocolate icing
• 2 8-inch cake pans
• Vegetable shortening
• Flour
• 2 packages cake mix
• 2 decorating bags
• Red food coloring paste
• Black food coloring paste
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Prepare the cake mix according the recipe or package instructions. Spread 1 tbsp. vegetable shortening around the edges of the cake pans. Sprinkle the pans with 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour, shaking the pans until covered with flour. Turn the pans over and tap the bottoms of the pans to remove excess flour. Divide the cake mix between the cake pans. Bake the cake mix according to the package directions. Allow the pans to cool for 15 minutes prior to removing the cakes from the pans. Remove the cakes from the pans and place on a cooling rack. Allow the cakes to completely cool.

2. Scoop 2 cups white icing into a medium sized bowl. Add red food coloring paste to the icing --- with a toothpick --- until you obtain a red color. Scoop 1 cup chocolate icing into a medium sized bowl. Add black food coloring paste to the chocolate icing, until the icing is black. Alternatively, you can purchase black icing from a grocery or craft store.

3. Cut the cakes in half to form two circles. Apply a generous amount of white frosting on the first cake circle. Spread the icing around the circle until you reach the edges of the cake. Place the second cake circle on top of the iced cake. Repeat this step using the second cake. Scoop 1 cup of the red icing onto the top of the cake. Use an angled spatula to spread the icing along the top of the cake. Apply the remaining red icing to the sides of the cake using the angled spatula.

4. Draw Spider-Man's eyes on the top of the cake with a toothpick. If you are unhappy with your drawing, smooth the icing with the spatula and start again. Spider-Man's eyes are a straight line, angled from the top outer edge toward the center of the cake. The eyes are drawn as a half-tear shape on the bottom, with a wider section on the outside edge, narrowing in toward the center of the cake. Drawn a line down the center of the cake with the toothpick. Draw a line across the center of the cake --- creating a cross --- continuing to divide the cake until there are eight equal sections. This will help guide you in creating Spider-Man's webbing.

5. Fill a decorating bag with white icing. Squeeze a small amount of white icing back into the bowl to eliminate air pockets. Pipe the icing onto the tracing of Spider-Man's eyes. Fill in the eyes using the decorating bag or with a small amount of white icing spread with an angled spatula. Fill a decorating bag with the black icing. Squeeze a small amount of icing back into the bowl to eliminate air pockets. Trace the straight lines on the cake. Outline the white eyes in a 1/2-inch border of black icing.

6. Connect the lines together to create a web shape. Start at the center of the cake and draw a slightly curved line --- with the rounded edge facing the outside of the cake --- between the first and second line. Repeat this step for each line until all lines connect around the center. Move the decorating bag away from the center --- approximately 1 inch --- and repeat the web design. Continue moving the icing bag away from the previous line until the entire cake is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice using a decorating bag prior to icing the cake. It can be difficult to master the proper techniques at first.

References

• Wilton: Filling the Decorating Bag
• Coolest Birthday Cakes: Coolest Spider-Man Cake Photos and How-To Tips