How to Make a Handy Manny Cake

Handy Manny is the Playhouse Disney handy man who fixes all things for his local friends on the "Handy Manny" cartoon. The show features Manny, his talking tools and a number of rotating characters that can be added to your cake design. Creating a Handy Manny cake requires some form of cake decorating skills and knowledge to ensure success. Whatever the design, the cake can add surprise and enjoyment to a child's special occasion.

Things You'll Need

• Spatula
• Tan food coloring
• Blue food coloring
• Red food coloring
• 3 bowls
• Toothpicks
• Buttercream frosting
• Printed "Handy Manny" image
• Wax paper
• Tape
• Decorating bags
• Scissors
• Decorating tip No. 2
• Decorating tip No. 1
• Decorating couplers

Instructions

1. Cut the wax paper and place over the "Handy Manny" image. The image should be printed in reverse, as though you were looking at it in a mirror, since you will be turning the image over and placing it on the cake. The printout must be small enough to fit on the top of your cake. Tape the image and the wax paper on a smooth, solid surface like a cutting board.

2. Separate the icing into the bowls and tint it using the toothpicks and the food colors. Dip a clean, unused toothpick into the food color and into the icing. Use the tan food coloring in one bowl, the red in another, and the blue in the third. Stir with the spatula and mix the color into the icing. Be sure to clean the spatula between each color.

3. Remove the coupler ring and insert the coupler into the decorating bag. Open the scissors and rub them around the bag to cut the bag just above the arch in the coupler. Place decorating tip No. 1 over the coupler and secure with the coupler ring.

4. Fill the bag with icing that is the color of your choice and outline the Handy Manny image on the wax paper.

5. Place couplers in additional bags for the remaining icing colors. Place decorating tip No. 2 on a bag and fill to begin filling in the colors of the image. The image should be filled by layers to ensure that all the colors show in the final product. Begin with items that will cover other items. For example, fill the hat before the face. Rinse the decorating tip out with warm water to remove any residual icing before switching to a new bag.

6. Place an additional piece of wax paper on top of your image and gently smooth out the lines with your fingers, taking care to not put too much pressure on the image and make the icing bleed. Place the finished image in the freezer and let it harden. The hardening process will take five or more hours, so be sure to leave plenty of time.

7. Remove the cake from the oven and allow the cake to cool at for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

8. Cover the cake with buttercream frosting and allow the frosting to rest for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Apply a second layer of icing to provide a smooth finish.

9. Remove the image from the freezer and remove the wax paper from the top. Gently flip the image over and place on the cake.

Tips & Warnings

• The icing image should be allowed to freeze overnight for best results.

References

• Piece of Cake Decorating: How to Make a Frozen Buttercream Transfer
• Cake Central; How to Create a Frozen Buttercream Transfer; Dawn Griffin