If this doesn’t put a smile on your face, I just don’t know what will. I can’t even take credit for this brilliant idea. I couldn’t decide what dessert to serve at Disney Dinners: Haunted Mansion because I didn’t want something that was just spooky; I wanted a dessert that truly celebrated the ride.

My friend Jason came up with the amazing idea to turn mouse ears into individual cakes. If you’ve ever been to a Disney park, you know how into ears people are. Many Disney fans have a whole collection. I chose purple and black for my Haunted Mansion ears but the possibilities are endless!

These are easier to make than they look, I promise! Just bake a cake (I included my chocolate cake and vanilla frosting recipes use here below) in three 8″ round pans, cool completely, and out six bands and twelve rounds out of the cakes. Cut the bands first by inserting a small knife 1/2 inch in and cutting the entire edge away from the cake. Then cut the sides so that the edge of the cake becomes two ear bands. Voila! Then just use a biscuit cutter to cut out the rounds. Arrange on a plate and frost for a Mickey ear cake.

For a Minnie ear cake, you’ll need a bow of course! I made mine out of black fondant. Cut a block of fondant in half, roll the hunk out thin, and measure 2.5×7″ strips.

I added a pattern using a rose rolling pin rolled once across the cut pieces. Flip the stripes upside-down, fold the long pieces in half so that they meet in the middle, press down to seal, then flip the pieces pattern-side up and pinch the center to form a bow. (I found that it help to fold the pieces ever so slightly like a taco towards the counter and then pinch to the center for the prettiest bows.) You don’t have to make it perfect! You can wrap extra fondant around the center to act as a ribbon or add a gum paste rose for a gorgeous finishing touch.

This dark chocolate cake tastes delicious and isn’t too sweet. I don’t like buttercream so my frosting uses double the milk for a light, whipped frosting that’s garnered rave reviews from my friends. No matter who you’re baking for, I hope their faces light up when they tuck into these!

Mickey/Minnie Mouse Ear Cakes
Makes 6 ears
Chocolate cake, baked in three 8” pans (recipe follows)
Vanilla frosting (recipe follows)
1 box black fondant 
6 edible flowers 
Purple sprinkles

1. Cut fondant Into two pieces. Roll one chunk of fondant out quite thin. Cut into 7×2.5” pieces. Optional: Use a patterned rolling pin to roll pattern onto fondant from side to side.
2. Flip each piece over. Fold the long sides in half so that they meet in the middle and press down. Flip back over so rose pattern is facing you, fold slightly like a taco with the opening facing the counter and gently pinch in at the center to form a bow. Fluff the sides to form desired shape. Press roses down in the center of each bow. Let dry on the counter while you bake the cake.
3. When cake is cool, cut the edge from each cake to use as the band. Cut in half. You’ll get two ear bands out of each round. 
4. Use a biscuit cutter to cut four rounds out of each remaining cake layer for twelve small rounds. Set two rounds on six plates and lay cake band down to form ears. 
5. Make frosting. (Recipe follows.) Frost ears and band. Top with bow. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve. 

Vanilla Frosting 

1.5 sticks of butter, softened

4.5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

3 Tbsp milk

1.5 tsp vanilla extract 

 

1. Mix softened butter, sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract with a handheld mixer. Tint desired shade with food coloring.

Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup 1% milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
Cocoa powder to dust the pans

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 8″ cake pans and coat thoroughly with cocoa powder.
2. Combine sugar, flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time and mix until incorporated. Add milk, oil and vanilla all at once and beat on medium speed of mixer about two minutes. Stir in the boiling water. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

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Read more about my Haunted Mansion dinner party here. Watch The Rose Table Disney Dinners: Haunted Mansion:

Remember: you’re never too old for Disney.

Xoxo,

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