Such cute little smiles. Alyssa, Makayla's sister, is the middle one with the life vest. Part of the bow fell off but I guess that's just want happens when you put a cake in front of a bunch of 3 year olds that want to touch it.
Back view of the cake.
The inside of the cake was vanilla cake with vanilla toffee bit buttercream. Here is the recipe for the buttercream (but it's basically just vanilla buttercream with a bunch of toffee bits thrown in). If you're not sure where to find toffee bits, I found these at Safeway in the baking section, next to the chocolate chips.
Vanilla Toffee Buttercream
5 egg whites
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, softened at room temperature
1 8 oz bag of Heath Bits O' Brickle Toffee Bits
In a saucepan, bring about an inch of water to a simmer. In a bowl of an electric stand mixer, whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt by hand. Put bowl over simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixtures is warm to the touch and the sugar has dissolved.
Transfer bowl to electric stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed until glossy stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
Change to the paddle attachment mix on medium speed. Add butter a few pieces at time until incorporated. The mixtures will look like it is separating. This is normal. Continue to beat on medium to medium high speed until the buttercream smooths out.
Remove the bowl from the mixer and mix in toffee bits by hand.
Yield: About 6 cups
