Old MacDonald's Farm

Using serrated knife, cut cake crosswise into two 5-inch (12 cm) wide pieces. Cut 2-inch (5 cm) piece from end of remaining small cake piece; cut in half diagonally to form 2 triangles. From corner of remaining rectangle, trim off about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep triangle along entire length for silo, reserving triangle for filling gap in roof.

Remove 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) of the icing to small bowl; tint red. Tint 2/3 cup (150 mL) of the icing blue. Reserve 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the remaining white icing; set aside.

Place large cake piece on cake board or tray; spread 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the remaining white icing over top. Place second large piece on top.

Using serrated knife and starting from centre of long side on top of cake, cut diagonally to outside bottom edge of top layer. Repeat on other side. Turn cut off pieces over to form roof of barn. Place triangular trimming in gap at peak of roof; trim to fit.

Spread 1 end of silo with white icing; attach 1 of the triangles to form peak. Stand on separate plate.

Spread remaining white icing over barn and silo, creating thin masking layer to seal in crumbs. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Spread red icing over sides of barn and silo. Spread tops with blue icing. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

With tip of knife, outline barn door on front of cake and window on back. Tint 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the white icing black; spread over top portion of door. With piping bag fitted with small star tip, pipe reserved white icing to outline door and back window. (Or cut 2 graham crackers to fit top and bottom of door. Press 3 half toothpicks into side of top door. Decorate with white icing and attach to barn, pressing bottom against wall and attaching top with toothpicks.)

Place straight side of silo against side or back wall; secure with wooden skewers, cutting off excess. Pipe reserved white icing along edges of barn and silo. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely with plastic wrap; refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Meanwhile, in bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt moulding wafers. Remove from heat and add chow mein noodles; stir to coat. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet to form mounds for haystacks. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Animals: Divide and tint marzipan desired colours for pigs, ducks and horse. Form into balls; shape and attach to make animals. With toothpick and using black paste food colouring, paint on eyes.

Arrange haystacks and animals around barn. Attach horse's head in door with toothpick or skewer. If desired, crumble remaining cake pieces and sprinkle around yard.

Source : Canadian Living Magazine: July 2006