Elle's first birthday had a porcupine theme. I made her a pink porcupine cake based on the tradition that started with my dad creating a porcupine cake for each of us on our first birthdays (mine was chocolate with chocolate frosting and candy corns). Elle's was chocolate cake with pink "spiky" frosting and pink good and plenty candies used as the porcupine spikes. The cake was just for her so for everyone else I made pink porcupine cupcakes. The frosting was so easy and turned out just they way I hoped.
"spiky" frosting recipe:
1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 t. cream of tartar
2 egg whites
1 t. vanilla extract
- In a saucepan, stir together the sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbly.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whip the egg whites and vanilla to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar mixture while whipping constantly until stiff peaks form, about 7 to 10 minutes.
(I use my Kitchen Aid and it works great. This is one reason I love this recipe version of this frosting. Other similar recipes have you use a double boiler or place the mixing bowl over a pot of boiling water and mix with a hand mixer. It works, but is much more of a hassle.)
