Oriental Flair

This cake boasts Oriental flair both inside and out. Inside, a delicious mandarin orange and almond cake. Outside, the perfect marriage of fondant and buttercream: red symbolizing good fortune and joy, then golden yellow Cornelli lace, the color of Imperial China and a symbol for good luck.

Serves about 20.

Step 1: Bake The Cake

Bake Mandarin Orange & Almond Cake in 9 in. hexagon pan following recipe instructions. Cool layers completely. Stack layers with Mango Buttercream filling on foil-wrapped cake board cut to size. Prepare cake for fondant by lightly icing with buttercream.

Step 2: Cover the Cake With Fondant

Tint 30 oz. white rolled fondant red. Roll out 1/8 in. thick. Cover cake. Tint 6 oz. fondant black. Using parchment paper, make a pattern for 2 in. wide black bottom band. Roll out fondant; cut to size. Attach with damp brush.

Step 3: Decorate the Cake

Tint buttercream icing yellow with a touch of orange. Pipe tip 3 cornelli lace on black fondant band.