Avengers Birthday Cake

It all began with a sketch :-)


My son's recent interest in Avengers was the main inspiration - he is now 7!  So in celebration, here's my latest creation...

It actually wasn't too hard - the most labour intensive part being the baking of the cakes.  Just plain ol' yellow vanilla cakes (from scratch of course)...Frosted with a new recipe of buttercream frosting.


Buttercream:
6 egg whites, room temp
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
4 sticks of butter, room temp, cut into chunks


Whip egg whites on medium until frothy.  Stop mixer.  Bring sugar and water to boil over medium-high heat, reduce to medium, stirring, until sugar reaches 235 deg (soft ball stage) on candy thermometer.  Without letting the sugar cool, turn mixer on and slowly add the sugar into the whipping egg whites (do not let the sugar touch the sides of the bowl or whip attachment).  Whip on medium high until the bowl is no longer warm (10 minutes).  Add vanilla and salt.  Reduce to medium low and add butter one piece at a time.  Once all the butter has been incorporated, turn mixer on high and let it go until it's all combined, smooth and silky :-)  Use immediately, or refrigerate/freeze.  Bring to room temp and whip before using.