Maleficent Princess Cake

Let's get started!

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the three princess cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla, and lemon extract until doubled in volume, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, milk and buttermilk.
5. Mix the flour mixture into the egg mixture until well combined, then whisk in the milk mixture until smooth. 
6. Fill each pan two-thirds full with batter (using about 3 ½ cups per pan) and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
7. Let cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn out of the pans onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Level off the top of each cake with a cake leveler or a large serrated knife.

Time to decorate!

1. Stack the cakes in ascending order, leveled side down, with a thin layer of frosting in between the cake layers.
2. Crumb coat the cake and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
3. On a flat surface sprinkled with powdered sugar, roll out the black fondant to a 16-inch round,1/4 inch thick.
4. Drape the black fondant over the cake and form ruffles on the bottom of the dress.
5. Roll out another 14-inch disk and place on top of the first layer.
6. Using more black fondant, roll out a rectangle and cut a "V" shape for the front and two "U" shapes for her arms. Cover the doll and use water as an adhesive.
7. Add line details on the bodice using the blunt edge of a knife.
8. Place the doll in the center of the cake and cover the seams with squiggly pieces of fondant.
9. Cut two triangle shapes with one flat end and attach it to the shoulders of the doll for the sleeves.
10. Cut a thin strip for her belt and wrap it around the doll's waist.
11. Add more small triangles to the doll's shoulder.