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Quest 42: Loftwing Nests

Skyward Sword is a great game. The idea that an entire society can live hundreds of miles above the rest of the world and no one notices takes the idea of Laputa: Castle in the Sky to a whole different level. Have you ever wondered about where the Loftwings go at night? You can't fly around, so they must go to sleep somewhere. Well today, we are going to make Loftwing nests to give them somewhere to sleep. These are a little time consuming, but not terribly difficult to make. They look super fancy and would certainly dress up any Mario Party or other Zeldathon that you may be planning to entertain your friends. Enjoy!

Gear! Get the Printable Recipe Here!
8 oz. Hard Cheese such as Parmesan - buy a chunk, not the pre-shredded
Cookie Sheet
Microplane
Offset Spatula
Muffin Tin or small cups
Silicone Mat
1 cup Mini Mozzarella Balls
1/4 cup Fresh Basil Leaves
1 cup Grape Tomatoes cut in half - I used both red and yellow
3 oz. Prosciutto Ham, cut into small ribbons
2 T. Garlic Olive Oil
1 T. Balsamic Vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

The Quest!

Preheat the oven to 400 degree F. Place your silicone mat onto your cookie sheet. Using the microplane, shred your cheese making round shapes for your nests.

Bake your nests for about 5 minutes or until just starting to brown.




Remove from oven and let the cheese sit for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese cool. Place on the back of the muffin tin or cups using an offset spatula. Form to the shape of the cups. Set aside to cool completely.





Let's make the salad! This part is super easy. in a bowl, add your drained mozzarella balls (if they are larger-quarter them), grape tomatoes, prosciutto and mix them together. Tear your basil into small pieces and add them to the bowl. Toss this mixture with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. That's it!




Put it all together by taking your cheese nest and spooning a reasonable amount to the salad into the cheese. Line them up on a platter and enjoy!

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Quest 41: Princess Hilda Cake

I was looking through my recipes the other day and decided that we have not done enough - if anything to highlight A Link Between Worlds. So today that is just what we are going to do. Does anyone remember Barbie Cakes? I think people still make them and they are the inspiration for our cake today - with a little Princess Hilda flare! This cake is going to be decorated with gold leaf. If you don't get the eatable kind, make sure to not let your kids eat that part - you shouldn't either. Enjoy!











Gear! Get the Printable Recipe Here!
Doll cake pan
Doll - if pan does not come with one
Cake Mix - We used Pillsbury GF Funfetti
Water
Eggs
Mayonaisse
Vanilla Extract
1 Can of Vanilla Frosting
White Fondant
Purple Spray Food Coloring
Gold Leaf
Popsicle Stick
Fondant Rolling Pin (plastic)
Wire for Crown


The Quest!
First we have to make the cake! There are many variations of Doll cake pans. Follow your manufacturer's information. My pan was assembled with a heat poll in the center to help the cake cook faster since it was all one piece. Other pans may have you make your cake in two parts. For the cake mix, I followed the recipe on the back with the exception of substituting the oil for mayonnaise and adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract.


I baked the cake per the pan directions at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes. It turned out really well and if you prepare your pan right - it pops right out! Let the cake cool completely.






Once the cake is cooled, apply a thin layer of frosting to help the cake from drying out. I also put the cake on a cake turner to frost easier.






Next, I fixed up the doll. Now some dolls are just a head and torso and some will be a whole doll. The one I worked with just had a torso and head. I first worked on her makeup a little more with some pink and gold Sharpie markers. I also fashioned a crown out of some gold wire from a champagne bottle.




Next, I took a small amount of fondant and began squishing it in my hands to soften - this can take several minutes for pre-made fondant. Then rolled out the fondant into a thin even sheet. I dry fit the piece first to make sure it was the right size. Then painted it with the spray food coloring. When dry, attached to the torso by wrapping around the it and adding a small amount of water with your finger to make the fondant stick to itself.


To finish up the doll portion of the project, I made open gloves for the doll using the same method only not painting. I also wrapped the fondant around a stick and secured them before pushing them up along the arms of the doll.





Let us next turn our attention to the dress part of the project which mainly deals with the cake part. I have attached the doll to the cake via a little frosting. I then took the remaining vanilla frosting a started to apply a generous amount to create the skirt. I used an offset spatula to do this, making large swirls as I went to create a draping effect.



I then made a cape for Princess Hilda as she is often depicted with by rolling out more fondant to size and lightly spraying with purple color to create a shadow effect. I made fondant balls and covered them with gold to create the shoulder plates to the cape.





The final touches to the lovely cake was the creation of the sash in the front. In the picture I saw that it wraps around her, so I rolled a small strip of fondant out and painted it purple. Then made a separate piece for the sash itself. I decorated the sash with gold of an upside down triforce. I also made impressions in the fondant with a toothpick.

I wrapped the first piece around the doll's waist then with a little water on my finger attached the front sash.

For the staff, I painted a popsicle stick purple. Added a piece of leftover purple fondant to the top with frosting. Then attached a triforce shaped piece of fondant wrapped in gold in the same fashion.





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Quest 40: Snapper Den!

Today's quest takes us deep into Woodfall where we find ourselves among the Snappers. These devilish turtles spin themselves around in order to knock us down and keeping us from reaching our goals. Therefore, we shall make a nummy treat of these Snappers that will make you lick your fingers clean!. These turtles would also be fun for a Mario Party or other video game themed get together. Enjoy!



Gear! Get the Printable Version Here!
6 oz. Royal Blue Candy Melts
6 oz. Dark Chocolate Candy Melts
3 oz. White Candy Melts
1/8 cup Caramel Sundae Sauce
1/2 cup Whole Pecans
1/2 cup Whole Walnuts
Silicone Mat or Parchment Paper
1/4 Measuring Spoon
Disposable Measuring Spoon


The Quest!

Arrange your nuts in a star pattern on  a silicone mat or parchment paper.







In a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate candy melts until just melted.







Spoon the chocolate over the arranged nuts to create the base of the candy. Let set up for a few minutes.







Taking the hot water from the double boiler, dip a 1/4 teaspoon into the hot water to warm the spoon and scoop out a ball of caramel sauce. Place the caramel ball onto each of the candies and let the chocolate set up completely.





Melt the royal blue candy melts in a double boiler until just melted. Spoon over the turtles to form the shell of the turtle. Let set up completely.






In a disposable icing bag, add the white melting candies. Place on a paper plate and microwave for a minute. Note: I checked mine every 30 seconds and still ended up with a small hole melted into the bag. Candy will be hot, so caution.





Snip off the very end of the bag and pipe a ring around the edge of each turtle.







Once this is completed, use any remaining to create designs on the shell. Let set up before serving.








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