Fish birthday cake

We have a tradition around here that grew out of me being a cheapskate my innate creativity and desire to serve my family. The birthday boy or girl (or man or woman) gets to request a cake, and I'll figure out how to make it (seriously, $55 for a silly-looking princess cake?).

Last year V-Man requested a volcano cake, and then a few days before his birthday he amended his request to an EXPLODING volcano cake (thank you, Food Network). Being the amazing mother that I am (ahem...) I managed a pretty cool exploding cake thanks to a Bundt pan, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. And it was even safe to eat.

We had a couple adult birthdays around here lately, one for an uncle who is an avid fisherman. So the kids suggested a fish cake, and since I didn't feel like making Nemo, I opted to make an actual fish cake. Since I quickly realized that buttercream frosting wouldn't mimic fish scales very well, I settled on tackling something I had wanted to attempt for quite some while: FONDANT. The homemade kind -- the kind that inspires any amount of horror stories.

I'll cut to the chase: It worked! No horror stories here. I found the recipe here, and it involves lots of marshmallows and powdered sugar. A few tips:

• Don't do it with kids around. Go ahead and just mark out a night after they're in bed. Otherwise it's impossible. 
• It's MESSY. VERY VERY MESSY. And sticky. But the result is downright professional.
• People will be suitably impressed whenever you can work "While I was making fondant..." into a conversation (assuming they know what fondant is). But your husband will think you're nuts for going to all this trouble for a birthday cake, and around 1 a.m. he will stare at the horrendous marshmallow mess in your kitchen and undoubtedly ask, "Why can't we just buy a cake?" Instead of screeching, "Because they're too freaking expensive!" just smile and say, "Our kids are worth it, honey." Alternatively, you can throw some fondant at him.