Every year on March 17, the Irish (& Irish-at-heart) across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.
History: Saint Patrick, who lived during the 5th century, is the patron saint
& national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped
& brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped,
but returned to Ireland & was credited with bringing Christianity to
its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have
been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever
more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend
is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
using the 3 leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.This cake started by finding a design & making a plan. I then started making the fondant and gumpaste trim pieces for the cake. Each piece was dyed to the specific colors, hand cut, shaped & glued with edible glue.
 |
| The Leprechaun |
The cupcakes were made with sky blue icing. The tops of flavored candy canes were stuck in the icing to form rainbows. I added dollops of white icing to look like clouds.
 |
| Rainbow in the sky cupcakes |
This cake is green of course for Saint Patrick's day. The filling is made with a layer of crushed pineapple and a layer of icing. Fondant and gumpaste trim pieces are added to the sides and top. Frosted with buttercream icing and sprinkles on the edge.
 |
| A picture of the side of the cake to show the shamrocks & rainbows. |
 | |
| The finished products - Happy St. Patrick's Day |
Handmade Leprechaun for the top. He looks very happy with his pot of gold.
 |
| Close-up of the Leprechaun |
 |
| A slice to show the color - Yummy!!! |
The Leprechaun:
Leprechaun legends date back to 8th-century legends of water spirits called "luchorpán," meaning small body. These sprites eventually merged with a mischievous household fairy said to haunt cellars and drink heavily. Other researchers say the word leprechaun may be derived from the Irish leath bhrogan, meaning shoemaker. Indeed, though leprechauns are often associated with riches and gold, in folklore their main vocation is anything but glamorous: they are humble cobblers, or shoemakers. Shoe making is apparently a lucrative business in the fairy world, since each leprechaun is said to have his own pot of gold, which can often be found at the end of a rainbow.
