Fantasia Cakes, #SundaySupper

Tokyo hums with sophistication. Neon ads rivaling New York’s Times Square abound. But Tokyo is also a city where temples and tranquility live content next door to skyscrapers.

A move to LA from Tokyo as an 18-year-old in the late ‘70s took a toll on my nervous system. Culture shock greeted me at every turn. The public transportation system was unreliable. Navigating the octopus legs of the freeways, which lead to various sections of LA, was challenging. Racial tensions were apparent. (In my Tokyo high school for international students, I sat next to kids from all over the world without a second thought about skin color.) Last and not least, my fellow UCLA students who were immensely talented and experienced in the ways of the world intimidated me. I’d never even kissed a boy. (Except on stage playing Polly in The Boyfriend.)

So, when a re-release of Disney’s Fantasia opened at a film house in Westwood (home to UCLA), I dashed to the theatre. As youngsters on summer vacation, my sister and I would visit Disneyland with our Great-Uncle-George or our grandmother, Nona. Good memories are nestled in my heart.

My sister, Karen at Disneyland...a few summers ago.

The love and comfort of times with dear ones was rekindled as I watched Fantasia. Classical pieces conducted by Leopold Stokowski soared; cheerful Disney-drawn characters pranced in idyllic Elysium fields soothed. It was the perfect antidote to the overwhelm of being on my own in a new country. I related to the befuddled Mickey Mouse in the Magician’s home. But like Mickey who was helped by his mentor, I too have been blessed with beautiful teachers who have assisted me to acclimate to an ever-changing environment.

A treasured gift from my husband's cousins: An antique Fantasia movie poster.

When I learned the #SundaySupper on Twitter at 7 p.m. ET was celebrating movie inspired food, I wanted to pay homage to Disney’s Fantasia. Speaking of inspiring and creative art, Heather of Girlichef.com is hosting our 14 April #SundaySupper. Visit her site and you’ll see an impeccable writing style and heretofore-unimagined yummy food!

The Ninja Baker’s Homage to Fantasia: Magician Caps & Mickey Mouse

Step 1: Make lots of chocolate cake batter. Click here for a moist and light recipe from Taste of Home.

Step 2: Bake the batter in a 9” x 13” pan for 30 minutes. (If using the Taste of Home recipe, the oven temp is 375.) Or use these Wilton pans and Mickey Mouse silicone cases.

Step 3: For the Mickey Mouse silicone cups. Simply fill half full and bake at 350 for about 18 minutes. Cool and dip in a chocolate ganache or glaze.

Option:
With cookie cutters of two different sizes, cut out a face and 2 ears. Dip in glaze and assemble on a plate.

Step 4: For the magician caps, whether you are using a Wilton pan or cake baked in a
9” x 13” pan, the process is pretty similar. Cut out a triangle for the hat. Slice a straight brim for the bottom.

Step 5: Frost the caps with your favorite chocolate frosting; the recipe on the back of Ghirardelli Chocolate is good. (Have additional milk on hand. The icing does tend to stiffen quickly.) Garnish with a yellow fondant star.

Step 6: Slather lemon frosting or white frosting tinted yellow onto the magician cap brims.

Step 7: Place the magician caps and Mickey Mouse cakes on a plate.

Step 8: Share some magic with those you love!

Mickey Mouse and the Magician's Cap inspired by Disney's Fantasia