The Partiologist: Summer Picnic Party - Ants on a Log!

Summer Picnic Party - Ants on a Log!

When you hear "Ants on a Log" what do you think of?  Maybe raisins on peanut butter celery sticks?  Which is a pretty good treat by the way, and very healthy.  My "Ants on a Log" took on another meaning.  And of course it involved chocolate. 
 
When I think of a picnic, I think of ants, and a red and white checked tablecloth.  And chocolate.  I think of chocolate for any occasion.  While laying awake one night, I thought, I could make little ants on a log - with the log being a chocolate cake roll. 
 
Ant's On A Log!
 

See little ants marching up the cake to devour the watermelon?
And their eyes bulging out of their little heads? 
They remind me of me when I see chocolate.
 
 Here they are, super excited because they finally got the watermelon slice knocked over!
 I immediately got started on my picnic project by making the tablecloth first.  There are lots of ways to go about this procedure (oh, I do sound like a doctor don't I?)  Seriously, someone introduced me by saying she's "The Partiologist" and they responded by saying "Oh, she's a Cardiologist?" Ummm, no.  Anyway, back to the tablecloth.  Here's how~
Three ways to get little squares:
1.  Rolling mincer.
2.  Square plunger cutters.
3.  Pie crust cutter.
How they work:
1.Roll out your fondant and slice with your rolling mincer, first vertical then horizontal.  What do you know, you'll have lots of little squares!
2.  Cut squares with your plunger cutter.
2.  Roll out fondant and cut squares with your pie crust cutter.
 
After cutting all three ways, I decided to go with the pie crust cutter.
Now you need to roll out white fondant for the size tablecloth you want. 
My tablecloth measured around 5x6 inches.
 
Then, one by one, place a row of alternating colored fondant squares.
If you're having trouble making the fondant stick - just moisten with a little water.
I wanted to edge my tablecloth, so I used the Wilton fondant roller to go around the edge.  After my tablecloth was complete, I placed it in a zip lock baggie to seal and keep pliable until I needed it for my log.
 
Now it's time to make the watermelon slice.
Start with a chunk of dark green and light green fondant.  Roll out the dark green fondant and cut with a large round cookie cutter for the base.  Then roll out a few strips of the light green fondant and lay on top of the dark green fondant.  Then roll the two together, making the rind for the watermelon slice.  Recut the shape.  Turn the striped piece of fondant over and lay a piece of light green fondant for the next layer of the rind, and cut to the same shape.
 
Now let's add the watermelon~
Roll a ball of red fondant and place in a half circle pan (dusted with powdered sugar).  In another half circle pan, lay your watermelon rind to get the shape.  Take the red fondant out and cut into half and then half again and lay in the watermelon rind.  Trim to fit.  Take a bite out of the watermelon with a round scalloped cookie cutter.  Now make a few black seeds by cutting fondant with a ruffle decorating tip.  Press on the watermelon. 
 
Now for the part of the project you've been wondering...how did she do that?
The Ants!
To make the body of the ants, I pressed black fondant in my bead border mold - filling only the first five beads.  I then removed the fondant from the mold and cut the ant leaving three beads for the body.  The piece that was cut, I pinched together to make the head.
Then I added the eyes.  Great Big Eyes. 
Moistened the sugar beads and stuck into the ant head.  After all the eyes were added, I laid them on a flower former to get a little shape.  Some I left on a flat surface.
 
Now for those little legs...
Start by pressing black fondant out of a clay gun.  Cut into small strips and bend into a U shape.  I made lots and lots of legs, knowing that some may break.  After letting the legs dry overnight, I piped a dot of black candy melts on parchment paper.  Before the candy melts set, I added three curved legs, continue making lots and lots of legs.  After the legs have set, turn over and add another dot of melted black candy melts and top with the body of the ant.  Now your ants are finished!
 
If you're still with me, I'll be quick and show you the chocolate cake roll.
All the directions are in the recipe below.
After the cake is baked and frosted, add the tablecloth, watermelon and ants.
I hope you decide to take a few ants on a log to your next picnic!  
Here's the Printable Recipe~

Chocolate Cake Roll
by The Partiologist
Cook Time: 15 - 18 minutes


Ingredients (10 - 12 servings)
    For The Cake
    • 6 oz. Bakers Semi-Sweet Chocolate (divided)
    • 6 Tbsp. Butter
    • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
    • 4 Large Eggs
    • 1 Cup Flour, Divided
    • 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
    • 2/3 Cup water
    For The Filling
    • 8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened)
    • 1 C. Powdered Sugar
    • 1 Carton Cool Whip
    For The Glaze
    • 2 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
    • 1/2 Cup Butter
    • 1/2 Cup Whipping Cream
    Instructions
    For The Cake
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
    Line 15x10x1 - inch jelly roll pan with Baker's Joy. Line with parchment paper, and spray with additional Baker's Joy.
    Melt 3 oz. chocolate with the butter over low heat until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar and mix well. Beat eggs in large mixing bowl on high speed until thickened. Blend the chocolate mixture into the eggs. Add 1/4 cup flour and the baking soda and mix until blended. Add remaining flour and water alternately, beating well after each addition.
    Spread evenly in jelly roll pan. Bake 15 - 18 minutes until top of cake springs back when touched. Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Invert onto clean towel and remove pan. Carefully peel off paper. Starting at the short side, roll up the cake and towel together. Cool completely.
    For the Filling
    Beat softened cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar until blended. Add 1 carton Cool whip.
    For The Glaze
    Melt chocolate chips, butter and whipping cream over low heat until completely melted. Stir together and set aside until thickened.
    Assembly
    After the cake has cooled, unroll and remove towel. Fill the center with the cream cheese mixture. Reroll the cake.
    Add the chocolate glaze with a spatula, spreading evenly over the cake. Before the glaze sets up, use a fork to make design.
     

    P is For Picnic!

    66 comments :

    1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your cake! All the detail is amazing!

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    2. SERIOUS perfection, Kim! From the stitch detail on the tablecloth to the two-toned watermelon rind, you are killing me with this perfect cake!!

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    3. This is the perfect picnic cake and it could not be any cuter, Kim!

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    4. I want to be at your picnic. I was so excited to see how you created your ants. Brilliant! Really easy with the right tools. You could have just made those ants and that would have made me happy, but the entire cake is amazing. Every detail is perfect. Thanks for sharing this wonderful cake with everyone at the picnic.

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      Replies
      1. I WANT you to be at my picnic - thanks for noticing the detail!

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    5. Cookie cutter gift card because I love making cookies

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    6. WOW!!! That is one FUN cake....it's adorable, love all the details....fabulous work!

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    7. That tablecloth is amazing!!! I've always been curious about the Duff fondant...looks like I need to put that on my shopping list! Fondant fun!

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      Replies
      1. Duff is my favorite - I could eat it by the globs! One thing to remember is his white is more of a cream than white. Thanks for the comment!

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    8. I agree with Junnifer, "SERIOUS PERFECTION!" I love every detail on this cake!! You go girl!! Pinning now;)

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    9. OMG! Kim! You have outdone yourself with this one! Unbelievably original and perfection at its finest!!! This is one of the best results of an idea that I have ever seen! It looks so yummy, but, I don't think I could bring myself to cut into that masterpiece!

      CHEERON

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      Replies
      1. Oh, but it tasted sooo good, you forget about all the cuteness! :)

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    10. It look's so cute. Just the thought of trying to create this makes me tired and also makes me laugh because I know what it would look like after it was completed and believe me it would look NOTHING like what you did! You are amazing!

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      Replies
      1. You really should give it a try - no pain no gain! :) ha ha

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    11. I would like to win the gift from Restaurant Ware. Who doesn't have enough "wares"!

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    12. I love this cake and I love how detail oriented you are. You never miss a single thing. Yes, this is perfection. Great tutorial by the way.

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      1. I love it when someone notices the details - thanks!!

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    13. i normally shoo pesky little ants away but these? i would open every window and door to let them in! bug eyes and everything. and they can bring their adorable tablecloth, watermelon piece and log with them of course :)

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    14. Wow, Kim! This cake is amazing! So detailed and perfect! I don't play around with fondant often, but seeing this cake makes me want to break it out again.

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      1. For the longest time I was afraid to work with fondant. In fact, the first time I bought some, it got hard in the box because I was afraid to get it out. I finally got up the courage - ha ha!

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    15. I totally love this - normally ants on food would freak me out but these ones are a bit on the cute side :)

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      1. Thanks Linda - Yep, real ants on real food would totally freak me out too!

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    16. Kim, wow, I was curious how you made the blanket, wow, so many details .
      You can bring this cake to my picnic any time!

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      Replies
      1. Oh, and how I would LOVE to come to one of your picnics!

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    17. 15 minutes prep time for all those adorable details?! Amazing! This is such a cute cake.

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      1. The 15 minutes prep time is for the cake only - the recipe only includes the prepping for the cake (and to me that means measuring out ingredients) Glad you like the cake - sorry it was a little confusing!

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      2. In fact, I will go and take out that prep time right now!!

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    18. Cool prize! I will be making cupcakes for the next picnic party!

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    19. I want to win the cookie cutter gift credit!

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    20. I LOVE THE ANTS, I LOVE THE ANTS...THEY WOULD BE FUN FOR ANY SUMMER CAKE!

      Annette

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    21. What a creative and adorable cake, totally perfect for a picnic. The tutorial and instructions make it very clear to us to recreate it, thanks for sharing!

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      Replies
      1. Thanks for the comment - that tutorial took forever and I'm happy you will be using it1 :)

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    22. so fun! and I love all the detail, including the bite out of the watermelon!! Super fun for the party!

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      1. That red Duff fondant tastes so good - I could have just taken a bite out of it my self! :) Thanks for the sweet comment!

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    23. Absolutely adorable! Amazing job!

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    24. Seriously! This is the cutest thing ever! Please stop by our Brag About It Tuesday Linky Party and share more ideas with us.

      ~~ Thanks, Sharon & Denise BeBetsy

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      Replies
      1. Thank you - I'll be happy to "Brag about it" at your linky party!

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    25. Oh my goodness!!! That pie crust cutter -- I have never seen anything like it! Now I want one! That is SO COOL! And I just adore your tiny little ants!! So cute!

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      Replies
      1. Thanks Georganne! I love pie crust cutters - haven't used them for pies...yet! :)

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    26. I'd love the Cookie Cutter Co. prize... because you can NEVER have too many cookie cutters!!!

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    27. This is sooooooo CUTE! Thank you so much for the awesome pie square idea. I love learning new ideas. So many mini squares all at once

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      1. Thanks Melissa! I love that those squares have a little rounded edge too!

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    28. OK. This is possibly the most amazing cake I've ever seen! So creative making the log the chocolate cake roll!! So many small details-- it is amazing!

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    29. This is fabulous and I've pinned it as a Craftastic Pick this week. Thanks for linking to the Craftastic Monday party at Sew Can Do!

      Also fantastic giveaway. I'm love the certificate to The Cookie Cutter Company. I can never have enough fun cutters:)

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      1. Aww, thanks Cheryl - your link parties are CRAFTASTIC!! :)

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    30. I'd make flavored lemonades and fresh pickles for a picnic:)

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    31. Awesome cake!

      YOU'VE BEEN FEATURED! on the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT No.14. http://bebetsy.com ♥

      Grab a featured button here http://bit.ly/11S2wN1. Our next party starts at midnight tonight so find something cool to BRAG ABOUT and link it up.

      Sharon and Denise
      BeBetsy ♥

      Follow us:
      Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bloglovin ~ Pinterest

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    32. This looks amazing!!! :)
      Just one question... the list of ingredients doesn't have how much flour is needed for the cake.. I am assuming more than a 1/4 cup based on the instructions.. I would love to make this at some point! :)

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      1. Oh no, I left out the flour ingredient!! Thanks - I just updated the recipe - it calls for 1 cup flour, divided. Thanks again - you should be my official proof reader! :)

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    33. Ok you are just to fab! I love how you used things that I have on hand but never would have thought to use to make these items! You really are amazing, LOVE this!!

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    34. Thanks for writing this. I really feel as though I know so much more about this than I did before. Your blog really brought some things to light that I never would have thought about before reading it. You should continue this, Im sure most people would agree youve got a gift.

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    35. This is awesome! How far in advance can I make all the fondant decorations (ants, tablecloth, etc)? Thanks!!!

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      1. Thank you Claudia! You can make the ants any time - they will keep forever (as long as they don't get broken). I made the tablecloth in advance also, just make sure you keep it sealed in a zip lock baggie so it stays pliable and then you can drape it over the cake when you're ready! Hope this helps!

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      2. Thanks for answering!!! I will make these fondant figures this weekend so that I have it ready for the next weekend. Hope they look good as yours

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    36. This cake is simply adorable - thank you for sharing it! I'm planning to make it next month for my daughter's "indoor picnic" birthday party. Whenever I make cakes I always debate on whether or not to refrigerate them over night (if making a day in advance). For this cake, I assume you would want to keep in the fridge overnight because of the cream cheese/cool whip filling? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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      1. Thank you for your sweet comment! I actually made this cake and froze it, added the picnic blanket and ants before serving. It was nice to make ahead of time, or if you make it the day before, I would refrigerate it for sure. Hope you have a great party - be sure to check out my Indoor Picnic Party that I featured on my blog a few years ago. :)

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