Leopard Skin 40th Birthday Cake

For my beautiful and stylish friend.

Nigella's Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

10" square cake (recipe x 2)

8" square cake (recipe x 1.5)

White sugarpaste hand-painted with ivory and black food gel colouring mixed with vodka, inspired by The Krazy Kool Cakes.

Beading made using a mould from Issue 65 of My Cake Decorating Magazine, sprayed with pearl lustre.

Advice and boards, dowels, and icing supplies from Decorative Supplies Enfield.

Black fondant bow by the birthday girl's husband.