Instructions

1. Find a profile of a deer online and print it out on one or several pieces of paper, for whichever size you wish the cake to be (one can be found in the Resources section of this article).

2. Grease the baking pan with butter and flour or cocoa dusted over top. Shake the excess out.

3. Combine the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Pour the mix into the 9-by-13-inch greased pan.

4. Insert the pan into an oven set at the temperature instructed and bake for the alloted amount of time. Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan.

5. Place the cake onto the tray it will be served on and place it in the freezer.

6. Shape the wire into antlers, using the template as a guide. Cut off all excess, leaving 1-inch of wire for insertion into the cake.

7. Fold the dark brown fondant onto the wire and press it with your fingers to create thin antlers -- the same size as depicted on your template. Cover the wire completely and evenly, leaving 1 inch of room to insert the antlers into the cake.

8. Remove the cake from the freezer and place the template on it. Cut out the shape of the deer in the cake according to the template and using the sharp knife. Discard the excess pieces or reserve them for future projects.

9. Cover the entire cake with buttercream icing.

10. Spread icing sugar sparingly but evenly over a rolling surface. Place the fondant over it.

11. Roll out the light brown fondant evenly, until it is a 1/4-inch thick.

12. Drape the rolled fondant, gently, over the deer shape. Press down in to crevices and corners, and cut off the excess.

13. Draw on the features of the deer, such as the creases in the ears, the eyes and nose, with the edible black pen.

14. Insert the antlers into the head of the deer to complete the cake.