American Baker in Germany

 This cake was a commission from a friend. She and her son has a birthday the same week. Her son was turning one. So, so originally wanted something just for him, but we eventually decided on a common cake for both birthdays. First, I wanted to make some tool-shaped cookies. I made a full batch of royal icing and split it into four bowls.  I colored the icing red, brown, and two shades of gray. And I put the icing in piping bags. Here are the cookies I made. I made two of each to have a backup in case I broke one. I used light gray to pipe the top of the pliers. And I piped the handles with red. Then I piped the screwdrivers. The wrenches and hammers. And began on the saws. But I ran out of light gray after the first saw. So, I piped the second saw with dark gray. And I added a few details with dark gray. Lines on the pliers, a line down the middle of the wrenches, Lines on the handles of the screwdrivers and a few shadows on the hammer head. I made an 8-inch banana cake and c...