I finished making my niece's birthday cake this afternoon, purple fondant with a gumpaste shoe on top. My 2 yr old has just stuck her hand right in the front and grabbed a chunk of fondant. I've pushed it back down but I can't really make it look smooth as the fondant had started to dry out.

Any ideas for a quick rescue? My niece will be here in about 20 minutes and is really looking forward to her cake!

Can you put a decoration over it? Such as a birthday plaque?

Cover it up with a flower or depending on the shape of the hole, a cutout of your niece's initial or age.

i did think about hiding it with a flower or something, but it is right in front of where I piped her name and age so that would get hidden. Also I don't really have time to make anything now, especially as the little monkey who smashed it is still after it!!!

I'm sure she'll see the funny side, it's just frustrating, isn't it? It's almost worse than if it were a paying customer, cos I put a lot of extra love into that cake for my special girl's 13th!

May be she will appreciate the fact that her sweet little cousin "helped" decorate her cake with love! Remember mommy, they grow up quick and sooner than you want she will be the one getting the 13th birthdy cake! I know sometimes it is hard, but try to find your sense of humor, and tell your niece how special you both think she is because you both decorated her cake! BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!

How about ribbon around the bottom if you have any.

I think the "little decorator" will get alot of attention at a family gathering and everyone will love her contribution.

When my son was 2yo, he put his hand in a cake I had decorated for a neighbor's baby shower. I found him happily munching on a wad of cake and icing, and I had a hard time trying not to laugh! I brought it to the party anyway and everyone thought it was hilarious.
So, I don't think anybody will mind that your little helper added her artistic touch to the cake!!!

thanks everyone for your suggestions, you were right in that it really didn't spoil it. Everyone (especially the birthday girl) saw the funny side, especially as the culprit's favourite sentence at the moment is 'Emily likes cake!!' which she said gleefully with a handful of the cake!