I've almost finished my first serious decorating project.  It's been an intensive, 3-week project, and I'm terrified that something might go wrong.

I've got a frosting made with a blend of shortening and butter.  It's actually this recipe:

http://www.copykat.com/2010/10/24/publix-buttercream-icing-recipe/

It's meant to be a Publix clone as this is part of my "back to childhood" 30th birthday theme.  Disneyland, Muppets, 80s nostalgia, etc.

My design calls for me to paint part of the top of the cake black before sprinkling with Wilton edible stars, and I will then be placing my fondant-gumpaste figurines on top.  The figurines are individually wrapped and in an airtight container.

The cake will be spending next Wednesday in a Disneyland locker for many hours.  How should I finish this cake to keep the black coloring from ruining everything?  Should I paint it on top, or should I blend it into the frosting and spread it?  Will it dry, and will that prevent it bleeding?  Should I wait to put my figurines on until just before serving?  Any tips for the cake being in the locker at 85 degrees?

Thanks for any input you might have.

wait.....it is going to sit in a locker???  For how long and what time of day? Is the locker in air conditioning? Sun?

AI found out today that Disney doesn't allow cakes through security. So it will be in an air-conditioned hotel room after a two-hour drive in an air-conditioned car. My questions about black frosting bleeding and my fondant-gumpaste figurines remain the same, albeit with different conditions.

Thank you so much for replying; I've been disappointed by the lack of response all day.

AI think that's actually better. I was envisioning te cake sitting in a hot & humid locker fr hours. The buttercream recipe looks like it will hold up nicely and when you say "paint" - what are you painting it with? Really, the only issue will be with condensation so as long as your cake is always "room temp" I think it should be ok. (And keep it out of the sun during the car ride - and keep the a/c pumping).

AIt's a Wilton's product; it didn't come in a package, so it is hard to pinpoint. I'd describe it as somewhere a gel and a paste. It's highly potent. I'd have to dilute it with extract or vodka to paint with, so I'm curious about just making an icing layer.

Will my fondant dudes be okay at room temp/AC temp on the cake?

Again, thank you so much!

If you're using Wilton fondant for the fondant dudes and you have them ample time to dry - those suckers should survive the Apocalypse. ;)  And I think, as long as you can avoid condensation, the painting will be fine too.  Good luck!