A Sweet Gift Idea

Like most people, I'm on Pinterest all the time "pinning" and "liking" all kinds of things that I will never buy or make or think about again. Except this one. This cute little DIY art project really hit close to my heart.

They are mini pies made out of beads, bottle caps and some felt... all held together with some glue.

SUPER CUTE!

When I saw this pin I thought to myself... I don't care how... or when... but I WILL make these little suckers. And you know what? They didn't turn out so bad! Of course this is the first attempt... but I'll be sure to make more, and maybe throw a magnet on the back of them and redecorate the fridge!

Wanna try them out yourself? You can find the "How to" HERE!

Come Fly With Me...

A Butterfly Cake for Emma

Sometimes life comes at you fast. You wake up one morning and you realize, oh man, I was supposed to do something this weekend. And sometimes that something is actually quite big... like your baby's first birthday.

With the hustle and bustle of life, that's exactly what happened to a friend of mine. She realized that in the midst of crossing her t's and dotting her i's, she had forgotten one important aspect of her party planning - the cake!

So when she asked around the office if anyone knew someone who "did cakes", I laughed. It's not that I don't advertise it, I just kind of keep a little quite about my cake making. I often doubt myself on whether I have time, or if it will come out the way a person expects it. So I don't really offer. But, for a friend in need? No question.

I asked her to send me photos of idea she had, and I'd come up with something. Since Emma's room is all purple and green with butterflies, we decide that would be perfect. So I cake up with a sheet cake for the adults to eat and one small round cake that Emma can "smash into" - as every child should have that cake face look on their first birthday.

And while it was a stressful bake (I had started after working late on a Friday night), I am so glad that I had the experience of helping out a friend in need and seeing that beautiful little girls face smiling full of cake.

Happy birthday, doll!!

 

 

Na Na Na Na BATMAN!

For the Batman enthusiast!

One layer cake, covered in yellow fondant with, of course, the batman logo.

Inside is a delicious chocolate ganache.

This cake would also be good if you added a second layer and threw some fresh strawberries inside.

Since this was one of my first cakes, I added a black ribbon on the bottom. This is one of the ways I was able to cover up my sloppy fondant rolls.

Looking at it now, I kinda like the way the black pulls it together!

Patty Cake, Patty Cake...

So this is a different kind of cake... a Diaper cake!

Even when I'm not baking a cake, I'm thinking of cakes!

I always dip into my creative side when I go to a baby shower (that I'm not making an actual cake for). Sometimes I make the money kite or the oragami money. Other times I make Diaper cakes.

This is just a simple design I did in less than 20 minutes.

Using a water bottle for support, wrap diapers around the water bottle till the base is to your desired thickness. Then secure with a ribbon

Hint: use a rubber band as you are going along if you don't have any help holding the diapers together... otherwise you may lose the whole thing.

Keep layering as much as you want, securing each bundle with a bit of ribbon. Then just add accent pieces. I found that glue dots worked best for securing pieces to the ribbon.

Try not to poke holes into the diapers (for obvious reasons) and try not to add glue or tape either. The object here is to send the mommy-to-be home with diapers she can use.

I was putting this in a bag, so I fastened it all together with some clear plastic basket wrap.








If you want something more masculine, you can try out my motorcycle biker pup.

Star Light, Star Bright...

The bridal shower theme this weekend was based on Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' painting.

The ambiance was romantic: white lights strung across the pavilion, drapery for a vintage look, star confetti drizzled on the tables, candles and flower centerpieces on each table, and of course, my rendition of 'Starry Night' in cake form.

I used almost every circular tip (1-7) I own for this cake, along with the leaf tips (59 and 60).

The most challenging part of this cake was getting the colors vibrant enough. I went through a lot of food coloring. The trick to not using too much icing is to do all the light colors first and then gradually get darker.

I started with the stars. Then moved to the light blue swirls. Then I just started filling in other places. I made sure to keep a little bit of every color for the final touch of accent colors. The final thing I did was the chocolate tree.

To add the "painting" aspect, I put a picture frame around it. Congrats to the Bride and Groom on their upcoming nuptials and a BIG thank you for letting me be a part of the "Starry Night" Bridal Shower experience.

Cake Central = Overload

I recently got involved with an online cake community called Cake Central. All the foods that I post on my blog are up on my profile there already. 

This was a big step for me. The amount of talent on this website it unreal. Some of these people are ACTUAL cake bosses. 

So putting myself out there was kinda a big deal. It feels good when someone gives you a compliment on something you do. But it feels even better if they are an expert. 

If you got some time to kill, needs some good baking tips or tutorials, check them out now. 

Warning: you'll find yourself lost in the black hole that is the internet while on this site. 

Aloha! A Luau Baby Shower Cake

One of my dear friends was having a baby shower a few months ago. She didn't want the typical baby blue tablecloths and baby Disney characters. She didn't want cars, or jungle or special character themes. She wanted something different.

A luau!

So when I first approached the idea, I thought of making a pregnant belly with coconut top bikini and grass skirt with a lei around the neck. But then I thought, this particular friend didn't really have such an enjoyable pregnancy. So to play it safe, I did a regular old tiki cake.

The only part of the cake that even had to do with "baby" was the surf board.

I made a large tiki hut face out of fondant as the cake topper and some chocolate mold fish as some decorations. The surfboard was fondant and the writing was used with a special food color pen.

The cake itself was vanilla with butter cream frosting. Instead of making a fondant covered cake, I decided to make it look more "beachy" to keep with the theme. So I frosted the top of the cake with icing, blended a half a box of vanilla wafers and covered the top with a sand-like texture.

I used the very delicious (although very expensive) Pirouette cookies for the tiki torches around the cake and secured them with a bow. This was really to tighten the cake so it would fit in the basket, but it really worked well aesthetically.

I used the flowers to fill in the gaps in the basket and give it some color.

I must have done something right on this one. It's the first cake I made that was COMPLETELY gone in less than 20 minutes.

Put Your Game Face on - Xbox Cake

I love when people say to me, "you can do a/an ______ cake."

I don't know. I've never tried!

When a friend of mine called me up one day and said, "You can make an Xbox cake, right?" i just laughed.

"I don't know, I've never made one before. I've only made the Rock Band Cake," I said.

Her reply, "Oh ok... well, you're gonna make an Xbox cake. No pressure."

Yikes! Where do you even start on something like this when you've never made a REAL 3D cake?
The console.

I just stared at the Xbox for a good 30 mintes to gather my thoughts and ideas. And then I decided to trace the console out. When the cake was cooled, I put the cut out of the Xbox shape on the cake and cut it out. Easy.

Than the controller. Hmm... Not so easy. But I sat there at the tray with the controller in front of me and carved it a little at a time. Here's a tip: I use the food coloring markers to draw it out before I cut.

After everything was cut and wrapped I took the little details and started working on those. I cut out the air vents, the buttons, the side panels, the analogs. All of it.

I used a bit of water and attached all the pieces. Then a little bit of icing for some last details and voila... you have an Xbox cake.

I've seen some pretty awesome Xbox cakes out there, but I'm still VERY proud of mine. My second 3D cake. Second! Imagine that. I think I have a gift for "winging" it.

 

I go hard in the 3D cakes!

Here's my Rock Band tribute cake. It was also made as a send off to a dear friend that was moving away.

What better way to send her off than a night of good old fashioned Rock Band?

So we did what we do best: go totally overboard and theme out our Rock Band party. We sprayed our hair pink, dressed in our Rock and Roll gear, set up the instruments and jammed out all night till our hands hurt and our voices were gone.

 But when it came time for dessert, my friends were in for quite a surprise: My first ever 3D cake.

The cake itself was basic vanilla with butter cream icing. Of course, I used my trusty Wilton cake recipe. The time and effort was all in the decorating.

I did the entire cake in homemade butter cream icing (one that's an absolute secret). I free hand piped the side of the cake that mimics the bars where the notes show up on the screen when you play Rock Band. I made all the instruments and Rock Band logo in fondant icing.

While it might not be the best, the most outrageous or even the most difficult cake, this one will always be my favorite. It was my first time stepping outside of that "safe" cake zone and doing something crazy.

It's also the day I learned I had more patience than I ever thought.

 

 

 

 

 

Something's Fishy... Goldfish Cupcakes!

So easy to make and everyone loves them!

 

These are a fun treat for kids parties, fish themed get togethers or - my favorite - "just because."

Whenever you decide to make them you will be pleasantly surprised by the sweet and salty combination.

Here's what you need:

• Goldfish (your preference: color, pretzel, original)
• Granola
• Green Fruit Roll Up (or Laffy Taffy)
• Your Favorite Ccupcake Mix
• Your Favorite Icing
• 24 Cupcake Paper Cups
• Cupcake Baking Tray
• Large Round Ssprinkles
• Blue Food Coloring

 

SO let's wash our hands and get started!

 

Start out by checking your cake recipe for the specific baking temperature, and preheat your oven to that degree.

1. Mix your favorite white cake batter.

2. Arrange 12 white paper baking cups in one of your cupcake baking trays (remember they cook better when doing them one at a time, but it's ok to do two trays if it fits in your oven). Fill 2/3 the way (HINT: fill a ziplock bag with your batter and cut a tiny hole in the bottom corner to squeeze batter into the cups).

3. Bake cupcakes for the recommended time of your recipe, or until the tops are slightly golden

4. Test the center with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If the inside is still wet and the outside is done, turn down the temperature of your oven and cover with aluminum foil to finish baking.

5. Cool cupcakes on wire rack - careful not to burn yourself getting them out.

6. Mix your favorite vanilla frosting recipe, adding a very light blue tint with the blue food coloring (HINT: start by adding only 3 drops. If you need more, add one at a time).

7. When your cupcakes have cooled, frost them with your blue frosting.

8. Lay out either your fruit roll up or laffy taffy and cut into one inch pieces. Pinch the bottom half so it has that leaf look.
 

9. Place one leaf on the right and one leaf on the left side of the cupcake.

10. Drop a pinch of granola on the bottom in between the leaves (this will be your gravel).

11. Put your goldfish on top (I used two).

12. Add the finishing touches by placing two or three large white sprinkles above the fish so it looks like air bubbles.

Ta-da!

Now you've got some pretty impressive cupcakes that LOOK a lot harder to make then they actually are.

Just in time for Spring... Corn on the Cob Cupcakes!

This dessert is a hit for BBQs!

Not too long ago my uncle was told he couldn't eat corn on the cob... one of his favorites. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am always waiting for that perfect opportunity to pull a prank on someone. Here was my chance.

I decided to make him corn on the cob - in dessert form. And so was born, the corn on the cob cupcake.

They are very simple to make - and not too expensive either.

So here's what you need

• Your Favorite White Cake Recipe - which I included in the previous blog
• Your Favorite Vanilla Frosting Recipe - which I included in the previous blog
• 2 Cups Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (in various yellows like lemon, banana, pineapple and even some white like vanilla or toasted marshmallow)
  
• 4 yellow salt water taffy (or you can use 2 pieces of laffy taffy)
  
• Black and White colored sprinkles
• Corn Ear Holders
• White Paper Baking Cups
• Yellow Food Coloring

Now that you've got your supplies, it's time to get cooking. I always start by laying out my ingredients and mixing bowls and such so I'm not opening the cabinets with dirty hands.

Ready? Ok let's wash our hands and get right in...

Here's what you're gonna do

1. Check your cake recipe for your specific baking temperature, and preheat your oven to that degree.

2. Start mixing your favorite white cake batter.

3. Arrange 12 white paper baking cups in your Cupcake Tin, and fill 2/3 the way up (HINT: fill a ziplock bag with your batter and cut a tiny hole in the bottom corner to squeeze batter into the cups).

4. Bake cupcakes for the recommended time of your recipe, or until the tops are slightly golden. Then cool them on wire rack - careful not to burn yourself getting them out.

5. Mix your favorite vanilla frosting recipe, adding a very light yellow tint with the yellow food coloring (HINT: start by adding only 3 drops. If you need more, add one at a time).

6. When your cupcakes have cooled, frost them with your yellow frosting.

7. Arrange 3 cupcakes next to each other on a corn serving dish, a platter, or picnic type plate.

8. Start arranging jelly beans in random order. You want to use a lot of the solid yellow color, throwing in some banana colored, toasted marshmallow and a few solid white beans every now and then (HINT: It's easiest to start with a middle line, and work your way to the edges).

9. Flatten the yellow taffy while it's still in its wrapper (HINT: If you don't have a rolling pin, use a sturdy pencil or marker). Unwrap it and using scissors, cut it into a square shape. You can mold it quite easily into a buttery looking pad with smooth edges. Place pad on top of one of the jelly-beaned cupcakes.

10. Sprinkle some black & white sprinkles on top of the completed cupcakes. Be sure to get a few specs on the butter pad too.

11. Push a corn ear holder on each end of the outside cupcakes.

And that's it!!! Now you can serve them on your tray or platter and everyone will get a good laugh! I know we sure did!

Wilton's Buttercream Icing

So if I prefer Wilton's cake mix... you can probably guess that I use their icing too.

Well you guessed right!

And here it is...

• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
• 2 tablespoons milk

For Medium Consistency

1. In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla.

2. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often.

3. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

HINT: For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

For thin (spreading) consistency icing

1. Add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.

For Pure White Icing (stiff consistency):

1. Omit butter; substitute an additional 1/2 cup shortening for butter and add 1/2 teaspoon No-Color Butter Flavor.

2. Add up to 4 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk to thin for icing cakes.

Wilton's White Cake Recipe

My favorite White cake recipe has to be from Wilton.

After all, they are the baking genius' of the world. So every time I make cupcakes from the soul I use this recipe... all other times if I'm in a rush I'll use Betty Crocker boxed cake mix, but shhhhh.

So here's a quick look at their recipe should you ever want to try it.

• 6 cups cake flour sifted
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 12 egg whites

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom of pans and line with waxed paper or parchment paper. (Click here for complete instructions on preparing baking pans.)

2. Sift together flour and baking powder. Set aside.

3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Set aside.

4. Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Set aside.

5. With mixer at slow speed, add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternately with milk. Beat well after each addition.

6. Beat in vanilla extract. Gently fold egg whites into batter.

7. Pour into prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

It's too damn early...

So our system is down at work and I figured I would check out my mobile blogging!

As I'm sitting at my desk with my morning coffee (eyes burning, uncontrollable yawns) it hits me...

"If I think that 7 am is too early, how am I going to survive a bakery at 4 am?"

Perhaps the adrenaline of baking up yummy goods for the community will be enough. Or maybe after a while I will wonder why I torture myself. Truth is, when I get up to go fishing at 4 am I hate it. But - I also get over it pretty quickly.

I guess when its something you are truly passionate about you stop caring about the things that would normally be considered a nuisance.

I used to feel that "high" at my job now. Only it was because I truly felt that I wanted to be a writer. And part of me will always enjoy writing, but as my love for baking grows I start to notice those "little things" that never used to bother me. I suppose I just realize more and more that I don't want to be *here* as a writer. I want to be *there* as a baker.

Hmmm. Some day. For now, I will suck it up, chug the remainder of my now cold coffee and be a writer. And I will do it well because I know that as soon as I get home, I get to be a baker!

Sent Via Verizon Wireless Blackberry

Getting Started

OK... So I'm going to start blogging this weekend. For now, I'm testing out the site and getting my feet wet. Don't worry though, I'll wash my hands before I post! First up is going to be my "Corn on the Cob" cakes. Yummy!