tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90566242465275619692024-03-08T16:13:44.582-08:00The Cake EscapeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-22622333933397917332019-01-20T14:31:00.000-08:002019-04-21T15:40:30.160-07:00Fred & Maggie's Golden Wedding Anniversary<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first attempt at a trendy drip cake!<br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVJ_ZA0iQXo/XHsJBFXmvGI/AAAAAAAAUEQ/rChO0GahStQNU8gqJ1fRq34K9ev_-yxiwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1520" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVJ_ZA0iQXo/XHsJBFXmvGI/AAAAAAAAUEQ/rChO0GahStQNU8gqJ1fRq34K9ev_-yxiwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0098.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Baked to celebrate Fred and Maggie's 50th golden wedding anniversary. It wasn't my original design but I wasn't organised on this one and didn't leave enough time to get a stencil and the topper I wanted, so it's fair to say I was</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> winging it! I didn't have a plan but I had a covered cake and a last minute epiphany to create a drip cake. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">How do you create a drip on a fondant covered cake? Well I did it with Royal icing. Easy peasey if you get your icing to the right consistency! It needs to be a little runnier then normal to create the drips but not so runny that it runs off the cake entirely. Once I thought I had the right consistency I tested it by piping a few drips around the edge of my bowl before moving on to the cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I made a little pool of icing on top of my cake and spread it to the edges encouraging some to go over here and there, then used a piping bag to add extra drips where needed. I think the natural drips look better... naturally. Those created with the piping bag looked a little too uniform for my liking so they ended up at the back of the cake ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For my golden drips I painted the royal icing using a gold lustre dust mixed with a little drop of alcohol. A little tip is to colour the icing yellow before piping to get a better coverage with the gold and disguise any tricky spots you might miss on the sides. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For any Game of Thrones fans out there, painting this very much reminded of that scene when <span style="background-color: white;">Viserys gets his golden crown from Drogo. Not quite the look I was going for to celebrate a wedding anniversary! Anyway t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">o move away from GoT I added some sugar roses and the topper. Still room for improvement with my sugar roses, I haven't quite perfected these yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I make a lot of vanilla and chocolate cakes to please little nieces and nephews, this time I opted for something a little different with a lemon sponge and lemon buttercream. Maggie also makes the most amazing lemon meringue pie so it felt like a fitting choice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We helped Fred and Maggie celebrate </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on a gorgeously sunny day </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">enjoying a lovely afternoon meal with family and a fantastic view of the coast from St Margaret's Bay. The cake was a treat for later, served with a lovely cuppa tea courtesy of Steve and Ruth :)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-80865331607208451692017-02-25T13:55:00.000-08:002018-12-30T14:21:51.303-08:00Maggie's Orchid Cake<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In contrast to my conservatory, home to the pots of Orchids past, Maggie's is home to a beautiful array of blooming Orchids, so for a very special birthday we thought Maggie might enjoy an edible one :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think this might just top the <a href="https://cake-escape.blogspot.com/2015/08/standing-minion.html" target="_blank">minion</a> as one of my most successful cakes! I didn't really have a plan so I didn't have high expectations for how it would turn out. It was actually quite relaxing to make, and I was so engrossed in it I kept forgetting to stop and get progress pictures along the way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQVkERGCrog/XA7wDWA_4pI/AAAAAAAATaM/wgCck-7fZzI-zf2u2cQ7jesOzuRbMNHkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20180224-WA0015%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="898" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQVkERGCrog/XA7wDWA_4pI/AAAAAAAATaM/wgCck-7fZzI-zf2u2cQ7jesOzuRbMNHkgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG-20180224-WA0015%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="223" /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjXTkL5MwkE/XCVQChOeldI/AAAAAAAATg0/91yGNUI5pLMUqHezPPEA9-8RDUNJKVIxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20180224-WA0018%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="898" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjXTkL5MwkE/XCVQChOeldI/AAAAAAAATg0/91yGNUI5pLMUqHezPPEA9-8RDUNJKVIxgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG-20180224-WA0018%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <br />All of the flowers are made from sugar paste. I had no idea there are so many types of Orchid and so many cutters to choose from! After a trip to the garden centre for some research, I opted for the </span><a href="https://www.thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk/tools-equipment-c28/veiners-cutters-c51/petal-crafts-phaleonopsis-moth-orchid-cutters-and-veiners-set-p1217" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Moth Orchid cutters and veiners set</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> which also comes with a handy set of instructions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />The centre of each flower and each petal was wired individually and then left to dry. I used petal dusts to add a little touch of colour, and then taped them together with more florist tape to form one complete flower.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMNvOkvb_Qc/XBF8GM4cAhI/AAAAAAAATag/ufi2u_FssXQYA-76wtZJ3ONfQgGDt-hKwCLcBGAs/s1600/WhatsApp%2BImage%2B2018-02-24%2Bat%2B22.57.34%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1196" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMNvOkvb_Qc/XBF8GM4cAhI/AAAAAAAATag/ufi2u_FssXQYA-76wtZJ3ONfQgGDt-hKwCLcBGAs/s400/WhatsApp%2BImage%2B2018-02-24%2Bat%2B22.57.34%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />I had no idea how I would connect each flower to form the plant until Mr Chris' manager kindly donated a wire coat hanger to the cause. I cut the coat hanger and shaped it to form the main branch, wrapped it with florist tape, and then attached each flower and bud with more florist tape. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I use poly dowels to support my tiered cakes, which are strong but hollow dowels, and therefore also perfect for holding an Orchid branch! Placed through the centre of the cake, my Orchid fitted snugly inside and it</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> did a great job keeping it secure and upright. I hid the top of the dowel peaking out of the cake with fondant leaves, and the wooden dowel alongside it is purely for show to mimic a real Orchid.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The plant pot itself is three layers of chocolate cake sandwiched together with chocolate buttercream, and the soil on top is crushed Oreo cookies, a nice addition as they add a little chocolate crunch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this occasion I didn't decorate the cake board. Mr Chris suggested we leave it blank in an attempt to trick his Mum into thinking it was a real Orchid. Instead I added a poorly written edible gift tag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We celebrated Maggie's birthday with a family meal out and instead of bringing the cake out at the end, we placed it in the centre of the restaurant table. At first glance everyone thought we'd brought another Orchid for Maggie's collection but as Maggie went to pick it up we had to warn her it was cake :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd say it was a success and I confess, I am a little bit in love with this cake.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-12216143699525799372017-02-10T14:27:00.000-08:002018-02-23T03:43:00.655-08:00A Cupcake Decorating Party & Go Jetters Cake<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFh3TIYu8-E/Wo7xX2S-stI/AAAAAAAASA0/zWZP2XwL3kkcFpbk6GStAwX7RCt6cTlwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170212_111142%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="display: none;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our little Lissie enjoys a spot of baking, just like her Aunty Chel, and for her 3rd birthday requested a cupcake decorating party.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In all honesty I thought this would be ciaos, sprinkles everywhere, but it was quite the opposite. This little group of 3 year old girls sat down at the table and very attentively decorated their cupcakes. They certainly showed more restraint then me as they carefully placed decorations on to their cupcakes and not in their mouths, and I don't think a single sprinkle even hit the floor. It was lovely. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lissie invited 5 friends to her party so I baked 24 cupcakes giving them 4 to decorate each. I made a batch of icing, bought a ton of decorations and we set a workstation for each little girl.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At each workstation we placed:</span><br />
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</span> • <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An apron, hanging on the chair that they got to keep</span><br />
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</span>• <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decorations separated in to muffin cases - to ensure they all got the same and avoid any squabbles</span></div>
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</span>• <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A paper bowl to catch any sprinkles that missed the cupcakes - very wise after Lissie emptied a entire pot of sprinkles on to her first cupcake :D</span></div>
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</span>• <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And a small piece of rolled out fondant placed in a sandwich bag to keep it from drying out - and I placed some cutters and plungers in the middle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As they're only little I iced the cupcakes for them but with older children you could let them pipe the icing and roll out the fondant themselves. I thought they might be a little young for the fondant but with a little help from the adults it was nice to see they all had a go at cutting some shapes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When they were finished, we placed the cupcakes in to cupcake boxes so they could take their creations home, and they decorated the boxes with stickers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For her birthday cake, Lissie requested a Go Jetters cake. This meant nothing to me but after some research and learning some funky facts this is what I came up with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFh3TIYu8-E/Wo7xX2S-stI/AAAAAAAASA0/zWZP2XwL3kkcFpbk6GStAwX7RCt6cTlwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170212_111142%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFh3TIYu8-E/Wo7xX2S-stI/AAAAAAAASA0/zWZP2XwL3kkcFpbk6GStAwX7RCt6cTlwwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20170212_111142%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kUtyrKkgYE/Wo7nC3vsICI/AAAAAAAAR-w/C5sQ5H-yFb0HxiozplaIjJKEoLfdEKg5QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170212_111217%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="925" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kUtyrKkgYE/Wo7nC3vsICI/AAAAAAAAR-w/C5sQ5H-yFb0HxiozplaIjJKEoLfdEKg5QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20170212_111217%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have to admit, I got quite attached to Ubercorn, I think he's pretty cool! </span><br />
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In hindsight not so cool to put his dance floor on to a black background. In fact I should have incorporated some lights to make his dance floor flash - I wish I'd thought of that sooner!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
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As for the Go Jetters, I knew I wouldn't have enough time to make models of them all so I </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">followed a </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChildsCakeyCake/photos/a.860412120679930.1073741976.376930285694785/877554445632364/?type=3&theater" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Cakey Cake tutorial</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to make 2D cut outs instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-is031WtDst0/Wo7xZDU_9WI/AAAAAAAASA4/fKATBW6LeM8TDbVN9DyT4oCfaIKep6F0gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170212_111212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-is031WtDst0/Wo7xZDU_9WI/AAAAAAAASA4/fKATBW6LeM8TDbVN9DyT4oCfaIKep6F0gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20170212_111212.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you can see I may have mastered sharp edges but not those corners - clearly I need more practice on square cakes. Thankfully my customer was blissfully unaware :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHIiYZ3r8l0/Wo8B19bo8OI/AAAAAAAASBY/uv3GsL64AnAQ8fskqiR3DJqbd9YszcnIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170212_163122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHIiYZ3r8l0/Wo8B19bo8OI/AAAAAAAASBY/uv3GsL64AnAQ8fskqiR3DJqbd9YszcnIwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20170212_163122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And inside? Well you can't go wrong with a vanilla sponge and vanilla buttercream - it's a crowd pleaser.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And those 2D cut outs turned out to be a nice keepsake after Lissie had grown pretty fond of them.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-89267952394444538802017-01-05T13:52:00.000-08:002018-02-04T14:42:09.474-08:00Lick a pineapple, it tastes like a pineapple!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A pineapple cake inspired by my Sister's pineapple wall. Yes, pineapple wall. She has a wall in her house covered with pineapple decals because she loves </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Charlie & the Chocolate factory and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it reminds her of the lickable wallpaper. Her wall is not lickable though - at least not to my knowledge, I haven't tried.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Would you believe a pineapple cake tutorial already exists and a very entertaining one at that! Thank you </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7lxe43skXo" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Yolanda at How to Cake It</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I largely followed the tutorial but I made my own pineapple mould using a <a href="https://www.thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk/tools-equipment-c28/make-your-own-moulds-c81/make-your-own-moulds-silicone-plastique-putty-mould-making-kit-p8967" target="_blank">silicone plastique putty kit</a>. First time I've tried this stuff but I'll be making moulds of everything from now on. You get two putties in the kit, a white one and a blue one, and all you do is knead together equal parts and cover your object with it. It takes about an hour to cure and ta-da, you've got your mould :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4o9LVHGwQQ/WnZHru2EnhI/AAAAAAAARvA/hgyPs9TF6aAXm8kaJZAJUOu5R9l9kNcFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pineapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4o9LVHGwQQ/WnZHru2EnhI/AAAAAAAARvA/hgyPs9TF6aAXm8kaJZAJUOu5R9l9kNcFQCLcBGAs/s400/Pineapple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As per the tutorial I covered my cake in a thin layer of fondant, then used my mould to texture smaller pieces and stick them together like a jigsaw on to the cake. I should have paid more attention during this part! The real pineapple is fairly uniform in its pattern but my cake version, not so much. No time to do it again, I pressed on hoping it would look better once it had some colour. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WOG98jhGWg/WnZRq4fdvgI/AAAAAAAARvo/2tgHB7HWplwmzzeuTeOzDWLJMKKzvR9aACLcBGAs/s1600/Pineapple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WOG98jhGWg/WnZRq4fdvgI/AAAAAAAARvo/2tgHB7HWplwmzzeuTeOzDWLJMKKzvR9aACLcBGAs/s400/Pineapple1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I used a pair of nail scissors (reserved for cakes only, never used on nails!) to bring out the spiky bit, whatever that's called. Then I </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">used food colouring to paint my pineapple. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly the colour was also a rush job after I realised we were seeing my sister a day earlier then I thought, doh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To top things off (literally) I couldn't create the leaves in the time I had left so I cheated. I chopped the top off my real pineapple and used a wooden skewer to attach it to the cake. Is that cheating or using my initiative? ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also experimented with the flavour on this cake. I soaked the sponge with a pineapple simple syrup and added pineapple juice to the buttercream. Obviously not enough as neither tasted very much of pineapple but maybe that was a good thing, I'm not sure if this little one is a fan of pineapple yet. She's definitely a fan of cake!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I placed the cake on to a plate instead of a cake board to see if I could trick my sister. I think for a brief second she wondered why I'd brought her a pineapple on a plate but a closer inspection gave it away.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-79398054245698174342016-11-23T16:14:00.000-08:002018-01-02T14:34:45.055-08:00Can you tell what it is yet?<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quite possibly one of a kind this is a vision mixer cake. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was for Julie's 50th birthday </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Mr Chris' sister's, sister-in-law).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was a tricky one for me. I struggled with the design because a vision mixer is basically a box with hundreds of buttons. The original idea was to make the vision mixer itself but in my opinion, if you're trying to recreate something realistic in cake, the key to it's success is in the detail. Although Julie's husband was kind enough to sneak me some pictures of the one Julie uses at work, I wasn't confident I could do a good enough job of it. I didn't want to let them down but you've got to know your limitations and also know what you can do with the time you have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I opted for a miniature model of a vision mixer where the detail wouldn't matter as much. Credit to Mr Chris as it was his idea to cut away half of the top cake to create a desk. I then asked Julies Mum, Jean, what shows Julie had worked on through her career and I got a bunch of them printed on to edible paper to represent TV screens, and personalise the cake.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBMjvcopZZk/Wkgr6yoADaI/AAAAAAAADG4/vb1aVx81XH4b0bwW2MPzizy5TQJcWnucQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20161123_143850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBMjvcopZZk/Wkgr6yoADaI/AAAAAAAADG4/vb1aVx81XH4b0bwW2MPzizy5TQJcWnucQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_20161123_143850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have to admit, even though I know Jean and Paul, I was very nervous delivering this cake. I did my best but it didn't quite match the vision I'd had in my head and I just hoped they wouldn't be disappointed with it. Fortunately I'm my biggest critic and their reactions were exactly what I was hoping for. They were really pleased with it and Julie too..</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">"Well, where do I start? Yet again your cake making skills have blown me away! And this time the cake was for ME! I can't thank you enough! It was amazing Cheryl. You have got the desk spot on and I can only imagine how long it took you to cut out all the buttons, knobs & levers. And I shall never know how you got the icing through the printer to make all the pictures!! Hehe! Again, as per the Minion, I didn't want to cut it up. Eventually we took a huge slice off the back and we all had a piece of scrummy chocolate cake at our dinner party last night."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm so glad you liked it Julie. I'm certain cutting all those little buttons must be easier then remembering what they all do!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-85178549715949092192016-07-10T09:59:00.000-07:002017-07-28T13:57:37.114-07:00Woodland Christening Cake<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Again I was given free reign on my nieces Christening cake and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I'd been looking for an excuse to recreate this wonderful <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlecherrycakecompany/photos/a.188222621925.128020.188177171925/10154204234666926/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">woodland cake</a> ever since it popped up on my facebook feed and I fell in love with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The original design is by </span><a href="http://www.littlecherrycakecompany.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Little Cherry Cake Company</a>. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you haven't heard of them check them out immediately, their cakes are incredible!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love how this cake turned out but it doesn't compare to the pro. I tried my hardest but I just couldn't match those adorable woodland creatures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My bunnies were almost there, if you don't count my first attempt... also known as Reggie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Poor Reggie never made it on to the cake but he's found a home in my kitchen :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here's the girl of the day with what I like to think is her best fox impression. Or she's wondering when Aunty Chel is going to put a bit of that cake on her plate?</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cicSvZTdaM/WXtoCvSymlI/AAAAAAAAC8g/oYAaKMzA0e8PIjcBnCtzeNGoEoIH8BGlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20160712-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="873" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cicSvZTdaM/WXtoCvSymlI/AAAAAAAAC8g/oYAaKMzA0e8PIjcBnCtzeNGoEoIH8BGlwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG-20160712-WA0005.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-37456319845581641382016-07-09T15:49:00.000-07:002017-07-23T15:27:03.172-07:00Some stencilling for my Nan<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">I had two cakes to make in the same week, one for my Nan's birthday, the other for my nieces Christening - so no elaborate <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/carousel-christening-cake.html" target="_blank">carousels</a> this time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If this cake looks familiar it's because I took inspiration from the middle tier of <a href="https://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/ad-ionas-wedding-cake.html" target="_blank">Ad & Iona's wedding cake</a>.<br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5qnhbCrv4E/WLtSg0UoBBI/AAAAAAAACmk/Szpucu3P7msVy1W_1Lq2U6NFTFVQXRRtACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160709_140603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5qnhbCrv4E/WLtSg0UoBBI/AAAAAAAACmk/Szpucu3P7msVy1W_1Lq2U6NFTFVQXRRtACLcB/s400/IMG_20160709_140603.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I needed something quick but pretty and as the the stencilling worked out so well for the wedding cake, I thought this would be ideal for my Nan's cake. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well it wasn't so straight forward this time. I'd bought a new stencil and with its fancy design I struggled to get it flush to the cake. My icing bled underneath and I had to spend quite a bit of time fixing it with a teeny tiny paintbrush. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrPslKs4CdE/WLtUvF7yTXI/AAAAAAAACm4/aIt8yWGa6ish28RDYmW_VK2CGGTUYI34wCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160709_140611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrPslKs4CdE/WLtUvF7yTXI/AAAAAAAACm4/aIt8yWGa6ish28RDYmW_VK2CGGTUYI34wCLcB/s320/IMG_20160709_140611.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's fair to say my cake mojo abandoned me on this one. I</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'d also created several white roses to fill the top but only one little bud survived. I don't know what I did wrong, the others just fell apart. Frustrating as I was intending to use them to cover the flaws in my fondant - hence the randomly placed petals.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJGfpPHCzyI/WLtTdloiOKI/AAAAAAAACms/qYTVI7-DGm4SDKKIK1cGU7IVTE7kTd7RwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160709_140616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJGfpPHCzyI/WLtTdloiOKI/AAAAAAAACms/qYTVI7-DGm4SDKKIK1cGU7IVTE7kTd7RwCLcB/s400/IMG_20160709_140616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Duff would say "Cake decorating is smoke and mirrors". I</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">t looked alright in the end </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">and the main thing is we all enjoyed eating it!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-86392262239295222682016-06-04T15:26:00.000-07:002016-11-30T14:38:10.646-08:00Ad & Iona's Wedding Cake<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0n96_rPiib8/V8dHqGXxqzI/AAAAAAAACRE/_IGjpWbcvgQC7qAsTgPmbCYtQ1EfnpiWgCLcB/s640/20160604_163208_HDR.jpg" style="display: none;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's flattering to be asked to make a wedding cake but I usually decline as my baking skills can be a little hit or miss. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I made an exception for our friends Ad & Iona because they are lovely and I </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was confident they wouldn't disown me if it all went horribly wrong and I turned up with a Battenberg. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Surprisingly I was pretty relaxed on this one (at least that's how I remember it). There were no dramas, no meltdowns and it came together perfectly. Maybe it helped booking a week off work and planning every little detail - or maybe I just got lucky!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbVoZ6ig3ek/V8dG0D8BBGI/AAAAAAAACQ4/2RnqHFsB31oUGFY_3KD3tRqrgrlABIA9wCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160502_091114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbVoZ6ig3ek/V8dG0D8BBGI/AAAAAAAACQ4/2RnqHFsB31oUGFY_3KD3tRqrgrlABIA9wCLcB/s400/IMG_20160502_091114.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I tried my best to give Ad & Iona the wedding cake experience. We talked about ideas, had a cake tasting and I even managed a sketch despite the fact I can't draw. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So the bottom tier was always going to be a vanilla sponge. The other flavours we tried were coffee, chocolate with a dark chocolate ganache and carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting. My first ever carrot cake!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My smallest tin is a 6 inch round, so I baked a fairly rustic 6 inch cake for each knowing they have plenty of friends and family to share them with. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the flavours picked </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Iona got busy pinning cakes and highlighting what she liked most about each one. I took all those favourite bits and came up with a design (complete with spelling mistakes)...</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIWbt7YK9hM/V8dICcDAtJI/AAAAAAAACRI/2wNee06siks-6O3iA9K8zhWl6tF9EQYYwCLcB/s1600/Sketch%2B001%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIWbt7YK9hM/V8dICcDAtJI/AAAAAAAACRI/2wNee06siks-6O3iA9K8zhWl6tF9EQYYwCLcB/s640/Sketch%2B001%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and here's how it turned out...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Ad's words "exactly like the drawing" - I'm not sure if that's a compliment?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0n96_rPiib8/V8dHqGXxqzI/AAAAAAAACRE/_IGjpWbcvgQC7qAsTgPmbCYtQ1EfnpiWgCLcB/s1600/20160604_163208_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0n96_rPiib8/V8dHqGXxqzI/AAAAAAAACRE/_IGjpWbcvgQC7qAsTgPmbCYtQ1EfnpiWgCLcB/s640/20160604_163208_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Chuffed with my sharp edges! Ironically, I was most worried about stencilling the middle tier and this turned out to be the quickest and easiest job. On the other hand the silver leaf should have taken 5 minutes but required a lot of patience. It was </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNunTI_o0s" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">McGreevy Cake's tutorial</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that led me in to a false sense of security. She made it look so easy but no matter what I did the leaf just didn't want to stick. I wouldn't say I mastered it in the end, I just persevered and tiny tiny bits at a time, I eventually got the effect I wanted/settled for. Good thing I was going for a vintage patchy look.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The beautiful cake topper almost didn't make it. It literally turned up as Ad was leaving on the day of the wedding. I'm so glad it did because it completes the cake, although I'm certain the reserve made by Iona's mum would have looked just as lovely.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vD21ul17TsU/V8dLowD74xI/AAAAAAAACRU/Zy_eOIAHE8sc59I2jl9NVgrgrJ3sOddDgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_132531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vD21ul17TsU/V8dLowD74xI/AAAAAAAACRU/Zy_eOIAHE8sc59I2jl9NVgrgrJ3sOddDgCLcB/s400/IMG_20160604_132531.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The bottom tier took several years to complete - at least that's what it felt like it. Those petal ruffles seemed to go on forever but I love how they turned out. Originally I had baked three layers for the bottom tier so I was glad I'd only opted to use two of them by the time I got to those ruffles!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately my second ever carrot cake wasn't quite as good as my first. For some reason it didn't rise as much as it did for the taster so I had to bake another and make the top tier 4 layers to get the height I wanted. I also replaced the cream cheese frosting with an orange flavoured buttercream. The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want to risk the cream cheese knowing it would be out of the fridge all day in June weather.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txts1zeX2kM/V8dLpGd1pKI/AAAAAAAACRY/zKFXSu8GBZQzAUo2PHzORa2kCSAIVFwdACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_132549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txts1zeX2kM/V8dLpGd1pKI/AAAAAAAACRY/zKFXSu8GBZQzAUo2PHzORa2kCSAIVFwdACLcB/s400/IMG_20160604_132549.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Kara Couture Cakes for her wonderful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrPZbUmzu6c" target="_blank">sugar rose tutorial</a>. My petal veiner is a bit rubbish but I was really pleased with how they turned out. The centres were beautifully delicate and spiralled but my fat fingers squashed them as I attached them to the cake. They might have been easier to handle if they were wired but I wanted to avoid poking posy picks in to the cake.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL2cFypknoY/V8dLoxYIxvI/AAAAAAAACRc/VU9Ez8e5kzc3HxwJ_RUorekr_2qfcnb4QCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160604_132614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL2cFypknoY/V8dLoxYIxvI/AAAAAAAACRc/VU9Ez8e5kzc3HxwJ_RUorekr_2qfcnb4QCLcB/s400/IMG_20160604_132614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />There are no progress pictures for this one because I decided to capture it all in a time lapse video - I thought Ad and Iona might like to see their cake in the making. Despite being an IT bod I had no idea how to go about this. Lucky for me the Go Pro has a time lapse setting and Movie Maker is easy peasy. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here it is, 5 days in 12 minutes!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-75945143213011963482016-05-16T14:20:00.000-07:002016-08-28T04:14:15.736-07:00Chris is 30!<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWv6IbX5dCI/V6UNthvLDiI/AAAAAAAACPM/foU8Jc8AgykAHzKwVKCSCKdpLhSccrHsQCLcB/s400/IMG_20160516_195412.jpg" style="display: none;" /><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--powZefDP94/V6UM7DBSmxI/AAAAAAAACPE/uMBoYNZ0LZkD-ja30Ar23C7nYf3isCHlgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160516_060113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--powZefDP94/V6UM7DBSmxI/AAAAAAAACPE/uMBoYNZ0LZkD-ja30Ar23C7nYf3isCHlgCLcB/s400/IMG_20160516_060113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Chris was about to turn 30 I was super super busy in my new job (still finding my feet and all) and starting to worry I wouldn't have time to make him a cake. Then out of the blue he said he didn't want one... </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WHAT :O?! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He said he didn't want me getting stressed and tired because I'd spent hours on a cake, and he'd rather we just spent the day together... awww 😍 ... but who doesn't have cake on their birthday, especially the big 3 0! So I came to a compromise...</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My original plan was to have a cake with all of Chris' hobbies around it, but as he is a man of many talents (astronomy, astrophotography, guitar, running, snowboarding, basketball, pro lego builder - just to name a few) this would have taken an age!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So instead I focused on one hobby. I picked astronomy because I thought it'd be fairly straight forward to paint some star constellations on to a black cake. Then I remembered Chris sitting in the garden for hours on a chilly winter night taking pictures of a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/isherwoodchris/9530112873/" target="_blank">nebula</a>. Searching for more pictures, I st</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">umbled across this tutorial: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2016/04/black-velvet-nebula-cake.html">http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2016/04/black-velvet-nebula-cake.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWv6IbX5dCI/V6UNthvLDiI/AAAAAAAACPM/foU8Jc8AgykAHzKwVKCSCKdpLhSccrHsQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160516_195412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWv6IbX5dCI/V6UNthvLDiI/AAAAAAAACPM/foU8Jc8AgykAHzKwVKCSCKdpLhSccrHsQCLcB/s400/IMG_20160516_195412.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So mine didn't turn out quite as good but it was really fun to make, armed with a little sea sponge splodging food colour here and there, flicking the paint brush to make lots of little stars, and it took no time at all! I think the trick with this is to step back often and know when to stop. I got a little carried away and it probably looked better several splodges earlier. At least Chris </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">recognised what it was.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svfKYebqko4/V6UNtW-oRzI/AAAAAAAACPI/4Lm5WS9MumEB8SFto0mi1RBFktQ16EhCACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160516_195447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svfKYebqko4/V6UNtW-oRzI/AAAAAAAACPI/4Lm5WS9MumEB8SFto0mi1RBFktQ16EhCACLcB/s400/IMG_20160516_195447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taste wise, this is my favourite cake to date. Almond sponge with amaretto chocolate flavoured buttercream. These are the same flavours I used for Chris' <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/3d-basketball-cake.html" target="_blank">basketball cake</a> but on that occasion the cake was a tad dry. This time it was perfect, even if I do say so myself :)</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sparklers did not live up to their warning label but added a little bit of fun....</span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-72341366622288248542016-03-01T13:08:00.000-08:002016-07-29T12:49:40.152-07:00BB8 in 24 hours!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The time leading up to my nephews birthday was manic. The organisation I worked for was closing down, I had two job interviews to prep for (both wanting a 10 minute presentation) and a trip to Chicago looming. Nevertheless, Louis had stressed on more then one occasion his desire for a BB8 birthday cake and I didn't want to disappoint, even if it was a couple of weeks late. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the end I only had one day available to make this and I delivered... eventually.</span><br />
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For any perfectionist one day is not nearly enough! I had zero time to be my usual indecisive self, faff about or fixate on all those tiny little details. I could look at this cake and focus on BB8's missing aerials or question if his head is out of proportion, but on this occasion I'm going to let it go. I made this cake in less then 24 hours and I couldn't have done anymore in that time.</span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BB8s body was baked in a ball tin and his head in a small pyrex bowl. I used the CakeFrame I bought for my <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/standing-minion.html" target="_blank">standing minion cake</a> to help keep him steady. The CakeFrame goes through the centre of his body and protrudes out the top, then his head sits on a 4 inch board and is slotted on. The head is so small I don't think he really needs an internal structure but it's an hours drive to my Brother's and I wanted that stability... I can cope with an aerial-less BB8 but not a headless one! I'm pleased to say he didn't budge on route and we all got to enjoy the journey with no fears of him rolling away.</span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BB8 made his appearance after a tasty Sunday Roast and he was well received... brownie points for Aunty Chel :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside he is a yummy chocolate cake filled with chocolate buttercream icing. I removed his head to slice up his body and Louis wasted no time tucking in! :D</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-56989903427749056302015-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:002016-01-22T16:06:00.180-08:00Rainbow Cake<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A rainbow cake inside and out to welcome another gorgeous niece to our family :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOqcLGW8kWk/VqKcJa-iEkI/AAAAAAAAB_k/CaAaPRYKriY/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOqcLGW8kWk/VqKcJa-iEkI/AAAAAAAAB_k/CaAaPRYKriY/s400/IMG_1676.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My sister wanted to make a rainbow cake herself for Lissie's first birthday but couldn't find the time, hence a rainbow cake to welcome little Florence instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of mistakes on this one but no major tantrums :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rainbow topper was super easy to make, there is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBl8hNFU70U" target="_blank">Krazy Kool Cakes tutorial</a> to show you how. Squashing a flower cutter to make a cloud cutter... genius!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few people have asked how I baked the sponges and if I have a special set of tins for rainbow cakes. Er... no. I have two tins and this is all I can fit in my oven,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so I baked two layers at a time. I usually divide my cake mix in two but as the layers could be thinner, I divided it in to three. I then coloured two parts and got them straight in to the oven to bake while I coloured the third. As the layers were thinner, they only took 20 minutes to bake and the third mix was fine covered with some cling film until it could go in. While the third layer was baking, I then made another batch of cake mix and repeated the process. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TewFhnypBgg/VqJeIw3Ir-I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/svnxQklQOGE/s1600/20151108_162839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TewFhnypBgg/VqJeIw3Ir-I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/svnxQklQOGE/s640/20151108_162839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're making a rainbow cake, you'll need to use gel paste food colouring. These are highly concentrated to give that rich colour and a little goes a long way. The set I have is by Rainbow Dust and I got them from <a href="http://www.thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk/popular-colour-professional-gel-colouring-set-by-rainbow-dust" target="_blank">The Cake Decorating Company.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The filling is a white chocolate ganache. This was actually my second attempt at a white ganache, my first was on <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/freds-70th-walkers-cake.html" target="_blank">Fred's 70th cake</a> and it ended up in the bin after it split. The same almost happened to me again; I guess it's easier to do with white chocolate because its fat content is high? Anyway, I must have had my calm head on this time because I decided I'd try to save it. All those people that say you can't recover ganache once it's split... you lie! I managed to save mine by warming up some left over cream, adding a little at a time, and mixing continually until hey presto, it was back! I caught mine quick so maybe that helped. Some say to drain any excess oil first and and if you're out of cream, apparently warm milk also does the trick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be honest, I thought the white chocolate ganache was disgusting and I don't think that has anything to do with the fact it split. I don't know what I was expecting considering I don't like white chocolate but for me it was horribly sickly sweet. I know ganache is only as good as the quality of the chocolate you put in it but I didn't skimp there so I think it's just yuk. My sister said it was fine, and Lissie still wanted seconds but I don't think I'll be making it again.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I love the little hands in this photo waiting patiently for her slice of cake</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The biggest mistake I made with this cake, and I'm not sure how I haven't experienced this sooner, was to cover it with fondant right after it had been in the fridge overnight. I believe as the cake warmed up it caused condensation to form on the fondant and this made it impossibly sticky, so I struggled to smooth it. Apparently this problem is amplified with marshmallow fondant which explains why mine was so bad. I've read the trick is to chill the cake long enough to harden the frosting/ganache, but not chill the cake all the way through so I'll be more aware of this next time. Fortunately the clouds managed to disguise most of the imperfections.<br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQcHMn4o-RY/VqKlJtFxasI/AAAAAAAACAA/0ad_JQkOT_c/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQcHMn4o-RY/VqKlJtFxasI/AAAAAAAACAA/0ad_JQkOT_c/s640/IMG_1690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds are airbrushed on. I'm really enjoying my airbrush now I'm getting the hang of it. This was a really easy affect. I just cut a cloud shape out of some paper and held it against the cake, moving it around as I sprayed. My practise run on some paper actually looked better but I'm still pleased with the result. I should have worn some gloves as I had nice blue fingers after.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I've probably waffled on long enough. I think that's about all I have to say on this one :D</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-18989930726865768102015-10-03T09:36:00.000-07:002016-01-10T05:38:41.169-08:00Fred's 70th Walkers Cake<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just as I'm thinking I've got the the hang of this cake malarkey I'm put back in my place. This cake was a nightmare from start to finish, one disaster after another... fondant tearing, arms falling off (not mine), ganache splitting and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll admit it was too much for me this time, I had a meltdown and Mr Chris came running because he thought the world was ending. When he realised it was just my cake, he sorted me out with a little pep talk and I was back on my feet refusing to be defeated! What would I do without him?! </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: monospace, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre-line;">♥</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Fortunately it came together in the end...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I can't take credit for the design of this cake as it was a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChildsCakeyCake/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Cakey Cake</a> creation. I always search the web for inspiration before starting a cake but I'm determined to start coming up with my own designs - searching for inspiration on the theme as opposed to other cakes that match the theme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hills are airbrushed following <a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11838556_860412410679901_5835427157803606336_o.jpg" target="_blank">Cakey Cake's tutorial</a>. This was the part I was most expecting to go wrong but it was the only part that went well. The only mistake I made was creating too much variation in the height of my hills, so when I raised my template to spray again, I couldn't position it without overlapping what I'd already done. The solution was simple, although it took Chris and I an embarrassingly long time to realise it. I made a mark on my template above the highest hill so I would be able to line it up again. Then I drew a new set of hills just slightly above the first ones and running in to the highest one, cut the template again, and placed it back on to the cake. I think it worked well as it makes the hills in the background disappear behind the ones in the front.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside is a vanilla sponge and my first attempt at a strawberry swiss meringue buttercream (SMBC) filling. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> This is a lot lighter, fluffier and not as sweet as normal buttercream icing. It passed the taste test but my recipe made a very small amount. It was only just enough for the filling so I ended up making a dark chocolate ganache to frost the cake, which I think overpowered the SMBC. Not to mention I overheated my first batch of ganache and it ended up in the bin. At least I know to increase the quantities for my SMBC next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Again this cake is covered with my home made marshmallow fondant. I think I made a mistake this time as the fondant was quite dry before I'd finished adding all the icing sugar. I probably didn't melt my marshmallows enough but I was able to save it by kneading in some store bought fondant to give it more stretch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As you've probably worked out, I did not enjoy every minute of this cake but the reaction it got made it all worthwhile. I get frustrated when a cake is not going to plan because I want it to be perfect, but when you see how much someone appreciates it, that is what makes it perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">When Fred, my father-in-law to be, "got something in his eye" and the rest of us struggled from a similar affliction, I forgot all the disasters and mishaps with this cake and in that moment it became one of my favourites. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-74879110058501297122015-08-15T13:00:00.000-07:002015-08-23T13:26:29.042-07:00Standing Minion<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably my most successful cake to date, I am super proud of this one! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Ruth: "Would you be interested in doing a minion cake for Kitty please?... it could be as simple as a plain yellow cake with one eye".</i></span></blockquote>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me: Pfft, simple cake... ok google 'how to build cake structures'</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think they were expecting this and to be honest, neither was I. I was half expecting it to fail miserably.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Firstly, credit to Ann Reardon at How to Cook whose </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkIMdzRvsfQ" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">tutorial</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> largely guided me through the process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst I was looking for materials to build my internal structure, I stumbled across something called <a href="http://cakeframe.com/" target="_blank">CakeFrame</a>. It's basically various plastic tubes and joints that click together to create any structure you like. It was ideal, and as an added bonus they sent me a free minion tutorial after I'd purchased the starter kit. I didn't actually follow their tutotiral as part of it involved rice crispie treats but that's the good thing about CakeFrame, you can put it together as you please.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So for everyone dying to see the inside, or wondering how the hell those little legs are supporting that cake, keep reading :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I baked 3, 6 inch chocolate sandwich cakes, so 6 layers of sponge altogether. I levelled and stacked 5 of them, then placed the 6th on top and carved it in to a dome to shape the minions head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A plastic tube runs through the centre of the cake, and collars placed in-between those tubes support two cake boards and the weight of the cakes. The structure gets built as cake gets added, starting with a 4 inch cake board at the bottom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cored the centre of 3 cakes and slid them on to the structure adding </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ganache between each layer. After the first three cakes, I added a collar (the little white ring you can see in the picture below) and more tubing. This collar supports the next board and cakes, and effectively makes two 3 layer cakes to give a normal sized portion when it all gets sliced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next I added a 6 inch cake board and the remaining cakes. The top cake does not need to be cored as the tube only goes part way in to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all the cakes were on the structure, I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> carved the bottom cake to soften the edges and make it more rounded.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cib9KZCNcZw/VdOestkhC_I/AAAAAAAABzU/hARvyLnXiQQ/s1600/IMG_9968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cib9KZCNcZw/VdOestkhC_I/AAAAAAAABzU/hARvyLnXiQQ/s320/IMG_9968.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I was happy with the shape I iced it with ganache and was pleased when it just about fitted in to my fridge (next to tomorrows lunch). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had covered my cake board days earlier so it had time to harden and I wouldn't have to worry about marking it. It was wrapped in cling film to keep it clean.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jzgw_D1jbM/VdOeqbgQUpI/AAAAAAAABzE/k2XXfQcCSNc/s1600/IMG_9971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jzgw_D1jbM/VdOeqbgQUpI/AAAAAAAABzE/k2XXfQcCSNc/s320/IMG_9971.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was planning to cover the cake in one go with one piece of fondant but thankfully Mr Chris talked me out of that - it would have been a nightmare trying to smooth all those pleats with a cake so skinny and tall. So similar to Ann's tutorial, I covered the top of the cake with one piece, then wrapped the rest of the cake with another. I ended up with a seam around the top, positioned where I could use the goggle strap to cover it, and a seam down the back that would be mostly covered by his dungarees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The yellow fondant is the last of my home made marshmallow fondant from Connie's <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/frozen.html" target="_blank">Frozen</a> cake. Using home made and store bought fondant side by side really highlighted their differences. The store bought is much much sweeter and doesn't taste as nice, and the home made is much easier to handle; it has plenty of stretch but doesn't tear easily. The marshmallow fondant can be stored for months. It was very hard when I unwrapped it but a quick 10 seconds in the microwave softened it enough so I could then kneed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My cake was roughly A4 size in height so I used an A4 picture for scale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As well as witnessing how messey my work area gets, you can see the small lolly pop sticks inserted in to his head that help to support his goggle, and cocktail sticks I used to support his arm until it had dried enough to stay in place on its own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"How long did it take?".... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep in mind I work full time (not making cakes), I usually get home from work around 6.30pm, and I would work on the cake from 7 till late... 10, 11, even 12 one night.. and don't forget I have to stop for dinner too! So this is how I broke it down:</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Monday - Covered cake board and made decorations (goggle and streamers)</i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Tuesday- Baked 3 chocolate sandwich cakes and made chocolate ganache</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> Wednesday - Carved and stacked cakes, then iced with ganache</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> Thursday - Coloured fondant and covered the cake</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> Friday - Added decorations and detail and completed cake</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> Saturday Morning - added ribbon and name to cake board and boxed for delivery</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planning is key! If you plan it well, you give yourself time to enjoy the whole process or fix anything that doesn't go quite to plan. I'm getting better but there's even more I could have done earlier, like making the ganache and colouring my fondant the weekend before.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4nsy0-rGxk/VdTklep2RDI/AAAAAAAAB0I/8Gq47sWlXZc/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4nsy0-rGxk/VdTklep2RDI/AAAAAAAAB0I/8Gq47sWlXZc/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4nsy0-rGxk/VdTklep2RDI/AAAAAAAAB0I/8Gq47sWlXZc/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The delivery was terrifying as we had a 45 minute </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">drive and although he was pretty solid, he had a good wobble going on. Mr Chris manufactured a box for me and we strategically placed bits of card to wedge him in place. One of the streamers was a little damaged but he made it in one piece.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4LygCZcdzs/VdTklmafUaI/AAAAAAAAB0M/GXoZ4BkMM94/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4LygCZcdzs/VdTklmafUaI/AAAAAAAAB0M/GXoZ4BkMM94/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it's fair to say he made an impact. At one point I thought there might be tears when we had to cut him but thankfully Ruth held it together and we devoured his head in no time :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-77270226034121689072015-04-04T18:00:00.000-07:002015-04-07T13:56:53.934-07:00Home-made Creme Eggs<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What to do when you pop to the shops for an Easter egg and all that's left is one sorry looking smashed egg?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go home... sulk for a bit... then make your own creme eggs :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">170g Liquid Glucose or Golden Syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">55g Butter (at room temperature)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1tsp Vanilla Extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">375g Icing Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2tsp Water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yellow food colouring</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">200g Chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. To make the filling mix together the glucose or syrup with the butter and vanilla extract until it's creamy, then add the icing sugar and water. The mixture should be quite thick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Take about a third of the mixture and colour it yellow to make the yolks. Then place</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> both mixtures in to the freezer until they're hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. When solid, remove the yellow mixture and form lots of little balls. Place each yolk on to a tray lined with greaseproof paper. They get very sticky as they get warmer so once all the yolks are formed place them back in to the freezer to harden again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Once the yolks are set cover them with the whites. Take some of the white mixture, flatten it in to a circle, place the yolk in to the middle, then wrap the white around and roll it in to an egg shape. Place the eggs in to the freezer to harden again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Melt the chocolate and dip the eggs. I found it easier to keep the eggs in the freezer and take one out at a time so they don't get too sticky to handle. Skewer the egg, dip it in to the chocolate then place it in to the fridge to set (just like a cake pop). Alternatively you could use an egg mould to create the chocolate shell and place the filling inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the verdict is....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr Chris says it tastes just like a creme egg but has eaten several to be sure. I think you can taste the golden syrup and they need a thicker layer of chocolate but they were good enough to satisfy my Easter chocolate binge :) </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-67978317096809823842015-01-10T13:47:00.000-08:002015-08-16T14:09:42.501-07:00Frozen<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've seen so many Frozen cakes and at last I get to make my own contribution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the cake of many firsts for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I've made my own fondant...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I followed Artisan Cake Company's recipe for </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJCUy3ezRxE" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">marshmallow fondant</a>. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The process is a little messy but it's really not difficult and it's worth trying. It tastes good and it's nice to work with. I probably have enough left over to cover two more cakes but you can half the recipe if you need less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first time I've made chocolate ganache and iced a cake with it....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I'm converted! I think ganache will always be my preference over buttercream now. It's very easy to make, not as sweet as buttercream, and personally I found it easier to get a smooth finish and clean edges on my cake. If you're new to ganache, check out this three part tutorial from </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFtm8q4m4Bk" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Inspired by Michelle</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. It's all you need to get going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I've airbrushed a cake...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frrQZHCAtfg/VcaLe6MU6-I/AAAAAAAABxk/dlwmK6T55I8/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frrQZHCAtfg/VcaLe6MU6-I/AAAAAAAABxk/dlwmK6T55I8/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My airbrush was a birthday gift from my Dad. I love it but I definitely need more practice. I learnt the hard way that an airbrushing booth is essential! I practised on some paper and had no idea how much everything around me was getting covered in a fine mist of blue. My oak table now has a blue tinge to the wood grain so a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> cardboard box became my makeshift booth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd also wear a face mask next time. I know cake professionals don't but it freaked me out having blue snot the next day. Even Mr Chris had blue snot and he only passed by briefly while I was spraying. Call me paranoid but I don't reckon that's good for your lungs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, I think the key to airbrushing is to build up light layers and allow them to dry in between. I was a bit heavy handed. I was going for a patchy icy feel but it ended up mostly blue. Also it was still wet the next day and Steve got blue fingers cutting it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first time playing with isomalt...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIR21dXHbjE" target="_blank">tutorial</a> from Artisan Cake Company, this was lots of fun. It's not a free tutorial but it was a great introduction to isomalt for me. I used clear ready tempered isomalt then coloured it with a touch of teal. Silicon cupcake holders were perfect for melting and pouring. It took me a few attempts to create the castle pieces but if it goes wrong you can melt the isomalt again and again until you get it right. The only downside is the more times you melt the same piece, the cloudier it becomes so you lose a bit of that cold icey feel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I didn't make the figures...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdq6YYwQZUc/VcXoHyT6tCI/AAAAAAAABxI/icqXMfGpmUU/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdq6YYwQZUc/VcXoHyT6tCI/AAAAAAAABxI/icqXMfGpmUU/s400/IMG_0397.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, so that's not really a good first as I was looking forward to making them. This cake was actually very well planned but I sacrificed the models to make some birthday treats for my sister - I can't have her feeling neglected! I knew Connie would be kind enough to lend me her figures and she placed them perfectly on the cake :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lights are called balloon lights. They're just resting on the cake behind the castle. In hindsight I should have added a bit of icing to hold them in place as Steve had to walk very slowly to ensure they didn't roll off the top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first Dutch chocolate butter cake....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used a recipe from Artisan Cake Company's book. It was tasty and gooey like a chocolate brownie but it cut cleanly and held together well. The ganache might be a bit thick on the sides but I'm chuffed with those straight edges and that thin layer of fondant. Mr Chris liked the marshmallow fondant so much he actually wanted a thicker layer on the cake!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1EeyLEiV21k/VcaQr0rH-0I/AAAAAAAAByI/lzwHJY-d8M8/s1600/IMG_20150110_110944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1EeyLEiV21k/VcaQr0rH-0I/AAAAAAAAByI/lzwHJY-d8M8/s400/IMG_20150110_110944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It might be a bit risky trying so many firsts on one cake but that's what families are for :) I'm happy with how it turned out and loved seeing Connie and her friends so impressed with it :)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-77119569030179224172015-01-04T14:14:00.000-08:002015-06-24T14:32:12.360-07:00Give the gift of biscuits<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever short of gift ideas? How about some home made treats? People appreciate the effort and everyone likes a good biscuit - if they don't there's probably something wrong with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These were for my sister. I got my hands on a pretty tin, squeezed in as many biscuits as I good (ate the rest :D ), tied around a little ribbon and hey presto. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was disappointed I didn't make her a birthday cake so these got me back in to the good books - just about!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside are </span><a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/chocolate-truffle-cookies.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">chocolate truffle cookies</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (my favs), peanut butter and jam pinwheels, and </span><a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/biscuits-are-my-kryptonite.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">chocolate tipped fingers</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I separated them with some grease proof paper but if you have a strong flavour, like my peanut butter pinwheels, make sure it goes well with the others.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-29287559640649399672014-11-22T15:06:00.000-08:002015-06-21T15:11:31.244-07:00Greenfingers<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cake fit for a landscape gardener. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first cake I've timed perfectly! I wasn't rushed for any part of it, I didn't stay up late to finish it, and I didn't have to sacrifice any of the detail I wanted to finish on time. Perhaps I'm getting the hang of this? - or maybe I've come to terms with how slow I am!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my second attempt at a standing figure. Still room for improvement but I keep watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoQ66ef-GN0" target="_blank">Artisan Cake Company's tutorial</a> in the hope mine will look just as good one day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My </span>first wheelbarrow! My own creation as I couldn't find a tutorial for a wheelbarrow. I moulded it around a matchstick box wrapped in cling film, and inserted wire for the handles - the only non-edible part of the cake.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reaction from Kirsty and Matt when they came to collect it was brilliant and a real confidence boost. They had sent me a picture of a cake they liked, which I kinda followed, but I don't think they were expecting all of the added little details.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyw1DsMEuOI/VYSlEthMEfI/AAAAAAAABl0/37WqrN74qJc/s1600/Cakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyw1DsMEuOI/VYSlEthMEfI/AAAAAAAABl0/37WqrN74qJc/s320/Cakes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed making this one and it was nice to catch up with old friends/colleagues again.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-44131261560560251092014-10-05T14:35:00.000-07:002015-04-08T14:41:34.651-07:00Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Meringue Frosting<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you enjoy baking and you don't already own one of the Hummingbird Bakery books, I seriously recommend you get one. I've tried many of their recipes and they never fail to satisfy my taste buds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is a dressed up chocolate cake. It's filled and covered with vanilla meringue frosting and topped with a marbled chocolate disc. It's not your usual chocolate sponge as the ingredients include melted dark chocolate and sour cream. It's a little bit on the heavy side so a small slice goes a long way.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z0kkxTrrvU/VSWOXSwHRCI/AAAAAAAABg4/kzzn5yentuk/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z0kkxTrrvU/VSWOXSwHRCI/AAAAAAAABg4/kzzn5yentuk/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should have used more frosting in-between the layers, and if I'd left it in the fridge maybe the inside wouldn't look so sloppy - still, who cares if it tastes good!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-64482440839865666192014-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:002015-04-03T15:54:57.165-07:00Carousel Christening Cake<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given free reign on my nieces Christening cake and this was the result. It's a little sloppy in places but I won't highlight where ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took a short cut with the middle tier and removed some of the stress by using a dummy cake. It didn't need to be cake anyway as the top and bottom would give enough servings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The horses are made using a silicon mould from </span><a href="http://www.thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk/floral-fantasy-horse-silicone-mould-by-first-impressions" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Cake Decorating Company</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. It's an expensive mould (it's even gone up quite a bit since I bought it) but the detail is brilliant. Also it's for my niece so no expense spared!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I probably made around 15 horses but only managed to release 6 successfully. It's quite easy to mangle legs or ears while you're concentrating on releasing another part. I guess patience is a virtue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dusted the mould with pearl lustre dust to help release the fondant and give the horses a little shimmer. I used a plastic dowel to make a hole through the centre of the body and once they were dry I painted their features with food colouring. The plastic dowels were wrapped in fondant and used as the horse's pole.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Originally I had an entirely different design in mind for the carousel but some of the moulds I ordered didn't arrive on time, hence the top looks a little unfinished.... better planning required on my part :/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, for Aunty Elaine who complimented my piping skills with regards to the lettering... <a href="http://www.thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=alphabet+tappits" target="_blank">tappits</a>! My handwriting is bad in pen let alone icing. There are lots of fonts available and I use them the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbXDDgazJOg" target="_blank">Krazy Kool Cakes</a> way. Secret shared ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This dessert takes me back to my days as a waitress, maybe one of the best jobs I've ever had though I didn't realise it at the time.<br /><br />I worked as a waitress after I finished uni. I had no desires to stay a waitress but I can really appreciate that job now; no stress, work didn't come home with me, everyone pitched in and we had a good laugh. I suppose it helped that I had no mortgage and no responsibilities too :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, Grasshopper pie was my favourite dessert and I always hoped to find a damaged slice in the box. We couldn't serve it to customers if it wasn't presentable and we'd have to "dispose" of it ;) At least that's what I was told and I had no reason to question it.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Grasshopper pie has a sweet biscuit base (this one was made with double chocolate chip cookies) and a minty mousse filling. I'm not sure why it's called grasshopper pie, I think it's named after a cocktail or maybe it's just because the filling is coloured green. Mine may be a little too green. It should be mint green but I only had electric green to hand.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhd-FmTcypo/VDMUqeVwpAI/AAAAAAAABXk/-Ta1ibTUXM4/s1600/IMG_20140706_142837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhd-FmTcypo/VDMUqeVwpAI/AAAAAAAABXk/-Ta1ibTUXM4/s1600/IMG_20140706_142837.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is actually half the size of the one I used to serve and its topped with cream instead of chocolate. It's a very naughty dessert but very easy to make as it only needs chilling, no baking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite all its naughty ingredients it's a light, refreshing pie and you know it's good when it gets the Conster's approval!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5CRBp_17L4/VDMUaElWe-I/AAAAAAAABXE/okzU49D3-Ts/s1600/IMG_20140706_142853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5CRBp_17L4/VDMUaElWe-I/AAAAAAAABXE/okzU49D3-Ts/s1600/IMG_20140706_142853.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-37368032121875414912014-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:002014-07-27T09:42:31.658-07:00Chocolate Truffle Cookies<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those of you that know me know I have no self control when it comes to biscuits. The only way I can manage my addiction is to simply not buy them, however some days biscuits are a necessity. The good thing about our kitchen is it's always well stocked with baking ingredients to make my own.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So flicking through my recipe books looking for a quick fix, these Chocolate Truffle Cookies were the obvious choice, a. they're chocolate, b. they have a splash of Amaretto in them (also always well stocked in our house).</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCFbQ_8bRyI/U9UQSC7QzQI/AAAAAAAABSQ/jWt_8JuXbhU/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCFbQ_8bRyI/U9UQSC7QzQI/AAAAAAAABSQ/jWt_8JuXbhU/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to be patient while the dough chilled but while I was waiting I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">could run up and down the stairs a few times to make me feel better about my imminent biscuit binge. </span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKdy9H7vSOo/U9UTpJP7ckI/AAAAAAAABSk/44JbwX2RFKo/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKdy9H7vSOo/U9UTpJP7ckI/AAAAAAAABSk/44JbwX2RFKo/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I said could... I didn't, but I did snap a picture of Mr Prickles who couldn't wait until nightfall for his fix of meal worms.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My patience ran out as soon as they were baked and I could smell them. I ate them while they were still warm and they were gone in record time, Chris was lucky to get a couple! I have no regrets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've made a few more batches since then, to accompany a cuppa with friends and as a small birthday treat for my Nan who shares my sweet tooth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think they make a nice gift in a pretty jar with a little ribbon tied round.</span><br />
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<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mqaa40oiBc/U9UQL0mYp8I/AAAAAAAABSI/Wuy__O1lHv4/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mqaa40oiBc/U9UQL0mYp8I/AAAAAAAABSI/Wuy__O1lHv4/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6GQ1Mytpls/U9UQ-E37JiI/AAAAAAAABSY/Mk2ELU3bVm0/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6GQ1Mytpls/U9UQ-E37JiI/AAAAAAAABSY/Mk2ELU3bVm0/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td> </tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-72657409293656292912014-05-31T11:00:00.000-07:002014-07-14T15:00:33.281-07:00A Vintage Christening<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of my cakes are for friends and family but when a friend volunteered my services I decided to have more confidence in my skills and say yes. I get super nervous making cakes for people outside of friends and family but I figure it's good to step outside your comfort zone every once in a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The request was for cupcakes to fit in with a vintage tea party theme for a little girls Christening day. The theme was right up my alley and perfect for all my stencils and lace mats... and an excuse to buy more :)</span><br />
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<tr> <td><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tbpEq52pACQ/U8Bgol686wI/AAAAAAAABQ4/lDVmw_uE8wI/w893-h595-no/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tbpEq52pACQ/U8Bgol686wI/AAAAAAAABQ4/lDVmw_uE8wI/w893-h595-no/IMG_0070.JPG" width="280" /></a></td> <td><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gv1Nizmw7WY/U8BdytOEFXI/AAAAAAAABQQ/jDZsYQNvGJw/w893-h595-no/IMG_0071b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gv1Nizmw7WY/U8BdytOEFXI/AAAAAAAABQQ/jDZsYQNvGJw/w893-h595-no/IMG_0071b.jpg" width="380" /></a></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mKTAY1ofcRY/U8Bdl1Sol8I/AAAAAAAABQI/8yZeXIPGLyo/w893-h595-no/IMG_0079b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mKTAY1ofcRY/U8Bdl1Sol8I/AAAAAAAABQI/8yZeXIPGLyo/w893-h595-no/IMG_0079b.jpg" width="380" /></a></td><td><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LW-f3UKdC-0/U8BgqwKcKQI/AAAAAAAABQw/HjmFBIYt89s/w893-h595-no/IMG_0068b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LW-f3UKdC-0/U8BgqwKcKQI/AAAAAAAABQw/HjmFBIYt89s/w893-h595-no/IMG_0068b.jpg" width="280" /></a></td> </tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To accompany the cupcakes was an understated but beautiful cake. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJEQV3Q_JOM/U8BxgdemphI/AAAAAAAABRk/UCCbdBrLFEE/s1600/IMG_0064b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJEQV3Q_JOM/U8BxgdemphI/AAAAAAAABRk/UCCbdBrLFEE/s1600/IMG_0064b.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With all of the cupcakes, the cake only needed a little decoration but I still wanted it to stand out. I decided to keep it plain and add one extravagant sugar flower to the top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As luck would have it, a tutorial to create an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7YlcUxYbfU" target="_blank">open peony</a> from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HappyCakesbyRenee" target="_blank">'Happy Cakes by Renee'</a> popped up on my facebook feed that week. A brilliant tutorial; I was expecting to need a few attempts at it but I was so happy with how my first one turned out, that is the one you see on the cake.</span><br />
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<tr> <td><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0CsOhJE4_8A/U8BxdLVWw6I/AAAAAAAABRs/o6PM0LxVSZw/w893-h595-no/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0CsOhJE4_8A/U8BxdLVWw6I/AAAAAAAABRs/o6PM0LxVSZw/w893-h595-no/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyDnyD86siU/U8BxeLV8TEI/AAAAAAAABR0/PDkg6x6e6aU/w893-h595-no/IMG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyDnyD86siU/U8BxeLV8TEI/AAAAAAAABR0/PDkg6x6e6aU/w893-h595-no/IMG_0083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td> </tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's always tricky fitting cakes in around work but nevertheless, I really enjoyed making these and I was so glad they were pleased with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you Melissa for your kind words and thank you to my friends and family also. Your compliments and support encourage me to take on new baking challenges and give me that little confidence boost I need.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-71560240214139324752014-05-16T13:47:00.000-07:002014-06-05T14:41:21.850-07:003D Basketball Cake<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr Chris is very much in to NBA Basketball at the moment and requested a basketball cake for his birthday. What he actually asked for was half a basketball because in his words, "he didn't want a cake that falls apart" - he was referring to the great <a href="http://cake-escape.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cake-disaster-long-story.html" target="_blank">cake disaster of 2012</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to restore his faith in my cakes so I took another sneaky day off work, (you would think he'd have caught on to this by now) and with my lessons learnt tackled another ball cake.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-2IQF0r6WA/U5DISFSDAwI/AAAAAAAABL4/hO4pvjsPjxA/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-2IQF0r6WA/U5DISFSDAwI/AAAAAAAABL4/hO4pvjsPjxA/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5XpYimya9k/U5DNJlLIN-I/AAAAAAAABME/eYV7jOwBVBw/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5XpYimya9k/U5DNJlLIN-I/AAAAAAAABME/eYV7jOwBVBw/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time I did not ignore advice from the experts and read all of the information for <a href="http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk/2009/03/03/using-ball-cake-tins/" target="_blank">ball cakes</a> on Lindy's blog.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of a soft sponge cake, I baked a madeira cake </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">following Jane's</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk/2009/12/17/baking-the-perfect-madeira-cake/" target="_blank">"Baking the Perfect Madeira"</a> post, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">again on Lindy's blog. I also </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">allowed plenty of time for it to cool, baking the cake the evening before and leaving it overnight. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the cake came out of the oven, I knew it was going to be more successful then last time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Covering a ball cake with fondant is a little tricky. The idea is to lay the fondant over the cake and form the excess in to two or more pleats around it. The pleats are then cut away and the joins are closed and smoothed out. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLX-6UG0VUI/U5DVeUX42pI/AAAAAAAABMU/1mWAxy7KWYU/s1600/10371707_10152203806393262_6037354797013758850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLX-6UG0VUI/U5DVeUX42pI/AAAAAAAABMU/1mWAxy7KWYU/s1600/10371707_10152203806393262_6037354797013758850_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On this cake it was much harder because I'd created an impression in the fondant (using one of Chris' Lego mats :) ) and I didn't want to loose it. I worked slowly and carefully and for the most part the impression stayed, there were a few spots where it rubbed out but they were near to the bottom so not overly noticeable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had hoped to add some more finishing touches but ran out of time as Mr Chris finished work a little earlier then usual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was suitability impressed and he approved of the filling too. I added almond extract and ground almonds to the madeira recipe and used chocolate amaretto buttercream for the filling - I think this could be my new favourite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lesson this time... "If at first you don't succeed, try try again".</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-71124321807252429282014-03-16T17:09:00.000-07:002015-01-25T12:33:47.858-08:00Home-made Battenberg Cake<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should have taken some progress pictures but I didn't expect this to turn out so well on my first attempt.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41g3PvOzjuc/U4KE326GxVI/AAAAAAAABLg/bb2TaF9Jhgc/s1600/IMG_9728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41g3PvOzjuc/U4KE326GxVI/AAAAAAAABLg/bb2TaF9Jhgc/s1600/IMG_9728.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was created following a Mary Berry recipe from her book "Mary Berry's Baking Bible". It was surprisingly straight forward so if you like battenberg and you have the book I urge you to give it a go. I will definitely make it again so I'll get more pictures next time.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056624246527561969.post-25425809587262955532014-02-10T13:42:00.000-08:002014-05-20T14:26:10.312-07:00Lissie's First Cake<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The very first cake for my little niece Lissie and it was no where near as perfect as she is. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVwIWATqLag/U2QpU5NqW9I/AAAAAAAABKw/uadLUTHA3wY/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVwIWATqLag/U2QpU5NqW9I/AAAAAAAABKw/uadLUTHA3wY/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know she can't appreciate it yet but I loved every minute making this and I look forward to creating so many more cakes for her. I also look forward to lots and lots of cuddles!!!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0