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Showing posts with label Cake - Buttercream Icing. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The Rose Cake

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
- William Shakespeare

Roses are the epitome of romance and love. What better way to show someone you love them than by presenting them with a beautiful cake decorated ALL in buttercream roses.

The 'Rose Cake' is a technique that took the baking world by storm in 2011 when the Amazing Amanda (aka "I am Baker") introduced it to everyone on her blog: www.iambaker.net

What a genius way to decorate a cake using a tip that most of us already have in our kitchen. And the end result is pure beauty.

I've used the technique twice already. Once for my beautiful sister's birthday and then she asked me to make one for a dear family member's birthday. I think both cakes came out beautiful and I have a room full of people to back me up on this... :-)

Birthday Cake for my Sister

A Birthday cake for a Family Friend

It is quite the show stopper and people always think that it was terribly hard to decorate. And now you know that it is not hard to do. It'll be our little secret.

Here is the original blog post, from Amanda's blog, for the technique:
http://iambaker.net/rose-cake-tutorial/

And also the Youtube video that started it all:

Hope you guys will try this on your next cake.
Trust me when I say that everyone will love it!!!

Happy Baking!
Sweet Smiles!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Butter Pecan Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!

The way this cake came about is because my husband is a BIG fan of Butter Pecan. It's one of the only ice creams flavors that we always have in our freezer, besides Chocolate, of course ;-)

So when I saw a Butter Pecan flavor in a boxed cake, I was thrilled!!!

I then started to think of frosting flavors and decided to try the Salted Caramel Frosting I had just seen on the website: Sally's Baking Addiction

She is one of my favorite bloggers and her book is my dream come true. Pretty, colorful and the recipes are Oh So Gooood!!!!!

Upon baking the cake, my kitchen smelled divine! I was very excited to see how the whole thing would turn out.

I baked the cake according to the package and then proceeded to make the frosting.

After the cake was chilled and leveled, I stacked the cake and added the delicious frosting.
I drizzled some more caramel on top of the frosted cake and also added some crushed pretzels for texture.

The results were amazing....

SALTED CARAMEL FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
2-3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 pretzel twists, optional

Directions:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, add brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add salt. Allow to bubble for exactly 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Beat in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, until you reach desired consistency.

Make this cake... It's divine!!!!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cake

What is your favorite Chocolate combination?????

Mine are:

Chocolate with Raspberries
Chocolate with Cinnamon
Chocolate with Strawberries
Chocolate with Mint
Chocolate with chocolate.....

For this Pre-Valentine's Day Dessert, I wanted to try something new.

And, boy, Did I....

This cake is deliciously Moist, Decadent and So delicious...

The blend of Cinnamon in the chocolate cake and in the frosting make it something special.

After crumb coating the cake and working with the frosting, I decided to put Chocolate Sprinkles on the bottom portion of the cake instead of trying to make a fancy design.

Those who know me know that I have not mastered a smooth buttercream, so I am always looking for alternative methods of decorating a cake.

To add a little texture to the top of the cake, I decided to use a spoon in order to add peaks to the top.

Once cut, this cake was to Die For....

If you like Chocolate, then this cake is for you...

Enjoy!!!!

Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cake

- Adapted From: The Cake Doctor Chocolate Cookbook

Ingredients

1 package plain chocolate cake mix
¾ cup milk
¾ cup canola oil
1 Milk Chocolate Hershey Bar, Melted
3 large eggs or 3/4 cup Egg Beater
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For frosting:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
8 Tablespoons boiling water
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners's sugar
Dark chocolate candy bar for grating on top (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9" pans and set aside.
Place the cake mix, oil, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and blend for three minutes, or until well-blended. Add melted chocolate. Mix well
Pour evenly into two pans, smoothing with spatula.
Bake for 28-32 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed with your finger. Remove and allow to cool for ten minutes. Remove from pans & then cool for another 30 minutes.
Place the cocoa powder and boiling water in mixing bowl. Blend until combined. Add butter, cinnamon, and confectioners sugar, and finally vanilla. Blend until combined and icing looks fluffy. Add an additional ¼-1/2 cup confectioners' sugar if needed.
Ice cake and press chocolate sprinkles if you desire.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Retirement Cake for a Domino Lover...

My dad just turned 65 in April of this year and is set to retire soon.

He was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and came to work in NY in his late teens/early 20's. As a young man, he lived the American dream - working hard and owning his own business in order to support his family and raise both my sister and I.

I owe everything to my parents: they taught me that with hard work and determination, all is possible. I know it's a cliche, but it's so true.

Throughout that time and through all those years, he had a dream and a hope that he would return to Puerto Rico and share his last decades with his siblings and live in the same town where he was born and raised.

To celebrate the next chapter in his life, my sister and I wanted to celebrate with him.
What better dessert is there than one that shows what his love and hobby is: DOMINOS!

My dad was so excited when he saw the cake. It had a domino game being played on top and several dominos, in waiting, on the sides.

The cake was:
Pina Colada Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Airbrushed Brown to resemble a wood playing table.
Dominos were made out of white fondant and each set of dots hand-drawn on.
The flag was printed on edible wafer paper with edible ink.
The table was also adorned with small red party cups

My only wish is that my dad enjoy every minute of his retirement years, while surrounded by loved ones. He has childhood memories with his siblings and now will make retirement memories with them too. I love him with all my heart!!!

Let's Raise a glass...

Cheers!!!!!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

A Very Bubble Guppies Birthday

If you all follow this blog, you know that when my children (including my niece and nephew) make a special request for their birthday, I always try my best to get the job done.

For my Nephew's 2nd Birthday, My sister told me that it would be a

"Bubble Guppies Birthday Party"

Complete with a "Bubble Guy" entertainer.

So I went right to work looking up ideas to create a dessert table fit for a Prince, I mean 'Merboy'. And I found a million Ideas on Pinterest....

For the cake, I made a Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cake as the bottom layer and a Cinnamon Streusel top layer.

Decorated the whole cake with blue Vanilla Buttercream and Blue Fondant 'Wave' decor.

For the decor, I attached Bubble Guppies characters made out of Wafer paper and made with edible ink.

I also added Brown Sugar 'Sand' and Fondant seashells, starfish and sand dollars with some green royal icing seaweed.

Clamshell Snickerdoodle cookies also adorned the table with Royal Icing holding the Bubblegum 'Pearl.

Excuse the fuzzy picture. I also made Banana Upside-down Muffin Sand Castles with little paper flags. Laying in the Brown Sugar 'Sand' were Vanilla Sugar cookie and Royal Icing Sand Dollars.

The Bubble Guppies also made an appearance on the Sugar Cookies decorated with Wafer Paper and Royal Icing Border.

The 'Bubble Guppies' Dessert Table was a Success. I think everyone enjoyed the tasty creations made for his birthday.

Also included on the table were:

Cake Pops

#2 and letter 'A' sugar cookies

And the SMASH cake for the birthday boy.

Monday, July 7, 2014

"Frozen" Birthday Party Cake and Cookies

When my niece has a birthday and says, "jump", I most certainly do.....

This year's theme was "Frozen".

Since my sister was celebrating her birthday at a all-inclusive party place (crafts, pizza and cupcakes), I decided to surprise my niece with a small, itty bitty Olaf-inspired cake.

I made her a two-tiered (6 in and 4in) cake complete with an Olaf topper, royal icing snowflakes and small fondant snowballs.

I found an AMAZING step-by-step/picture-by-picture tutorial on how to make Olaf with fondant and gumpaste on Cake Central.

If you want to try and make an Olaf too, you can find the tutorial HERE: http://cakecentral.com/b/tutorial/olaf-from-frozen

I followed the tutorial, but my Olaf was a little different that the one pictured on the tutorial, as I made him standing on his two snow-feet and not leaning to the side. I also ran a wooden skewer through the whole body into the head so he'd be a lot more stable.

I added some royal icing snowflakes and some fondant snowballs. I dusted it all with some shimmering disco dust to give the illusion of snow. My niece totally LOVED it!!! and was soooo surprised!!!

Also included in the party bags were Snowflake sugar cookies that added that extra special touch to the whole occasion. A little airbrush in the center of each cookie added a little pizzazz to the cookies....

I am so happy with the way everything turned out!!!!

Monday, April 14, 2014

2013 Year in Review - Cakes

Well, Here I am again....

I've missed blogging so much.

Just like everything else in life that you put off, the most difficult part is starting up again. Life took over and getting settled into the new house, new community, new schools and new and much longer commute to work has been an adjustment.

The thought of Re-starting this blog has been daunting at times.

I felt overwhelmed each time I sat down to post and I wasn't sure where I should begin.

I have pictures of everything I made, but not much else.

I felt guilty for having left everyone for more than a year and I wish I hadn't.

So, to start again...

I present my 2013 Year in Review - CAKES

Images starting from Top left and clockwise:

Pineapple upside-down mini cakes made in a cupcake pan

Strawberry Shortcake Refrigerator Cake

"Tie-Dye" Fourth of July Cake

Monster High Cake for my Niece's Birthday

Minnie Mouse Bow Cake for a Friend's Daughter's Birthday

Oreo Cookie Brownies for my Son's 7th Birthday

"Tangled" tower cake for another Friend's Daughter's Birthday

Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cake (In my NEW Bundt pan)

Raspberry Muffins for the Contractors that worked on our house

Mickey Mouse Cake Pops for my Nephew's First Birthday

Peach Pie for my wonderful Hubby

Mickey Clubhouse Cake for my Nephew's First Birthday

Last, but certainly not least:

My Son's Skylander Portal of Power Birthday Cake

My Daughter's Halloween Themed Birthday Cake

Phew!!! Now that the hard part is done, I will prepare my

2013 Year in Review - Cookie Edition

for my next post

Thanks again for your support and patience.

Jackie

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Baby Shower Desserts and Table

My sister and brother in law are having a second baby and I was so thrilled when my sister asked if I would make some special desserts for her upcoming 'Baby Sprinkle'.

Planning started and with the wonders of modern technology, I was able to make my first attempt at a Dessert Table confidently. I was secretly up some nights worried about cupcakes and cake plates, but, shhhh, that'll be our little secret.

From left to right: Pina Colada Cupcakes, Brownies, Vanilla Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vanilla Sugar Cookies, Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Picture Tutorial: Blue Ombre Swirl Cake

As soon as I saw the Pink Ombre Swirl cake made by Glorious Treats, I knew that I wanted to make it for a special occasion.

So when my sister said she was having a very small baby shower, I quickly volunteered to create my first ever DESSERT TABLE and I knew I wanted that cake to be the centerpiece.

I was so excited to make this cake and so nervous at the same time. Would I be able to create the cake that I had stalked for so long. With a little planning and Glorious Treat's step by step instructions, I crossed my fingers and started the process.

For the original step-by-step instructions, including her recipe for a perfect vanilla cake and buttercream, click this link: Pink Ombre Swirl Cake

Here is a quick picture tutorial of how I made this great cake:

1. I separated and tinted the cake batter into five plastic containers with 5 different shades of blue.

2. I baked the cakes in some 6-inch pans. I only have 2 pans, so I made them in batches of 2 until all 5 layers were baked. I wrapped all five layers and chilled them in the fridge.

3. I made a batch of vanilla buttercream and tinted it into 4 different shades of blue.

4. I crumb coated the cake and placed it in the freezer to set.

5. I then started with the darkest color and swirled the buttercream. I worked up the cake with the different shades of blue, leaving the lightest shade for last and also swirled the top of the cake.

The surprise is the inside of the cake. It was a big hit at the party!!!!!

I can't wait to make it again!!!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A 'Petal Effect' Birthday Cake

A small, simple, yet elegant birthday cake was a request for a birthday luncheon with a few people.

I made a simple Vanilla Confetti cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. I saw a great idea and technique on the site:

"Glorious Treats"

for frosting the cake in a beautiful and unique way.

Her site is: http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/

I often check this site for creative ideas that turn the ordinary into extraordinary. She has delicious recipes too.

I personally HATE frosting cakes with buttercream. I struggle to get the cake completely smooth. I have tried traditional buttercream and spatula only and the VIVA paper towel technique and I continue to struggle. This technique now has given me hope... I am now ready to take cakes again.

It was simple to do and that's the truth, especially coming from me. I also made the flowers, the night before, from royal icing and let them dry on waxed paper. I think they added a nice touch.

For the link to the technique and a picture of her beautiful cake: CLICK HERE

The chocolate buttercream frosting was from

www.savorysweetlife.com

CLICK HERE to direct you to the frosting recipe.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Barbie Birthday Cake and Cookies

I am the proud godparent to a beautiful and talented little girl. For her 7th birthday, she decided on a "Barbie Theme" after she looked at her other options. She loves her dolls and loves fashion.

After some research, I decided to go with the Barbie Silhouette for the majority of the cookies and the high heeled shoes and birthday cakes for the other cookies.

I made mini-doll cakes. They were a big hit. They were chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream icing.

She absolutely loved them.

The doll cakes were:

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing