A few words about the cake - Nancy sent a photo of her inspiration cake, a fondant-covered cake that looked like a baby's onesie. The inspiration cake had little nautical flags on the bib. Nancy asked for jungle animals. I'm not an expert at fondant-covered cakes, so I told Nancy I'd be happy to do it in buttercream with fondant decorations. The cake was a black-and-white marble cake, the marble made with two batches of a white cake recipe marbled with one recipe of dark chocolate fudge cake. I let the BIG cake cool overnight and carved its shape the next day. I made a sketch indicating just where I needed to cut away, and did just that. I crumb-coated the sides and top and allowed that to sit for a few hours to make sure the crumbs stayed contained, which is important when you're frosting raw, crust-free edges. I liberally frosted it in a pretty periwinkle blue, and smoothed out the surface with a paper towel (great trick!) and a fondant smoother. Then I started to make defined marks on the cake with a skewer and other gadgets (like a fondant wheel). I loaded up my pastry bag and added shell borders. The bib, jungle animals, and buttons were all shaped with fondant that I colored, molded, and even painted (with paste food coloring). I loved making this cake for Erin's new little bundle, and I am thrilled that it got such great reviews, not only for its appearance, but also for its flavor. Here is the Onesie cake:
The other cake I made for Saturday was for my great-nephew Carriag's 4th birthday party. Carraig's mom, Emily, told me Carraig really wanted a tuba cake. OK. A first, but who's to deny a 4-year old the cake of his dreams? Not me! So, I looked up images of tubas all over the internet, got a bit of inspiration, and made this cake -- in true family fashion, chocolate on chocolate! -- as well as cupcakes for one of the cutest and sweetest little guys in the world! Here are Carraig's cupcakes and dream cake:
Hope you've enjoyed seeing these cakes as much as I enjoyed telling you about them!
They both came out fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. You need to show me how you frost those cupcakes mine never come out looking like that : )
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!!! Your talents never cease to amaze me. You definitely have a love for baking and an artistic talent for decorating.
ReplyDeleteErin's cake was beautiful and delicious. My favorite part was the little animals at the top...so sweet. Carraig's cake is just too cute. I have to admit, I've never seen a tuba cake before. You did an amazing job (as always). What a great gift...the ability to bring joy to others at the most special times of their lives. No one does it better. <3
ReplyDeleteHoping to get my comment in before the deadline! Your lemon scones look amazing and if I happened to be the lucky one....they would be traveling to OBX with me to share with family in a few weeks!!!
ReplyDeleteAs I have mentioned more than a few times since Saturday, the cake was EXACTLY what we wanted. Not only did it look amazing, it tasted amazing. I made sure our guests got to go in and see it before we cut it. I think you should have cards to promote your talents. I gave out your name to several people who asked where we got the cake. I loved all the little details that you put into the frosting of the cake... stitch lines, etc Thank you again for coming through for us!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy, I am SO glad you were happy! Actually, I am not promoting my cake baking - I just bake for friends and family because the full-time job keeps me very busy, and I write about those cakes. I love writing even more than baking, and hope to one day get that cookbook published. My baking is a labor of love, and I want to keep it that way. Thanks so much, though, for your vote of confidence!
DeleteSO impressive, Jeannie!! Your talents continue to bring much joy and inspiration to others!
ReplyDeleteI am so so impressed!!! Your creations are all so beautiful!!!
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