Guitar cake-- Molded two tone choc bubble wrap Guitar topper

 

Hello Sweeties!!!! Hope you all are enjoying February festivities at your end. By now you all must know that I am constantly searching new ways to make my cakes interesting. I hope to learn something new with each cake I attempt.

I like to learn some new technique some new way of making my cakes whenever I make for some one special. I have a love bond with my cakes and that makes the cakes extra special for me. 

If I don't love the end result, its not fair to expect that the person for whom I make them, will love it. I know in this cake the strings are not clean, straight and look messy, but I made them with gel icing, as I was not sure how the thin strings with fondant would hold up and I was all out of ideas. I searched high and low for black licorice thread, but was not able to find any. So had to do with what I had on hand.

I was not going to use any sort of icing, so needed some thing to make the cake topper look like a guitar, so made this topper with a bubble wrap and melted chocolate. To make it appear authentic I mixed some swirls of dark chocolate in melted white chocolate and stirred it gently just to make it look like wooden specks, It did not turn out as it sounded in my head, but none the less, I loved my attempt.

Cake recipe-- Try my perfectly Chocolate cake

I used the same cutout I made from paper for the chocolate topper and the cake to make it the same size. The orange is all marshmallow fondant leftover from a Disney Dusty planes cake I made for my nephew.  Hope you all enjoy my cake attempts and keep your grace on me.

Pokemon-Snorlax and Pikachu Fondant figurine Cake

Hello Sweeties!!!! This is a special cake for a special friend. His mom is a close friend and who would not take a no for a answer. At times, I feel I need such people who trust and have faith in me even when I don't have any!!!!

The story started simple, she asked me if I can make a cake like every year for her sons birthday. I was neck deep with stuff going around me that I sort of cringed at the cake making. 

I politely told her I am not able to give so much time and cannot make a fondant figurine cake so maybe this year break the tradition and order the cake from a store. She replied back asking that they would be happy with any cake no frosting if needed nor any fancy cake topper. She even opted to have one of his toys placed on the cake, but the cake has to be home made by me.

So in all the fancy dandy I came up with this cake and this cute fondant figurine following the step by step video. The cake stole all kids heart and one kid even nibbled on the snorlax ears just to be sure its not a toy!!

I had some leftover yellow fondant and so made the Pikachu also. I don't have a separate pic for the Pikachu. 

The cake is a simple chocolate cake.

Cake recipe-- Try my perfectly Chocolate cake

Whipped Cream icing;

You will need;
The icing is whipped cream pudding icing. ** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,, The Rec is as 

Follows..

1 Cup heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Cup Conf Sugar

1 Tsp Corn starch

 

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar, corn starch and beat with electric mixer on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready. 

I have been using homemade marshmallow fondant, since I learnt the recipe with the candy crush cake. The fondant does taste good and is edible except for sugar high kids, no other risk!!!

I had some boxed chocolate frosting so made the borders with that. 

Thanks for such friends who don't take No for an answer and push me to give better than my best, if not for you, I would be slugging under the sheets never to raise my head out again!

Homemade Marshmallow Fondant

Hello Sweeties!!!! Distance makes the hearts grow fonder!! so they keep telling us. I have been missing since some time, hopefully you missed me. Today, I am back after a short break with a lip smacking recipe for fondant.

We never liked fondant for its tastes, but things you can do with the rolled ball of sugar makes me using it more often than I intend to.

The store brought fondant is good for use, but the costs keeps me away from it. I am frugal in ways, I mean if you are not going to eat it, use for short while and ultimately throw it away, why spend tons for the looks.

Making my own fondant was on my mind since long. I ultimately landed on this recipe and its  a keeper for sure. I am daring to make a candy crush cake based on the game app that is currently having everyone hooked on it.

I would be making this cake for Mr. Ash. Not because he plays this game, but only because his birthday is coming up before mine. Do let me know how far or close I am getting to the candies; shapes and colors.
Source for the recipe

Choclate Whipped Cream frosting

Hello Sweeties!!!! Today is a good day. I bring to you something sweet, something chocolate and something Purrfectt together.

 I recently made this cake for my sweet cousin and he absolutely loved the cake. So on popular demand the whipped chocolate icing has to be posted on this space.

Cake recipe-- Try my perfectly Chocolate cake

Chocolate whipped Cream icing;
You will need;
The icing is whipped cream pudding icing.
** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,, The Rec is as

Follows..

  1 Cup heavy Whipping Cream

  1/2 Cup Conf Sugar

3 Tbspn Hershey Unsweetened cocoa powder

 **1 packet Instant pudding mix-- Optional

 

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar, cocoa powder and Pudding mix( if needed )... and beat with electric mixer on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready. 

 

The cake recipe makes 2-9inch cakes. The Frosting recipe is for 1 small oval cake shown in the pic. Double the recipe if you have 9inch or bigger cakes.

Choc Cream Flower Cake

Hello Sweetbuds!!! Todays post is yet another awesome sweet cake, which I had the pleasure pf baking for our family friend who also happens to be our kind neighbor. Mr. J celebrates his birthday on Feb 29th. This year not being a leap year we celebrated it a day before.

 I was totally not prepared to bake this cake a day before when his sweet wife asked me to make him a cake. she simply asked me to bake any cake any size, with less to minimum icing. I have baked cakes for Mr. Ash's birthdays for many years now, but never done many for other guys. I was not sure what designs he would like or what his hobbies were or what flavors he liked. 

His wife also gave me no direction and left me at my free will. Her words were, "I know Ash you will do great even without my hinting you." I am so happy for her vote of confidence, yet pulling any cake off in one night is difficult for me, when I work in the day and evenings like any Mom is for kids homework and family. 

I was able to do this cake only for the free will she left me with. Her confidence shone in my efforts and I was truly happy delivering the cake the next morning to her. She gave me the excited look and said Mr.J will be surprised at the cake, and( :) no bragging,) Mr. Ash could not agree more with her.

 The Vanilla cake is from the boxed mix. I use boxed cake mix as it helps people like me who are in time crunch. There I said it. Please do not kill me for I use boxed cake mix shamelessly.

For the  Choc. icing;
3/4 cup choc chips
2 tbspn butter
2 tbspn canola oil.

In a microwave safe glass bowl, mix in the choc chips, room temperature butter and stir well, add in the oil and buzz in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir if not melted then again buzz in another 30 seconds. The icing has to be free flowing but not too liquid. One the icing is spreadable consistency, ice the cake and let cool. After its cooled, pipe the flowers using Whipped cream icing and top with choc shavings.


** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,

The Rec is as Follows;

1 Cup heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Cup Conf Sugar

**One packet Instant pudding mix. OR

IF desired One Packet Unflavored Gelatin dissolved in water.

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar and Pudding mix( if needed )... and beat with electric mixer for about 5-7 mins on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready. Fill in a piping bag and ice to your mercy.

I love making such cakes for my near and dear ones. Cake decorating is an art that is  slowly becoming my alternative career. I am told time and again by my friends and well wishers, that I am in a wrong profession, I should be pursuing my passion more definitely, do you my dear readers also agree to this??? Let me know in the comment box?

Angry Bird Cake-- With Fondant pigs nest and eggs.

 Hello Sweetpeas!!! Happy New Year. I wish the new year to become of the best years that will make a mark in your life's timeline. My new years resolution is to be Satisfied with what I have and get. To reduce my wishes and wants and control my desires.  My very sweet Sister in law send me a list of resolution for a happy life, I am sharing with you the list as it is really amazing;


A very nice set of resolutions for the new year !!!

💞Handbook 2013💞

              👉HEALTH👈

🔹Drink plenty of water.☑

🔹Eat Breakfast like a king, Lunch like a prince & Dinner like a beggar.☑

🔹Live with the 3 E's--
        Energy,
        Enthusiasm &
        Empathy.☑

🔹Make time to pray.☑

🔹Play more games.☑

🔹Read more books than you did in 2012.☑

🔹Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.☑

🔹Sleep for 7 hours.☑

🔹Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily And while you walk, Smile.☑

    ➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰

          👉PERSONALITY👈
🔹Don't over do. Keep your limits.☑

🔹Don't take urself so seriously. No one else does.☑

🔹Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.☑

🔹Dream more while you are awake.☑

🔹Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.☑

🔹Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past.
     That will ruin your present Happiness.☑

🔹Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.☑

🔹Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.☑

🔹No one is in charge of your happiness except you.☑

🔹Smile and laugh more.☑

🔹You don't have to win every argument,Agree to disagree.☑

     ➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰


               👉SOCIETY👈

🔹Call your family often.☑

🔹Each day give something good to others.☑

🔹Forgive everyone for everything.☑

🔹Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.☑

🔹Try to make at least three people smile each day.☑

🔹What other people think of you is none of your business.☑

     ➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰

                  👉LIFE👈

🔹Do the right thing!☑

🔹GOD heals everything.☑

🔹However good or bad a situation is, it will  change.☑

🔹No matter how you feel, Get up, Dress up and Show up. The best is yet to come.☑

🔹When awake in the morning thank GOD for it.☑

🔹Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. ☑


Try a few things daily and hopefully year 2013 will be a happy new year for you!!!!!


Coming back to Angry Bird cake. Munchkin had his birthday in December, and since siblings follow each others trends, he too wanted an Angry bird cake. I am like what's the deal with the angry birds anyways. His underpants is Angry birds, his socks are Angry bird socks and his Birthday Shirt was Angry bird shirt. The cake at school was 30 Angry bird cupcakes. I found the cake topper rings in a craft store which saved the day or else I would have to make around 30 angry bird faces free hand on all those cupcakes. I could have done any angry bird image on the cake, but if you know me, I get bored easily, I had already done the image cake, this time I challenged myself to do something more. Few surfing's later I found  a cool way of celebrating angry bird cake. I decided to let the kids play with the cake after the cake was cut. If only I knew a way to upload the fun the kids had blowing the pigs. I won the Best MOM Award for letting the kids blow up the cake, so cool, one of the young guests exclaimed to munchkin, that he had the best and coolest mom. Was I on cloud Nine that day!!!

I used the birds and the catapult that came with the kit, rest all is hand made from fondant. The pigs, nest and eggs were made with lots of love and loads of anxiety. I have better pictures in my bigger camera, for now these will have to do the job. Hope you enjoy the efforts.

The cake is a choc and vanilla cake form boxed mix and the icing is as always whipped cream icing.
** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,, The Rec is as Follows..

One Cup heavy Whipping Cream

Half Cup Conf Sugar

**One packet Instant pudding mix. OR IF desired One Packet Unflavored Gelatin dissolved in water.-- OPTIONAL

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar and Pudding mix( if needed )... and beat with electric mixer for about 5-7 mins on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready.

I had fun making these pigs and the cake. Wish me luck and happiness that I keep making such cakes, and challenging myself in thinking I can do it. I want to exceed my expectations from myself and bring to you something new, unusual and yet traditional in many ways for year 2013.

White Cholate Fondant-- Modelling White Chocolate.

Hello Sweetpeas!!! Since many of you wanted to learn the white chocolate fondant, I am sharing with you my trusted recipe. I am keeping this post short and sweet and only giving you the source. Enjoyy and do make some great cakes, It is a no  brain work, really. The art pieces are truly delicious and easy to create. Its like going back to childhood and recreating magic with edible play dough.


Recipe Source


I am simply Copying the whole thing. I followed it to the T, and the results were great.

Ingredients

• 14 ounces white chocolate
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup ( Karo)

Directions

1. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler.
2. Transfer white chocolate to a bowl and stir in syrup.
3. It will look like the syrup is separating from the mix, but cover it with saran wrap and let sit 24 hours.
4. After 24 hrs, it will be hard, but knead until smooth. You can put it briefly in the microwave to make it easier to get out of the bowl. Sometimes lumps have formed, but if you keep kneading you can get these out. Knead a small portion at a time if it's more manageable. If it gets too soft, refrigerate briefly. Do not over work mixture as it becomes oily.
5. Using a rolling pin, roll out to approximately 1/8 inch thickness onto a Roll & Cut Mat (or nonstick paper like wax paper) using powdered sugar or cornstarch to prevent sticking.
6. To Tint: Add Wilton gel color to fondant and knead in color until well blended.
7. To Store: Wrap with saran wrap and place in a sealed bag or container and store in the refrigerator or at room temperature until ready for use.
8. Note: Preparation time does not include the 24 hour hold.

Doll Cake

I made this cake for a friends one year old's birthday. I had made a doll cake before, so I had the basic idea of how the cake needs to be done, but wanted this to be one of my best works, so put in the extra work of making the dress. As usual. I used the starburst candy to make the halter dress, but the dress stuck to the doll and it looked like a glam doll, so made the stole with the handmade rose broach. Now my doll was more fit for a one year's birthday.

For the crowd I use the boxed cake mix, as it never fails and cuts the work in half. I added mango puree instead of water to add in the Mango Flavor. The icing is whipped cream pudding icing.

** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,, The Rec is as

Follows..

One Cup heavy Whipping Cream

Half Cup Conf Sugar

**One packet Instant pudding mix. OR

IF desired One Packet Unflavored Gelatin dissolved in water.

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar and Pudding mix( if needed )... and beat with electric mixer for about 5-7 mins on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready.

Pictoral is as follows;

I had no clue of making any hairstyles, I guess having short hair has made me incompetent of making any hairstyles, and having 2 boys does no help in this department, yet I tried and it looked okay.

The skirt was the most that made me happy. I wanted to perfect the rosettes and it was on my mind long enough to put them on the cake, and my friend gave me the opportunity. She gave me absolutely no conditions or terms of how she wanted the cake to be, all she said was make a doll cake as and like your wish. I am very thankful to her for this opportunity, and would love making cakes for her doll as many times as I can.

One last look at the doll. I apologize for the final picture. But it was only in the evening that I was able to take the picture of the doll cake all assembled and ready to shine at the party. Hope you all also appreciate my efforts.

Happy Valentines Day- Celebrating with some Starburst candy roses

Happy Valentines Day to you all my dearest friends. I am cutting things short and going ahead with what my munchkins planned for me. I woke up to these beautiful 3 roses, one from each of my boy and I in turn surprised them with my banana almond cake. There were demands to keep the frosting out this time, so I dusted the cake with confectioners sugar and colored sugar and thought it would make the cut. But Mr. Ash felt that the cake was not appropriate for V day. I was stuck with no fondant on hand and a very tiring day at work, to make the whole icing for just decoration. The lazy unromantic me, was plain lazy to go shopping for ready made icing, also that it is not loved by them, I only needed to make roses. So I put my brain to work, something I could probably have on hand at home and use to make the roses. I raided my kids V day loot and found snickers, Hershey's kisses, lollipops and fruit roll ups. I tried fruit roll roses like we would make ribbon roses a school project from my childhood, which mainly my mom completed for me. Yes, I was that kid, whose art and craft projects their moms or aunts or anyone other than they did.

I also had some starburst candy on hand. They are so helpful. I could only find a couple of pink and one red in the whole pack. One in hand is worth two in bush, comes true in such situations. I simply zapped the candy in a glass dish for 7-10 secs in microwave, kneaded it into a small ball and rolled it flat out and cut ribbons on that and made roses and inserted them on the cake...how easy can it get....there you have the secret to the roses that not only looked cute but amazed Mr. Ash. He commented that he liked this new fondant roses better than the one I made before.

The real roses were so pretty, that I  cannot help showing them to you. Enjoy the natural beauty and appreciate the blessings however small they may be.

Have a V day everyday and spend time appreciating your loved ones.

Amarendra of Amu's kitchen shared this awesome award with me. Thanks Amarendra. He is an awesome chef and an enthusiatic person. Please visist his blog and drop him a hello, get introduced to the treasures in his kitchen. This V day could not have been better for me. I am humbled with your love and care for me.

A little about the award..

'Liebster' means favourite or dearest in German. Rules for accepting the award :

• Copy and paste the award on your blog. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.
• Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers who deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
• Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs.

Since it's V day and I really cannot make the choice of only 5 Blogs, I am sharing it with all of you. Just drop me your email and I will inbox the award to you.

Sharing this at Anajana's Cake, Cookies and Desert event

Disney CARS Cake

Today my little guy turned 4...what a day?? I baked two cakes, a 10 inch and another 6 inches and used the store brought cake mix. and the new Wilton colored mist to decorate the sides and mini chocolate chips for the dirt road and then green colored sugar for the grass.I had the set for CARS 2 toy which came with the cars in it along with the place mat, which I forgot to use.

To make the store brought cake not taste like store brought, use a few tricks and no one can tell that it the cake is baked from out of the box. I do not like the smell of eggs in the cake, so I use only one egg per box and sometimes none at all. I also substitute water with store brought Buttermilk and use jams as fillings for the unique taste.

The icing for this cake is my regular whipped cream icing,

** Whipped Cream icing can be made by using simply Heavy Whipping Cream and Conf Sugar,, The Rec is as

Follows..

One Cup heavy Whipping Cream

Half Cup Conf Sugar

 **One packet Instant pudding mix. OR

IF desired One Packet Unflavored Gelatin dissolved in water.

Take a bigger bowl and keep some ice cubes in that.. Over the cubes place anr bowl. Take one cup cream and add sugar and Gelatin/ Pudding mix( if needed )... and beat with electric mixer for about 5-7 mins on medium till soft peaks are on the blade. The icing is ready.

Hope you enjoy this cake as much as I enjoyed baking it.

I am sending this cake to A Girls Diary event, Bake with your Heart 

and Srav's Holiday Baking Event.
Also sending this to Simply Food event 

Another big news to share is, THIS cake is featured on

Coolest-Birthday-Cakes website!!!

Am speechless to find words of Thanks you's for the encouragement, you all have been to me.

Also sending this to  Sizzling Tastebus 100 Day GFF event 
and to Kavi's Jingle all the way!!!-
Roundup to Kavi's event
 Love Ash.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Like all moms I am also concerned about the veggies, in my family's diet. We are vegetarians and egg eaters, and my kids are pretty good with eating home cooked food and vegetables. Yet I try to sneak in the veggies in unimaginable places, like this cake for example.

I had read about double chocolate Zucchini cake, and the the moistness of the cake was unmatchable with any normal cakes...and yes that was so true, this cake was truly very light and moist and almost oozing with the juice...The chocolate hides the vegetable so well and   not a soul will know there is actually  a zucchini in this cake.

Rec Source--

You will need

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups grated zucchini
3/4 cup chopped walnuts--Optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add the eggs and oil, mix well. Fold in the nuts and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting.

I do not frost cakes unless there is some occassion calling for the butter and sugar, so simply dusted the cake with some confectioners sugar to make it fancy for the picture.

**I twisted the recipe for the oil, by using lesser than asked for. I did make only half the recipe and still it was very decent size cake for a family of four plus few friends. I am posting the entire recipe for everyone's ease, so enjoy and make this cake.

I am sending this entry top HCC-Healthy cooking event.

Love Ash.

Making Roses from Buttercream Icing

I Learnt following this video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRv5sQnr43k&feature=related

Hope you enjoii making these roses.

Love Ash.

My First Ever Cake Classes

YES!!!!!!! I was finally able to start my very own cake decorating classes. More of teaching it was a learning experience for me. But I am happy to tell you that I was able to cover all of what I set out to show them form torting levelling the cakes to decoarting and taking home  a creative piece of art!!!!

Things I covered in this class;


Preparing the cake.. torting, leveling and filing
icing the cake
decorating
Star tip use making shells, rosettes, and rope border
Leaf tip-- making leaves
Writing tip- Making lace, Vines and wirting
Rose tip and Flower Nail--
Showed them how to make roses and how to place them on the cake.

 The Picture is clear proof of what awesome Girls I had to share my journey with!!!! They had never ever worked with Icing or even close to any cake decorating and this was their effort. Please comment on their work... It's comments like these that keep us encouraging to do what we set out to and keep doing it!

Love Ash!!!

Collection-- HOW to Videos- Basics of Cake decorating

As Promised I am back with my collection of " How To decorate a cake from the first step" video's.. These You Tube uploads helped me in my initial days of Cake decorating.. they are very helpful if you follow them without any cuts....once you have mastered the basics...you can develop your own style and way of decorating...



How To prepare the bag?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YjqDBi-n8g&feature=player_embedded

How to choose the right icing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbsSrRGLNis&feature=related

How to tort, fill and ice the cake?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNix3qZ3qnk&feature=related

How to ice the cake?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G47XxjZfnLc&feature=related


Hopefully, I am able to encourage you all to take up a hobby and a form of art which is rewarding in more ways than one.

With loads of Love,
Ash.

Part 3 Tiered Cake

Part 3 of the Wilton cake classes brought us to working with Fondant. The Fondant is basically sugar and water cooked till it forms a dough which can be used to cover the cake or make lovely roses.

More About Fondant;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fondant

I basically don't like the taste of the Fondant, but it is amazing if you want to add craft on the cakes.. like make baby bottles for a baby shower cake or any such things...My instructor said that there are only two ways about Fondant covered cakes... either it looks good or tastes good.. nothing much than that.. so coming back to the coursework... Part 3 advanced our skills in working with Royal icicng and making more flowers.. Lilies are all that I could really master in them .. so as you can see my Cake looks like  a flower shop gone wild....I had to take 2 cakes either frosted with Butter cream icing or covered with Fondant.. I had already promised my kids that they could take this cake for Teachers appreciation week in school, I stuck to what his teachers liked.. So Buttercream was way to go........I had Fondant roses made in the class, so used those as well.. My instructor was a strict teacher when it came to learning.. but she allowed us all the freedom to work on our cakes...so here was my  cake for Part 3 of the Wilton classes.. am so sad that I could not take the Fondant and Gum Paste class.. but nevertheless there will be a time and date when I can make it to that class as well.,....so long farewell...am I to say Goodbye... U bet.. I will never say Good bye.........

Run behind your dreams and try to fulfill your passions for life is so short... best wishes and love to u all!!!!!!

Basket Weave technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE4hBly_F7w&feature=related

 Basket weave technique wa sused on the finale cake for Course 2 of the wilton cake decorating class....

Enjoyy
Ash.

Part 2-Wilton cake decorating experience

Part 2 of the wilton course is very exciting; based on what you learn in part 1, this session takes you ahead. In part 1 you get enough practices of handling buttercream icing, course2 takes a step ahead. Royal icing as the name says is a ROYAL PAIN.. but the effects are breath taking....basically the rec is same like buttercream but WITHOUT SHORTENING OR FAT.. any tiny weeny drop of fat will call for the disaster...My teacher made us buy the whole set of icing tips, containers and even asked us to buy brand new vessels to prepare the icing, as any moisture in the air could call for the GB( Garbage Bowl) treatment for the icing.

 Royal Pain icing like my teacher calls it rec is at;

http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Royal-Icing

 For the overall look of the Course 2 the video is uploaded by someone at Youtube;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAZiaQeWLqg&feature=related

Hope you all enjoy my cake tutorials as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you. Once again, MY video shooting is as bad as a Roller coaster ride, so please forgive me for using someone else's video...but again Sharing is learning....

Love

Ash.

Youtube Online video about Icing Borders

Since long my friends have been aksing me about uploading the video's for a crash course on cake decorating. Since, I am no good with the video camera and my hands shake like a fish without water, I am takling help from the mecca of online video sharing.. Youtube...

Hope this helps you get a fair idea about icing borders...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfbJI7QdJ0o&NR=1

Love Ash.

Part 1

As promised I am back with my Wilton Cake class tips and recommendations as well as my experience.
This was my frist time that I worked with the Buttercream icing. It is very friendly and easy to work with, but did not score high on the taste mark for us.. it is way too sweet for my taste buds. BUT for first time decorators it is very forgiving and easy to handle and results are mind blowing. My instructor wa spretty strict and did not like us making any changes to her script...so any creativity test had to be putt off til Part 2 finale cake....The first cake she taught was a simple rainbow cake. with the use of the waves and star nozzle.

The second cake we made had us making the roses. For the roses you need Stif consistency icing. The roses dont hold well if the icing goofs up....to make the icing stiff you nee dto add more confetcioners sugar and to make it loose add couple of TEASPOONS of water. you willl need to try the recipe once to get the hold of things.

The basic Buttercream icing rec is as follows.

http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Buttercream-Icing

Part 3-Gift Box Cake

Part 3 of the Wilton Cake Decorating classes introduced us to work with Fondant which is nothing but a dough of sugar and Water..IT is very forgiving and end results are amazing....we had to make a giftbox cake with a bow and ribbon. Hoefully, I have achieved what I set out to...Working with Fondant is easy if you keep some basics in mind...Since its made of sugar, IT dries very fast and does not stick to the cake as it breaks... so you nee dto design and plan your cake well in advance...YOU need Crisco or shortening while you knead the fondant and roll it.. grease liberally the rolling pin and the plastic sheet on which you would roll the fondant into a thin sheet..and then frost the cake with buttercream and then cover it with fondant sheet.. make a small pouch of cornstarch and dust the fondant covered cake.. then to put the strips of ribbon and other decorations made out of fondant, take Wilton's Vanilla essence and a small brush.. This will act as glue to help you stick it on the cake..Fondant Covered Cakes look very clean and real.. But I personally like cakes with Whipped cream icing....so Fondant is something I will not be using  a lott... specially if I want to eat that cake......

Till I bake again;

Love Ash.