A Belated Merry Christmas

I made some Christmas cookies for family this year!
A week after our wedding, and I was experiencing decorating withdrawal, so I thought I'd make these cookies. Kind of sad really...not the cookies, the withdrawal.
When icing the trees, I did try "flooding" for the first time. It's so much neater than slapping a bit of icing on, and hoping for the best. When decorating cookies in the future, I will definitely be using this technique.
The Santa's were iced with marshmallow fondant and further decorated with royal icing.
Anyway, (a belated) Merry Christmas from me.

My Wedding Cake

When I first started this blog back in September, I mentioned that I was getting married and that I was going to make my own Wedding Cake. Well I did it.

What an epic adventure it was...baking, torting (cutting into layers), filling, ganache, icing, piping, roses and the assembly. It took me weeks to make this thing.

Here some pics of the journey:

Not only did I end up with a cake that I was proud of, I also learned a lot in the process of making it. Do not expect perfection on your 1st attempt. These things take practice. If you want a level cake then each tier needs to be level. Something I didn't really consider...note, one of the tiers in the pictures above is not flat, so my cake had a bit of a lean...I am actually not bad at this, and in time could actually be really, really good!

Roses are Red

I had my last class for the cake decorating course I have been doing today. A bit sad really cos it was so much fun! I'll definitely be going back to do the next one (probably in February 2011).

The main focus of this cake is the rose. All hand piped out of butter cream frosting/icing. These are by no means perfect, considering I have never made them before. The do look pretty awesome though...don't they?! I have to say, I never, ever imagined I would be able to create anything like this...now I know I can...well, watch out!!!

Piping Practice IV

So, this wedding is just over 3 weeks away now so I thought I'd better get into gear and practice piping on the side of a cake...before I do it for real!

I discovered that this is something I need to work on, as well as covering the cake...this one looks a bit bumpy. Mind you, if wasn't the top tier, or if it had stuff on the top, a lot of the imperfections would be covered up!

Anyway, here's a pic of my piping...

Cupcake Creativity

The Week 3 class of the Wilton's cake decorating course that I am doing was tonight. We were decorating cupcakes. It was so much fun!! I will definitely be having a go at some of these again!

Flowers and Shells



Teddy Bears




Clowns

Making the clowns was so much fun. I think they look awesome!!!

Rainbow Cake

I went to the 2nd class of a cake decorating course today. I learnt how to pipe stars , spots and wavy lines, as well as transferring an image to be filled. To demonstrate our new found skills we had to decorate a "rainbow" cake.

I am really proud of the way mine turned out!!

Buttercream Practice

Last week I started a cake decorating course (Wilton's course 1 for beginners). I feel excited every time I think about it...we didn't even "do" anything in the 1st week and I already LOVE it!!!

We did learn about covering cakes with buttercream - we need to take a cake already covered to the 2nd class so it's all set to be decorated. I thought I'd have a practice run before I do a cake to take to the class...I don't want to embarrass myself..hehe

Here is a pic of my 1st attempt at covering a cake with buttercream:

Apparently you get better with practice (like everything). While not perfect, I don't think I should be embarrassed.

Cookies; Cookie, Cookie, Yum, Yum!!

Marshmallow fondant... Yes, fondant made with marshmallows!!! I had a go at making this last week and have only just got around to using it today.

Here are some cookies I covered with marshmallow fondant. Further decorated with royal icing.

Oh, and the sparkly bits are pink sugar sand. What a sugar hit these are!!!

It's a Rose

My kids were playing with play-doh the other day so I thought I'd try and create a rose. Just so happens I was watching a clip of someone making sugar paste roses (free hand) on You Tube the night before.

Here is my creation. I think it turned out well.

For Sally

After a bit of prompting from a friend today I got into the kitchen and made a batch of mini carrot and pineapple muffins. So, I was planning on making these for my kids during the week, but didn't get around to it. The recipe is a good one as it would be easy to adapt to suit many allergy prone people. There are no dairy products in these muffins all. Changing over to gluten free flour wouldn't be difficult and then you could use egg replacer if you so desired. Changing the "flavours" would be another option too.

I decorated these with a pineapple glace icing. Enjoy!!

Piping Practice III

Last night I was feeling inspired...probably after looking at pictures of some really beautiful works of art (decorated cakes). Anyway, I had a small cake waiting to be covered, so I grabbed some RTR icing out of the freezing and defrosted it....I attempted to colour it red, but I was using so much colour, I gave up and left it pink. After letting it sit overnight, I had a go at piping royal icing...I think I made it a bit runny though. Here is the end result.

Pretty In Pink

More cup cakes...pink for pink ribbon day!
Mental note, do not use bought butter cream frosting again...blurgh...home made is so much better!!!

Gotta say, I'm not too happy with these ones, a little messy and so not what I had in mind when I started making them. Oh well, live and learn and maybe give myself a little more time in future. No more rushing, must be prepared!

Cup Cake Anyone??

Just some cup cakes I whipped up just for:







Cupcake anyone?

House Warming Cupcakes

My brother and his partner have recently bought their first house together and happened to invite us over for a bit of a house warming gathering.

I made them some cupcakes as a gift.

learn, wonder, experience, journey, discover, explore


chocolate mud cakes (made using chilli chocolate) with chocolate ganache and fondant decoration

Happy Birthday Mum

My mum invited us all over to her place for an early dinner to celebrate her birthday. I thought I'd take the opportunity to try and decorate a cake.
She asked for a square cake with pink and purple flowers and a white background. She also made mention of making it look like a flower pot. Here is what I came up with:

So, maybe not perfect, but a pretty good effort I think. I need to work on covering cakes so I end up with a neater finish for a start. Anyway, I think my next challenge might be decorating some cupcakes....watch this space!!!

Piping Practice II

I made another batch of cookies a couple of weeks ago and had another go at icing them, and piping a little pattern. Here's how they turned out:



I guess they are ok...I'm happy with the piping, but would have liked a smoother finish on the icing.

Booked In

I have booked in to do a beginners cake decorating course (Wiltons I). It goes for 2 hours a week for 4 weeks....I can't wait!!!! Only thing is, it doesn't start until November. What will I do til then??

Piping Practice I

I'm getting married in December and want to make my own wedding cake...of course I want to wow the crowd. So, piping practice is called for!! Check out my handiwork:

hearts and squiggles



and


scroll work







I guess I now need to work out if I can stick them onto a cake. Any advice??

Royal Icing

I've read that royal icing is difficult to make, so is easier if you buy a royal icing mix. I decided I'd give it a go. The recipe I used said to beat an egg white until stiff and then gradually beat in a cup of icing sugar, followed by a few drops of lemon juice. Well, it all turned out ok. I think I'll be making my own!!!



I iced some cookies I made (cut using my new cookie cutters) and attempted piping some decorations. I definitely need some practice, but I guess for my first time piping it's not so bad...

Welcome

Welcome to my foray into the world of sugar 'n spice and all things nice. Well, to be more specific, my attempts at learning the art of cake decorating...and maybe the odd tale of baked goods finding their way out of my kitchen. Enjoy!!!!