Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Metallic Gold Sequins Cake...and Sprinkles Cake!

I LOOOOOVE Glitter. And Gold. They are right up there with cake, actually. So when I saw this lovely, textured guilded beauty floating around on Pinterest, I HAD to create my own version. I happened upon these beautiful, deep purple flowers at the florist and I squealed with delight because they would be the PERFECT contrast to my gold cake. (Yes, I really do squeal and get THAT excited about cake). Oh, and I usally always throw some beautiful seeded eucalyptus on there as well. It's just the perfect filler.

If you wanna see this demonstrated LIVE on Studio 5, just Click
HERE

So here it is: My version of 

The Metallic Gold Sequins Cake!



But that's not all! (I said, in my best info-mercial voice.)
This is one technique that you can use to make TWO totally different looks!!
Here is the other look:



I didn't have time to do a tutorial but there are so many wonderful tutorials out there.

I would try here because The Cake Blog NEVER disappoints. You MUST follow them!

It's the best tutorial that I've found and it is by Jenna Rae Cakes. She's incredible.

Here's the link:


Happy Caking everyone!!


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Gelatin Bubbles!!

Did you ever imagine that you could look like a Rock-Star-Status Sugar-Artist? Well guess what? You totally can! Instead of buying all the equipment and then burning your fingers, let's just use gelatin to achieve a similar look, okay? Okay. 

 Of course, I found this idea on Pinterest, where we find all the great things in life. And I have to be honest here, I didn't even attempt a tutorial because the one that I found is just about perfect.
You MUST head over to 'Sprinkle Bakes' and take a peek!


I was inspired by her perfect little pink cupcakes and decided to turn it into cake form.





There are so many other themes that you can use this technique with as well. Mermaid Pearls, Under the Sea Bubbles, Rainbow cloud bubbles, Glenda the Good Witch Bubbles...the ideas go on and on.

For my two cakes, I decided on a bubble gum theme where the bubbles looked like you were blowing a bubble gum bubble. ;) I mixed in some pink gumballs as well to give it extra depth.

My Gold cake could easily be used for a Golden Anniversary or, my favorite, a New Years Eve Party!!

 To see this demonstrated live on Studio 5, Click HERE.



Thank you 'Sprinkle Bakes'!! You are fabulous!




Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Crumb-Coat Basics on Studio 5

Hello lovely cake people!!

Here is a link to a Studio 5 segment that I did today. In it, I will teach you how to crumb coat a cake! Crumb coating is an essential step in the cake-decorating process. I forgot to mention this in the segment but I like to chill my cakes before crumb-coating and, more importantly, I chill them afterwards for at least 2 hours before I do the final coat of buttercream. SO important! 

To watch the segment, simply click here and happy baking! 


Prepping on set.



Monday, June 16, 2014

Wedding Cake Cookies!


I really, really love sugar cookies. They are just an open canvas for art. I've been wanting to try them for a long time now and the other day I got the best excuse to do so!

My brother is getting married so in order to welcome my new sister into the family, I made these wedding cake cookies. They were so, SO fun to do. And SO easy!

I found a super yummy Sugar Cookie Recipe (that might spread a bit) from Sweetopia.net. Click HERE:

For a sugar cookie recipe that for SURE won't spread (but you might have to compromise with taste) from the Make Bake Celebrate blog: Just click HERE.

For these Wedding Cake Cookies, I simply stacked two cookies together for each "tier" of the cookie cake because I wanted that height.

Then I piped some white flood-consistency royal icing in a simple circle for each "tier" of the cookie.

I used my #14 & #16 Wilton star tips and piped on two different shades of lavender royal icing in a stiffer consistency.
Finally, I used a #66 Wilton leaf tip to create the green leaves. The tips really do all the work for you!

{Don't mind my purple-stained fingers, it's a baker's life to have colored-stained hands. ;) }



You guys!! I also tried my hand at a wet-on-wet technique and it was SO fun!

 I found the BEST Youtube tutorial to help me from the amazingly talented Sweet Ambs Cookies.

 Go to to see the amazing tutorial HERE to learn how to make these sweeties.




 For the rose cookies, I simply piped a swirl with my light lavender, then put a dot of dark lavender in the center of that swirl. Then I took a toothpick and swirled it all together.
So easy, right?!

Happy cake/cookie baking everyone!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Stenciled Cupcake Medallion {Part 2} STAMPED Metallic Cupcake Medallions!

Hello!



So today, I am showing you how to STAMP on your cupcake medallions instead of stenciling. Both are equally adorable. 

If you want to see it demonstrated on Studio 5, click HERE. You will see it at about the 4:21 mark. 

Here's how you do it:

 Supplies:

Rolling pin, Vodka (Don't worry, the alcohol WILL evaporate!), Luster Dust, New & clean sponge brush, Fondant,  and Cutter of your choice.

Then you need to choose your stamp. Make sure it is a clean stamp that is ONLY used for edible decorating purposes and has not been used for anything else.


 After you've gathered your supplies, you want to make your metallic "Ink".

You can use this same technique with regular food coloring replacing the luster dust if you don't care to have that metallic sheen (but WHO doesn't like gold?!)










Now you can cut your shapes out before you stamp as well. I was doing a single one but if you are doing multiple, you will want to cut them out FIRST.



Now whip up some thinner Royal Icing and place it in a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #3 or #4 tip.


 Pipe a delicate boarder and allow to dry. Wa-la!
Now you have a beautiful fondant medallion that is elegant enough even for a wedding.


 Happy Caking Everyone!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake


Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake!!!!

Does it get any better than this?? I think no. Chocolate Chip Cookies: Awesome. Chocolate Cake: Amazing. Put them together and you have MAGIC. Magic, people!!

I shared this on Studio 5 today and just between you and me; my favorite part about this day was that I got to wear THIS Chocolate Chip Cookie tee!!! I sat down with my brother who does graphic design and I told him that I wanted an adorable cookie face...with a top hat...and a mustache...and a bow tie.

He NAILED IT!

Every time I see this little guy, I HAVE to smile. :)




If you want to watch me demonstrate how to make this cake on Studio 5, click HERE.



Okay...back to the cake...sorry.

                      



Here's how you do it:

Let's start with the Cookies:

There is an amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe in my 'The {Actual}Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe' post but honestly...(and I can't believe I'm saying this) just to make your life easier, you absolutely have my permission to buy pre-bought cookie dough.

Use an icecream scoop to measure out your cookie dough. This is PERFECT for a 7" cake. If you are doing a larger cake, add a Tablespoon for each additional inch.



Use some parchment paper to place on top. Smash down with your hand first and then use a rolling pin to flatten the dough. The chocolate chips will act as spacers so that you don't have to worry about rolling it too thin.



Use a Tablespoon to measure for the outer cookies. You want them to be consistent. Make sure you bake the small cookies on one sheet and the large cookies on another so that they all cook evenly.



Now for the Chocolate Butterceam.

Start with GOOOOD Chocolate. It will change your life. Good Chocolate makes for amazing desserts.


Combine the powdered sugar with your cocoa powder.


Beat that butter baby! You've GOT to beat that butter until it's creamy and light, pale yellow. It makes for a wonderful consistency.


Slowly add the sugar/cocoa mixture in a little at a time while the mixer is on the lowest speed.


Add half of the cream halfway through the mixing process.


Add the rest of the cream and then beat for 2-3 minutes AT LEAST. You really have to beat that buttercream to get that creamy, RICH, and just decadent experience.


Set aside...(if you have the restraint to do so. ;) We've got to level our cakes.



Here's a fun trick to get a great level! Use your cake pan as a guide.




Now that your cakes are leveled, place some of that yummy buttercream on your cake board.


Place your first layer on.


Make some YUMMY vanilla buttercream! {Recipe at the bottom of this post} I like Vanilla because it's kind of a nod to "Cookies and Milk".





Put some of that vanilla buttercream goodness in a piping bag and use a Wilton 12 round tip or just snip off the tip.


Pipe a border around your cookie so that the edges of your layers don't droop down. It also helps the next layer stick to the first.



REPEAT...


Last layer (I didn't want my cake too tall, so I did a half layer.)



Here's how to tort a cake to get a half layer:

Use a ruler. Our height here is 2 inches so we will make marks at the 1 inch mark all around the cake.


Score along the marks that you made all around the cake.


Take your serrated knife and slice through using your scoring as a guide.


Separate and set the top layer aside until it is filled. :)


Now back to decorating this beautiful chocolate beast...

Put a HUGE dollop of chocolate buttercream on top of that bad boy.


Push it to the edges...


Now start pushing the buttercream down the sides...


Use your bench scraper (or drywall knife from Walmart! Ha! No, really. You can!) to smooth those sides.


Beautiful.




One more huge cookie...


Fit a pastry bag with a Wilton 1M tip and fill it with your chocolate buttercream.


Pipe a simple shell boarder around the top...


...and the bottom.


More cookies...

If you are placing these on right after you frost your cake then they will stick right on. If not, just adhere with some more buttercream.




Now cut yourself a slice and grab a glass of milk...You're gonna need it. ;)



The {Actual} BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe...Ever:

Find it in my previous post by clicking HERE.



(Easy) Chocolate Cake:

Ingredients: 

1 box of Triple Chocolate Fudge cake mix
1 sm. package of Instant Chocolate Pudding mix
1 C. Sour Cream
1/2 C. Water
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
4 eggs

Directions: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix until well combined. 
3. Pour into 24 cupcake liners and bake for 16 min.
4. When the cupcakes are done, take them out of the cupcake pan so that they stop cooking.
5. Let cool completely

Chocolate Buttercream:

I got this recipe from the amazing Martha Stewart and I didn't change it too much because it was SO rich and deep and luxurious. You can find it here as well! 

3 1/2 C. Sifted Powdered sugar
1 C. GOOD QUALITY Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, room temp
1/2 C. Heavy Cream (Martha says to use milk but the cream gives it a creamy, rich texture that I LOVE.)
2 tsp. Pure (Again, good quality) Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Cream that butter with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy and pale yellow. It makes for a dreamy consistency. 
2. Sift together powdered sugar and cocoa powder in a separate bowl.
3. With the mixer on it's lowest setting, slowly add the cocoa and sugar mixture into the butter. 
4. Halfway through your mixing process, add half of your heavy cream.
5. Finish mixing then add the remainder of your cream and vanilla.
6. Beat that buttercream for at least 2-3 min on medium high speed. 
7. Stick a spoon into your bowl and go to town!  

The BEST Vanilla Buttercream: 

1 1/2 C.  (2 1/2 sticks) Unsalted Butter - Room Temp
5 C. Sifted Powdered Sugar
1/4 C. Heavy Cream
1 Tbs. GOOD quality Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Cream that butter with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy and pale yellow. It makes for a dreamy consistency. 
2. Sift your powdered sugar in a separate bowl.
3. With the mixer on it's lowest setting, slowly add the powdered sugar into the butter. 
4. Add the heavy cream and vanilla.
5. Beat that buttercream for AT LEAST 2-3 min on medium high speed. 
6. Enjoy!