Monday, February 14, 2011

Practice makes perfect

I've always like to bake but haven't really had the time.  With a back-to-back sabbatical and paternity leave, I've had the luxury of baking lots of cakes.  And by lots, I mean 4.  Considering I do the baking and decorating while Ian is sleeping, I think 4 is a lot.  I could bake while he is awake but then I have to listen to him say "whatcha making mommy" and "want some" about a billion times.  It's just not worth it.  What I've ultimately discovered is that I enjoy trying new recipes and am pretty darn good at baking.  But on the decorating side, I'm just ok.  I need to spend more time smoothing the icing and such to ensure a better outcome.  And I probably need some tools.  I love the process though and I think with practice I will be much better.  I'm looking forward to more excuses to practice! 

Ian's birthday cake:  dark chocolate cake with cream cheese icing and fondant dessert decorations (cake and icing are my go-to recipes)

Ian's other birthday cake:  chocolate cake with candy bar filling and chocolate buttercream icing (DELICIOUS!!!)

Our friend Bethany's first birthday cake:  cookies and cream cake with buttercream Oreo filling and vanilla buttercream icing and cake ball bee

Valentine's cake (per Jeff's request):  chocolate cake with fleur de sel caramel filling and ganache icing (the ganache wasn't sweet enough for me so I would leave it in the filling and sub chocolate buttercream for the icing)

6 comments:

Christie February 14, 2011 at 2:55 PM  

All I can say is "YUM!" Do you have a go-to cookbook or website for recipes?

Lori February 14, 2011 at 3:03 PM  

I tend to go to allrecipes.com but it depends on whether I'm just looking for any kind of cake or a specific flavor. I think a moist cake is critical but it's the filling and icing which makes all the difference. I typically use my imagination for the filling.

Rachele February 14, 2011 at 5:14 PM  

freakin incredible, Lori! Your decorating skills put most others to shame. The bee/flower cake is my favorite.

Rachele February 14, 2011 at 5:15 PM  

ps, how did you get the icing so smooth in Ian's first cake?

Lori February 14, 2011 at 8:05 PM  

I like the flower/bee cake too and it was the easiest to make since I used a cookie cutter. The first cake was covered in fondant which is a nice, clean look but doesn't taste as good as buttercream. It's kind of a marshmallow taste.

Megan February 16, 2011 at 1:11 PM  

Absolutely amazing, Lori! I think you might have yourself a second career in cake decorating! The Valentine's Day cake has my mouth watering. I could probably eat that whole thing if it were in front of me now!

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