Update on the Cake Pops

So the party--- little did I know---- was OUTSIDE. I really didn't think any thing of this until the candy melts started melting! They were blobs falling off sticks by the time it came to serve them. What a disaster. And I am not being overly dramatic. When you try to serve something with sprinkles to a kid and they look at you and go, "No thanks." you know it's bad!

So from now on, if anyone ever asks for cake pops or cake balls I will tell them these are only for indoor temperature controlled environments.

Roll with the punches baby. Just roll.

Cupcake Cake Pops

I was asked to bring in a treat for my daughter's last day of school party. This was just the excuse I was looking for so I could try cake pops. They are essentially cake balls, but slightly smaller and....you got it....on a stick.

Thank goodness this first attempt is for 8 year olds, because I wouldn't be happy giving these to anyone who paid for them. There are some people who just naturally gets things right the first time, but I am not one of those people. It might have helped had I actually found a recipe or watched some youtube videos, but you know me, just in and then test the temperature of the water.

So I rolled the balls and started to dip. Bad idea. Next time roll your balls and FREEZE them before attempting to dip. They were so soft that trying to keep my cupcake shape was an absolute joke. And then little bits of cake got into my dip and that made me very unhappy.

I also used just the right amount of dip. Next time I will add a little extra so I have a deeper amount to roll in. Sometimes you have to have excess. You just do.

Also-- I dipped the white first and then tried to put the sticks in. Duh. The chocolate melted dip hardens and then guess what... you can't put the sticks in! So I had to make my cupcakes UPSIDE DOWN! Lesson learned again. They still look cute, but now when people eat them, the ugly side will be up. Unhappy again.

The good thing is, I have an audience who be will happy just because I added sprinkles.

Mother's Day Calla Lily Cake

I have yet to receive an order that required me to make sugar flowers-- but I assume it's only a matter of time. So for Mother's Day at my sister in law's, I made a chocolate./chocolate cake with calla lilies. They were really fun to make. It gives me a greater respect for those who make edible flowers, as it really is an art. I look forward to delving into this area more.

My first official Audition! Hopefully not my last!

I had a cake testing for 2 mother of the bride's. The day was a complete disaster. I can't even begin to tell you how many things went wrong, but the highlights were 1- when my mixer stopped working half way through making the chocolate ganache, losing an hour's time and ruining the texture and stiffness of the filling 2- realizing I didn't have the address to the appointment as I was going out the door- only to realize my phone didn't have any reception. I just started driving and then pulled over and called again. I was 15 minutes late to the appointment. and best of all #3 driving and watching cake #2-- not pictured-- slide in half, dividing at the filling in the middle and most of the filling ending up on the floor of my van.

When I arrived- late- I had this Daisy cake-- made in record time- and not to the best of my ability and what I might call the Wrecktastic Strawberry Cake.

Then when I cut in the chocolate cake my heart sank because I could see it didn't settle correctly. And when I cut the strawberry mess, most of the filling was gone, so the proportions were completely off.

I was so completely embarrassed, I just wanted to hang up my apron and go home and cry.

I am a bit of a go- getter. I like to be great. I don't like to fail. This was a very hard day for me.

Both potential clients were more than gracious. So kind. So forgiving.

I will be making a wedding cake for one in less than 2 weeks. The colors of the fondant cake were test colors. The yellow will be darker and more golden. The turquoise will be deeper and richer. And it will not be daisies. I am really excited about this cake. And I am going to give it 200% and make it the best cake I have ever done. No pressure right?

Easter Cake: Purple Butterfly w/ Marshmallow Fondant

If I am going to be honest, I would have to say this was the first cake I was embarrassed to deliver. I tried homemade marshmallow fondant for the 4th and final time. ok- I might try it again if a client specifically asks for it and they understand it's imperfections, but I am going back to Wilton. Secondly, I tried my new silicone pearl mold. That was AWESOME. The only problem is you have to make sure there are no creases in the gum paste as they do not come out in the mold, so next time I will be able to do much better. The mold saves SO much time. It was really exciting. I also had my first success with the Cricut Cake Machine. The butterflies are from the Cricut. I had a terrible time with my previous attempts, but I found a dude on youtube that sugggested chilling the sheet for 30 minutes before running it through. 30 wasn't enough for me, but 40 worked great. 45 was too much. This was also my first time working with gum paste. I didn't realize how quickly it set. I had all my pieces on a sheet of wax paper and when I went back to finish the edges and tweak them to perfection they were already hard and set in place! After a moment of pure horror, I realized there was nothing I could do. If I tried to fix them they would break. This was also my first time to make gum paste flowers, although I made the easiest flower possible, so I don't give myself too much credit there.

So I tried many new techniques and mediums and learned so much. Unfortunately this cake definitely looked like an experiment. But it means I am a better decorator and my future cakes will benefit from this adventure.

Garbage Truck Cake Road Cars etc.

Experimented again with homemade marshmallow fondant. It wasn't as terrible as last time, but it was still terrible. It simply doesn't have the smooth perfect finish as the store bought. I also experimented with the chocolate cake recipe and ganache filling. I am very close to have the recipe I will be proud of.

I wish the marshmallow fondant was easier to work with, as it tastes A LOT better. I am going to try it 2 more times this upcoming week and then I will make a final decision on whether I can use it or not.

The garbage can was my favorite part of this cake and the birthday boy at the whole thing! Ha ha. In retrospect, I should have made some little bits of trash so when he took off the lid he got a surprise. The green space in front ended up being perfect for 12 candles.

I have a little bit of free time on my hands.....

So I caught pneumonia and have spent A LOT of time sitting on the couch. I've really enjoyed browsing this website: www.globalsugarart.com

They have great prices! I am going to have to place an order!

http://www.globalsugarart.com/