A quick picture roundup of cakes I’ve done over the last few months. I’m just coming to the end of a self imposed cake break of a month and I’m ready to get back into the kitchen. I will also get the competition up on the blog that I promised many weeks ago! I’m such a bad blogger!
First up is a fun Adidas themed cake for a 40th birthday. A friend on twitter was asking if anyone could make a trainer cake and I put forward my information and the lovely Gill contacted me to describe the surprise she had planned for her husbands 40th birthday. She sent me some pictures of his favourite Adidas trainers and I researched to find some close up images. As these were the focal point of the whole cake I wanted to be as detailed as I could. I also knew he would be scrutinising the detail as he owns so many pairs of this brand. The shoes are fondant covered rice crispie treats, all the detail is fondant or edible paint.
The majority of my cakes are for family and friends and they are always kind with their comments. Despite believing that they wouldn’t lie to me about my abilities there’s always an edge of self doubt that they might just be saying nice things because they know me personally. I welcome all nice comments but there’s something different about someone with no obligation telling you how happy they are with their cake. I received the following email from Gill and as I’d had a hard day in the batcave this was such a wonderful end to the day:
“Just want to thank you for the cake, my husband loved it and was most impressed by your attention to detail . I have to say it also tasted as good as it looked, you did a fantastic job and when I’m next in need of a fabulous cake I will know who to call.”
Comments like this make every second of hard work covered in icing sugar late at night worthwhile!
Next we have a celebration cake for a family friend. Her daughter picked the design and colours and I think she may have chosen every single thing I love to make a truly fun cake that totally epitomises a celebration. The stars are on florist wires inserted into a few cake picks hidden underneath rainbow sprinkles. All decoration is fondant.
Next up is a repeat customer. A friend that I used to work with wanted a cake for her Mother-In-Law’s birthday. It had to be golf themed, include a figure of the birthday girl and the name of her favourite golf course. I’m still learning when it comes to human figures but they do improve each time a try a new one. All decoration is fondant except the cocktail stick flagpole and the card glasses.
Another colleague has ordered a cake from me every year for her son’s birthday and this year was no exception. I love how each year it has been his current favourite childrens TV programme. This time it was Postman Pat. A fun character to make and I’m happy with how it turned out. All decoration is fondant (except Pat’s glasses which are florist wire)
Something a little different than cake. I have been so excited about an event that was due to come to The Odyssey Arena (aka the batcave/ my workplace) for several years: Walking With Dinosaurs. If you ever get a chance to go and see the tour please do not hesitate for one second, it is absolutely worth every penny. We aren’t ashamed to admit that we went without children and thoroughly enjoyed every second of the production. I had seen these moulds a few months ago and knew I had to try and make something Dino themed for the week that Walking with Dinosaurs was here. These chocolates are a mix of dark, milk, orange chocolate and various coloured candy melts.
And finally, a Lime & Coconut loaf that I made for my colleagues. I was itching to make something without chocolate or vanilla. Don’t get me wrong I love both those flavours but I rarely get to make a cake these days that doesn’t incorporate either or both of them. This is a refreshing change, a hint of summer as we enter the cold and dark nights of winter. The recipe can be found here on the collaborative baking blog 52 Weeks of Baking that I participate in.
Cakes & Bakes NI 