November Birthdays

My office is really enjoying this cake decorating binge I've been on. They asked if I would do a cake for the November birthdays. As a November baby, I decided to take hold of my own destiny and accept the challenge. Can you tell which one is me on the 'Family Tree'?

Fondant

So, I completed the Fondant portion of the Advanced Wilton Class. Fondant does not taste as good as buttercream. Actually, it doesn't taste very good at all. Someone equated it to 'chewed gum'. So, I made the cake, took a picture, then pitched it...nothing to recycle.

Icing 101

I had some dear friends over this weekend for an intense icing class. We went from 10am to 5pm. Yes, there was much talking, and even more icing sampling. But, in the end, there was a fabulous cake and precious cupcakes.

Wilton - Advanced Course

Class #3 in the Wilton series starts on Tuesday...I can't wait!

Reach a new level of decorating sophistication with the beautiful flowers and techniques in Course 3. Begin with intricate accents such as embroidery and lace, stringwork, garland and ruffle borders. Discover the beauty of decorating with rolled fondant — for covering cakes with an immaculate smooth surface and shaping fun figures and elegant flowers. Add several new icing flowers to your repertoire, including lovely holiday blooms like poinsettias and Easter lilies. Complete your course by assembling and decorating a towering tiered cake with beautiful stringwork, flowers and borders.

Cake Balls

My friend Mary Ann told me recently about the latest fad to overtake the cupcake: Cake Balls. I was intrigued. So, I gave it a shot today. My plan was to make eyeballs for Halloween...red velvet cake, white chocolate, m&ms for the eyes, and red chocolate for the veins. My chocolate wasn't smoth like Bakerella's balls
(http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2007/12/red-velvet-cake-balls.html), so I need to work on my technique. And, they looked nothing like eyes. But, I had fun and they tasted great...I'm sure the office will like them tomorrow.

Tip - Wilton Flower Forms

Wilton sells a set of flower formers that are used to give your flowers a realistic shape. Suggestion: cut a paper towel roll in half...and save $6!

New Toys

To compliment my new hobby, we've added to the family. We had a GE Profile for ~18 months. After a series of repair visits, we have done away with the old, and brought in a new Kenmore Fridge. The full size fridge on top has already been a tremendous life saver with regards to sheet cakes...I look forward to putting it to more good use.