Banana Pudding Cake

For Christmas I was suppose to give my brother a Banana Pudding cake, but him and his family couldn't make it to my moms until the weekend. So I kept the cakes wrapped on my counter until yesterday. 

The cake it's self was banana flavored and the filling was villa pudding, bananas, and crumbled Nilla Wafers followed by a Cool Whip frosting with Nilla Wafers layered on the sides and crumbles on the top. 

I'm not a fan of bananas but everyone that tried the cake loves it, even my 10 year old. So I guess the majority rules and it's a winner! Without further adieu here's a couple of pics to a huge twist of the basic Banana Pudding. 

Holiday Baking Frenzy!

I love baking and pastry decorating, a few months ago I volunteered to make my nieces birthday cake. However, her birthday is on Christmas and I normally do all the holiday baking. 

I saw a princess cake that I thought she would love but I didn't consider all of the other baking I had to do!!!

But after 8 cakes and 2 Sweet Potato pies, I pulled off my very first Princess Birthday Cake! I'm not the best at laying fondant, but I made it work. In addition, she loves Frozen so I decided to make the Frozen Snow Globe Cake inspired by the lady from "My Cupcake Addiction" (she's on YouTube). 

In addition to those two cakes I made a German Chocolate Cake, 7-up Cake with Pineapple and Coconut frosting, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, a mini Chocolate Cake (for my niece, originally we were expecting more guests and I wanted her to be able to enjoy her Princess Cake as long as possible), basic Yellow Cake, and a Banana Pudding Cake for my brother. All pics are below except the Banana Pudding Cake and basic Yellow Cake. 

Christmas Tree Cake

Had I not been super sleepy and rushing to get the Christmas Tree cake decorated, it would have looked way better. 

But anyway, when it comes to buttercream it's hard to fix it, especially when the design is laying on top of buttercream. 

I baked this cake merely because I had left over batter from my cream cheese pound cake. And since we'll have more than enough desserts for Christmas, this one is going to work. 

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

We're having a Christmas themed week at work this week and I decided to make chocolate and yellow cupcakes and pipe buttercream (BC) onto them in the shape of a Christmas Tree. It was an easy, but fun project for myself. It's nice to be able to share my baking and pastry artwork with others, I don't get an opportunity to bakes for others a lot. Believe it or not I actually dislike buttercream and although I like cakes and so forth, it's definitely something I can do without (but I love, love, love to bake and decorate!). My daughter only likes box cake mixes, and my son will devour almost anything (except for veggies) so I refuse to bake so he can eat it all!

This was a great opportunity to and I took advantage!!!

I made a basic vanilla BC and colored it with the Kelly Green Wilton icing color. For the tree I used a Wilton tip 21 (aka star tip), and used various sprinkles to achieve the decorated look. I found tooth pick decorations while grocery shopping so I decided to insert those an the very top for the finishing look!

 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I decided to make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies because silly me not only purchased the incorrect oatmeal once, but twice! The first time I purchased Steel Cut Oats and to my surprised I had no idea that it would look similar to Flax Seed! I did try them before giving the box away. Second attempt, Quaker Quick Oats! Yuck, they turn into a pile of mush when microwaved. And finally, the third times a charm! Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, my fav! I have no clue how I kept purchasing the incorrect oats, I think I was moving too fast and not paying attention as I'm always on the go!

So long story short, I took the extra oats and made cookies! Yummy, yummy, yummy!

HAPPY (belated) THANKSGIVING!

Well it's that time of year again where homes will be filled with the smells of cakes, cookies, and pies oh my! I'm so happy that I work out, my body will need a little extra after I'm done deserting it up with the Thanksgiving pastries.

This year I wanted to bake something different, normally I make sweet potato pies, 7-up cake w/ pineapple & coconut frosting, and cream cheese pound cake. I got adventurous and made a carrot cake, chocolate cake, & lemon meringue pie. My first attempt at the chocolate cake was an epic fail. I had the wrong measuring spoon and added too much baking powder and soda...lol. So I got creative turned it into my version of a turtle caramel cake. I did my best to torte each layer, fill them with the left over chocolate buttercream and added dulce de leche caramel and crushed walnuts in between the 2 layers and on the very top layer. That poor cake looked awful, but taste so good...(Homer Simpson drool...) "uhhhHHHhhrghhhuuuuHHHggrruhhhHHhh."

Sorry...no pie pic!

Buttercream Basics

Believe it or not, but I hate the taste of buttercream (BC)! I love working with it to decorate pastries, but I always scrape it off if it's on my dessert. I'm always drawn to buttercream because you have to be pretty skillful to work with it and not make mistakes, as some mistakes can't easily be fixed.
 
Here are a few tips that I would like to share based on my experience about buttercream.
 
-The brand of shortening does and doesn't matter. I've used Crisco, and I've used a generic brand and have gotten the same result with both. With the generic brand I did have to let my shortening beat longer in my Kitchen Aid stand mixer (best mixer EVER!) to reduce the lumps, but in the end I had a nice batch of buttercream!
 
-Buttercream will melt aka become runny. This can happen do to handling it (e.g. warm hands, over working it), the temperature of the environment where you're decorating, or too much liquid.

-When flavoring buttercream, AVOID the extra liquids. For example, if you're adding 2-4 tbsp. of water or milk to your buttercream to change the consistency, but would like to flavor your BC with a spirit (e.g. amaretto, lemon juice, etc.), remember to reduce the initial liquid (water or milk) and replace with the flavor of your choice.

-Buttercream should always be refrigerated...especially if you use butter or dairy!

-Buttercream can be made with 100% shortening, 100% butter, or a combo of both (see this Wilton BC recipe which uses both http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Buttercream-Icing).

-Buttercream can be used to repair flaws! E.g. one side of your cake is lower and leveling would take too much of the cake away. Use BC to even it out...yes, you'll have more BC but a pretty cake!

-Buttercream can be use frozen in a design and then transferred to a cake! Check this Wilton tutorial out! http://www.wilton.com/blog/index.php/decorating-with-frozen-buttercream-transfers/

I know there are many tips that I can provide, but this is what I can think of at the spur of the moment...I hope this helps!


Me practicing designs with BC...

 

My First Class

Yesterday I instructed my first Wilton Course 1 class. Initially I was nervous because I found out the day before that I had students and I wasn't prepared. The last thing a gal wants to do is sound like a goof!!!

But it went smoothly, I realized that they were just like me when I first started, looking for someone to teach them the correct way. I won't bore you with the details because it was more exciting when I took the course and I spoke about my trials and tribulations. So now that I'm on the other side and know what I'm doing the only thing that I can critique myself on is needing to improve my timing...the class went over about 30 mins. 

These are the cupcakes I decorated yesterday with my students. 

Yes, I ran out of frosting...lol. 

Finally...

I'm officially a Wilton Method Instructor at Michaels in Hillside!!! Next step...teaching a class. I've scheduled classes for Nov., Dec., and the last weekend in Oct. If people actually register I'll be teaching!

Birthday Cake

The Wedding Cake.....DISASTER

I prepped so much for my brothers wedding cake and made sure dotted all my "I's" and crossed all my "T's". At the beginning of June I asked the bride to clear it with her mom that I could construct the cake at their house. I was nervous and excited to do this cake, it was my first wedding cake. 

To make a long story short I didn't have access to the kitchen and was only provided a small round table to so ALL my work on (torte, fill, frost, and stack!). Someone turned the a/c off and it got really humid (it rained a lot for about an hour and a half) and I'm sure you could imagine what happened to my buttercream and cakes that were once firm due to refrigeration before I got there. I could add another coat and had to present a cake with...CRUMBS! How tacky! In addition I had to frost the tiers stacked. My mom made a small spot for me on their dining room table which was being occupied by a lot of stuff, but I only had the area for a few minutes before guest started sitting there to get out of the rain. Even though I had stuff sitting there, yep, some lady sat right by one of my fillings, leveler, and other items I was using. Here's the crappy looking cake that tasted awesome! The middle tier was filled with lemon curd and raspberries and the bottom was cream cheese and strawberries. The cake itself was a white cake with LorAnn champagne flavored oil. The anniversary tier was the same minus the fruit and I added creme bouquet. 

BTW...the cake was suppose to be decorated way differently but I was so through that I threw the flowers on there and called it quits. AND YES, the table that the cake is on was my work space!

This was the original design...

Small update

I haven't posted since my last Wilton course, and actually I haven't done any cake decorating. However, last week I started on the wedding cake decorations. As far as I'm concerned there better be a wedding because the materials to make roses are not cheap! You're probably wondering why I made that comment about the wedding. Well that's a whole separate post that I'll have to type about on a later date. As soon as the calyx on the roses dry I'll post pics!

Wilton Course 4 - Final Class

After 4 months I've finally completed all four Wilton cake decorating courses. It's going to be weird not being instructed to do this or that on Saturday mornings. Today was also Lynda's last day, which was my instructor, and I'll be taking her place. I have to do an online instructor certification course and I'll be ready to teach after that. It's weird that I started out wanting to learn how to decorate and in the end I'm the instructor. I'm nervous because I don't know if I'll do a good job teaching or displaying my skills to others. I'm not sure why I doubt myself. I guess if my work was horrible then I would post it. But I was also being instructed at the time I did the classroom work...we'll I suppose I'll brush up on my skills and go with the flow. Wish me luck!!! 

BTW, this is my final project...

I know I said I would post pics of the other stuff I've done, but lazy me didn't put anything together. This was my fav flower (Stargazer Lily) of all so I was determined to finish this one :-). However, the three green leaves was one of my projects in the second class, so I guess I am posting a pic from a previous course...lol!

My Mom's Birthday Cake

My mom's birthday was this past Wednesday, the 16th and since she's in the city and I'm in the burbs, it was better for me to wait until this weekend to see her. And of course, I made a cake! That's my new thing now!!! LOL

Chocolate cake with buttercream icing, design is rosettes made with a Wilton 1M tip. 

Wilton Course 4 - Advanced Gumpaste

I haven't posted any of my projects because honestly, course 4 is quite different from the rest of the courses. The first class I made one Gerbera Daisy, 2 very very small flowers, and started the bud for another flower that I'll do in week 3. Today I made ivy, leaves, and one rose type flower. I think in the end they're suppose to go together to make a collage of flowers. So I won't post a pic until the end of this course, but will give updates until then. 

Wilton Method Instructor

Soooooo......I might be a Wilton instructor soon!!!  Yikes!  My instructor, Lynda, is leaving : -( and she recommended me to the store manager to take her place.  I do want to be an instructor, but I never thought this soon.  She said, well you know everything, and in my head, I'm thinking no I don't.  I do, but am I ready to teach others?  I'm a little nervous because I'm scared to mess up and look like I have no clue in front of my students!  What is a gal to do.  I finally filled out the online Michael application and now I need to touch base with the store manager to let him know that I completed it.  I'm sure he's wondering what happened considering we spoke about this last Saturday.  But, I'll take a deep breath, practice what I haven't went over since class and make the best of it! : -)

I don't know why I second guess my self when it comes to cake decorating, I do see my progress and I know that I do a good job.  Wish me luck!

50% off Michael's coupon!!!

Say what?!?!?!?!  Yes, Michael's has yet ANOTHER 50% off coupon that's only good for tomorrow (7/12).  I can't waiiiiittttttttt!!!!

The sinus infection from hell!!!

This week has been extremely rough for me.  All I've done is get up for work and sleep (except Thurs. & today, I called in).  I've had by far the worst sinus infection of all time and it has been kicking my butt!!! I don't usually go to the doc unless it's time for my annual and this time I knew something was a little different with this sinus infection.  I've been so lethargic and have not done anything that I wanted to do this week.  This Sunday is the cake tasting and I haven't prepared not one frosting, filling, or cake!!!  I hope this antibiotic kick in so I get moving.  In addition, I've done no homework this week!!!  Grad school is a mother, and now I feel like I'm behind this week!  Well gotta get to work! 

Wilton Course 3 - Class 4

Today was the last day of my Fondant and Gumpaste course. I had to bring a crumb coated cake so I could lay it with fondant. Guess what?  My fondant didn't crack. Woo hoo.  I'm so happy, and I can't wait for the next cake. 

I have some bad news...Lynda, (my Wilton instructor is leaving), do you all see the tear about to drop? LOL. Her last day was suppose to be the last day in July, but my course 4 won't end until August 2nd so she's sticking around until then. Yippee. 

So without further ado here's my cake...it's freakin' awesome. 

Happy Birthday Brittany

My sisters birthday is Sunday (7/6), but since we were all getting together for Independence Day, I made and gave her a Red Velvet cake today (her fav.). This was my first time dealing with cream cheese as a frosting, and boy was it a task!!!  Here are the pics. 

Xx

Wilton course 3 - class #3 and bonus pic from class #2!!!

This week in class we had, I mean I had to make a mum, daisy, and I was suppose to cover a cake board (aka cake round) in fondant, but I didn't want to. Why? Because it's a waste of fondant if you ask me, especially when it will be for the cake I have to bring next Saturday, which will stay at home. I don't need fanciness at home. So finally, I recreated my last week class projects. I realized after it was too late that I made the center of my rose to large and the bud should have been covered. But anyway, at least I realized my mistake so I won't repeat it again. 

Without further ado, here's my pic. Btw...the bow is extra, I've been itching to make one so I did. It didn't come out awesome but it's my first try. 

Wilton Course 3 - Class 2

Unfortunately I don't have pics this week. Why? Because I left my project sitting in my tool box and my rose and carnation got smashed! 😩

Sometime this week I will make more and post them. Since I've been pretty consistent posting I didn't want to skip a week and leave anyone in suspense. Which leads me to my next question, I wonder how many people come across my blog???

Well if you're reading this, check out the rest of my post and check back in later this week for pics from last weeks project!

Wedding Cake Update

So far we've settled on a 3 tier cake. It's a French Country theme wedding (I think), so the cake should look simple but elegant. After speaking with the bride to be, I suggested flowers (gumpaste and fondant) and pearls to make the cake pop. The anniversary and bottom tier will be circle and the middle square. I have everything I need with the exception of a pearl mold. The cake tasting will be July 13th at my mom's place (they have more space), it will be approximately 13 people including my parents and 14 if my sister is not at work that day. 

I had originally planned on doing 5 different flavors, but may bump it to 3 with 5 frosting and 5 fillings. I'll have to see because between work, school, my wilton courses, and my practicing nights, I'm busy! Very busy! I need a nanny and a maid. 

Practicing...yep, AGAIN!

So last night I didn't feel like starting my homework and Chopped wasn't on so I decided I would practice my decorating. It was very hot in my apartment so my buttercream didn't want to act right. I so need an air conditioner!!!

Wilton Course 3 (Gumpaste and Fondant) - First Class!

Sooooo....I'm the only one in my class :-)  :-(   It's a good thing and bad thing.  Good because it's one on one, bad because there's no one to compare my projects to!  Today I made a bow.  I know you're thinking that's it?  Well I forgot my spaghetti so I couldn't do the other flower which I'll do next week.  But it's not just any bow, it's the kind that you would see on top of a gift box.  Lynda showed me how to make another type of bow that I asked about.  I've been having issues with the simple bow where you have a loop on the left and right and it gathers in the middle and have the tails hanging from it.  It sounds simple, but it was an epic fail for me :-(  Well I have to get to my homework so here's today's project. 

50% OFF COUPON - Michael's Art & Craft Stores (6/8 through 6/14)

Can you tell I'm smiling from ear to ear?  I'm going to Michael's EVERYDAY this week to purchase an item.  And I'm also taking someone with me so I can give them money to buy an item for me....lol...sneaky, sneaky, sneaky!

Long story short, you're a baker, pastry decorator, scrapbooker, or whatever type of crafter you are and have a Michael's in your area, take advantage of this weeks coupon.  I'm not sure if it's countywide (I'm in the U.S.), but it don't hurt to look.  I have their app on my iPhone and subscribe to their email thingy so I know about EVERYTHING well in advance! 


Happy Shopping...

Class was canceled :-(

I got up Saturday morning to get ready for class, and after about 30 minutes of waiting in the store, someone finally told me that my instructor was on vacation....she forgot to tell me :-(  Either way I had to get to Michael's for their open house, but I didn't expect to be leaving so soon.  I wish I had known because I would have went to a free ZUMBA session at St. Joseph's H.S.!  My Saturday was definitely thrown off, but I was able to catch up on h.w. so I guess it sorta worked out after all.

So no pics until the end of this week....happy baking!

Yep, another night of practicing!

I tend to decorate my dummie cupcakes all the time for 2 reasons, #1, that's basically all I have (until I get my dummie cakes) and #2, it's a good way for me to practice multiple designs. So here are the pics from tonight...excuse some of the weird color combinations, I got down to just a little icing remaining and didn't want to just throw it away. I mixed colors together to finish off what I had. 

More practicing...

So at the spur of the moment I decided to practice last night. My cupcakes didn't come out as hoped, but it was late and I only opted to use one tip. I need to spend a day decorating, well morning more so. After I'm done with my hw tonight I might practice more. This time I'll do different cupcake designs and stop being lazy by using only 1-3 tips...lol. 

This is my square dummy cake. My roses are awful because it was so freakin' hot in my apartment last night :-(

Spent way too much #wiltontentsale2014

I had a ball at the Wilton Tent Sale this morning!  As you can tell by this post title I spent way too much. But...it's in investment for my business (that's in progress), as well as stuff I need for my next course.  So overall my so endings are justifiable...lol. 

I got so much stuff...see the pics, it's way too much stuff to type about :-) 

Sorry...I was too lazy to take the stuff out the bags. 

Practice Makes Perfect...

Since my next Wilton course (course 3 Gumpaste and Fondant) won't start until June 14th, I decided to spend my Friday evening practicing on my dummie cupcakes and cake. It was really fun but my buttercream started to melt so I had to stop. As I stated before, I don't take pretty pics so don't expect the background presentation to be awesome :-)

The purple star with the leaves??? Don't ask, I ran out of purple and didn't know what else to use to fill up the cupcake. 

This blue icing had piping gel so that's why it looks runny. I saved this from my nephew's cake, I used this to pipe "Happy Birthday Hunter". 

I have no idea why I piped leaves. I guess because I used a parchment triangle bag for the green icing and didn't use a coupler.  But I'm documenting EVERYTHING I do...soooooo, you guys will see randomness. Randomness is a word...it's my word, lol. It means multiple random stuff.