Sunday, March 11, 2012

A very important cake!

My dearest Gus turned two recently. And he wanted a train cake! Inspired by the Internets, I went with a train coming out of the tunnel cake. And? It was completely fun and easy to make! The rock candy and train were important extras.

The cake is chocolate from Smitten Kitchen - perhaps a little moist to move around much, but I froze the layers and have no problems at all. The Swiss Buttercream is also from SK - the same as I've made on wedding cakes in the past. The chocolate buttercream (on the tunnel, and some cupcakes) is also from SK, and is definitely my new chocolate buttercream recipe. It is fast (food processor icing! wow!) and completely delicious. Non-chocolate buttercream would work there, too. Maybe I'll try that next time. I was super happy with the components of the cake - the icings and the cake. And super happy with the design, and I thought the execution came off nicely. I'm now working on shells for borders - to break out of my stars habit.

Additional cupcakes are tucked away in the freezer, and have been coming out slowly but surely, only to be eaten before I can even ice them. They are so good!

Happy birthday Gus! What kind of cake will it be next year, I wonder?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My favorite project ever turns 2!

Cake details to follow. I am the baker, and Gus is the baker's apprentice!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Making butter!

Butter is delicious!

Shake cream in a jar (from cream, to whipped cream, to butter + whey)
or whiz it up in a food processor. Easy, fast, and oh-so sweet and
delicious! You can work/knead the butter to squeeze out the excess
whey or not. That makes it slightly more work. MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

On an oatmeal binge

Granola. Granola bars, oatmeal raisin/chocolate chip/dried
cherry/coconut cookies (many many cookies). I'm into oatmeal these
days!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Cottage Cheese Pufflets with Jam

I was excited for these, because I love tangy doughs. This was more
work, and not quite as delicious as I hoped. Good, though. Just not
great. Also, a little fussy for my taste. It's a Dorie Greenspan
recipe.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Happy Birthday Alex!

A mini yellow cake with whipped cream frosting for Alex's birthday.
Happy birthday Alex!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Bathroom: Before and After

Ugh. It's just so ugly before. Now we mostly hang out in the bathroom. Because it's awesome!