Death By Chocolate

My first attempt at chocolate ganache! ---YUMMY is all I can say. Which means a lot b/c I'm the type of person who can eat a single piece of chocolate and no more. For next time, I now know NOT to use a whisk (which I read in the instructions afterwards). You can see the little air pockets in the photo.

 

I finally found a use for this plastic cake stand. I have a soft spot for sunflowers, so this was perfect!!

 

 

Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream filling, covered with chocolate ganache.

Crocheted Hats

Years ago, my Great-Grandmother taught me how to crochet (I wish I knew when I first started, but really have no idea). While teaching me, she never showed me a single pattern or told me what the stitches were called. I would carefully watch her fingers and imitate the movements she made. I need to take some photos of the first 2 projects she had me do (sorry, this blog thing is still new to me!). For my first project, she told me to crochet a square. To this very day, I hate to count while I'm crocheting. Needless to say, my "square" turned into what looked like the shape of a flat Barbie dress. Nowhere close to being a square. Great-Grandpa told me to rip it out, but Grandma wouldn't let me because it was my FIRST completed project. It's in my closet with my old crochet magazines -- every time I look at it, memories of her come flooding back. :)

Anyhow, I made myself mittens last year, so I knew I could figure out a hat for each of my children for Christmas gifts. I was so excited, and figured I'd just give them early. Good thing I did because:
                  1.) They didn't fit.
                  2.) They HATE them. (Partly because the yarn was also too scratchy.)



Carson's Hat

Kylie's Cupcake Hat
 

 

As frustrated as I was, my friends encouraged me to try again. I found a different pattern online at www.lionbrand.com. Again, it turned out to be a little too small (I swear, I followed the pattern perfectly to this point and Ky has a normal sized head). I hate to rip things out and start over, so I decided to just add a border and ear flaps with a long chain/string. The verdict: Ky LOVES her new hat and excitedly wore it outside to play in the snow! Success. 

 

I took this photo a couple days ago, but I decided to crochet a flower embellishment --she's a girly girl and this hat just didn't scream "Kylie" yet.  :)

 

 

2nd Attempt = Success

My Mittens

 



 

Dr. Seuss Cake

 

 

Snowflake Bridal Shower Cake

I made this one a few weeks ago, but figured I'd wait until closer to winter to post the picture. Well, it snowed today AND we turned on our outside Christmas lights. Therefore, in our home, it's officially time to get into the holiday spirit! The tree will be up soon. :)

'Stache & Tie 1st Birthday

I had a customer request a cake for her son's 1st birthday party. She chose the theme of ties and mustches for her little man. Instead of just throwing cutouts of mustaches and ties all over the cake, I wanted to do something more personalized. This is what I came up with... :)

 

 



An Apple Dumplin' Kind of Day

My Aunt Tracy and sister-in-law Lisa have put a request in for cannolis and apple dumplings. I must admit, I have never attempted to make either one. I had some extra puffed pastry just "lying" around, so I used it for the wrap. I have never ate an apple dumpling, so I didn't know what to expect.  It's SUPER quick and easy! See below for the recipe.  :)

 

 



 Apple Dumplings

6 med. baking apples, peeled and cored (I prefer Granny Smith)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp butter

1 egg, beaten

Pastry for a 9", 2 crust pie

 

Heat oven to 425. Divide pastry into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into an 8" circle. (I used puff pastry.) Place apple on pastry.

 

Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Fill center of each apple with 1 tsp butter and about 2 Tbsp of cinnamon mixture. (I also sprinkled it on the sides of the apple.) Lift sides of pastry up. Dampen and press firmly to seal the crust. Place dumplings on an ungreased baking pan with the TOP DOWN so the sealed part is touching the pan. Brush with the egg wash.

 

Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and tender.

(I made a glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.)

Carved Horse Cake

A friend of mine presented me with a photo similar to this cake. I love trying something different than "just a sheet cake". Although I'm still working on my carving skills, I was pleased with the end  result.

 

 

 

Nursery Rhyme Baby Shower

Crazy Busy Weekend, but....

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!

 

After selling out of my baked goods at the craft show, I had to get ready for another busy week! I had to pump out another 43 dozen cookies before Saturday, complete 2 cakes orders, and I also took on the job of setting up cookies & punch for our community Veterans for our PTO. Let me tell you, Saturday night, I was beginning to regret signing up for the 5K to take place on Sunday morning. A HUGE thank you to my mother for having my kiddos spend the night with her so I could finish my work and participate in the 5K that is so dear to my heart. My brother, Shaun has served in the Marines, and I am so proud of him! I feel bad because, looking back, I should have been more supportive than what I was..but I guess that is all part of growing up. I feel honored to have him as a brother because he was brave enough to put himself in harms way to keep the rest of us safe. And by golly, I know there is NO way I could have done the same thing that he did. Shaun--THANK YOU! With that being said, I was so proud to wear my USMC t-shirt while participating in the Operation Troop Appreciation 5K located at the Hampton Township Community Park.  http://www.operationtroopappreciation.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of my local 5K buddies! (They are so supportive!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the 5K, I had to rush home, grab a quick shower, pack up and head down to my oldest brother, Vaughn and my sister-in-law's baby shower! They are expecting in January and ---have not found out if they're having a boy or girl. Not to mention, I'm the type of person who likes to feel "prepared," so this has been a hard adjustment for me. Either way, it will be such a pleasant surprise and we are all so very happy for them! 

 

NOTE: ALL decorations are edible! :)

 

 

"Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

or

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice?"



 



 

Upside-Down Apple Cake

 Here is my upside-down apple cake with caramel buttercream icing and a caramel drizzle! From what I was told, this cake was a huge hit at the nursing home/assisted living facility it was served at! They were so happy to have something other than just a vanilla and chocolate cake! :)

Fox Racing/Monster Cake

"A Christmas Present" craft show 2012

 

THANK YOU!!!

 



I want to send out a huge THANK YOU out to all of my customers at the craft show! This was my best show ever! I made more baked goods this year, and I still sold out! Aparently, I am known as "The Cookie Lady"! I met so many kind people who were encouraging and extremely supportive. As long as I can remember, my dream has been to own a bakery. Sometimes it's hard to keep that dream alive, but seeing how people react my products is a reminder that I must not give up. Not to mention, I have two chilren looking up to me, and I want to lead by example for them! ...I got this! :)

 

AND THE WINNER IS......Keri Wolfe!

 

I also want to thank everyone out there who purchased a raffle ticket! Keri has won a 2 tiered cake cake to be redeemed during 2013 (valued over $100). All of the money raised will be donated to Icing Smiles! If you would also like to donate or volunteer to help Icing Smiles, go to www.icingsmiles.org.