Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts

Thursday, September 15, 2011

40th Birthday Toilet Cake

September is our busy month for birthdays. We have seven in our family. My dear husband Keith's birthday was last week (Sept. 9th). He turned 40 (total old man)! Anyway, the kids and I threw him a surprise party. It stayed a surprise till that morning, when sweet Sophia thought that because daddy opened his gift, it was okay to talk about what time everyone was coming over. I just looked at him and he gave me a big grin. "Surprise!" You're getting a surprise party.

It was a great time and he loved his cake! Which he had no clue I was making. Yes, total gross factor, but so my husbands humor. All the kids could not stop talking about the potty cake.  I on the other hand, am waiting for Sophia's pre-k teachers to pull me a side due to her telling everyone about her daddy's crap you're old cake.





My birthday is next. September 24th.  The big "30!" I'm not freaking too much....yet. :)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Mmmm....Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting need I say more?

Oh man...I made a red velvet cake for the first time and WOW! It was awesome and did not not last long in my house.  I've probably gained 8 lbs from eating so much of it!  Okay maybe not 8 lbs but I seriously could not get enough and either could the kids. Maxon kept crawling into the kitchen to point to the cake and whine for more (he is only 15 months). Really it's that good and I would have to say it is now my favorite cake on earth.

Here is the recipe. I got it from Cook's Country. Enjoy! 
Ingredients

Cake:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Pinch salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
2 tablespoons red food coloring
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Frosting :

16 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
16 ounces cream cheese , cut into 8 pieces, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch salt


Instructions:

1. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Whisk buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and eggs in large measuring cup. Mix cocoa with food coloring in small bowl until a smooth paste forms.

2. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down bowl as necessary. Add one-third of flour mixture and beat on medium-low speed until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add half of buttermilk mixture and beat on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl as necessary and repeat with half of remaining flour mixture, remaining buttermilk mixture, and finally remaining flour mixture. Scrape down bowl, add cocoa mixture, and beat on medium speed until completely incorporated, about 30 seconds. Using rubber spatula, give batter final stir. Scrape into prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes then turn out onto rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

3. For the frosting: With electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Beat in vanilla and salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.

4. When cakes are cooled, spread about 2 cups frosting on one cake layer. Top with second cake layer and spread top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

New Favorite Thing

 Have you heard of Meri Meri? They are a company that makes beautiful stationary and partyware.  I discovered Meri Meri at the "Sophia's" birthday party. My friend Sarah made the yummiest cupcakes  that were topped with these beautiful little fairies. It was love at first sight for me!



I have to admit I was totally jealous that Sarah discovered these and I did not! My Sophia would LOVE these little toppers for her Birthday cupcakes. Good thing there are lots of other fun cupcake toppers to choose from!!!

Here are just a few to inspire you. Go check them out http://www.merimeri.com/

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Famous Angel Food Cake


Famous with my family and friends that is. I have been baking this cake for about 9 years now and it always gets rave reviews.  It's from a good old Better Homes & Gardens cook book . I love to try and change things up but sometimes sticking with an original recipe is the best way to go. I have heard many times that it is a difficult cake to bake, I assure you it  is not!


Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups egg whites (10-12 large)
1-1/2 sifted powdered sugar
1 cup sifted cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl allow egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, sift the cake flour and powdered sugar together and set aside.

*Quick tip: if you don't have a sifter (me) use a wire whisk to incorporate ingredients together.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Add vanilla and cream of tartar to eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form (tip* soft peaks curl). Gradually add granulated sugar 2 tablespoons. at a time, beating until stiff peaks.


4.Shake or sift about 1/2 cup of  powdered sugar mixture of the egg whites and begin to fold in gently with a spatula. Repeat using 1/2 cups till all powdered sugar mixture is incorporated.


5. Pour into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Gently cut through batter to remove air pockets.


6. Bake for 40-45 Min. or until top springs back when lightly touched.




Me being a dork while the cake bakes


7. Invert cake to cool thoroughly in pan.



ENJOY!!!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Maxon's Little Buckaroo 1st Birthday


Picture of the birthday boy and I.

My son Maxon's 1st Birthday went off without a hitch. I went with the Cowboy theme (so fun). My creative juices were so over flowing with ideas for the party. The first thing I made was the bandanna bunting. It was a super simple no sew project. I made two of them and hung one on the stairs and the other draped across the window's on the opposite wall.



I made the table runner as well. I bought the banner and matching cake plates from a new website I found called bigdotofhappiness.com They have some cute stuff that you can't find in the stores!


The cake I made all by myself. I'm very proud with how it turned out. The little cowboy boots I found the week of the party for $1 at a thrift store. Now if that was not meant to be.



 

I wish I could take credit for the outfit but, that was one of my many great finds on Ebay.





All of the kids received hats and bandannas in their favorite colors as a keepsake.
Here is Maxon's big sister Sophia sporting hers.


The adults (Grandma's) had fun with them too!


Happy 1st Birthday to my Lil Hubba Bubba!