Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Harry Potter Mania!

I'm a nerd. I love Harry Potter. While watching the last movie, I had chills the entire time and was on the verge of tears...it was THAT good. I did a great birthday cake the week before the release and then on the day of the release, we did some HP themed treats at Pastrygirl.

Here is the cake I made, with a Draco Malfoy theme :)


 It's a 1/4 sheet chocolate cake with peppermint mousse. The top is covered in fondant but the sides are just buttercream, shaped to look like the pages


I made the Slytherin badge out of fondant, also a "Potter Stinks" and "Prefect" badge
 

Delicious Pumpkin Juice :)


Butterbeer cupcakes- a cream soda cake with a butterscotch ganache filling, butterscotch buttercream, and a deathly hallows topper


Chocolate Frogs! Eat them quick or they may hop away!


Lightning bolt shaped shortbread


We decorated our White on White with a special Hedwig topper


And a delightful English Trifle ala Aunt Petunia



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Circus Time!

So I saw the movie Water for Elephants today and it was simply amazing. It is one of my favorite books and the movie was done so well in staying true to the book. There is something I absolutely love about vintage circus. In the times when they rode the rails, city to city, and the entire town would come out to watch them set up the big top. It inspired me to look at what people have done with cakes and the circus :)

A simple, yet adorable cupcake idea,


Seals don't automatically come to mind for me when I think circus, but this was too cute to not include,


a more monochromatic big top


Tim Burton inspired?

 

Did I mention elephants are my favorite animal???


lovely banner,

These are so dang cute!!!


I need this kit!


A collage of circus party elements, I'm now must make that apron,


another circus themed party


This is actually scrapbook paper that I have for inspiration,



Monday, April 25, 2011

Whoopie Pies!

I love the look of whoopie pies and have been hearing about them more and more, lately. Today at work, we had a rather short to-do list so decided to try something new. We had never made whoopie pies before and they proved to be rather easy and very delicious!


Here is the recipe...

3.5 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1.5 c. cocoa powder
1 Tbsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 c. butter, room temperature
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 c. buttermilk, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla

preheat oven to 400.
sift flour, salt, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder together, set aside.
cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes.
add eggs and vanilla.
alternate adding the dry with the buttermilk.
scoop onto lined baking sheet with a black handled scoop (1 to 1.5 inches)
bake 10 to 12 minutes.
let cool and fill with seven minute frosting.

these can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.

Seven Minute Frosting
1.5 c sugar
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
6 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla

In mixing bowl, combine sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and whites and set over saucepan of simmering water.
 Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches 160 degrees, about 2 minutes.
Attach bowl to a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
Beat mixture on high speed until glossy and voluminous, about 5 minutes.
Beat in vanilla.
Use immediately.

You can also replace the vanilla (or part of the vanilla) with other flavors...we used peppermint :)

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Put a Bird on It

Okay, I had to reference the show Portlandia, because it is so incredibly hilarious...but all joking aside these cakes online with birds on them, are crazy cute!









I think this next one is my favorite of the bunch...







I need this stand....

Friday, March 25, 2011

Cupcake Beauty

Want to smell like a cupcake and not have to bake?

Here are some options to do so...

Cupcake lotions!


more lotion and a magic towel


soaps..


and if you want your house to smell like a bakery...



Thursday, March 24, 2011

Spring is Here!

Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days! Life has been crazy!

But hey, it's Spring! And when I think of Spring, I think of flowers, rain, and butterflies (even though I think they are actually around more in the summer).

I thought I would share some amazing butterfly cakes I found online with you all.







Now, all the cakes above do not use edible butterflies, and while absolutely stunning, there is something about having a nonedible element on a cake that just doesn't sit well.
So here are some with edible butterflies...







Love them.