A Paris Cake for a 21st Birthday

I had never made a "Paris' themed cake before. Where do I start? Why, with Mr Google of course!

Mr Google helped out again with lots of images of a 'PARIS CAKE'. The majority were in white, black and pink. Not sure why as the national flag is red, white and blue. But anyway black, pink and white makes for a lovely colour combination for a female.

The next thing that stuck out for me on the majority of the images was - you guessed it - an Eiffle Tower. So began a search to find an ornament that would stand amongst the flowers, on top of the cake. Couldn't find one anywhere - I don't live in France but on the other side of the world - AUSTRALIA. I came to the conclusion that I would have to make one. Not sure if I could, so back to Mr Google to try and access a pattern and I found one.

So here is the cake [note it is without the famous structure] I thought I would leave that for the customer to place on the cake. Happy Birthday Carissa.

Link for the E Tower:  http://mydiditlist.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/tour-eiffel-de-papier.html

I used the pattern to copy the shape and added the 'iron frame work' details with edible ink pen.


AND HERE IS THE FEEDBACK FROM THE LOVELY CUSTOMER, JENNY ......

Hi Janet,
I would  like to say thank you so much  for an amazing job on the cake.  Everyone loved it. It was a big hit. we would  recommend you to all our friends.

Thanks

Jenny hayward

Bride and Groom Cake Topper

Feedback: " Thank you for making the cake topper for Dani's wedding. The time effort and attention to detail that you have put in to it are very much appreciated and added that little extra to our special day"
The Ro.... family

AFL Engagement Cake

Seven days ago I was asked if I would be interested in making an engagement cake for Del and Rusty with the following specifications:

• Mud cake shaped like a footy oval
• Figures of a couple sitting on a bench with a rug over their knees
• Blonde hair on both figures and the man had to have a wink and be dressed in a Geelong [Cats] shirt!
• A trophy in the background or hoisted high to celebrate the Cats winning the Premiership in 2007.

So of course I said "No problem"! 

So here is the result with a few minor alterations and the figures a little cartoon like. I added a scarf to unite the two and gave Del a rose to carry and Rusty a Sherrin football.

On collection, the customer said " I love it" 

I hope she likes the flavour of the cake. Under the icing are two square cakes one is a rich mud cake [need only a small piece as deliciously decadent] and then a 3 tiered chocolate cake sandwiched with sour cherry conserve. Both cakes covered with Chocolate ganache [did I mention rich?]

Here is the feedback received:

Dear Janet
Just wanted to say thank you so much for taking on the challenge of doing my cake. Secondly putting so much love into it. you did an amazing job. So many people commented on how delicious it was and how amazing your icing was. I'm telling everyone how great you are! I will be back soon for my wedding cake.
Thanks again ..... Delvene and Russell

FairyToadstool Cake

The challenge to make a fairy cake for Rhianna, a 3 year old.  So the thinking process began .... I went straight to Google and discovered the Fairy Toadstool idea. Noted that one caker had reported that she had found it difficult to get a good finish on the roof of the toadstool ... ummm I don't want that! Suddenly I remembered that I had a polystyrene ball which if cut in half could be used for the roof. definitely a EUREKA moment!

I cut and covered the semi-sphere with red fondant and produced a dome ready to be covered with spots and a chimney. The cottage was a plain vanilla cake covered in a decorator buttercream which had been flavoured with caramel. Rhianna the fondant fairy was added to the scene and totally edible fondant [sugar- paste] flowers sprinkled around the board which had been first covered with the white fondant surrounded by hearts. Yes I loved making this cake. 12 cupcakes were also provided with the cake.

Comment from customer as she reported that her grown son who tasted one of the cupcakes said,

" Now that's a CUPCAKE." She also said that her granddaughter Rhianna loved the fairy toadstool. So everyone was happy!

Golden Wedding.

Thank you, Janet. 

The cake was so special and really made the day.

"A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year."

Author: Paul Sweeney

Golden rose for a golden couple: About 40 friends gathered at Sunset Drive. People from way back - people from present. Very pleasant evening. Congratulations Ken & Mavis.

The love bird bench was inspired by the ETSY website. The date is the day they were married at Christ Church Chadderton , OLDHAM, UK.

Spirit-level and Straws!

Brides Mum, Liz rang me today and thanked me for the cake. 

She said it was "more than good ... it was magnificient. The ganache was especially wicked!"

Emma had purchased the cake stand and her grandmother had made the silk flowers (so beautiful) She couldn't find a suitable ribbon and so found some discounted wine gift bags from a store and cut them to size - it gave her the look she wanted at a fraction of the cost of bought ribbons. How clever - the pattern looked like it was embossed into the cake.Photo used with permission of the beautiful bride.

Now for the recipe: 

The 'bottom tier' - Dark Chocolate Jaffa Mud with Bitter Orange ganache filling-  and 'mid tier' - White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Mud sandwiched with Sweet White Choc ganache and Raspberry sauce . The top tier was extremely dry - so dry in fact that it is inedible ........ I trick you it was a dummy cake made from polystyrene!

Now for the levels:

I ganached, levelled and laid the fondant on the cake. No worries! I had to get the cakes absolutely level as I didn't want it to look like the leaning tower of ...... you know where! The spirit level was invaluable in getting the level accurate, I used straws inside the lower level of the cake instead of dowel to strengthen and prevent the cake sinking. Note: A Martha Stewart tip!

I went along to the marriage service at St Pat's in Albury and Emma was stunning in a beautiful gown. Definitely giving Kate and Pippa a run for their money! Privilege to be part of this happy event.

Vineyard cake

I was asked by a friend to design a cake for a family get together in the city of Mildura in N. Victoria. Grapes and a large bow were requested as the family were producers of grapes. Oh and it was discussed that it might be cute to have a tractor on the cake.

The family have strong Christian values and I wasn't sure how to get the Christmas message into the design so included the name EMMANUEL which equals 'God with us' Always up for a challenge .... never done a bow... never done a tractor...  but the cake was designed, baked and presented. We were a bit concerned as to how it would travel in 35 degrees + but it was boxed up with instructions to keep it cool and with confidence the happy couple [and the cake] started their 8 hour journey via an overnight stop in Melbourne.

HAPPY ENDINGS - COMMENT FROM HAPPY CUSTOMER

Hi Janet,

The cake was a real hit, and carried well. The highlight of our lunch.

FIRST FONDANT BOW!

30th Wedding Anniversary Cake

Emma brought a picture of the original wedding cake, 30 years before and asked me to make a contemporary version. Gerberas replaced the original flowers and the colours were a more electric blue. The cake itself was a marbled mudcake covered in white chocolate ganache and topped with fondant.

The following message posted on Flickr page

"Hi Jan

What a lovely cake. It was enjoyed by all on the night and tasted great. Thanks so much and I will definitely pass your number on."

Emma Mount

Fisherman Cake

"Janet thank you so much for the cake. My husband liked it and it tasted great. Everyone loved it.I have your details by the phone and will have no hesitation in using you again and recommending you to my friends"

The cake was requested by a lady whose husband was turning 60.

The theme 'The Great Outdoors" He enjoyed fishing, and he had just bought a tinny [boat]. He was a former rugby player. Although living in Australia for over 20 years he was a proud New Zealander. I decided to include the icons of kiwi and the sheep and designed the rugby jersey including the White Fern and 60. I couldn't resist the gum tree and the snake which are Aussie icons.

Star Wars Cake

I love getting feedback, this time by email and printed word for word:


Hello there Janet,
                            My apologies,  I've been meaning to contact you in regards to Reubens birthday cake,  I must say it was a winner for sure!  And you were worried that it was going to be too sweet,  well it was supurb!!!!  Mmmmm,  Very very Yummy indeed.  Reuben was most satisfied, as was everyone else.  I wish to thank you again for your scrumsious creamy buttery icing!!  Two thumbs up!!!!!!!  Thanks again Janet!!!
Regards  Jodie P


How nice.

Patchwork cake [70th]

Just received this feedback from a happy customer:


Dear Janet,
I just want to say thank you for the lovely 70th birthday cake you made for me. I was delighted with the patchwork theme which was a special touch. The cake got many compliments at my party and it tastes as nice as it looks. I had a lovely time with family and friends and my birthday cake just set it off.
Thanks again and best wishes,
Lyn R