Cakes — Page 23

Kimberley Bridal Fair: Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre

April 8, 2013 by Jenn

Towards the end of last year (2012) we had the privilege of sponsoring the Kimberley Bridal Fair, which was held on the ski hill at the Kimberley Conference and Athlete Training Centre. Working with Meta (Events Coordinator) is always a joy as she is such a great person! She is incredibly busy, but always has time to chat and to check on how her patrons are doing. We also sponsored the St Eugene Bridal Fair this year, and I will be doing a post on that event soon as well.

Here’s me at our table 🙂

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cakes, Weddings Tagged With: bridal fair, Kimberley Bridal Fair, wedding cakes, weddings

Fondant Extruder: Baking Quick Tip

February 6, 2013 by Jenn

Since I’ve started decorating cakes, I have found cake tools (aka my toys) that I never would have imagine existed! There is seriously a tool for every technique that anyone decorating a cake could ever want or need. This Fondant Extruder is one of those tools.

When I first started cake decorating, I was instructed the “Wilton Way” by two great instructors. I learned how to decorate cakes and flowers and designs, and in one specific instruction, I was taught how to make a long “snake” like border. To do this, I was told to take 2 long dowels of wood (provided by Wilton) and to roll a piece of fondant between these two rods until I had a nice long “rope”. It worked, but it was constantly breaking and I was having to use many pieces of fondant to make enough of a rope to cover the base of a cake.

I knew there had to be an alternative method. While searching, I found a fondant extruder which was the answer to my problems! Using this tool enables you to produce a long rope simply buy twisting the handle, which presses down inside the tube against a disc, and out comes whatever shape you’re looking for! The version of the extruder that I have has many different discs, and many different shapes can be produced . . . square, diamond, multi openings for hair, grass etc, all sizes of circles for different widths of borders or ropes.

If you find yourself need a lot of uniform rope for decorating, I highly recommend getting yourself a fondant extruder. It makes the decorating process much quicker and produces a product that is uniform in shape and size. If you have any questions, just let me know!

You can buy a fondant extruder Here

Filed Under: Cakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: fondant, Fondant Extruder

Tips for Choosing a Wedding Cake Design

January 13, 2013 by Jenn

Choosing a wedding cake design can be one of the most exciting tasks that you are faced with during your engagement. Made from scratch with quality, fresh ingredients and decorated by a skilled cake designer, wedding cakes are remembered for years to come.

Choosing a Decorator/Baker: When choosing a baker, at least 4-6 months ahead of time, you want to ensure that your choice is someone who comes with a portfolio, reference and one who can provide you with testimonials. Make sure that your cake decorator.baker is using a health inspected kitchen, and is currently practising food safety! A quality cake decorator will want to meet with you to discuss our cake design.

Personalizing Your Cake: Your wedding cake should match the overall look and feel of your wedding, menu and the decor of your reception. Do you like simple or unique? Classic or personalized? Shaped? Stacked? Fresh flowers or sugar flowers?

Choosing a Flavour: When choosing a flavour, you may want to consider what season you are having you wedding in Summer offers up lighter lemon and berry flavours, while the fall leads more to flavours like pumpkin, or spice cake. When it comes to frosting your cake, you can choose from buttercream frosting, fondant, gum paste and royal icing.

Pricing: The most important thing to remember when you are pricing out a cake is your budget. Wedding cakes are often priced on a per serving basis, and can vary anywhere from $2.00 per serving to $15.00!

Delivery: When discussing details with your cake decorator, figure out who is responsible for delivery. Having your cake delivered by the professional is your best bet.

For more detailed information, head on over to JJ’s Custom Cakery Weddings section!

This editorial (written by me) was originally published in the East Kootenay Weddings book, January 2011.

Filed Under: Cakes, Weddings Tagged With: choosing wedding cake, wedding, wedding cake design, wedding cakes

Minecraft Cake

January 12, 2013 by Jenn

Minecraft is one of the most popular games going right now. To play this game you place blocks and build anything you want! I researched that, yo. I had no idea what Minecraft was when I first heard the name. And after telling people about the cake I was working on, I learned I was not alone. Who are the people making this game popular? I know exactly who . . . the YOUNG! Unfortunately, I am not in that age category anymore. I’m not my Grandma old (98), but apparently, neither am I young, or hip.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: minecraft, minecraft cake, minecraft how to, minecraft tutorial

2013 Wedding Cake Trends

January 11, 2013 by Jenn

The New Year brings about a change from 2012 Wedding Cake trends (elegant, classic, and bold) to brand new 2013 trends! When it comes to organizing a wedding, choosing the cake for the special day can be one of the most exciting planning events! I’ve been decorating cakes for a while now, and I think that these are the trends we will see this year!

Vintage
Paying homage to era’s past, wedding cakes will be showing muted colours, ruffles and lace. Lace on wedding cakes will dominate 2013 styles as embellishments, edging and overall icing design. Mimicking bridal dresses including corsets, ruffles and lace details, will be also be very popular and will be seen accented with jewels and bling!

Mint
Mint green made a start in 2012, and it’s popularity will continue to grow in 2013. Cupcakes and cakes coloured mint, with matching elaborations will be popular on cake tables this year. Pairing the colour mint with the flavour, chocolate cakes filled with mint buttercream will create the perfect match.

Extravagant flavours
Pairing sweet and salty flavours together, such as peanut butter and chocolate are breaking the traditional vanilla. Salted caramel filling and buttercream is very popular and pairs well with both chocolate and vanilla. How does bacon sound in your cake? For a groom’s cake, it is becoming very popular, showing appreciation to the men in the reception. Looking for something lighter? Try lemon lavender . . . lemon buttercream paired with lavender buttercream.

Patterns- Bold, Bright and Beautiful!

Patterns such as chevrons, stripes, and circles will be a popular 2013 style. Bold, clean patterns with bright accents, flowers and ribbons will compliment basic white coverings, and standout as serious statement pieces.

Tall Tiers
Cakes in 2013 will be tall . . . the taller the better! Tall tiers (six inches in height) with multiple tiers (four and five levels) will create cakes that will dwarf cakes of years past. These prominent tiers will create a memorable site for all to see.

For more information on cake design and a free consultation, send me an email over at my business site . . . JJ’s Custom Cakery!

Filed Under: Cakes, Weddings Tagged With: 2013 cake trends, 2013 trends, cranbrook weddings, kootenay weddings, wedding cake, wedding cake trends, weddings

Poinsettia Christmas Cake

December 17, 2012 by Jenn

I’ve got one last Christmasy idea for you before the big day next week! If you’re one of our 11,000 subscribers on YouTube, you’ve already seen this (and thank you for subscribing!), but in the hustle and bustle of this fall, I am finally getting this up on the blog.

In this video, we are using Photofrost frosting sheets, and our Cricut Cake to make multiple layered poinsettia leaves. There are lots of steps to this cake, and it comes out stunning, and perfect for the holidays!

Photofrost contacted us about making a cake using their coloured frosting sheets, and knowing that we had Christmas videos to film, we brainstormed a cake that would work for both sides: a cake that would show off Photofrost’s product, and one that we could do showcasing our Cricut cake.

You can bake any cake for this one, what I did was bake three layers (two vanilla, one red velvet) of eight inch cake, to give the cake height in order to ensure that the poinsettia’s that border the bottom of the cake were not cramped along the bottom or too high to the top.

To make this cake, you will need: frosting sheets (red and green), 3×8″ cake layers, Cricut Cake (or flower tracer/scissors).

Have look-see of the video, and let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Holidays!

Filed Under: Cakes, Holiday Baking, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Christmas Cake, frosting sheets, icing sheets, Poinsettia Cake

How to Make Ketchup Cake

November 11, 2012 by Jenn

Ketchup chips, yes.

Ketchup and fries, yes.

Ketchup and eggs, yes.

Ketchup and cake? NO! Oh, yes, definitely yes!

I know it’s not your average vanilla or chocolate cake, but this cake deserves attention! It is rich in spices, which will remind you of carrot cake, and rich fall flavours found in pumpkin and apple cakes.

The ketchup is not an over powering flavour in the cake. It’s almost like an after taste. Be sure to pair it with cream cheese icing!

Ketchup Cake Recipe:
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) cinnamon
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground ginger
1/2 cup (125 mL) tomato ketchup
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
2 tbsp (30 mL) red food colouring
3/4 cup (175 mL) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs

For procedure, check out the video . . . enjoy!

Filed Under: Cakes, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: Ketchup Cake, Make Ketchup Cake

Pumpkin Shaped Cake

October 18, 2012 by Jenn

I’ve got one more Fall video to show you! Please bear with me, it’s one of my favourite times of the year . . .Eeek!!

This is an idea that I saw on Pinterest . . . where did our ideas come from prior to Pinterest?? Seriously . . . did we have to use our brains and think like individuals or something? Phewf, glad that is over with.

To make this pumpkin shaped cake, what you’re going to need is a bundt pan, two batches of any flavour of cake batter and coloured buttercream (we have all of these videos up on our channel if you need recipes). Using the bundt pan, you’re going to bake each recipe of cake batter, let them cool, level them off, put them on top of each other, and then ice it like a pumpkin! Easy and cute!

Now, if that confuses you, just watch the video and it will all make sense. Enjoy!

One person on our YouTube channel suggested that you pipe a face on it to make it look like a jack-o-lantern . . . that would be so cute as well!

Filed Under: Cakes, Holiday Baking, Tutorials, Videos Tagged With: pumpkin, pumpkin shaped cake, thanksgiving, thanksgiving cake