My PawPaw Got Married!!!

And I was able to do his cake.  This now makes for my second wedding cake and I busted my butt working on it.  My poor tried his best to avoid the kitchen at all costs b/c I commandeered every inch of counter space we have.  But, it was wonderful and everyone loved it, especially my Papaw and his new bride.

 

The top layer was for them to keep and it was a single layer of vanilla.  The Second Layer was vanilla cake with strawberry filling.  YUM YUM!

 

 

I found the most AMAZING technique for fillings online.  The recommended buy a jar of whatever flavor jelly you wish to use and microwaving the jelly in short bursts until jelly is runny.  Then, you add a small box of jelly mix in the corresponding flavor and stir until combined.

While it's still a bit runny, you spread a thin layer on between your cakes and VOILA!  The jello mix makes the jelly solidify more so it doesn't make your cake soggy.  Plus, the flavor is more intensified (and not as sweet) thanks to the jello as well.  Needless to say, it was very well received!

 

 

 The third layer was just a single layer of chocolate.  But the bottom layer was my favorite...Red Velvet!!!!!  Oh YEAH!  Those that took a slice of the other tiers made sure to come back for another slice to try the red velvet.

 

All in all, it was a wonderful cake and a wonderful wedding. 

First Wedding Cake...EVER!!!

So, we all know that I have been away learning how to be a mother of two.  (It is a lot harder than I thought it would be and I knew it would be difficult.  I wasn't blowing it off or thinking other mothers were just cry babies.  I was well aware that it would not be a cake walk but dad-gum!)  Thankfully, things have finally started to even out a bit.  (YEAH!)

Life is getting into a more consistent swing and I felt that I could take on a cake project.  My friend's brother got married and she wanted a wedding cake for the happy couple even though this was second marriage for both of them.  (It's always a good idea to have a cake!)  Needless to say, I felt up to the challenge.

The idea of making a fancy wedding cake for someone's special day is nerve racking to me b/c it is going to be remembered for all eternity and therefore, it must be perfect.  Luckily, however, it was only to be a casual reception a week after the actual wedding ceremony, which relieved me of the major nerves I would have felt otherwise.  (WOO HOO!)

I got all psyched up and emailed different ideas and pictures of all this detailed scroll work and fancy monogramming and such only to have them ask for dots. 

"But can't I do at least a little scroll work?...PLEASE?"
"If you must.  But NO fondant."
"What?  But it will look so much smoother with fondant."
"We don't like the texture."
...etc
...etc
"But fondant is a lot easier for me to smooth on a cake."
"It'll be fine.  No one will notice anyway."
"FINE.  But only b/c it's you."

So, despite my begging and pleading, I was NOT allowed to use fondant but I did manage to widdle them down and add a little bit of fancy stuff.  What do you think?

I think it turned out nicely, especially after being away for so long.  Everyone liked the design.  It had the dots and also a little something extra to make it special.

Caramel Pretzel Sticks

I found a recipe on Pinterest and just HAD to try it.

The original recipe was for Caramel Pretzel Bites from The Busty Baker but I couldn't find the Pretzel Nuggets.

Instead, I used Pretzel Sticks and I think it might have proved a little easier with the dipping.  It took me exactly 1 hour to finish 50 sticks...start to finish.

CARAMEL PRETZEL STICKS

1.  Unwrap the caramels and microwave them for 20 seconds to make them a little more pluable.
2.  Stretch the caramel into a flat rectangular shape.
3.  Wrap caramel around half of the pretzel stick.
4.  Smooth caramel by rolling between palms.
5.  Melt Baker's Chocolate in microwave according to the directions.
6.  Dip caramel end in the chocolate and lay on wax paper to dry.

Let me show you what I mean...

** NOTE to SELF**

The Baker's Chocolate I used was completely gone after 50 sticks.

There was not enough to finish that last one in the corner.

(One is missing b/c it got eaten.)

Chicken Parmesan

I know this is not my usual post but...it was just too good not to share.

Last night, I made the most delicious Chicken Parmesan I have ever tasted!  It was crispy but still moist and the mozzarella on top had just the right amount of stretch to make it fun.  Mmmmm...my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I am very much an amateur in the kitchen.  My talent lies strictly in the decoration of pastries.  That's what makes this even more amazing.

CRISPY CHICKEN PARMESAN

1.  Tenderize raw chicken breast.
2.  Dipped chicken breast in raw egg.
3.  Coated chicken breast in Italian Bread Crumbs Mixture. 
          (I added a few extra spices like Thyme, Garlic, and Oregano to mixture)
4.  Redipped the chicken in the egg and again in the bread crumbs.
5.  Dropped the chicken in hot vegetable oil for 3 minutes...about 1.5 minutes on each side...or until golden.

6.  Placed chicken on baking sheet and baked for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
7.  Once the timer went off, I topped the chicken with a few spoonfulls of pasta sauce and some shredded mozzarella cheese.
8.  Baked the chicken for another 5 minutes and let it cool while I plated the spaghetti and broccoli.

And Voila!

Easter Bunny Cake Ideas

Everyone celebrates Easter differently and for different reasons.  Personally, a cake in the shape of a cross would be more appropriate but a bunny cake is much more fun to decorate.  There are plenty of ways to decorate a bunny cake ranging from super easy to really involved.

EASY EXAMPLE:

Found at Betty Crocker 

 

Cake found at Pragmatic Compendium

MEDIUM EXAMPLE:

Found at Junk Yard Club House

 

Cake found at Country Living

EXAMPLE of REALLY INVOLVE:

Found at Junk Yard Club House 

  

 

Cake found at Andrea's Recipes

and finally...WOW!!!

  

Cake found at The Lady Gloom

Cake found at Jane Asher

And if you want to take all the guess work out of the carving, you can try Wilton's:

3D Bunny Pan

Step-By-Step Bunny Pan 

Cottontail Bunny Pan

or their Mini-Bunny-Pan

No matter which way you choose to go, make sure you have fun decorating.  Don't get bogged down by your To-Do list.  Enjoy those around you and remember the reason for the season.

Update

We have added a new little angel to our family and it has been a whirlwind of adjustment!  The little one is almost 2 months now and is "sort of" sleeping through the night. Sounds good except that she begins stirring around 4:00 in the morning.  I get up to feed her but she's asleep again before you get to the crib.  We do this for about an hour before she's up for real at 6:30am.

Our 3 year old is thrilled to have baby here but has upped the hyper activity.  She has driven me completely nuts for the past month and a half.  She is FINALLY starting to calm down just in the past week.

I have tried to do a little baking but not with much success.  Too many interruptions.  I actually burned some Funfetti cupcakes so badly the paper cups turned black.  YIKES!

I did manage a cake for one of my hubby's co-workers.  It was her birthday and I made a Chocolate Chip Layer Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing from the Cake Mix Doctor....

It was YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I will be using this recipe again for a school fundraising auction in April.

Baby is HERE!!!!!

Our sweet Olivie is HERE!!!!!

Big sister is thrilled!