Wednesday, August 15, 2012

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.










Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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.)