Flip-flop cake!

Isn't this fun? I had 2 frozen "flip-flops" in my freezer from a baby shower that never happened because the mom-to-be went into labor early! So, I decided it was time to make use of them! I took one to a "card-swap" night last night, and the other I'll take over to the new mom today.



I used buttercream icing with fondant decorations. My buttercream was a bit thin, so it didn't smooth out as well as I liked (hence the "cracked" look in the middle)However, the thinner the icing, the easier it is to spread on without crumbs. It's hard to find that "perfect" consistency and balance... I'm still working on that definition!

I did chocolate cake with a chocolate whipped cream filling. It is easy and SO delicious!

How to bake a perfect cake!

The key to getting your cakes just perfect is to get your pans greased well and right.
You can do this a few different ways:
1. The old fashioned way: grease with shortening, then flour it. This works great! But can be a bit time consuming and messy, and you'll be sure to have flour all over yourself and your kitchen.
2. Use something called "Cake release." You can go to your local craft store and buy the Wilton cake release, but why do that when you can save money and make it at home?
3. Make your own cake release! Let me show you how to do it.

Start with just THREE ingredients!



Pretty simple, right?

Now blend:
1 cup of your flour, 1 cup of shortening, and 3/4 cup oil. Mmmm... good for you.


Use a pastry brush to spread the cake release into your pans. Don't leave any metal showing.


Add your cake batter. Mine is lemon this time. My husband requested a lemon baked alaska for his birthday! I have never tried it before, so keep posted to see how it turns out.

Bake it according to your cake directions until your toothpick comes out clean. Almost done!


Let cool for 5-10 minutes, then turn over onto a cooling rack.
Good job! You baked a "perfect" cake! That was easier than you thought, right?



Now, for your cake release. Pour it into a sealable container.


It will keep in your kitchen cupboard. No need to refrigerate. Now you are a cake baking guru! And for next time you decide to bake a cake, it is all ready to go!

Welcome!

I am starting a new cake decorating blog and business! I love cake, I love baking, and I love being able to be creative and "artsy" in an edible way! I am hoping to start selling my cakes soon, because my hobby is really a lot of sugar and frosting for just our little family. :) I will have prices and a pamphlet up soon! For now, enjoy some pictures of some past cakes I have made.

Birthday Cakes

Here's a few birthday cakes I have done in the last little while.


Little Victoria's "Lady Bug Cake". Her mom said she liked lady bugs and this is what I came up with. This was the first time I tried Marshmallow Fondant. So much yummier than the store bought kind!


This was for my cute neighbor's little girl. I thought the cake matched the girl!


This was our foster daughter's birthday cake. She loves basketball and hot pink. :)


Jackson's "Football Cake". His dad had a lot of input into how this was done. I think it turned out so cute. Mmmm. I can still remember how yummy the chocolate cream filling turned out.




One of my first cakes: Jackson's "Train Cake"... It was actually REALLY long, and way too much cake for the amount of people at the party. It was LOADED with candy, so the kids loved it. Such a cute visual effect to have it running all the way down the table.

Pink Chocolate

This was for a girl at K's work. I love brown and pink!