Little known Penguin - but SUPER none of the less!

One of our friends from school requested a SUPERTUX cake.  "Supertux?", I asked.  To make a long story short, it's a freeware game supplied to Linux customers. Their adorable boy, Ryan, loves the game and that started my journey getting to know Supertux.  To be honest, never heard of that game before and to be fair and design the cake accurately, I decided to play it.  It's not a bad game, the kids like it! It feels like and is very similar to Super Mario Bros.  I played it, designed it and made it.  Talk about dedication.  LOL.  Well hope you all like this cake.  I got quiet attached to the little penguin but I am happy to see that Ryan likes his cake and most importantly recognizes it as a Supertux cake.

Summer's Bounty

We have been really fortunate this summer with our garden bounty.  The kids have been working hard in maintaining the little fruit/veg in the backyard.  We have 4 young blueberry trees, a really small field of strawberries, a bunch of raspberries, pumpkin plant and 10 corn stalks.  And, one sunflower plant orphaned from last years... We did not plant one this year but it grew anyways!
Here are some pictures to share..

Baby Shower Cake

Busy weekend this week.  It seems everything comes in 3s.  3 life changing news and 3 cakes!   On Wednesday, I was in panic mode but it all worked out as I had a cancellation.  Whew! Sometimes, you must look at the brighter side of things. 

 This cake is requested by a friend also named Christine for a Baby Shower.  She requested Vanilla and Mango.  I got the cradle idea from another  fellow blogger but I added my own spin on it, will credit her when I remember where I got it from. I decided to add the ruffles, ribbons and bows.  The pillow and babe is made out of gumpaste.  I was just going to fill the cradle with baby things but I decided to to make a baby boy.  The swaddle, I had to play around with and the baby pin has a non edible material, floral wire.

So Many Stars...

My cousin asked me to make a Surprise bday cake for their mom, Marilyn.  Of course, I said yes! Although, It's a busy long weekend, I will make it happen.  The request was for a jazzy, musical cake.  I asked what her fave songs was and I got "So many stars" by Sergio Mendes.  So here it is,
Vanilla Chiffon with Mango buttercream.  The border is an edible musical sheet icing.

Grace and Grace

My bro-in-law's friend, Grace, wanted a cake for Grace - another friend.  They are practically family-they've been friends since the old ages! LOL :)  Anywhoo, it's a 10th year anniversary cake... a replica of their wedding cake. 

 the original Wedding cake.

(courtesy of Grace and Steve)

My replica.

It's made out of  light and airy Vanilla Chiffon, fresh and local raspberry infused syrup and natural raspberry Italian meringue buttercream.  I also wanted to try something I never have before, instead of dirty icing or crumb coating the tiers - I made some White Chocolate Ganache and covered the cake.

I hope they like it!

Velvet Dreams

It's been awhile... busy with other things.  I made this batch of Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting for my daughter's teachers and my hubbie's co-workers.  I will find reason to bake!  This recipe is delish!  The cake has a hint of chocolate.  Yummy!

Alyssa's Birthday

So, my friend, Alyssa turned 32!  I asked her daughter, Jaimie, what kind of cake her mom would like? Colour? Flower?  Jaimie answered, purple, ladybugs and daisies! 

Fondant and chocolate (cupcake wrapper) cake.  Vanilla and White Chocolate Buttercream with Vanilla bean syrup.  Yummy! 

Butter Heaven!!!

Butter. What more can I say?  Butter taste good, makes everything it touches taste good.  You bake without it... it does not taste the same! On corn... yum! toast, pasta, popcorn, cupcakes...

So, Can you make butter at home?  I heard it's alot of work, churning and churning forever!  Every family has a butter churning story!  Mine, my family? Nope.. asian/ oriental cuisine does not use or depend on butter (oh! sacrilege!).  Anyways, on our first class with Chef Maurizio, he mentioned that when you over whipped cream, don't panic, just keep on going and make butter.  Make butter? butter? really?  I am so intrigued!  Chef gave us a quick run down on making butter but I am so determine to make my yellow goodness at home that I came home that same night and was 'googling' (is that a word?) how to make butter!  Yep, I found excellent instruction over the internet!


So, when to the market and purchased regular whipping cream and the organic version.  It took me a few days to get enough courage to go ahead and make my own *gulp* butter!

So here is the result... (summarized version)

over whipped cream, turning a little yellow and a little thick!

fat separating from milk which will turn to buttermilk

I don't have a picture of the straining.  I used a cheese cloth and separated the fat from the buttermilk.  You'll end up with a yellow, yummy butter. Remember, rinse your butter to completely rinse the buttermilk. Drain well!

 taste test! Unsalted butter, left: store brand.  I can hardly taste the difference but the home made butter texture is so smooth!

Last but not the least, fresh buttermilk!

A few facts before, I end this super long post, bare with me and thanks for your patience!

These info are taken from sources. I am no butter expert but here's what I learned.

• When you use your Kitchen Aid to over-whip your cream, it will splash everywhere, unless you want to wear milk and smell like buttermilk, please cover your kitchen aid (while whipping) with a tea towel or something.
• Best butter money can buy are European butters, it has over 80% butter fat.  Store bought ones (yes, even the organic ones) have at least 10% less.  
• Store bought ones are mix with water or the buttermilk is not completely drain.  Why? they have more yield on their production.$$$ *cha-ching!*
• The more butter fat your butter has the better!
• Always use unsalted, you can control your salt!

Thank You!

Banana Cupcake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

 

Cait has been asking me to make her some banana cake to take to school as a recess snack.  So I made a double batch of Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream.  I am not a big Cream Cheese desserts.  I find them to dense and strong tasting.  But I do love cream cheese on savory dishes.  For mother's day I made my mom some pistachio cheese cake and it was pretty good!  

I had to play around the portion of c.cheese and icing sugar as I wish it to have a hint of c. cheese without overpowering the banana. It is so YUMMY!

Jorge's 26th

Paola wanted to surprise her fiance with a football helmet cake.  I never tried making a 3D helmet before so why not.  What a challenge! I was up pass 3am for this cake it's worth it.  I hope they both like it!!! 

Black and White Classic!

There something about a black and white cakes that screams classic!  It always reminds me of the classic 'Sabrina' movie with Audrey Hepburn.  Could it be the glorious black Givenchy dress?  How about topped with a classic and simple White Anemone flower? 

I wanted to make a simple and classic cake donation for a silent auction and here is what I came up with inspired by P. Porschen.

 

I can't resist sharing another one... One of the cake designs that I made from the cake class with Cheft Maurizio P. from Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.  

How many cakes can you make in a Day?

I don't know about you but I think 4 is way to much.  That is the number I have to bake, assemble and decorate for the Spring Fair.  In between the baking and cooling, I have 2 kids to care for, referee and entertain.  Thank goodness for Pokemon!  I still have one more Very, Very Special cake to make for someone :D... it's a surprise!  I will post pictures on Sunday!