Purple Perfection Peony Spray
Peonies are one of my favorite flowers, we have had them adorn our landscaping for almost 22 years; I remember planting our first peony plant with Sydney (she was almost two) and it just happened to be Mother’s Day. As I was covering the the second cake Sydney came through the door ready for 10 days of fun (she is spending the summer in DC). I had originally created the Peony cake topper as another cake, in a long line, of 21 birthday cakes for her to choose from. The Peony symbolizes friendship, good luck, feminine beauty, elegance and poise, all the qualities Sydney has acquired. For...
Read MoreFabric Fondant Billow Weave Cake
I posted a few days ago Sydney will be turning 21, and I am creating a few different cakes for her to choose from for her party. This is the first cake for her to view. This cake is a billow weave, Susan Trianos has a wonderful video explaining how she creates a wonderful tufted billow weave cake. The first time I saw the billow weave I thought of Sydney, between her love of fashion and fondant cakes, I knew she would adore the fabric fondant cake. Generally, Sydney and I will construct a cake together via FaceTime, it is fun to create the same cake in two time zones; however I...
Read MoreSugar Paste Rose
I love a full open rose sitting on top of a cake. It is a simple touch of elegance. I had planned on designing a few cakes for Sydney to choose from for 21st birthday party. The first element I need is for her to choose from is the type of topper; she is leaning towards a flower. She wanted to see a few different types, last year we designed Butterfly Orchids for her birthday cake. This year she hasn’t a clue, so I thought I would start with the rose, but I wanted to have a fabric quality to match the cake design, (I plan to explain the cake design in another post). I found a perfect...
Read MoreRoyal Icing Daisies
It would seem Colorado wants to hold onto winter, we have had 3 major snow storms every Tuesday for the last 3 weeks; today we finally seem to be warming up. I thought if I decorated some daisy cupcakes I might give colorado a punch in the arm, so to speak. If know anything about Sydney and I we love warm weather, once Christmas has past we start dreaming of the balmy spring days. Sydney and I find use out of the t-shape parchment paper under a piece cellophane and visualizing the nail head is a clock to insure realistic daisies every time. Sydney had the idea of the “T” shape...
Read MorePurple Passion Fondant High Heel Shoe
Shoes are the number one accessory; women brag about how many pairs of shoes they have in their closet. Mariah Carey had Mario Buatta design an elegant space with gold-leaf and bleached-wood floors for her stilettos. Although my husband has to share his closet with my left over shoes I do not have a special built room just for my shoes, I would not object to one! I admit I adore shoes, wearing them, looking at them, and shopping for them, so it only seems obvious that a shoe would be a popular cake topper. For the past few years fashion cakes have become popular. When I decided to write a...
Read MoreThe Luck of the Irish, Crème de Menthe Cupcakes
DF asked me to bake cupcakes for the women in human resources (to thank them). With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner I thought they should be decorated for the occasion. I was inspired by, of all things, a 21 century insurance commercial. I realize how odd that may sound, but in the little commercial they show this fantasy land with grass, a pound, and flowers; the person who has the 21 century insurance receives a visit from a leprechaun dancing around a pot of gold. I knew I wanted the cupcakes to resemble the scenery. When Sydney saw the leprechaun hats, prior to petal dusting...
Read More“In your Easter Bonnet with all The Frills Upon it”
I have had a love for Judy Garland since I was a little girl; my father introduced me to The Wizard of Oz when I was two. From that moment on, I watched every Judy Garland movie I could find. I still can recall the first time I saw Judy Garland and Fred Astaire dancing and singing to classics like “We’re a Couple Swells”, “Drum Crazy”, and of course “Easter Parade”. I introduced Sydney to Judy Garland and now we both share an admiration for her movies. Sydney thought it might be fun to dedicate a blog to the Easter Parade. She happened to be home...
Read MoreCherry Blossom Fortune Cupcakes
Sydney started noticing personalized fortune cookies and thought it might be fun if we created fondant fortune cookies with a gumpaste personalized message. I thought it would be perfect to add cherry blossoms gumpaste flowers with cherry blossom flavored cupcakes. As I have written prior, cherry blossoms are a major part of D.C. history. Sydney and I FaceTime and Skyped this post together, I must admit it was hilarious to watch us trying to figure the structure of the fortune cookie over the internet (D.F. was in tears from laughing). There were a few times Sydney became dizzy from my...
Read MoreSweet Strawberry Angel Food Cake
This past week Sydney and I did not have an opportunity to bake together; it was time to move her to George Washington University, her new home while she finishes her undergrad years. It seems strange to start a baking project alone in my kitchen, I find myself missing her idiosyncrasies that once made me crazy. As most of my readers know Sydney is more than my daughter, she is my best friend, business partner, and my inspiration! She continually surprises me with her hidden inner strength and resolve. I realize most mommy bloggers write about younger children, but we parents don’t...
Read MoreGift Box Cake Filled with Peace and Hope in 2013
As I write this special post I am in Washington D.C. dropping Sydney off to start her junior year at George Washington University. It seem apropos to be in our nation’s capital while I write a gift box cake post dedicated to a New Year filled with peace and hope. Sydney and I started the plans for the peace gift box cake the day after Christmas 2012. I was reminiscing with Sydney when it occurred to me how much violence has happened in her short life compared to my entire life; I wish I could erase all the awful events from our world, since that is impossible I thought I could pray that...
Read MoreA Baking Year in Review
Sydney and I are presently working on a very special post, but in the meantime we thought it might be fun to revisit 2012. We were blessed with an amazing friend who travels home, to Japan, twice a year, and generously brought us back a plethora of cherry blossom flavors. We spent an entire month using cherry blossom extract, sugars, and compounds in array of treats, by far the favorite was the Cherry Blossom Macarons. And Strawberry-Blossom Macarons. This summer Sydney turned 20 and wanted us to design Butterfly Orchids out of gumpaste for a tiered birthday cake. We spent a good 5 days...
Read MorePoinsettia Cake, A Peek into our Holiday Traditions
Poinsettias have become a staple during the holiday season, the plant is sold every year, and most homes have a few. It has become a family tradition to design a special cake that represents the season, last year we created a Buche de Nöel (Yule Log), I suggested we design another this year, but Sydney wanted something spectacular! Thinking of a spatular cake isn’t as easy as you think. As I was thumping the front of my head saying “think, think, think,” yes just like Winnie the Pooh, I glanced over to fireplace and saw…a poinsettia plant. Eureka! I had a dazzling...
Read MoreMr. Freeze, The Holiday Cake that Came to Life
Sydney was looking through Alan Dunn’s, Christmas Cakes (A perfect gift for any cake enthusiast) when she came across a cake of the most adorable snowman. She insisted we create a snowman cake of are own. Alan Dunn’s cake inspired Sydney and I to design our own version. I knew the cake would be a fun project for us, but I must admit I was caught off guard at the amount of excitement that came over us as we began bringing the cake to life. We found ourselves giggling like first graders as we added the parts of the snowman’s body and apparel. As we added the last snowflake a...
Read MoreStollen, A Christmas Family Tradition
Every year at this time, for the past eighteen years, Sydney and I bake a Christmas Stollen. When Sydney was small, her job was to roll the almond paste (her favorite flavor) and pour all the ingredients, as she grew up so did her baking capabilities! This year as we were baking our Christmas Stollen I realized it would be the last time we would bake a Stollen together for at least six years; Sydney has been accepted to The George Washington University for the spring semester, she leaves the first week of January. Next year I will be baking most of the Christmas indulgences for her...
Read MoreChristmas Cranberry Pound Cake
I am going through a fresh cranberry phase, Sydney and I have been finding ways to develop recipes that incorporate cranberries; putting them in stollens, brioche pockets, cookies, and a cranberry white chocolate cake. I believe we have started a new family holiday dessert tradition. This past Sunday we had friends over for dinner, the dinner consisted of bolognese, warm pancetta spinach salad, garlic bread, steamed green beans, and to finish the meal we had cranberry white chocolate pound cake. I must admit I was on “pins an needles” waiting to hear their opinion of the...
Read MoreApple Cider Cupcakes with Acorns and Oak Leaves
This year for our Thanksgiving Sydney and I thought Apple Cider cupcakes with gumpaste acorns and oaks leaves would be fun and festive place tags that will adorn our table! Apple cider starts the holiday, once you begin to see gallons of it in the food stores you can’t help but start thinking of the festivities. Thanksgiving is the first of the holiday meals, family and friends gather together, while cooking, baking, and of course eating! Sydney and I wait all year to host Thanksgiving at our home, and we try to show our appreciation for our guests with special edible place...
Read MoreBoston Cream Pie: A Special Thanksgiving Dessert
Boston Cream Pie happens to be DF’s favorite dessert; Sydney and I normally bake him a special Boston Cream Pie for his birthday every year! This year Sydney thought, since DF’s birthday is two weeks prior to Thanks giving, Boston Cream Pie would be the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert, and DF had his second favorite dessert, Belgium Chocolate Cake . You might be wondering about the traditional pumpkin and apple pie, no worries those wonderful Thanksgiving desserts will adorn our table too. When Sydney first approached me with the idea of changing the “main”...
Read MoreHappy Halloween Cupcakes
Halloween is as entertaining for adult as it is for children; Sydney and I are no exception. We become completely engaged in decorating, dressing-up, and baking treats to give to family and friends. These amusing cat, bat, pumpkin and ghost cupcakes are just one of many mouthwatering goodies we are packaging to hand out. With just a few materials and imagination an ordinary cupcake becomes a boolicously, unique Halloween pastry, that is irresistible to all. Sydney and I baked an extra batch for the preschoolers she is observing for her development class. The kids frosted, with help, and...
Read MoreJust in Time for Autumn Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes
This time of year pumpkins and gourds are everywhere; we plan trips to arboretums to find that perfect pumpkin worthy of carving and placing on or near the front porch. I vividly remember carpooling a car of excited three and four year olds for their first arboretum. Sydney and her friend’s energetic excitement became contagious and exhilarating; we began going each year as a family. Sydney and I were reminiscing our Autumn arboretum ritual and thought creating mini pumpkin shaped bundt cakes, orange flavored, would be a great way to honor a sweet memory and have a delicious...
Read MoreBewitching Dulce de Leche, Brush Embroidered Cupcakes
The holiday season has officially begun with the month of October and Halloween; from now until Jan 1st celebrations will be happening each month. This month we have the opportunity to dress in costume, eat amazing goodies, help with school Halloween parties, and decorate our homes with scary witches, skeletons, webs, and spiders. When sydney was young I couldn’t wait for this time of year to start, Sydney and I baked up a plethora of treats for her parties. Now we have the opportunity to bake for other little one’s parties. This year we thought it might be fun to create brush...
Read MoreDaffodil Cupcakes, for a Sweet Wedding
Sydney and I were asked to create Daffodil cupcakes for a wedding, the daffodil happens to be the bride’s favorite flower.The bride, Tara wanted cupcakes in lieu of a traditional wedding cake, I must admit this was the first wedding Sydney and I prepared cupcakes for as an alternative to a cake. I suggested we in conjunction with the cupcakes create a small cake for the bride and groom to cut and feed each other the traditional bite. Tara loved the idea! A few little guide lines to help your daffodils be a success: Always prepare extra due to how fragile the dry gumpaste becomes...
Read MoreBlood Orange and White Chocolate Chunk Pound Cake
Pound cakes are so popular I decided to welcome the changing season (early September 22, 2012 the Fall season begins) with a blood orange white chocolate pound cake. As many of you already know DF enjoys pound cake; Sydney and I were lucky to be able to photograph this cake before he cut himself a piece. He reminded me of a young boy waiting for the release of a new version of a video game. Sydney was having a hard time styling the pound cake, she was so distracted by DF’s behavior, she began to tease him. Finally I had to explain to my husband the longer he pouted around the photo...
Read MoreSydney’s 20th Birthday, We Need a Special Cake
I will warn you ahead of time, this will be a heartfelt article, if you want to jump to the cake recipe/instructions please feel free. Sydney, my miracle child after ten miscarriages, turned twenty. I know every parent claims time passes quickly, but her twenty years snuck up upon me. I remember deciding I would treasure ever moment with her; I not only cried when she went to kindergarten, but I neurotically remained at St Mary’s the entire day. I was becoming a fixture on the stairs to the point Sister Susan offered me a volunteer job at the school. Everyone, all the other parents, my...
Read MoreRuffle Blossom Cupcake
Sydney and I are always on the look for new tips/tubes for our kitchen; I happened to purchase a set with a #070 ruffle tip/tube. We had worked with quite a few of the ruffle tips/tubes, however we hadn’t had the opportunity to work with tip/tube #070, coincidentally I came across an Ombre Cake that caught my eye. The cake was monochromatically decorated in pink tones of rosettes, but I was enthralled with the idea of violet ruffles on a cupcake. I wanted the ruffles to have a fabric sense to the eye almost as if the cupcake’s frosting was in constant motion. It would seem I...
Read MoreDaisies for a Baby Shower
Piping daisies for years has been my nemesis, this past weekend I was asked to create royal icing daisies decorations for cupcakes, for a baby shower. I must admit I thought of trying to talk the expectant mother into another royal icing flower or fondant daisies. I was explaining the situation to Sydney, as I was justifying changing the flower Sydney called me out. She not only was disappointed with my attitude, but convinced me I had the ability to pipe daisies. The cupcakes and royal icing were sitting on the counter ready to be decorated. The petal tips, bags, and icing nails were all...
Read MoreRose-Vanilla Cupcakes
We, the entire family, were invited to spend an Old Fashion Fourth of July in Aspen, with some friends. Although due to the fire danger in the mountains the Annual Fireworks Extravaganza has been canceled, it should still be a fun holiday. Aspen is known for celebrating Independence Day on a whimsical twist. Approximately 20,000 people come together to honor the nation’s birthday in true American style. Festivities include a parade, U.S. Airforce flyby, concerts, a kid’s bicycle rodeo, and “dancing in the streets.” Sydney and I offered to bring dessert; at...
Read MoreTiering a Cake
Cakes come in all sizes and designs, some are elegant for a christening, engagement, or wedding. Some are wacky for birthday parties or celebrations. Others are designed to look like flowers in a vase; I could go on and on, but that might bore you. Sydney and I thought it might be helpful if we showed the basic way to tier a cake, there is nothing more aggravating than to put a wonderful cake together only to see one of the upper tiers sink into the base. Regardless of the flavor option, all tiered cakes need structure. Think of the base and the dowels of a tiered cake as the main structure,...
Read MoreMarbled Pound Cake
With summer starting off in the 90 degree heat and a hail storm that plummeted softball size ice rounds, baking a rose chocolate marbled cake seemed atropos to our day. Warm and sweet in the early afternoon, like the rose cream part of the cake; and a stormy wild evening, similar to the rich deep chocolate swirl of the cake. I am always surprised how the weather can be so calm one moment and complete the opposite the next moment. Comparable to the marbled cake, two amazing flavors completely different from one another, but just as compatible. I have shared my love for the long lazy days of...
Read MoreCake Mixing Methods
Almost everyone has their favorite type of cake, but might not realize the different methods used for baking cakes. Mine is an Angel Food Cake, strawberry, is my ultimate favorite flavor! Angel Food cake is a egg white, fat free foam cake. Sydney’s happens to have two favorite cakes joconde and genoise, both are a French type of sponge cake using both egg whites and egg yolks, separately, to leaven the delicate cake. Angel food cakes and foam cakes contain very little fat or no fat at all and the eggs are relied on for their light and airy texture. There are no other type of leaving...
Read MoreLemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cakes, Great for Breakfast
My niece, Grace, graduated this past May and we hosted a graduation brunch in her honor for our family. She was going to be celebrating with friends that evening; brunch was perfect for the family party. Sydney and I wanted to serve pastries, however a cake or cupcakes would be too sweet for the time of day. Lemon poppy seed cake with a dusting of icing sugar fit the “program”. Sydney thought the rose shape would be dainty without looking childish. We baked one large pan and two 6-piece pan, I completely forgot to grab a photo of how we designed the plater. I will try...
Read MoreSummertime Cherry Blossom Cake
A friend of mine, Andie shared with us that her parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past memorial day and she asked Sydney and I if we could design an elegant cake for their party. I have known Andie’s parents more than half my life; I was touched and honored to oblige. Andie did inform us her parents original wedding cake was a yellow cake with buttercream frosting and thought it would be sentimental if the anniversary cake could be similar. Since the beautiful cherry blossom flower is known for it’s rich history and symbolizes endearment Sydney thought...
Read MoreItalian Buttercream & How To Frost a Cake
Sydney and I were having pedicures when the woman in the next pedicure bath next to us over heard me talking and asked how can buttercream be frosted smooth. At first I was confused, but Sydney knew exactly what she was asking. After about 20 minutes of listening to her explain that she becomes frustrated when frosting a buttercream cake so much so that it bring her to tears and she has no idea what to do. She has never tried an Italian buttercream, she usually buys store bought. As I was explaining a few tricks Sydney thought it would be helpful to write our Italian buttercream recipe and...
Read MoreBelgium Chocolate Cake
A while back Sydney, DF and I were on vacation, while dining at a favorite restaurant we were offered a piece of chocolate belgium cake. My eyes widened as my tastebuds danced with delight. The cake was moist rich and almost sinful; I realized Sydney was having the exact culinary experience…however, DF had finished his portion and inching his fork into our portions. Normally I am satisfied with a taste, however I was intent on finishing my share. Sydney and I have for the past few years tried to recreate the fabulous palatable experience. We came close, but something was missing....
Read MoreFrench Madeleines, A Luscious Petit Dessert
Last week a client, who is also my accountant, asked if I could bake a special dessert for a baby shower she was attending. Madeleines were the first pastry that came to mind. Madeleines are a french petit gateaux (little cakes) with a light delicate taste. The first time I had the opportunity to taste one of these beautiful shell shaped madeleines I was hooked, and actually went to a speciality bakeware store to buy a madeleine pan. Generally, I am uncomfortable buying a pan that is only for one type pastry, but madeleines are the exception. Sydney’s first pastry was a madeleine,...
Read MoreCherry Blossom Silky Cupcakes
Sydney and I have gone Sakura (Cherry Blossom) crazy; I have come to the conclusion that cherry blossoms are addictive. The flavor is as delicate as the flower blossom; we have been trying all sorts of recipes with the goody bag of cherry blossom ingredients our friend brought from Japan! Baking with floral ingredients adds a sense of romance to your pastries; the cherry blossom is intriguing as well. I have tried to articulate the taste of sakura, I feel I haven’t quite captured it’s prodigious tones. Surprisingly the cherry blossom does not have the floral punch like roses or...
Read MoreRaspberry Cupcakes, Just in Time for Easter
I can’t believe it is already Easter; this year is just zooming by. Every year Sydney and I prepare easter baskets; we try to make each year’s Easter baskets original and duplicate the previous’ year. This year we decided to put raspberry cupcakes in the basket. We quilted the purplish fondant and placed gum paste decorations on the top. While the fondant is still soft we used an embossing quilter by Patchwork. We allowed the fondant to dry overnight and placed our gum paste decoration in the center with edible glue. We can’t wait to see the children’s faces...
Read MoreCreme de Menthe Cupcakes, the Luck of the Irish
I’ve enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day parades since I was a little girl; I finally asked myself what is the symbolic meaning of the shamrock along with the color green? Oddly, I never put much thought into the symbols prior to today. From the research I’ve done: “St. Patrick was 16 when Irish marauders raided his village on the British mainland. He was sold into slavery and, later, became a Christian. He studied in a monastery in Gaul and was called to preach the gospel in Ireland, where he was appointed the second bishop of that nation.He converted thousands to the faith...
Read MoreAlmond Paste-Strawberry Cake
My esthetician, Jess, opened her own salon, and wanted to to host an open house for all her clients. She asked sydney and I if we could cater the event. Jess wanted to serve petit fours, small l’opéra cakes, and single serving cakes. Her salon colors are light pink with accents of purple and Jess wanted the pastries to stay in that color theme. The first flavor that came to my mind was strawberry; Sydney thought adding almond paste to the strawberry cake cake would be heavenly. Opening her own salon has been a dream of hers since cosmetology school; she meticulously chose every...
Read MoreGum Paste Roses
Every once in a while someone or something will become a part of your life that shapes your views or changes you. I have been blessed by such an experience; both Kerry Vincent and Toba Garrett have entered my cake decorating life. I am in awe of their capabilities and genuine talent, if you have not had the opportunity to see either women’s amazing cakes please go to the links I have provided below. I recently received Kerry Vincent’s Romantic Wedding Cakes, a must for any inspiring or accomplished cake designer, the book contains pages of stunning cakes with detailed instruction...
Read MoreRibbon and Rose, Fondant and Marzipan
Sydney realized this is our 200th post; we wanted our 200th post to be special for our readers as well as ourselves. I must have gone through hundreds of ideas, only to realize I had already shown a tutorial or given the recipe. We had a month of cake making between Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras parties (plus a few proposals and a baby shower). Sydney is not a fan of buttercream, anytime I bake a cake specially for her it is either an Opera Cake or a Joconde, until she tasted Massa Grischuna Fondant. Fondant and gum paste are both fun decorating aides, they remind me of polymer clay....
Read MoreBaby Shower Cake, With Egg Yolk Butter Cream
On Thursday, February 4th, DF’s product team planned a baby shower for one of their colleagues, Stephanie. They asked DF if Sydney and I would bake some special treats. Unbeknownst to the team, Stephanie had her weekly doctor’s exam as they sent a company e-mail to all. DF was out of town and assumed someone would let Sydney or I know. DF’s product team assumed DF would tell us the shower was postponed to February 15th. Luckily we had not frosted nor decorated the cakes and was able to use the cake for another project (we did however still need to design two baby...
Read MoreChampagne Rosé Génoise, The Perfect Cake to Say I Love you
Valentine’s Day proposal is happening this evening as I write. Sean, the boyfriend of Sydney’s good friend (Carrie) confided to Sydney, Saturday night, he was planning to propose (on Valentine’s Day) to Carrie. Sean wanted Sydney to be a sounding board to his evening. He went into great detail explaining the candle light dinner he was cooking for her, how he planned to decorate the table with red rose petals, and rented a limousines to bring Carrie to his apartment. Sean had not, however, quite figured the proposal timing and thought Sydney might have an idea. While Sydney...
Read MorePetite Champagne Cakes, Perfect for an Intimate Valentine’s Day Dessert
Sydney and I wanted to create a dessert with an extra special desert to represent Valentine’s day; the first thought we both had was champagne. We had already designed a bubbly fun Champagne Pudding. I wanted to create a romantic elegant dessert, but found my brain was full of too many ideas. Sydney, however, thought petit cakes covered with a fondant top would embody the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Instantly I began to writing down ideas for rose champagne cakes; it suddenly dawned upon me I didn’t need to start from scratch. We had already developed a classic delicate White...
Read MoreWhite-Almond Cupcakes, Just In time For Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is less than a month away; Sydney and I created a delightful white almond cupcake perfect for saying I “love” you. For the past 24 years I’ve prepared a special dinner and dessert for DF. Last year, he surprised me while dining with Sydney for lunch at my favorite restaurant. He even brought with him a dozen white roses, my favorite color. This year I am prepared to surprise him, when he shows up to surprise me, with white almond cupcakes swirled with almond buttercream. I’ll let you know I actually pull off surprising him. While designing these...
Read MoreRich Double Chocolate Cupcakes, a Treat for Tebow
Being from Colorado everyone here has fallen in love with Tim Tebow; Sydney and I thought it might be fun to create a fusion of Valentine’s Day and Tim Tebow. The end result is a rich buttermilk chocolate cupcake with an even richer chocolate icing. I must admit hailing from Chicago (originally) I have always been an avid Bears fan; Tim Tebow with positive attitude, plus his generosity even when he doesn’t play well has become one of my all time favorite players. Unlike most, I respect and admire him regardless of wins or loses. In some ways he reminds me of a Marine; he’ll...
Read MoreCrème Bavaroise, L’Opéra Cake Gâteau Finale
As I finished yesterday’s post, L’Opéra Cake Gâteau, I realized I might have given the wrong impression. Opera cakes have a few steps and generally is best to give yourself two days from start to finish, but the cake is exhilarating to create. Besides feeling inspired; the look on friends, family, or client’s faces when they see the finished product is priceless. Without further ado I will explain the Strawberry Crème Barvaroise, the assembly, and the White Chocolate Glaze. Gâteau Opéra à la Fraise à la Crème Bavaroise: 1-recipe joconde Fraises à la Crème...
Read MoreL’Opéra Cake Gâteau, The Opera Cake that Sydney Loves
Last Christmas, 2010, I introduced Sydney to a white opéra cake, with a crème bavaroise filling; she became an admirer from the first bite. I can still see her eyes wide and the glow of complete palate satisfaction. She normally prefers bittersweet chocolate over the ivory; however there was something about the ivory opéra cake that grabbed her attention. L’opéra gâteau blanc (white opera cake) is her favorite cake; she was hoping to be able to prepare, bake, and enjoy one for this Christmas, 2011. This year, however was DF’s turn to choose the Christmas dessert, he chose a...
Read MoreCannelés Bordeaux, To Help A Friend
Sydney and I had the unexpected fortune to meet the most optimistic person in Colorado, if not the nation. He knew I was a pastry chef and began questioning as where he might buy copper cannelé molds for his girlfriend. (He happens to be vegan, but his girlfriend is a “foodie”). I opened my I-pad, began quickly giving him web addresses to culinary stores. I was writing my fourth web store for him when he admitted she had never had a cannelé, but thought they looked yummy. I suggested before he invested in exquisite copper molds it might be best if he would allow Sydney and I to...
Read MoreGlacé Citron Panettone, Homemade
Well the rum soaked dried fruit, the Glacé Citron and Glacé Orange, and the panettone rested overnight; hopefully you are well rested too. It is time to finish our panettone project, but I thought you might enjoy a bit of food history first. Panettone is rich traditional christmas cake/bread. Panettone made its debut in Milan around the late eighteen hundreds. Folklore has it that, Anthony, a baker, loved a daughter of a wealthy man. Being a humbled baker he needed to win the father’s approval, so he set out to bake a cake/bread so flavorful and exquisite. He added the equivalent to...
Read MorePanettone with Rum Soaked Glacé Fruit
Every Christmas, New Years, and Easter I buy a panettone for our holiday special breakfast; this year I completely spaced out ordering the flavor we enjoy. When Sydney and DF started talking about Christmas French Toast; I figured I could go online and overnight a few. However I found they were out of our favorite flavor, panic began to set in. I had ruined our traditional Christmas and New Years breakfast. Not only did I feel awful, but I did not have any idea how I was going to “come clean,” so to speak, with my family unit. Knowing I couldn’t put off telling them, it...
Read More
Recent Comments