Giant Easter Basket

I made a fun Easter Cake for my family.  They are arriving soon!  I found the eggs and the "rope" at the store and I used the bottom from the giant cupcake pan by Wilton.  This is a quick post!  I hope you enjoy the idea!  

Happy Easter!  blessings, Rachel

Coconut Tea Cake

A well-mannered tea cake.  This cake is delicious and easy to make.  Dorie Greenspan calls it's purity and flavor well mannered.  I just love that.  Who knew a tea cake could be so well-mannered?  Well, I'm certainly inviting it over for tea.    

I have to share a funny story about this well-mannered cake.  It calls for rum.  I don't actually drink rum or any flavor of alcohol.  I used to, but I've changed my wicked ways.  :)  Oh, so much for the better believe me, but that's a different story entirely.  So here I am, with no rum, and my well-mannered cake to make.  After helping with a marriage ministry last Saturday, we zipped over to our local "drive in" burger joint (yes, you know the one) to feed some little hungry mouths.  (I know you are appalled!  Fast food?!, Wait!  It gets better...) As my husband began ordering food, I hopped out of the car and walked next door to the local liqueur store.  I asked for a small bottle of the Meyers Rum behind the counter, and inquired if there was an even smaller bottle?  The man behind the counter tried to convince me I would get a better deal with a bigger bottle.  No need!   So, here I come with my little bottle in a brown paper bag, getting into my mini van with my sweet little family.  Oh, my husband was having a good time watching me!  He teased me all the way back to the house.  

This cake was so delicious!  It had a nice soft tender crumb and a slightly chewy crust that was divine!  The coconut flavor was not overpowering but just right.  I had no problem getting it out of my pan.  As usual, I used palm oil and I dusted it with all purpose flour.  It worked like a charm.  Anyone like to join me for a cuppa?

Carmen picked out our delicious Coconut Tea Cake, you can find the recipe on her blog Carmen Cooks or on pages 194 and 195 of  

Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.  If you want to see other versions of this well-mannered tea cake, visit the other bloggers on the TWD Blogroll!

Blessings, Rachel

Soft Chocolate and Raspberry Tart

Today is Tuesday's with Dorie, and this week I made the Soft Chocolate Raspberry Tart.  This past weekend, my Mother and Father in law came over for dinner.  The perfect excuse to make the tart.  It was so scrumptious and did not leave us disappointed.  

For this tart I used organic raspberries and I even found a nice block of bittersweet chocolate - Callebaut Chocolate.  I'm not big on fancy chocolate but this time I splurged.  It was worth it.  The tart crust came together very crumbly, but I went with it, and pressed it into the pan.  It worked wonderfully. 

You can find this recipe in Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan, or read Mommy? I’m Hungry!  If you want to see other versions of this delicious tart check out the TWD Blogroll!

Tuesdays With Dorie: Thumbprints for Us Big Guys

As an attempt at increasing my culinary baking skills I have taken on a new project.  Introducing Tuesdays with Dorie!  That's right I've joined the online baking community that bakes from Dorie Greenspan's wonderful cookbook Baking From My Home To Yours.  So, 2 out of every 4 Tuesdays, or more, I will be posting my baking endeavors from this book.  That of course, is in addition to all my cakes that I will continue to post.

These thumbprint cookies are so tasty!  

I used ground walnuts in the mix and topped them....

with my homemade Olallieberry Jam.  (It came with us when we moved back to TX, from CA.)  I think this is my very last jar.  It is so good, a mix between a raspberry and blackbery.  I will miss you Olallieberry...

Before baking my thumbprints looked quite round.

They spread out after baking.  I sprinkled them with powered sugar and placed a dollop of warm jam in the center.

If you want the recipe you can find it in her cook book or you can check out the Ugly Dude Food now, he picked out the recipe for this week.  Feel free to check out all the other bakers on the TWD Blogroll!

Blessings, Rachel

Fairy Cake

I've been wanting to do a fairy cake and here was my opportunity.  A sweet little one year old birthday party. I do believe this is my favorite cake yet!  It had a lot of fun elements, and coordinating pieces.  I used the paper plates and napkins to get my inspiration.  If you want to see them here they are:

The cake is a simple white cake, and a Swiss Meringue frosting both from the Cake Book by Tish Boyle, filled with a Bavarian Cream filling -from The Cake Bible by Rose Beranbaum, and topped with my homemade Fondant. I used a 10" for the bottom tier, and 8" for the top tier.

Here is the little coordinating 4" smash cake for the birthday girl.   For her cake I also used the same white cake but I used the Billy Vanillie Buttercream under the fondant, and no filling for that sweet little one.  

I also made some cupcakes to go with the cake.  These were fun!  These were also white cake and the Billy Vanille Buttercream.  My daughters helped me make the fondant flowers for the top of the cupcakes.

My sister in law came to my aid in helping me make the little fairies.  We had so much fun assembling them and making all the little pieces to create them.

Our red head fairy.

The Princess Fairy on the top.  She actually has a crown but I was so tired when I took these pictures I missed the crown.  I put luster dust on the flowers, stars and fairies.  

Here is the back of the cake.  You can also see part of the top of the cake.  My husband even helped roll the fondant balls.  He is so sweet!  I just loved the way it came out!   So girlie and fun!  

I want to thank everyone for their help!  Janey thanks for hanging out and coloring the fondant with me.  :)

Have a great week!  Blessings, Rachel

Birthday Present Cake for Lauren

A Birthday Present Cake for Lauren.  Lauren is turning 13 and wanted a cake that looked like a present.  She wanted a white frosting with two shades of pink.  Her cake is Billy's Vanilla, from here on out I've decided to call it Billy Vanillie.  I just can't help it, I'm an 80's child.  

I really liked the her and her mom's idea to make a tag.  My first attempt at that is below.  I made it a little wonky for fun, then added a little flower for accent.

I used my new embossing rolling pen, I got at the cake show.  I'm loving this! That is how I made the flowers on the ribbon.  I added luster dust to all the ribbon, but I can't see it in the photos.  It made it nice and sparkley.

I added a little plastic wrap for support while she transports it.  Now I'm off to make another cake!  Have a great day everyone!  Blessings, Rachel

That Takes The Cake! Austin Cake Show

Here are some fun photos of the Austin Cake Show.  There were tons of hours, and labor that went into these beautiful cakes.  I did not enter any of the contests but I sure had fun looking at all the cakes.  


For your viewing pleasure:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rachcummins/AustinCakeShowThatTakesTheCake#

Blessings, Rachel