Halloween - Wizard's Shrinking Spell Cake

This cake is the first novelty cake I ever made, while attending cake decorating night classes in a local VEC.

It was the creation of this cake and particularly the modelling of the wizard that made me think that perhaps I might not be too bad at this decorating lark!

The cake was complete around the time of my brother's birthday so I gave this to him as a birthday cake.   Needless to say my Niece and Nephew were totally in awe of this cake and soon began to place orders for their birthdays.

My journey of cake decorating beyond this one are documented on this blog for all to share.

Halloween -Wizard's Shrinking Spell Cake, October 2010

Halloween - Witch's Brew Cake

This Halloween I thought it would be nice to make a festive cake for the nearest and dearest children in my life.   I had the same idea last year but time ran out and I didn't get to make it.   So this year, on the Bank Holiday Monday, I decided to indulge myself and spent a great day in the kitchen.

 

2 cakes were required -1 for my nieces & nephew (Ciara, Alan & Aoife) and 1 for my best friend's girls (Isabelle & Emily)- and I decided to make the same for both houses.

 

 

After the cakes were assembled, I then got to deliver the cakes to both families and enjoy the reaction of the kids.  Both families were thrilled with their surprise delivery and I was amazed by the various imaginative stories which they came up with for how the witch fell into her magic brew.   This really is the best part of making cakes and the reason why I put all the time and effort into my cakes.  

Halloween - Witch's Brew Cake, 31st October 2012

Explosion Parcel Cake

This week my brother turned the ripe old age of 40 and my sister-in-law asked if I would make a cake to mark the day.

 

He decided he didn't want a party so it was just cake and candles with family on Wednesday evening after work.   As I'm incredibly busy at work these days, I didn't have time for elaborate decoration.  I've been looking for an opportunity to make an Explosion Parcel Cake for some time, so this was the perfect occasion.

 

Knowing I wasn't going to make it home in time to join the celebrations, I dropped the cake over to my sister-in-law on Tuesday night.   I was delighted to hear that it got the desired WOW reaction the next morning from my nieces and nephew and let's face it, the cake was really made with them in mind (sorry T.J.)!

 

 

My brother was delighted with the cake too, but wasn't very pleased with the 'old man' reference on the side of the board.

 

A great cake for a fantastic brother.   Happy Birthday T.J.

 

Explosion Parcel Cake, 24th October 2012

 

 

Explosion Parcel Cake, 24th October 2012





 

Explosion Parcel Cake, 24th October 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rugby Ball Cake

When asked to make a rugby ball cake for Max, I was delighted with the opportunity to try something new. 

I initially thought about buying a special shaped cake tin, but decided that it would be better to try and carve the cake.   Shaping the ball was definitely the most difficult part of creating this cake.   My best friend called around for a chat as I was carving the cake and offered a very helpful second opinion.    

 

Max wanted a specific Canterbury rugby ball recreated in cake and his Mum sent me some photos to use as reference.   I was very pleased with the final cake and even more delighted by Max's reaction.

 

When I delivered the cake Max was thrilled with it and even said that it looked like I had taken a real ball and placed it on the board.   It's reactions like this that every baker wants when they make a cake.

 

The cake was a huge success with Max's friends.   I think it was a hit with the dads and uncles too!

 

Rugby Ball Cake, 30th September 2012

Rugby Ball Cake, 30th September 2012

Rugby Ball Cake, 30th September 2012

 

Michael Collins & GAA Cake

A few weeks ago I was asked to make a 50th Birthday Cake for Martin.  This was to be a surprise from Caroline, his wife.

Martin has a big love of Irish history, with a particular interest in all things Michael Collins. After discussing the various design possibilities with Caroline, I decided to take on the challenge of recreating, in sugarpaste, the armoured car synonymous with Michael Collins (Sliabh na mBan).  I suggested adding his army cap too.

The party was on the eve of the All Ireland football final, so Caroline asked if I could also incorporate this into the cake. Martin is from Cork and loves both football and hurling, so I decided the cake should reference the Cork jersey. The addition of a football, sliotar, and the flags of the finalists draped on the cake (Mayo & Donegal in the football, Galway & Kilkenny in the hurling) enhanced the GAA theme.

In order to help with the Sliabh na mBan car, I worked from a book of Martin's, which Caroline kindly dropped around, and a brass replica which my great friend Margaret (of the Dinnerladies) borrowed, on my behalf, from her work colleague. Both of these were very helpful.

This cake was most definitely a challenge but I really enjoyed working on it and loved how it turned out.

Caroline was delighted too when she saw it.  A few days after the party I got a lovely message from her thanking me for the cake, which she kindly said was delicious. Martin was thrilled with it and apparently the car has pride of place and will not be eaten.

Michael Collins & GAA Cake, 22nd September 2012

Michael Collins & GAA Cake, 22nd September 2012

Michael Collins & GAA Cake, 22nd September 2012

Happy 70th Birthday Dad

Last Saturday my Dad turned 70.   Saying it out loud makes it seem like a rather large number, but look and talk to my Dad and you will realise that it is just that, only a number.   So let's just say turning 70 is more a statement of experience and achievement than a declaration of age.  

We decided that it would be nice to mark the day with a small family gathering at my parents’ house.   True to Irish tradition, our initial plan of a small gathering evolved over time, so much so that we were completely dependent on having a fine day to accommodate guests.   Thankfully we were in luck and were blessed with a beautiful day.   Garden furniture sets were rounded up and together with the delivery of a large bouncy castle everyone was comfortably entertained outside.  A total of 83 family members (including aunts, uncles, cousins and their children) who have been lucky to share all or part of the past 70 years with my Dad joined the celebrations.

Having no sisters, I’ve basked in the role of only daughter over the years and performed my duties of such by allowing my Dad to be wrapped around my little finger. However, despite my eldest niece being 7, it was only last weekend when making this cake and thinking of the wonderful things my Dad has done for me throughout my life that it dawned on me that no longer was my Dad solely wrapped around my little finger but now he has two other little girls with equally effective little fingers. I couldn’t wish anything better for my nieces who are so lucky to have such a fantastic Grandad.

When it came to the cake I decided to keep it simple, knowing that I would need to help with other party preparations, so wouldn’t have too much time for detailed decorating.   The theme pretty much picked itself as my Dad has kept and trained greyhounds for longer than I can remember.   My initial design was for dogs racing around a simple cake.   However, as the day got closer, this idea seemed incomplete.   The more I thought of it the more I felt that the cake should also represent my Dad’s strong sense of family and so decided his 3 adorable grandchildren needed to be included on the cake.

The party was a great success, the cake was admired by all and the children were delighted to eat the various models.   More importantly my Dad had a wonderful day and was thrilled with so many family members taking time out to join in the day.

Happy 70th Birthday Dad.

 

Happy 70th Birthday Dad, 11th August 2012

 

Happy 70th Birthday Dad, 11th August 2012

 

 

 

Bingo Birthday Cake

A few months ago a friend of a friend asked if I would make a cake for his mum, Madge, whose birthday was last week.   

Madge’s only 3 grandchildren would be visiting from England so a novelty cake was the look that was requested.   I reckoned that this cake was to be designed to evoke ‘thoughtful son’ and ‘cool uncle’ comments, in equal measure.

Madge is a keen Bingo player, so this was the requested cake theme.   As the grandchildren range in age from 7 to 2, I decided 'more was more' when it came to the cake design. 

The evening of the Birthday I got a lovely message to say that the cake went down a treat.

Bingo Birthday Cake, 5th June 2012

Bingo Birthday Cake, 5th June 2012

Bingo Birthday Cake, 5th June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake

Angela, a lovely lady for whom I had previously made her daughters’ birthday cakes, recently contacted me regarding her husband Ray’s impending 50^th Birthday.   They were having a party and wanted a novelty cake for the celebrations.

The brief consisted of a cake which reflects some, or all, of Ray’s passions and one large enough to accommodate the 80 guests.   Angela told me of Ray’s love of horse racing, a red Kawasaki motorbike and, obviously, his two beautiful girls.

Having thought about the brief for a few days I contacted Angela and suggested that we go with a ‘Day at the Races’ theme, which would also incorporate the girls.   She was happy for me to take the design whatever way I felt would work best.

I asked some knowledgeable friends and family to give me some racing paraphernalia from which I might get ideas.  This was most helpful and gave me the final idea to finish the cake design.   

Having completed the cake I was very happy with how it turned out and was very confident that it hit the mark for the occasion.   I must admit, however, that a little doubt did set in for a fleeting moment the night before delivery.   When talking to Angela she mentioned that the girls were very excited and had been asking about the cake but she couldn’t tell them anything about it as she had no idea of how it would look either.   She said that she was equally as excited and couldn’t wait to see it, but knew that I wouldn’t disappoint.   There’s nothing like the pressure of expectation!!  

Well there was no need for doubt - Angela and family loved the cake.   What more can I ask for, an exciting cake project, a dream client to work for and, most importantly, a client delighted with the cake.

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

Basketball Cake II

Having seen the Basketball Cake made earlier this year, a friend of a friend asked if I could make a similar cake for her husband’s 40^th Birthday.  

In addition to basketball, Edric is an active member of the local scouts.  So to reflect this I modelled the scout neckerchief and draped it on the board.   To personalise the cake further, I attempted to recreate the Birthday Boy’s own company logo in sugarpaste and placed it around the edges of the court as advertising hoarding. 

The cake was a big success so I was very happy.

Basketball Cake II, 26th May 2012

Baker in the Kitchen Cake

Last week Ciara, a very sporty girl with a keen interest in baking and cake decorating, made her Confirmation.   Her parents wanted to get her a special cake to mark this significant day and I was delighted when her mum asked me to make the cake.

The request was for a novelty cake, as opposed to a traditional Confirmation themed cake.  Having discussed Ciara’s various interests we agreed on creating a cake based around a Baking theme.

From the outset I had a very clear idea of how the cake would look and wanted to reflect Ciara baking in the kitchen.    I felt the cake would look best if the colour scheme was keep to limited but strong colours. 

Ciara and her mum collected the cake the evening before her Confirmation and were delighted with it.

Baker in the Kitchen Cake, 24th May 2012

Baker in the Kitchen Cake, 24th May 2012

Baker in the Kitchen Cake, 24th May 2012

Baker in the Kitchen Cake, 24th May 2012

Carousel Cake

This week my youngest niece celebrated her first birthday.  

I’ve been day dreaming of the possibility of creating a Carousel Cake for the past year and quickly decided to take the opportunity of this milestone occasion to give it a go.   With no specific theme request I could challenge myself safe in the knowledge that if it didn’t work to plan a quick change of direction could easily be arranged and no one need be any the wiser.

This cake allowed me to try many new techniques and immerse myself in elaborate design ideas, a perfect combination if you have the time.   The ornate decoration meant the possibilities were endless and it was great to allow my imagination run wild, even if this had to be reined in on a few occasions.  

A big challenge of this cake was the construction aspect of the design.   It took some time just planning and thinking through the options but everything worked very well, much to my relief.

This was a most enjoyable cake project which allowed me to fully indulge my creativity.   The Birthday Girl didn’t fully grasp the opulence of her cake but her older sister and brother gave it the thumbs up, saying it was “excellent” before quickly reminding me of their upcoming birthdays and the cakes they would like.

Carosuel Cake 18th April, 2012

Carosuel Cake 18th April, 2012

Carousel Cake 18th April, 2012

Horses and Hounds

One of my closest friends turned 40 on the 1^st May, 2011 and in planning her party asked if I would make the birthday cake.   The design was left completely up to me, so with the choice of classically pretty or novelty I decided a novelty cake was the way to go.  

The Birthday Girl has 3 horses, is a keen show jumper and dressage competitor so an equestrian theme seemed most appropriate.   My knowledge of horses is fairly limited so a mutual friend kindly offered some ‘technical advice’.  

The original plan was to incorporate the 3 horses into the cake.   Somewhere along the way this idea mutated, with the addition of a show jumping arena and the family’s 4 dogs!!   Not to mention the last minute addition of her wellies.    Needless to say the role of the ‘technical adviser’ changed to that of ‘moral supporter’ many times in the week before the party, as I thought about the enormity of what needed to be done to bring it all together.

The day before the party was spent elbow deep in sugar paste, while watching the Royal Wedding on the television.   A most enjoyable, if somewhat unusual, way to spend a day.

The cake was a hit with everyone and a great night was had by all.

Horses and Hounds Cake
 31st April, 2011

Horses and Hounds Cake
31st April, 2011

Horses and Hounds Cake
31st April, 2011

Basketball Cake

A friend celebrated his 40^th birthday yesterday and I was asked to create the cake.   He plays and coaches basketball so the theme pretty much picked itself.

I decided a three layer 8” square cake would provide the right shape to reflect one half of a basketball court.   In order to give everyone a choice of flavours, I chose to sandwich two cakes together (vanilla jam sponge and chocolate sponge) before covering with sugar paste.

The cake was enjoyed by all, with just enough left over to have with a cup of tea today.

31st March, 2012

31st  March, 2012

31st March, 2012

Simpsons' Cake

In April 2011, I received an order for a birthday cake for a young lady who was turning 11.   The Birthday Girl had attended her cousin’s party the previous Christmas and seen her Princess’ Castle Cake.   Suitably impressed and with her own big day looming she announced to her mother that all she wanted for her birthday was one of my cakes.   How lovely is that?   Compliments are never greater than when they come from children.   Needless to say my schedule was most definitely going to accommodate this cake request.

So armed with a brief of a ‘Simpsons’ theme and my personal desire to live up to the expectations of an 11 year old admirer, my design process commenced.

The Birthday Girl was thrilled with her Simpsons’ cake.   What more could I ask for?

17th April, 2011

17th April, 2011

17th April, 2011

17th April, 2011