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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parcel Christening Cake

Last weekend was baby Luke's Christening.  

 

Inspired by my profile photo, Luke's mum Carol asked if I could make a parcel cake appropriate for a little boy's Christening.

 

 

Blue and white were the obvious colours to choose.   I'm a sucker for teddy bears when it comes to babies cakes and felt the cake wouldn't be complete without one.   The little booties finished the look.

 

The final cake was very cute and Carol loved it when she called to collect it.

 



Parcel Christening Cake, 14th October 2012

 

Parcel Christening Cake, 14th 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

Spiderman Cake

The 30^th August 2012 marked a significant day for my adorable nephew, Alan.   Not only was it his 5^th Birthday but it was also his first day at school.  

For the past year there has been only one superhero which Alan has wanted to adorn his cake - Spiderman.   

When thinking about this cake and how it would look, the main thing I wanted to achieve was for it to shout Spiderman from a distance.   A spider’s web on the cake board and the use of vibrant colours helped achieve this.

I really loved how this cake turned out and think it was very fitting for Alan's big day.   He was thrilled with his cake. 



Spiderman Cake, 30th August 2012

 

Spiderman Cake, 30th August 2012

 

Obstacle Course Cake

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of making a cake for Robyn, a lovely girl who was due to celebrate her 10^th Birthday.

Robyn is very sporty and her party included having an Obstacle Course in their back garden.   So with this in mind the design direction was clear.

With the Olympics still very much at the front of everyone’s mind I wanted to include a running track and use a gold medal in the design.   A few tyres to jump through, a net to crawl under and a wall to scale and the obstacles were in place.  

Robyn lives in a small townland called Turnings so signage depicting the ‘Turnings Games’ was also added.

On the evening of the party I received a lovely message from Robyn’s mum thanking me for the cake which was a huge success at the party and most importantly Robyn loved it.

Obstacle Course Cake, 27th August 2012

Obstacle Course Cake, 27th August 2012