Saturday, December 31, 2011

Snowman Cake

Snow finally arrived in Toronto a few days after Christmas.  There isn't quite enough for a snowman, but I'm sure any day now we'll get a big snowfall.  In the meantime, how about a snowman made out of cake?
I've certainly had a wonderful 2011 filled with good health, friends, family and the arrival of my little girl Sidney.  Thank you to all my readers and clients this past year - wishing you happiness, great health and a year full of celebrations!  Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Fresh Flowers Cake

It's been a while since I entered a cake contest, the last time was a cupcake contest back in March 2009.  This time around, it actually wasn't a "cake" contest... but I thought making a cake just might win it.

Earlier this month, BlogTO, in partnership with the Royal Ontario Museum, held a photography contest to Win a free iPad2.  The theme was based off of David Hockney's Fresh Flowers exhibit which features Hockney's and also hundreds of other artist's sketches displayed on iPhones and iPads.

I knew that I wouldn't be able to compete in a photography contest, but after looking through some of his sketches, it inspired me to create a cake!  Here is the photo that I chose:
Here is my contest submission:  Fresh Flowers in cake and sugar!
I had so much fun with this concept.  It reminded me of a wedding that was held at an artists' gallery last year and the wedding cake design was inspired by one of the paintings.

A few days before Christmas, I found out that I WON the iPad!  I was so excited and I can't wait to see the ROM exhibit.  Since it was an online contest, I also got to enjoy the 4-layer vanilla butter cake. :-)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

To all my blog readers, clients, family and friends:  Wishing you the sweetest Christmas!  Savor and enjoy every moment.  All my best!  Juanita

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Cupcake Tutorial

Christmas is just around the corner. I put together a simple and easy tutorial for Christmas tree cupcake toppers.
What you need:  A small rolling pin, green and yellow fondant, star cutter, painbrush and small pair of nail cutting scissors.  The nail scissor can be found at any of those dollar stores and very useful for your cake tool box.
Step 1:  Roll the green fondant into a pointy shape.  If your fondant is very soft, mix with gumpaste or add some tylose to it to stiffin it up.
Step 2: With the curve of the scissors pointing upward, start making little cuts into the fondant.  Match the start and finish of the cuts and just move around the shape.
Step 3: When you've reached how tall you want the tree, then make the final cuts very deep.  Then you can just easily twist off your tree.
Step 4: Roll out the yellow fondant and cutout your star.  Dab a little water on top of the tree and place it on.  And there you have a simple Christmas tree - feel free to add additional decorations too!
I liked my trees plain as I did made a little reindeer to match my daughter's onesie that says "My First Christmas".  Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and have a great week! 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

5-tier Baby Shower Cake

As you might know, I love making cakes for baby showers.  I was asked to re-create a previous 5-tier baby shower cake with some little changes.  The cakes were Chocolate Sour Cream and also Banana Cake - yum!

I only got one good picture of this cake as the lighting wasn't too good in the hall.  I wish I could've taken a close-up of the little pink sandals.  I just have so much fun creating all the cute little details out of sugarpaste.
The quotes on the cake say "Babies are a tiny bit of heaven" and "Babies touch the world with love" - it's so true!  Have a great week - see you next Tuesday!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Guest Post: Faithy Bakes from Singapore

Today's post is part of our bi-weekly Guest Post: 5 Pics Series.  We feature multi-talented cake designers from all over the world that I have met online.

Today's guest post comes from Faithy Bakes in Singapore.  She started baking in 2008 when she renovated her kitchen and her husband bought her an oven, as they didn't have one before.   Faithy then began her first blog: diary of Faithy, the amateur baker.  Then she started cake decorating in 2009 when she made her daughter's birthday cake.  I remember watching her portfolio of cakes grow and leaving her a comment that she really should drop the word "amateur" :-)

You can follow her wonderful cakes, cupcakes, cookies and macaroons at her new blog Faithy Bakes.  Here is a selection of some of her cakes.

#1 - Everything handmade, handpainted and edible
 #2 - More 3D Cake Fun
#3 - Defying Gravity
 #4 - So Cute
 #5 - For the Jewelry Lover
To follow Faithy and her wonderful creations:

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

3rd Birthday Cake: Cute Airplane Cake

A couple weeks ago I posted an airplane cake, here's another one but 2D and on the cartoony side.  This 3-tier cake was for a 3rd birthday celebration.
The cake inspiration was from their party designs created by Barbara Neely designs who you'll find on Etsy.
This 3 tier cake was vanilla butter cake on the top two tiers and chocolate sour cream cake on the bottom tier.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Guest Post: Cake Fixation from Redmond, Washington

Today's post is part of our bi-weekly Guest Post: 5 Pics Series.  We feature multi-talented cake designers from all over the world that I have met online.

Today's guest post comes from Stephanie, owner of Cake Fixation in Redmond, Washington.  She was always interested in baking, then in 2008 she launched her cake design studio and her blog.  Originally from Dallas, Texas, she learned from great cake designers such as Bronwen Webber, Colette Peters, Nicolas Lodge, and Debbie Brown.

She loves trying new things and creating over-the-top designs that are completely edible too!  You should also check out some of the helpful tutorials.
 
#1 - Bold and Elegant
 #2 - 3D Fun
 #3 - Very cool 3D that also breathes fire!
 #4 -Whimsical Birthday
 #5 - Super Cute!
 To follow Stephanie and see more of her wonderful creations:

Friday, November 18, 2011

Winner: Cupcake Diaries Book Giveaway

Thank you everyone for participating in the Cupcake Diaries book giveaway via blog comments, email submissions, twitter and leaving comments on the SweetThings' facebook page. Also a big Thank you to the folks at Harper Collins Canada for sending over the books.

The winner is....
 ... a Facebook Entry from Nicole C.  Congratulations!  I will be contacting you shortly to get your address to mail the book out to you! 

For those of you in Toronto, the sisters Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne will be at Indigo Yorkdale on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7pm.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Airplane Cake

How do you combine a retirement cake and a wedding anniversary cake?

The couple was celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary and the husband was also retiring as an Air Canada pilot.  This is what their daughter surprised them with at their party.
 The airplane and top tier was vanilla butter cake and bottom tier was chocolate velvet cake.
Have a great week and don't forget to enter our contest for a fabulous Cupcake Recipe book: The Cupcake Diaries.  Contest end this Thursday at midnight and open for those in US and Canada.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Contest: Cupcake Diaries Book Giveaway

Happy Friday!  I'm happy to announce another book giveaway!  I received a wonderful package from Harper Collins Canada this week.  A copy of The Cupcake Diaries: Recipes and Memories from the Sisters of Georgetown Cupcakes.  These are the ladies from the show DC Cupcakes.
One book will be given to one of my lucky blog readers in Canada or USA.  Contest starts today until Thursday, November 17th, 2011 - details below.

There are so many recipes in this book - some of them include: Salted Caramel Cupcakes, White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes, Bacon Blueberry Pancake Cupcakes, Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Lava Fudge and Hibiscus Mango Cupcakes.

How to Enter

  1. Jump over to the Harper Collins Canada website and just pay them a visit to see what they are up to.
  2. Leave a comment on my blog - make sure you leave me your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.  Or send an email to info(at)sweetthings(dot)ca if you'd prefer.
  3. For 1 additional entry, visit the SweetThings Facebook page and leave a comment.
  4. For another 1 additional entry, follow me on Twitter @SweetThingsTO and tweet the following including the shortened url:  I want to win the new Cupcake Diaries Book from @SweetThingsTO and @HarperCollinsCA #Cupcakes
  5. A maximum of 3 entries per person.  Available in Canada and USA.
  6. Deadline for entry is Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at midnight EST.
  7. One winner will be randomly selected and posted on Friday, November 18th, 2011 at noon.  Also notified via email.  The book will be shipped to you.
Good luck everyone! And for those of you in Toronto, the sisters Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne will be Indigo Yorkdale on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7pm.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Winner: Cake Boss Book Giveaway

Thank you everyone for participating in the Cake Boss Book giveaway contest via blog comments, email submissions, twitter and leaving comments on the SweetThings' facebook page. Also a big Thank you to the folks at Simon & Schuster Canada for sending over the books.

The winner is....
 ... a Twitter entry from Dat757Deeva.  Congratulations!  I will be contacting you shortly to get your address to mail the book out to you!

For everyone else, please check back in on Friday for another contest book giveaway!  Another book hot off the press... but this time, it's about cupcakes!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Guest Post: Rafael Logrono Cake Design from Philadelphia

Today's post is part of our bi-weekly Guest Post: 5 Pics Series.  We feature multi-talented cake designers from all over the world that I have met online.

Today's guest post comes from a young cake designer, Rafael Logrono, from Azucar, a custom cake shop located in Philadelphia, PA. Rafael has had cake decorating in his blood ever since he was born when his mother began selling cakes.  Several years ago, Rafael starting designing his own cakes and his 8th grade teacher placed an order back in November 2008.  Yes, if you add that up - he is a very talented 18 year old!

Since then, his cake portfolio has really expanded, he's been featured in Cake Central magazine, competed in many cake competitions, won several awards and will be teaching several classes in 2012.  Here is a sampling of some of his work:

 #1 - Stunning Beauty!
#2 - So  Creative, so Elegant
#3 - Something Funky
#4 - Tall and Striking
#5 - Very Chic!
To see more of Rafael's wonderful cake designs:
And if you are in Canada or US, don't forget to enter our contest giveaway to win the new Cake Boss Book.  Contest ends tonight at midnight.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Contest: New Cake Boss Book Giveaway

Don't you just love getting packages in the mail?  Here's a lovely package I received last week from the folks at Simon & Schuster Canada.   It is a copy of the new Baking with the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy's Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets which just launched today!
Even better, they sent me two!  One book will be given to one of my lucky blog readers in Canada or USA.  Contest starts today until Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 - details below:
 Here's a little peak at what is inside:
 I know that I will definitely be trying to make these lovely cannoli's.
How to Enter
  1. Jump over to the Simon & Schuster website and just pay them a visit to see what they are up to.
  2. Leave a comment on my blog - make sure you leave me your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.  Or send an email to info(at)sweetthings(dot)ca if you'd prefer.
  3. For 1 additional entry, visit the SweetThings Facebook page and leave a comment.
  4. For another 1 additional entry, follow me on Twitter @SweetThingsTO and tweet the following including the shortened url:  I want to win the new Cake Boss Book from @SweetThingsTO and @SimonSchusterCA 
  5. A maximum of 3 entries per person.  Available in Canada and USA.
  6. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 at midnight EST.
  7. One winner will be randomly selected and posted on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at noon.  Also notified via email.  The book will be shipped to you.
Good luck everyone!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!  What a fun holiday.... and what a great day for a cake!  Here's my Halloween duck cake -- it is vanilla butter cake with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream.

You are probably wondering... why a duck?
Well... it is a duck because I had to make a cake to match my 4-month old daughter's halloween costume  :-)  Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone!  Be sure to stop by on Tuesday for a contest giveaway!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Guest Post: Too Nice to Slice from Kitchener, Ontario

Today's post is part of our bi-weekly Guest Post: 5 Pics Series.  We feature multi-talented cake designers from all over the world that I have met online and admired.

This week's guest post come from award winning cake artist and designer, Chrissie Boon, from Too Nice to Slice in Kitchener, Ontario.  Chrissie’s love for sugar art has been a long time coming.  Starting in her mom’s kitchen with her little toy oven, to eventually running her own Christmas cookie business.  Today, in addition to creating amazing cakes, she runs a cake supply store: Icing Inspirations and host an annual cake competition.

Now if you didn't think that was enough, she also has a newly renovated classroom and runs regular classes bringing in cake designers from all over the place.  I attended one of these amazing classes back in March.  Now here's some of Chrissie's wonderful creations:

#1 - Tall and Elegant
 #2 - Wonderful and whimsical
 #3 - Unique and completely out-of-the-box for cake
#4 - A one-of-a-kind Spider-lizard
#5 - Chrissie setting a new trend in Cake Art
To see more of Chrissie's creations or visit her online store at:

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Boston Celtics' Cupcakes

A quick post for this Tuesday.... which Twitter tells me that it also happens to be National Chocolate Cupcake Day!   Some cupcakes that are sporty and sweet!

Chocolate sour cream and banana sour cream cupcakes topped with handmade sugarpaste Boston Celtics designs.  Have a great week - see you next Tuesday!