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!

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. :-)

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

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! 

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!

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:

• Blog at faithybakes.blogspot.com/
• Facebook page at facebook.com/FaithyBakes