The Icing on the Cake

Over the years I've noticed that when it comes to cake there are two kinds of people: Cake People and Frosting People (Yes, I realize there is a third type that doesn't like cake at all, or even dessert for that matter, but frankly I just don't get you.)  Personally, I am a cake person.  I will eat the icing, but often leave most of it on the plate.  Especially when said icing is too sweet.  Super sugary icing can ruin a cake.  This is often the problem with store-bought cakes and can frosting.  I'm all for using box cake mix, but when you go to frost it leave the can on the shelf and make your own!  It's so simple.  Here are a couple of icing recipes with a few helpful tips:

Basic White Icing
*This recipe will frost an entire 2 layer 8 inch round cake.

1 lb butter (or 4 sticks)
1 lb shortening (same as one small can of Crisco)
2 lb bag of powdered sugar

1. Put room temperature butter in mixer and whip on high until pale in color.  (If you don't have a stand mixer you can do this with a hand mixer, it will just take a little longer.)
2. Scrape down sides.
3. Add shortening and whip to combine.
4. Scrape down sides.
5. Turn mixer to its lowest setting and very slowly add powdered sugar.  
6. Mix on low until smooth and slightly shiny.  This could take up to 15 minutes, your patience will be rewarded.

Tips:
-If you can find it, use European style butter.  It contains less water than American butter, so your icing will have a stiffer consistency which is better for decorating.
-Use gel or powder food coloring as it will not change the consistency of your icing.  It is also more potent so you can use less.
-Extra icing should be stored in air-tight containers in the refrigerator.  When you need to use it again, simply place it back in the mixer and whip for a few seconds.

Cream Cheese Icing

8 oz cream cheese
2 sticks or 1 cup of butter
2 cups powdered sugar

1. Add room temperature butter and cream cheese to mixer and whip on high.  
2. Scrape down sides.
3. Slowly add powdered sugar.
4. Mix until well blended.

Tips:
-It is unnecessary to use European butter for this recipe.
-Cream Cheese Icing will not absorb food coloring the same as the Basic White Icing.  Keep this in mind when using it to decorate.

Variations:
-Use strawberry cream cheese for a great flavor addition to an ordinary box cake.
-Fold in homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip for a lighter texture.

Suggested Recipes:
Strawberry Delight 

Happy Anniversary!

   Marriage isn't always easy, therefore reaching those big milestone anniversaries (10th, 25th, etc) is truly an achievement.  Often, going back to the beginning, remembering what brought you together, is a great way to celebrate, to look back on all that you've experience (and survived) together.  Well, I would like to add my contribution to this party: re-create your wedding cake!

   Okay, maybe not the whole thing, you're probably not having 250 people over for an anniversary celebration.  We did the wedding, it was stressful.  Let's not go back to caterers and DJ's and flower arrangements.  This is a no-stress, fun-only situation.
    A cake inspired by your wedding day and wedding cake can really bring back those memories, reminisce for a day, share all those hectic wedding day stories with your kids and look back on the happy life you've shared.

 

Cake Party!

 Fact: Kids love sugar.

Fact: Kids love presents.

Fact: Kids love making a mess.

Solution: Host a birthday party with Let Them Eat Cake!

We will provide cookies, cupcakes or small round cakes for each child to decorate, as well as piping bags of icing in different colors.  We will be available for the duration of the decorating as well as the set up beforehand and clean up afterward.  

Chef hats will be provided for all the children as a party favor.

Feline Friends

I just had to post a picture of this cake for all my cat-loving friends (and family).  This was for a co-worker's birthday.  She has two "furry children" named Bonnie and Clyde.

Multiple Personalities

I come from a big family and for some reason half of my family was born in September.  I complicated matters by marrying someone whose birthday is in September (just another reason he fits in so well!)  So, for me, birthdays can seem to pile up.  

Most people tend to take the easy way out and have one big party for everybody.  This happens most often in the work place.  All the month's birthdays are thrown together on one day.  So how do you make each birthday boy/girl feel special?  With cake of course!

Recently we celebrated several birthdays where I work.  Instead of just doing one generic "Happy Birthday" sheet cake, I made a tiered cake with different flavors and decorations on each tier.  

Next time you're doing a group celebration let the cake personalize it!

Cakes and Desserts