Happy Birthday to Me

This summer, I hit a milestone. Or rather, a milestone hit me. I don’t know how it happened so fast, but here I am at that age that I always considered to be “old.” (Otherwise known as the age-that-must-not-be-named.) It’s all relative, of course, and in many ways I am healthier and happier than I have ever been, however, it’s still a little shocking to reach what I consider to be my parents’ age. (And seriously, you couldn’t pay me to be twenty again – ugh!)  

Instead of engaging in some quiet introspection to reflect on my past and to set goals for my future, I headed into the kitchen to make myself a birthday cake. Since this is the second year in a row that I have made myself a cake for my birthday, I think I can call it a tradition. (Established 2012!) This is also the second time that I have made the Pistachio Petit Four Cake that I had long admired at Smitten Kitchen, and I think I was able to improve on my marzipan flower design this year. 

Glamour shot on great-grandma's cake stand

Yes, these marzipan mums were a labor of love

Maybe next year, I will attempt something more original as the topper, but I do feel like the glistening dark chocolate ganache calls for the fussiness of the girlie pink flowers on top. What do you think?

Last year's cake for reference

 - Jenn

Barbie Cake

   Another niece’s birthday, another cake challenge.  When I made my niece an owl cake for her 8^th birthday, it seemed to go over pretty well.  I certainly learned a lot about making a character cake and also about patience. Let’s just say it’s easier to crumb coat a cake that hasn’t been sliced into multiple pieces. There may have been some cursing involved. 

The owl

   Last month, my other niece requested that I make her a birthday cake with the following words, “Auntie Jenni, you are making my birthday cake!” 

   

   I like her style. She wanted a Barbie cake, so you all know what that means--the classic rounded skirt doll cake. After intimidating myself with all a bunch of amazing Barbie cake photos on the Internet, I went to Michaels and scoped out the available tools. I couldn’t bring myself to spring for the $20 Wilton “Teen Doll” skirt pan, but the thought of it haunted me later during the baking process.  (The Wilton pan has a metal core that sticks up in the middle of the dome to help ensure even baking for this odd-shaped cake.) I did grab the “Teen Doll” torso pick. I think because I was getting nervous and felt like I had to buy something. Once I got home, I realized that I couldn’t possibly use this imposter doll. I remember being a little girl and knowing when someone was trying to pass off a fake. Needless to say, I bought a Barbie.

Teen Doll, you aren’t fooling anyone.

   So here’s how it went down. I made one Funfetti cake mix (I know…) in a domed ceramic bowl. It had to cook it for 55 minutes before the wooden satay stick came out clean. The edges were a little brown, but I trimmed the darkest bits off and they tasted fine. (This is when I started wondering if I should have bought the damn Wilton pan.) Next, I baked a Devil’s Food cake mix (sigh) using the Cake Mix Doctor’s recipe, but I baked half the batter in a 9 inch round pan, made one oversized cupcake, and then used the rest to make 10 regular cupcakes. 

   Once the cakes were baked, I assembled the cake in the following manner: 9 inch round, icing, bowl cake, icing, large cupcake upside-down. Next, I wrapped Barbie, cut an X through the cake and then pushed Barbie all the way down and gave the whole thing a crumb coat using classic buttercream icing with a touch of shortening to make sure the icing would be firm. 

Is it just me or is this picture almost offensive?

The architect assists

After some time in the refrigerator, I was able to apply the fondant bodice and then do the final base coat of buttercream. The hard part was over. Piping on the decorative touches is the most fun, if you ask me. I find that using repeating patterns and simple designs is best with limited decorating skills. Also, I try to avoid the temptation to over-decorate. The final touch that really made this cake sparkle was the silver luster dust I brushed on Barbie’s fondant bodice.  All in all, it was a pretty good cake for a 5^th birthday. 

Extra cupcakes for the party

   Let’s not make one of these cakes again anytime soon.

- Jenn