Birthday Cake
A few weeks ago one of my co-workers asked me if I could make her a birthday cake. There was much discussion on what kind of cakes, flavors, toppings, icings, decorations, everything. Conversations went on for what seemed like hours before we decided on a cake, and then at the last moment, the cake changed again. After many google searches, it was settled and I was to make a cake that was inspired by this cake. We settled on a price (a bargain because I’m a nice guy) and a pickup date. I gathered the proper ingredients and off I went.
Cakes like this usually aren’t my thing. I usually concentrate on more of a French styled gateau or at least something with more of a European flair. I’m not trying to be a food snob, it’s just what I’ve been taught. This is the first time since culinary school that I’ve willingly used rolled fondant as an ingredient. In the past I’ve got up on my soapbox about how rolled fondant is just a bland, sugar, mess. Most people don’t eat it so why bother putting something like that on the cake. I may have changed my view, just a little bit.
The covering went on easily and stayed nice and smooth, the flowers and decorations were easily made in advance, and everything went together very nicely on the last possible day so things didn’t get all nasty. The guts of the cake were basic chocolate chiffon on the bottom and vanilla chiffon on the top. I used real chocolate buttercream on the bottom and vanilla buttercream on the top. I was told the vanilla chiffon was the better of the two but they were both good.
I really would consider this more of a WOW cake than a gourmet cake but I could have probably added some more extras to the actual cakes. Things like fruit purees or liquored soaking syrups would have elevated this cake to the next level, but the basics I used were what was requested. I made sure I used the best swiss method buttercream I could find using both real butter and real chocolate when the recipes called for it.
Good post. I’d been checking out frequently this kind of web site with this particular satisfied! Extremely helpful details in particular the still left phase 🙂 I take care of such information a whole lot. I had been trying to find this certain info for a very long time. Cheers and best of luck.
That’s rolled fondant. You can purchase it at any craft store but it doesn’t taste all that good. You can dye it any color using normal food coloring.
Hi I am recently into cake decorating and I was wondering what you used to make the ball shaped decorations at the bottom of the cake?
You should really think of taking this up as a profession! I mean, look at the finishing on this cake!
this is gorgeous…simply gorgeous. I know fondant tastes aweful. I’m trying the swiss variety fondant…I heard it tastes acceptable.
wow is right! this cake is so cute! 🙂
i just joined the DB this month, just checking out everyone else’s blogs, wanted to say hello 🙂
This is superb! I probably would have made a basic chocolate cake. 😉
Holy Moly! That is one fabulous cake. I have been saying I am going to learn how to work with fondant…this is so fabulous! I want to learn now! 🙂
Hi- fellow DBer here, great job!!! Fondant and I aren’t close friends yet, I’m jealous.
I saw your comment on this month’s recipe and wanted to concur. We’ll get through it I’m sure, and hopefully there will be better and more challenging things to come.
Nice job! It looks awesome!
courtney: I tried to push my flavor agenda but realized, in the end, it is what the customer wants that is the most important.
brian: pretty stand fillings: buttercream. Chocolate for the chocolate cake, vanilla for the vanilla.
Michelle, Manisha: thanks for the nice words. I can always find faults with my work, even things like this. It’s nice to hear other people’s opinions 🙂
I am completely in awe.
Wow, very impressed! Did you or eater get to partake at the birthday party? What’s inside? Very nice looking cake; well done!
I have been taking cake decorating classes. And while the emphasis is not so much on flavor, but design, I still believe a beautiful decorated cake can be a gourmet cake with loads of flavor. Great job.
This cake is fantastic! Great job!