Cake for any occasion

I've decided that cake, or really sweets in general, are appropriate for any gift, birthday, Valentine's, forgive me, thank you, etc.  This week was filled with a variety of occasions which resulted in a variety of cakes.  

First up, a very belated birthday cake.  I love making cakes for co-workers.  My co-workers are some of the best, most hard-working people I know.   For this cake it was a chocolate chip cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.  I stuck to my New Year Resolution by trying some new decorating.  I was going for a rose look, and while it doesn't necessarily look like mini roses, I still think it looks pretty cool.  

I used mini and regular chocolate chips which
accounts for the differences in the 2 layers

Next was a Thank You cake.  I knew immediately what I was going to do for this cake.  Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and a simple white fondant bow.  While very simple, always one of my favorites. 

And finally, another New Years Resolution - trying a new recipe.  One of my favorite blogs is bakerella.com.  She has some amazing and delicious ideas and this cake certainly did not disappoint! This cake is chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting "drizzled" in chocolate ganache.  Since this cake was just for my husband and myself, I didn't spend as much time decorating, but was just ready to get to the finished product!

So delicious!! 

I go back to cake class next week, so stay tuned for what's to come! 

Sara

2012 New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year! Yes, I realize the month of January is half over, but it's never too late, right?!

Do you make new year resolutions?  Well, each year I make three. I can't exactly remember when I started making three, I just know its been for awhile now.  I try really hard not to do the same thing over and over, but add something that will really challenge me or expand my horizons.  While I don't always make it the full year, they're fun and and at the end of each year I feel like I've grown up or, for lack of a better word, wiser.

Here are my three this year:
1.  Bake at least once a week.  This is easy, right?! Not necessarily.  Because I work full-time, my schedule can get pretty busy during the week and finding time to bake, and then of course, decorate can get tricky.  But I am committed to finding the time and hopefully some new great recipes and design inspiration along the way.

2. Give up caffeine.  Wait, what?! It's true, for 3 weeks now I have been caffeine free (no, chocolate does NOT count).  No more Starbucks skinny vanilla latte, no more Diet Dr. Pepper, not even any hot tea... just water, juice and Caffeine Free Diet Coke (sometimes it's just necessary).  You might ask what possessed me to do this, well, Lent starts the end of February and each year I give up caffeine for Lent.  Well, I thought I'd go ahead and challenge myself to add 2 months to that.  And as I said, chocolate does not count as caffeine in my book, so I'm still good here!

3.  Complete P90X and run a marathon.  My husband and I are currently on our second week of P90X.  It is a little brutal, and I find a different part of my body sore every day.  But, it's something new and change is good.  The second part of that is to run a marathon - 26.2 miles.  I always said, the only marathon I would ever run is Boston.  The catch is, you have to qualify for Boston, so obviously, that's probably not going to happen.  In December I completed my 7th half-marathon and decided it's time for a new goal.  This one is definitely going to be a challenge and probably a little bit of a battle, but that just means I can eat more cake, right?!

I hope to do a little better on blogging and will keep you posted with my progress, especially on #1.  Speaking of, better get going!
Sara

Holiday Parties Wrap-up

Once again, I have been a bad blogger.  I don't know about you, but this holiday season seemed to be much busier than ones in last few years.  But, I was able to get some baking done both for other people and my own house.

First up - Red velvet cupcakes with white chocolate amaretto frosting (sorry, no picture).  I was a little skeptical of these at first, but the frosting worked really well with the red velvet.  The red and white made it feel very festive and for a little punch I added red sugar pearls.  It added just enough decor to really tie it together.

Next, was the Dallas CASA volunteer holiday party.  Just a little side note for those who do not know, my full-time job is doing events and development for the non-profit, Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  Dallas CASA is an organization of volunteers who, are assigned by a judge, to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in CPS custody.  We have over 500 amazing advocates and I am so fortunate to be a part of this amazing organization.  Now, back to cake stuff.  For this party, all the food is provided by the staff and I decided to make a 3-layer Snowman cake.  The three layers were lemon, white and strawberry.  His eyes, arms, buttons, scarf and nose were made of fondant and his hat was rice crispies covered in chocolate fondant.  And his mouth was mini chocolate chips.  I am pleased to report, there wasn't much left of him by the end of the party.

And last was some personal baking.  Each year my dear friend, Whitney (you can find her blog here: worldofwhit.blogspot.com) host a girl's only party.  While we provide most of the food (Whitney is an amazing cook!) we ask people to bring something and always end up with way more food than we should! Here's a picture of our spread.

The food ranged from dips and salad, to cheese balls, ham rolls and a little of fruit.  We also had 2 kinds of fudge and of course, sugar cookies.  And I have found a new favorite party snack, chocolate dipped potato chips - they are so easy and so delicious! The perfect balance and sweet and salty.

I can only hope your holidays were as tasty as mine.  Here's looking forward to all the yummy goodness 2012 will bring!
Sara