Birthday Cake

So I must admit I'm starting to enjoy making and decorating cakes more. Here is my latest creation: Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting.

Vegan Cupcakes

I have a friend at work who became a vegan around the month of May. By vegan, I mean she does not eat anything that has come from an animal or has anything to do with an animal. I wanted to make her some cupcakes for her birthday, so I began searching and searching for recipes for vegan cupcakes. Oh I forgot to mention that she had requested "tiramisu" cupcakes!!!! So more searching and finally I found an easy enough recipe. I ventured out to Whole Foods, a grocery store I adore but can't really afford, and bought the necessary ingredients. I soon figured out I probably could have bought the same ingredients at our local Kroger, oh well I still love going in the store. Some different ingredients that went into the cupcakes were apple cidar vinegar and I used coconut oil instead of butter. I dug small holes out of the center of the cupcakes and pour the amaretto liqueur, espresso powder and vanilla mixture into each cupcake so it could soak in. The frosting also contained the amaretto liqueur and espresso powder. It was a little sweet but still very tasty. These cupcakes were delicious!!!! I might even start eating vegan.................NAH, Just Kidding, but they were really good!!!!!

Mother's Birthday Cake

My mother also turned another year older this past weekend. When I asked what kind of cake she would like for her birthday, she requested a lemon and coconut cake. Interesting, I thought. Below is a 9-inch round lemon cake with vanilla buttercream icing. I spread coconut around the sides of the cake. I tried a different buttercream recipe this time. It was tasting, but I think I'll stick with my usual buttercream recipe next time.

Over The Hill

Stefanie's wonderful mom, Rita, turned the big "5-0" this past weekend. Stefanie wanted a small round cake with black icing. I knew how hard it was to get white icing bright red, so I wondered how hard it would be getting it black. I read if you start with chocolate icing, it makes it a lot easier. So that is exactly what I did and it turned out great! I have learned when coloring frostings, the longer they sit the darker they will great. I saw these "50" candles at party city and thought they would look great stuck in the cake. The cake was french vanilla with chocolate icing.