M.A.C Make-up Cake

Oh me oh my, I made this cake a few weeks back and I am only getting around to sharing.

This cake, as you can tell, is for a lady who looooves her make-up. M.A.C make-up to be precise. It was actually a really fun cake to make. All bits and bobs of make-up strewn all over a pink and purple make-up case, which in fact was chocolate biscuit cake.

Chocolate biscuit is by far the most popular requested cake I get. People just go mad for it. I've been quiet busy as of late and it has all been chocolate biscuit cakes. So I really feel the need to bake something spongy and creamy and sumptuous. Luckily berries are in full bloom around these parts so I have great plans for them.

My sister and I took my little nephew on a hunt last week, a hunt for blackberries. We live by an extremely scenic river and low and behold there was bushes upon bushes of blackberries. We got a bucket full, not being too greedy as there was other kids out foraging too. We got stung by nettles, scrapes from thorns, screamed at spiders but my lawd it was worth it. It made the yummiest blackberry jam. I'm usually not a fan but this sweet, gooey blackberry concoction was something! I didn't have a sugar thermometer so it is more of a conserve which I personally favour to jam. Smeared over homemade scones Saturday morning was just heaven.

So hopefully I shall be back with some bakes soon. The evenings are getting darker and theres a slight nip in the air. This seems to be the time my baking mojo kicks in......when I can cover all my indulgences up with a big jumper lol!

Have a great weekend folks.....I'm off to pick more blackberries...

Shirley x

Fondant Fridays: A Little Choo Choo cake

I think this could be one of the simplest cakes I have ever made. No muss, no fuss just a little guy who loves choo choos! I tried to get inventive with some tracks and a "tunnel" and to be honest the picture doesn't even do it justice. It was fabulously cute in real life. It was very much a "I don't want to cut it up situation" lol which I always find is a job well done.

It was a chocolate biscuit cake with the addition of raisins instead my usual malteasers. 

Happy September to ya'll! Got myself some fantastically fresh rhubarb out of my uncles garden which I cannot wait to get baking with. I'm thinking some rhubarb and custard muffins. Of course there will tarts and crumbles too, that's a given!

Fondant Fridays: P-p-p-p-poker Cake

I have played poker I would say about twice in my life and it was basically me watching other people win money. In fairness once was in Vegas so I really had no clue what was going on, it was all happening so quick. The second time my Dad held a poker night at home so I wasnt too awful. I tried to be cunning and really "play" the game but lets just say I lost a few pennies that night also lol!

So when I was asked to make a small cake for someone "who loves his poker", I had some idea of what to make. The cake itself was a gluten-free sponge, raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream. I had never made gluten-free before and read horrendous story how difficult it was to get a good gluten-free sponge but it turned out perfect.....phew lol!

Hope everyones enjoying the last few days of holidays before all the schools are back. I honestly dont know where the summer went!

Happy Friday

Shirley x

Fondant Fridays: Vanilla and Chocolate Giant Cupcake

My Sister's friend has a little girl named Leah and she is my nephews bestest friend in the whole wide world. So when she asked me to do something for Leah's birthday, I was only too happy to do it. She didn't really mind what the cake was so I suggested a giant cupcake. I had recently bought the giant cupcake pan and I was mad to test it out. 

The cake was a vanilla sponge, raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream.

I made the cupcake casing out of chocolate. There are a few videos on YouTube of how to do this but it is basically melting down chocolate and coating the inside of the tin. You need quite a bit of chocolate as it has to be quite thick. When fully dried, give a little tug on the thickest part of the chocolate and it will pop right out. I was veerrry skeptical about this. I was expecting it to shatter in to pieces but it doesn't,trust me! It's such a nice clean finish instead of trying to perfectly buttercream it and who doesn't love chocolate.

While I wasn't too happy with the buttercream piping, I think every baker in Ireland will understand the frustrations with buttercream this last summer. Melty-Mac-Melterson!

Hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!

Shirley x

Fondant Fridays: Little Baby Booties Christening Cake

Look at these little booties, how fantastically cute are they?!

While I've made booties many time before, I have never put the addition of socks. I think they complete the little bootie. Can't understand why I would have never thought to do this before but sure, it's all a learning process.

This cake was a vanilla sponge, strawberry jam and vanilla cream. It was very popular and went down a treat. I heard it even got the stamp of approval of the grandmother. You know if the elders approve of cake then you're on to a winner!

The older kids went nuts for the booties and eventually the dad gave in and let them eat them....sugarbuzzzzz!!

Hope everyones having a good Friday! There seems to be a bit of change in the weather, I feel Autumn blowing in so get out and soak up any last rays of sun!

Have a good weekend.

Shirley x

Fondant Fridays: Flower Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes many a blue moon ago and completely forgot to share. I stumbled upon them last night as I was deleting some of the two bijillion photos I have of bakes. And as today is Friday, it worked out very well indeed.

I made this batch for a friend who's mom was celebrating (obviously) the big 6 0! Like the baby shower cupcakes, I think they make a cute accompaniment to a prezzie. I love making fondant flowers, there is something I find strangely relaxing about it and they always look super pretty, especially in abundance.

They were lemon sponge with lemon buttercream frosting and went down a treat!

Short but sweet on this beautiful sunny day.

Hope you are all out enjoying it and it lasts for the weekend!

Shirley x

Fondant Friday: Two tiered 18th Birthday Cake

Happy Fondant Friday!

I made this a few weeks ago and embarrassingly, I am only getting around to posting it now. But as its fondant Friday, it worked out pretty well.

This two-tiered cake is a chocoholics dream. The top layer was a chocolate fudge cake and the bottom layer was chocolate biscuit cake. The birthday girl had seen something similar online and wanted it in her favourite colours~purple and pink. It also had some purple and pink stars on the top layer, almost like a stars bursting out of the cake. It was quite breezy that day so I assembled them on delivery for fear of them bending in some crazy way.

I'd never done those stars before but they are super effective. The cake seems almost 'unfinished' without them. Of course did I bring my camera, or even my phone to show you all. No! Because that would actually require me to be organised and have a brain...ugh lol!

Anyway hope everyones Friday is going well and the weekend is even better!

Shirley x

Fondant Friday: Baby Shower Cupcakes

A while back, a friend of mine was invited to a baby shower. We having the usual chit-chat of what to bring, already knowing the mommy to-be had almost everything already. She had already bought a small gift, So I suggested why not bring along some cupcakes? They were super cute and a real nice touch if I may say so myself.

The mommy-to-be didnt know the sex of the baby so I did a mix 'n' match batch. I loved making each individual topper and although the were a bit time consuming, I adored the end result. I could honestly whittle away cupcake toppers each evening and die a happy woman. The went down an absolute storm at the baby shower. Sometimes the smallest little details can make the biggest impact...I was beyond delighted.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Shirley x

Guitar Cake

Hello...remember me..lol!

No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, time has just not been my friend as of late. I honestly don't have a clue where February went and then I feel like I blinked and missed March. I mean how in gods name is it the first of April already!!!

I haven't even dabbled in much bakes. I went off bread for lent (like a crazy person) and my whole family went off sweet things so all that was left to make was more savoury dishes.....which I'm considering sharing as it does class as baked goods....right?!

I did, however, get an order for this guitar cake. I can't tell you how happy a new cake challenge makes me. It was something I had never done before and I've certainly never made something so large. I loved every minute of it.

I baked five sheets of chocolate cake and used a template I cut out of cake boards. I then "glued" them all together with buttercream and crumb coated. I think I've finally got my crumb coating down so that it crusts perfectly for the fondant. I then covered it in fondant and added the extra bits 'n' bobs with a little bit of edible glue.

I was pretty chuffed with the results......super fun project!

Hope you are keeping well out there in blogland!

Shirley x

Robot Cake

One robot cake for one very special little man in my life.

My nephew turned 3 over the weekend and had requested a robot cake. He loves robots. I have had many conversations in robot language the last few months......I.   AM.  A.  ROBOT.... You know how it goes!

The cake was a sponge with a raspberry and blueberry buttercream. I wouldn't say it was my favourite berry buttercream ever but it was tasty none the less. I don't think you can beat strawberry buttercream...it's just too good in my opinion.

The "body" was made up of four layers of sponge squared while the "head" was a three layer smaller square. Actually quite an easy cake to make. He was super happy with it and ate all the fondant "buttons and dials" within minutes of blowing out the candles.

I can't believe we are on to robots already, where does time go?! It seems like only yesterday I was whippin up "Iggle-Piggle" and Thomas the tank engine. I look forward to his birthday requests every year as you really don't know what he'll come up with. I thought for sure I would be making a Monsters inc. or Jungle Book cake this year but nope a robot cake.

So what my fav little man wants, My fav little man gets :)

Happy Birthday Callum!

Shirley x

Princess Castle Cake

Happy Fondant Friday folks!

I was asked to make this cake for a little princess who was turning 3!

But this cake ended up being the disaster I was talking about in Tuesday's post. And what annoys me the most is I still can't figure out what went wrong. You see those lovely towers? Well the one on the left decided to snap whilst being transported.

The storm did not help in any way, shape or form. It was fine until I was taking it from my house, shielded under an umbrella from the wind. I was in the car about two minutes when I noticed a tear in the fondant and it just went all down hill from there!

When I arrived with the cake I did my best to repair the damage but the tower didn't exactly have the same height or structure it had previously. I was absolutely gutted, like extremely close to tears. It is my first ever disaster and I must admit it knocked my confidence a bit.

Hmmmmm.......Who knows, maybe it was just one of those days.

.............................................................................................................

What is everyone up to for the weekend?

G and I are headed off to a cottage in 'wesht' Cork for the weekend which should be interesting with the forthcoming storm.......

Wish us luck :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Shirley x

Wedding Cake

My cousin Laura asked me to do her wedding cake and I jumped at the chance. I don't think there is one cake more daunting to us amateur bakers as a wedding cake.

As much as I love doing cakes, they can get a bit monotonous. I always say to people leave your imagination run wild, you can do anything with cakes nowadays. I love a good challenge and I think a wedding cake is pretty much up there with the best of them.

Laura wanted to incorporate her wedding dress details on the cake. I made a sketch and free handed the beautiful design. It was probably the thing I was most scared about as I hadn't really done much piping before. But I was delighted the way it turned out. It was simple,clean and elegant. She had roses as her flowers so we topped the cake with them. I love incorporating little details into cakes, even if guest don't cop it. Its all part of the theme!

She then wanted two little figurines of herself and her new hubby. These took me.....ahem.....awhile. I made four brides heads until I was happy. Painting eyelashes on an already tiny eyes took a lot of patience and a seriously steady hand. I thought they turned out super cute and they were very happy with them so it was smiles all round.

The cakes were Chocolate Biscuit Cake and Red velvet.....ya-huuum! I also, as per usual, completely forgot to take proper pictures. Please forgive me for the hazyness. When will I ever learn!

I loved doing every single bit of this cake and I got sooooooo many compliments off people, I was absolutely delighted.

It was a beautiful wedding and such a great day.

Congrats to the newly-weds xx

Shirley x

Teddy Bear Baby Cake

A simple baby shower cake. The momma-to-be didn't know what she was having so I went for a blue bear for a boy and a pink bear for a girl. I added a little play block in front with some question marks. I also did a quilted effect which I had never done before but it was very easy.

The cake was Chocolate Biscuit Cake and vanilla buttercream. I loved the way the teddy's came out! They are super cute, if I may say so myself. I made these using gumpaste a few days before and they set perfectly. Happy baker over here :)

Hope everyone has fab weekend!

Shirley x

Some Sort Of Rugby Ball Cake

This may not look like a complicated cake but due to our glorious weather recently, it really tested my patience. The apparent rugby ball did in fact look like a rugby ball when first moulded but due to the heat it literally melted and drooped. No amount of icing sugar and tylose powder was going to save me!

The cake was the ever so popular chocolate biscuit cake and chocolate buttercream.

Short and sweet (and seriously frustrating!!)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Shirley x

Cocktail Birthday Cake

This is a birthday cake for one of my fabber dabber friends for her 30th birthday. She is a massive lover of cocktails sooo the theme was easy peasy. She is also "obsessed with her dog (who has her own facebook page,I kid you not!!) so I popped a little "dora" on the side.

The cake was Chocolate Biscuit Cake (which seems to be EXTREMELY popular lately) and topped with a cocktail glass. For some reason I never remember to take photos of my cakes, my bakes yes......the cakes no! Its not the clearest photo in the world but I loved the cake.It was fun and girlie which describes the birthday gal to a tee!

Happy Birthday Aoife x

Shirley x

Thomas the tank engine birthday cake

Just wanted to share my "Thomas the tank engine" cake I whipped up for my favourite little man, my nephew Callum, Who turned "choo" a few weeks back.

I managed to get my hands on some organic strawberries (in February??......Thank you global warming!) so I went for a Victoria Sponge recipe and a strawberry buttercream. It was delicious, really refreshing and light.

Happy Birthday Callum, love you x

Short and sweet!

Shirley x

21st Birthday Cake

When we asked Aishling what she wanted to do for her 21st some months back, her response was VEGAS!

Having been to Vegas in the winter months before I don't feel I got a true "Vegas" experience ( it snowed the last time I was there ) so we are waiting for the warm weather to kick in. At the end of May, Jacq, Aish and I are off to L.A. Vegas and Cancun for two weeks ( the diet starts now lol! ). Has anyone been to any of these places before and have "a must see"? I would love to have some places to check out :)

We marked her 21st by going to dinner and a few drinks. The next day we had a fiesta in Jacqueline's house, so of course a cake was needed. I wanted to make a cake that would represent her "birthday holiday". I went for a beach themed bottom layer and a Vegas themed top layer.

Here is my sketch or my "guideline".

The bottom layer was a Chocolate biscuit cake and I used a dummy cake for the top layer. I made the dice, cards and the "corona" bottles out of fondant some days before so they were dry and easy to colour.

As part of my new years resolutions, I want to become a better blogger and photographer. Hopefully this cake, dear friends, will be my last "ah sure it'll be grand" photo!

Hope 2013 is treating you all well so far :)

Shirley x

Halloween Birthday cake

My sister's friend Orla was celebrating her 21st birthday the weekend before Halloween. She wanted something to celebrate her 21st but also to fit in her "Halloween-fancy dress" themed party! We played around with a few ideas and with a few last minute changes here and there, we came up with this.

We had originally decided to have ghost and all sorts surrounding the "21" but I think it may have looked a bit "too much". A few pumpkins and bats here and there with the chosen colours pretty much screams Halloween anyway and it also didn't take from the actual 21.

She was happy therefore I was happy!

This was a fairly tricky cake to ice but it was my first time trying to ice unusual shapes and there proximity didn't make my life any easier. The "2" was a chocolate fudge cake and the "1" was a Victoria sponge. There was soooooo much waste with these cakes, luckily my family are cakey people and there wasn't a scrap left the next day.

We celebrated Halloween by taking Callum Trick or Treating for his very first time. He went as superman and was delighted with himself to be receiving free sweets.

Aishling decided to dress up as a lion for the trick or treating fun with Callum. Jacqueline and I also got in on the action and dressed up as cats, I don't know who enjoyed themselves more, him or us :)

After our trick or treating venture, we headed home, I whipped up a few (eight to be precise...phew!) homemade pizzas and wedges. We stuffed ourselves with food and sweets and it was honestly a great Halloween.

Hope everyone had a fantastic and safe Halloween!

Shirley x

Baby Cakes!

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.............hmmm what I didn't realise was that life would be beating the crap out of me with the so called lemons! When everything was settling back to normal and I was starting to get back into my baking stride,my other half  G was struck down with a still yet "unknown Virus" which was inflaming his heart. Life was work, hospital, little sleep for over a week. G was discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.....Phew! He'll be out of work for a few months and has to rest up. So I packed him off to stay with his mother because I now had to face into the task of MOVING!!!

I never realised how much stuff we had actually accumulated over the years but my god! The packing I didn't mind so much but the unpacking.......nightmare. I soldiered on and after many days and even more boxes I'm finally unpacked :)

So as I said I got a little baking in, My friend Carmel wanted a cake for her sisters baby shower. My camera was full at the time so the good ol' iPhone stepped in so please forgive the quality.

My friend Jean asked me to do a cake for her nephew Callums christening. Its similar to my own nephews cake but with a few little tweaks.

This is a slumpy teddy bear, in other words I didn't leave it dry properly...ooops :)

 And here are a few more baby cakes I've done along the way!

Happy Baking!

Shirley x

My First Wedding Cake.

My very first wedding cake!

I have come to the realisation that summer and blogging do not work out so well for me, I'd love to say it is because I am out enjoying the sun all the time but unfortunately in Ireland, that's not the case. Never the less the weeks seem to be flying by and I always seem to have something on or going somewhere...busy bee!

I have also become a bit of an insomniac.....yawn! I sleep for about 3hrs and then I'm up for about 4hrs and just when I start to get sleepy, its time to get up. It's a good thing G is a sound sleeper because I'm pretty sure I would be single right now :) I truly miss blogging and used to spend these "awake hours" reading my favourite blogs but it would send my brain into overdrive with ideas and wanting to be uber-productive, so it had to stop :( I now watch "The Big Bang Theory" re-runs, easy on the brain!

blurrrrrr..................thanks iphone :)

Anywho on a baking note as the post title suggests, I made my very first wedding cake...YAY! I thought I was going to be more nervous than I was, to be making someones wedding cake, because it has to be perfect but I was happy with the results and the bride was even happier and that's all that matters really :)

On the Birthday Season,I have to wish a Happy birthday to Aoife, Barry, Carmel and Harry! And to myself....28...sooo old...argh! Also on a side note, Our family dog Tyler died 2wks back. Any of you animal lovers out there will know how heartbreaking that is! My sister Jacqueline did a lovely post to her on her blog ( I don't know where she got the strength to write it, I could barely read it ) so you can check it out here if you wish. Love you Ty xxx

On a brighter topic my Uncle Joe hit us up with some fresh rhubarb straight from his garden which was automatically made into crumble and tart within hours. I'll be posting soon.........I promise lol!