Cake Reveal

It took me a little longer than I had hoped to get pictures up of the cake I made this past weekend.  Better late than never, right? That's actually the story of my life.  I am a chronic procrastinator but that's another story for another post. So without further ado, here is my 3D mushroom cake!

First let me start with the significance of this cake.  I made this cake for a welcome home party for a guy I met last year that has been stationed overseas.  We have a lot of mutual friends but I don't know him all that well. You know how when you meet someone you can just kind of tell that they are a good person? Well, that's "Shroom".  My husband and I are both veterans so I guess there is an instant camaraderie there but he's just a really nice guy.  Also, he thinks my cakes are awesome and tells me so.  He asked if I would make him a cake a while back and of course I said yes.  Flattery will get you everywhere with me ;)  I know you wouldn't guess by the photo but his nickname "shroom" actually came from his hairstyle. Although the hair has gone, the name has not. Isn't that funny?

Okay, for the details...
I know I said I wasn't going to use fondant or modeling chocolate but I changed my mind and it really paid off.  I think it does look professional(ish) and it was a huge hit! It's hard to say this humbly but this cake was de.li.cious!!! I mean, it might even be better than my triple chocolate chip cake.  I call it *White Velevet* It was SO good! I kind of made up the recipe but you can find it here.

I lurk on Cake Central for cake ideas all the time. I saw a lot of mushroom cakes but they looked like little fairy cottages more fit for a young girl's birthday.  So, I decided to just wing it.  The first thing I did was create my own cake stand.  I just hot glued a pilsner glass and a glass plate together.  I tried covering the base in RKT but it just didn't work out. Unfortunately, I had to eat the RKT myself.  I made some modeling chocolate (recipe here) and wrapped the base with it then put my cake on top.  I know it was a simple shape but the cake was really easy to carve.  I cheated with the buttercream. I was in a pinch so I just bought a couple pounds from a bakery then added a bunch of powdered sugar to make it more stiff.  Don't you love my exact measurements? I covered the cake with BC then added my fondant. I don't make my own.  It's just not worth it.  I can never get it right so I use Satin Ice.  It's what Buddy and Duff use so I think it's good enough for me.  The spots are also modeling chocolate rolled out the same way you roll fondant. TADA That's it!  I really feel like it's up there with some of my best cakes.  It was a challenge but I think it turned out better than I imagined.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Modeling Chocolate Recipe

This is the recipe I used on the base of my mushroom cake. It's the first time I've used it but it worked well and I will definitely use it again.  It's so easy!

1 14oz package of candy melts
1/3 cup light corn syrup. 

Melt the candy melts according to the package directions.  Once melted stir in corn syrup until well blended.  Pour out onto wax paper.  Let it cool before putting it into the fridge to setup.  You can use it as soon as it is firm but it's probably best to leave it over night.  It does get really stiff.  In fact, I thought I botched it.  I worked with a little piece at a time.  Just squish it and fold it until it is smooth again.  If it gets too warm and becomes sticky or too soft to work with, just set it aside to cool. You can also put it in the fridge for a few minutes to speed this up.  Then you just use it again.  I like modeling chocolate better than fondant for things you need to completely wrap around b/c the warmth of your hand gently melts it and eliminates seams.  *Hint- white chocolate is a little oily so you might want to leave it a little longer to set up. Also this is great for making figurines.  It's really easy to manipulate (once you get it warmed back up with your hands) like fondant but it's a little more sturdy I think. I made a little owl but I didn't take a pic :/ 
I know this wasn't completely clear so if you have any questions just let me know.
I would love to see pics if you guys make anything with modeling chocolate.

White velvet cake recipe

I don't often make things from "scratch".  I don't have a lot of recipes or a lot of experience with complicated recipes (or enough time)  I am a firm believer that if something is made in your home then it is "homemade".  I use a lot of mixes then modify them.  That is what I have done here.  This actually was based on a recipe I have used a lot that I call Double Chocolate Chip or Triple Chocolate Chip if I use fudge icing.  It is very moist inside and it isn't too light. It is great for carving! I had very few crumbs.  So here goes

Ingredients:
DRY
1 Pilsbury white cake mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 3.3oz box white chocolate pudding (Jello)
WET
4 egg whites
3/4 cup oil
1 cup white chocolate liquid coffee creamer
8oz sour cream
1tsp clear vanilla (you can use regular vanilla but it will color your cake and it won't be pure white)

Mix the dry ingredients, then stir in the wet.  Bake at 325 degrees. Baking times vary.  For an 8 inch round I baked for about 40 minutes. You really have to watch it. If it is over done, don't worry- The outer crust might harden (which will be fine if you're carving) but the inside will still be nice and moist.  Also, I have had a hard time with this cake sinking in the middle.  I'm sure the baking pin or ring would help with that but it didn't matter once I leveled my cake.  This would be a great bundt cake!

I made cupcakes with this recipe and they had a little divot in the middle.  So I filled them with caramel, topped them with chocolate BC then sprinkled a little sea salt on top.  They were SO good.  I was inspired by my favorite cupcake from Cuppies and Joe called "Boom Boom Pow" That super sweet with a little bit of salty was perfect! Let me know if you use this recipe and post pics if you have them. I love seeing other peoples' creations!

It's taking shape!

My mushroom cake is taking shape! I have had MANY challenges with this cake but I am making it work.  I don't think the end result will look professional.  I just don't have the time, skill, or energy to wrap it in fondant or wrap the base in modeling chocolate.  It will, however, resemble a mushroom and that is the goal. 
So, last night I crafted with some girlfriends.  I made a ribbon topiary.  I cut the ribbon at home so it wouldn't take me as long at Cindo's house (I am very slow at just about everything- slow and steady wins the race, right?) Then I started to put a couple pieces of ribbon on to see what it looks like.  I didn't really like it so I thought I would do a couple more, then a couple more.  It started to look so stinkin cute that I couldn't stop! I ended up finishing it at home before I even left.  So, I took tissue paper, crepe paper and cupcake liners to make some poms I found online... all of which were epic fails.  Oh well, I think I will make another topiary. Here's a pic.

Crafty

This weekend is going to be full of crafty things.  We are going to a welcome home party for a guy that has been stationed overseas. I had the bright idea to make a 3D standing mushroom cake for the occasion, that is his nickname.  Have I ever done this before? No! Have I ever carved any cake before. No! well, not successfully.  To top it off I thought I would try a brand new recipe that I have no experience with.  End result? All the cakes sunk in the middle. I have faith that I WILL come up with something. For now, I am taking a break.  Tonight I'm getting together with some girlfriends to craft and maybe have a little wine (or wine with a little bit of crafting)  I am really excited because I am going to make a ribbon topiary and some tissue and crepe paper poms, none of which I have made before.  I'll post pics soon.

I'm a blogger!

Well, sorta.  I set this blog up months ago and am just now writing my first post.  I even forgot the password.  I'm not sure what I'll even write about.  When I first thought of starting a blog I thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with friends and family who live far away.  Now I am reading so many blogs about crafting, baking, parties, kids and more.  I thought to myself,  "I do these things!" so I may even write about some of that.  We'll see if anyone actually reads it ;)