Frozen Inspired Cake for Two Sisters

I don't often get to make girl cakes since I have 3 boys, so I love it when I can get all girly.
This cake was going to be a simple blue cake with snowflakes, but my mind got the better of me.
I was thinking it would be fun to do a Elsa/Anna inspired theme since it was for two sisters.

Here is what happened once I started.

 First, I frosted the whole cake with light blue buttercream.

Then, piped a dark blue wavy line down the middle and frosted from there over with dark blue.

The snowflakes I piped some white chocolate onto parchment paper.

 
I placed the snowflakes over the middle wavy line to cover it and added some swirls.
I love some swirls!

 The Elsa side.

A Frozen cake is not complete without an Olaf!

The Anna side.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Baking from my heart to your kitchen,

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The Candy Cake

Kit Kats and M&M's! Yes please!
I have been asked how to make this cake, so I have finally found a worthy excuse to make one.
My son's 1st grade teacher has a birthday today and what a perfect reason to send some cake love.

Teachers don't always get the praise they deserve.
We have been so blessed to have amazing teachers for my son. I couldn't have asked for a more loving, dedicated teacher.  I am amazed at her patience.
What a tremendous job teachers have teaching the next generation. I am truly grateful for them!
So to all you teachers... Thank you! From a very grateful parent....Thank you for the hours you spend before school, after school and every other time in between.  Your time is priceless and my thanks is endless. Much love to you all!


Happy Birthday Mrs. Pedder, we love you!!

Now the cake.....

First start by making a cake, any cake, boxed, homemade, doesn't matter.
Then frost it, again doesn't have to be fancy, just throw some frosting on there, we are going to cover it anyway. Just try to smooth the sides a bit so the Kit Kats will have a nice place to rest.

Next start lining the Kit Kats side by side, gently pressing them into the frosting. Some may try to fall and try to escape, just press them back on. I used about 4 king size packs for this 6" cake.

Once you have completely circle the cake, grab a pretty ribbon. I chose my snowflake ribbon because it is supposed to snow around here today and it matched the M&Ms. Go ahead and get creative, it's allowed here. Just wrap the ribbon around the cake and make the best bow you can.

I am not the best bow maker so I just go simple.

Lastly, cover the top with the M&M's of your choice. I went with Valentine day ones here because it is the season and they are so girly. I have 3 boys, so I love to make things girly when I can.

There you have it, easy right? Now that you see how easy it is, I expect to see all your creations.


Baking from my heart to your kitchen,

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Snickers Cake

The three boys club.
Yes, there is such a thing.

Ok, I made it up, but still, it's thing. Having boys is special, having three, well, really special.
Every day is an adventure.

I have a friend who is about to join the club and I was asked to make a cake for her shower.
I thought about the sweet little cake I was going to make, I decided to ask her what flavor she wanted.
She replied with one word.....Chocolate. Oh yeah.... she is going to need chocolate. I had almost forgotten the energy you need to stay alert with three boys.
One second they are playing nicely together, then BAM! One snaps and steals a car from his older brother, then the older brother screams, then there is chasing and screaming, knocking down the youngest, who then starts screaming and chasing. Next thing you know it sounds like wild animals are tearing through your house .........breathe....1...2...3...that never happens in my house. Ok, like every day. I  need chocolate just thinking about it.

Soooo, I changed my mind about the cute little cake and went monster chocolate indulgence.
Wait for it...... Snickers Cake!

Let's talk about this Happy Mommy maker.

It has a few steps, I suggest making this a 2-3 day project so you don't get overwhelmed.
What's involved:
Day 1: Make cake and put in freezer
            Make caramel sauce
Day 2: Make frosting and snickers nougat filling
Day 3: Make ganache and put cake together.

Now let's talk about these steps and the recipe.
I found just what I was looking for at Browneyedbaker, I like her recipe, but I needed to change a few things. Let's get started....

Ingredients you will need:

For the Cake:

2½ cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1½ teaspoons salt

3 eggs, at room temperature

1½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature

1½ cups strong black coffee, hot

¾ cup vegetable oil

4½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Nougat Filling:

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

3 cups marshmallow fluff

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups salted peanuts, roughly chopped

For the Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup caramel sauce (click for my recipe or buy some)

4 cups powdered sugar

For the Milk Chocolate Ganache:

8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped

4 ounces (½ cup) heavy cream

For the Assembly & Garnish:

Additional caramel sauce

Chopped peanuts

1. Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper, grease the parchment, then flour the insides of the pans, tapping out excess; set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer (or large mixing bowl if you're using a hand mixer), sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix for 2 minutes on medium speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix for an additional 20 seconds (the batter will be very thin).

4. Divide the batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes and rotate the pans in the oven. Continue to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cakes comes out almost clean (with a few moist crumbs), about 12 more minutes. Cool the cakes (in the pans) on wire racks for 20 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto cooling racks to cool completely.

Make the caramel sauce while the cake is cooking if you need to.

5. Make the Nougat Filling: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and evaporated milk, stirring until dissolved, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and add the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until completely smooth. Fold in the peanuts. Let the nougat mixture cool to room temperature before using it in the cake. You can do this leaving it at room temperature or you can pop it into the refrigerator to speed up the process. Be sure to give a stir occasionally as it cools.

Not an attractive picture, but I wanted you to see it will be a little soupy still. Let it sit, it will thicken.

6. Make the Frosting: Beat together the butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed for 5 minutes (I used the whisk attachment for my stand mixer, but it's not necessary). Pour in the caramel and beat until combined. Reduce the speed to medium-low and slowly add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it has all been incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for an additional two to three minutes, until light and fluffy

7. Assemble the Cake: If your cakes baked up uneven or have domed on top, level off the tops. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Cover with half of the nougat filling and then spread a couple spoonfuls of the salted caramel sauce over top to evenly cover the nougat filling. Top with a second cake layer and cover with the remaining nougat filling and top with caramel sauce. Place the final cake layer on top face-down. Frost the cake with the caramel frosting, finishing it as smoothly as possible. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour, until the frosting is set.

8. Make the Chocolate Ganache: While the cake chills, make the chocolate ganache. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl; set aside. Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and warm until it just comes to a boil. Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Begin whisking the mixture in the center, gradually working your way outward until the ganache is completely smooth. Set aside to cool, whisking occasionally, until it has thickened slightly, yet still a pourable consistency.

9. Garnish the Cake: Transfer the ganache to a 2-cup measuring cup. Slowly pour the chocolate ganache into the center of the cake, letting it push itself outward and flow over the sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes, giving the ganache a chance to set up. To finish garnishing, drizzle some additional salted caramel sauce over the top and side of the cake, and top with chopped peanuts. Keep the cake refrigerated, removing it from the refrigerator about 20 minutes prior to serving.

Baking from my heart to your kitchen,

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Fluffernutter Bars

Have you heard of fluffernutter sandwiches?

Have you ever tried one?

Life changing!

Before Christmas I had heard of these sandwiches I just never tried one. Crazy right?!

While visiting family over the Christmas holiday, my nieces and nephew were making little fluffernutter sandwiches. I thought...hmmm... those look pretty good, I think I'll try one.
My brain exploded...seriously...Exploded!
Why have I never tried one before? I have been missing out and I need another one! And another one!

I am not kidding people. I ate one every day for like a week. I even went out and bought the largest container of fluff I could find.

Now that I feel like a giant marshmallow, I decided I need to do more with peanut butter and fluff.

Then I saw a recipe on "Confessions of a Cookbook Queen" and knew I had to try it.

Wait for it..... Fluffernutter Bars! Oh yes!

Mix up some peanut butter chocolate chip goodness. Top with the Fluff fantastic, then sandwich it in with some more goodness.

Bake it to golden brown, cool and enjoy. Ok... truthfully, I couldn't wait I scooped some out while it was warm....another life changing moment. Yum!

If you want to slice it into cute little squares you will have to refrigerate until completely cool. But, if you want it to ooze fluffiness, leave it at room temp.

Here is the recipe:

Fluffernutter bars

adapted from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

3 cups all purpose flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 1/4 cup packed dark or light brown sugar  (I used light brown)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
13 oz (the large jar) Marshmallow Creme

Instructions
-Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
-In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
-In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, peanut butter, and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla.
-Stop the mixer to scrape the sides of the bowl before adding the eggs one at a time, beating after each. --Scrape the sides of the bowl again.
-With the mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture until incorporated. Using a wooden spoon, make sure all the flour mixture from the bottom of the bowl is mixed in (batter will be thick). Fold in chips.
-Spread approximately 2/3 of batter in prepared pan.
-With the lid (and packaging seal) removed, microwave the Marshmallow Creme, stirring every 20 seconds, until it's softened and easy to spread. Spoon evenly over batter in pan and spread gently.
-Spoon remaining batter over marshmallow, as evenly as possible. Spread a bit, then using a sharp knife, drag through the batter, creating a "swirl". Bake for about 30 minutes, until edges are brown and bars are dark golden all over

(some of the marshmallow may puff up and get darker brown than the rest of the batter this is okay).
-Let bars cool completely. Refrigerate until firm for ease in cutting (this also keeps the marshmallow from oozing out).

From my heart, to your kitchen,

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Summer Weddings

I have had the great honor of creating cakes and cupcakes for two weddings this summer.

I thought you would appreciate if I shared them with you.

I started the journey planning to make 300 cupcakes and a wedding cake for both. I ended up with 500+ cupcakes for both. Hey! You can never have too many cupcakes! Imagine if we ran out! Better to have too many than too few.

The first wedding was I was asked to create a Navy and Burlap type cake.
Here is what I came up with......

Unfortunately I was so busy baking and such that by the time I thought to take pictures they were not the greatest. Sigh...

Next the tower of cupcakes....

The flavors were:

Lemon and Key Lime

Double Chocolate

Blueberry with cream cheese frosting

Vanilla with Vanilla Bean frosting

The next wedding I was also the Matron of Honor so I had all kinds of fun!

The bride had a Vintage Fair theme for the reception. Pinwheels were a big part of it so that is where I drew my inspiration.

The Cake...

The pinwheels were made with fondant. The flowers were made with cupcake liners. This was a fun cake to create and the bride truly let me have creative liberty with it. I think I redesigned it 3 or 4 times. I finally figured it out the night before the wedding. Her main colors were teal and orange.

On to the cupcakes....

The flavors were Snickerdoodle, Double Chocolate and Vanilla Bean.

I also made an Oreo grooms cake.

They dipped an Oreo in milk and then fed them to each other.... I know, too cute!

I just want to give a shout out to all who helped me! I couldn't have accomplished these creations without my AMAZING friends.

Baking from my heart,

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Kindergarten Graduation 2013

My first school year is over! One down.....a bunch more to go!

My sweet boy graduated from Kindergarten, what a great year.

There is a reception after the graduation and I wanted to add a bit of color.

I asked the other K5 parents what they thought and the response was overwhelming... Yes!

I had so much support and help!
The Lord has really blessed us with a wonderful school, teacher, classmates and their parents.
We all agreed we wanted to do something extra special for their reception.

Here is the end result! What colorful fun!

My son always says his teachers favorite color is the rainbow. That is what we used for inspiration.

Here is what the room looked like.....

I will break down all the ideas and how we did them

This ceiling tent effect was made with plastic tablecloths. We laid them all out on the floor and then gathered them all at one end and tied them with a rubber band. My sweet husband hung it from the ceiling with a hook. Then we hung the poms from the middle. It added instant color and depth to the room. Of course, found some inspiration on Pinterest. 

There was an area to take pictures so we just added some pizzazz. My sweet friend made the pinwheels for the backdrop. We lined the back of the lattice with green plastic tablecloths, then twisted some light blue streamers down the front, added balloons and finished it off with a cute little bench!

The same sweet friend made this fabulous 2013 with black and white photos from the school year. She cut out the 2013 from cardboard then hot glued the pictures on. She did a GREAT job and everyone loved it. Another tablecloth was used for the backdrop and helium balloons for color.

We made a cute backdrop for the cake table. That same friend found rainbow streamers, fantastic! We lined the back with more tablecloths. Wow! Who knew plastic tablecloths could be so handy!

My sweet Kindergarten graduate modeling the cake. I only had my cell phone camera for the cake photos, but he is still a cutie.

The cake! Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. Decorations made with marshmallow fondant. I used an edible marker to write all the names of the students. I dipped a cupcake and a graham cracker in white candy melts to make the hat. 

What a great night! Me on the left, fabulous K5 teacher in the middle and my sweet friend on the right. Thank you to all who helped make the night so memorable for our sweet graduates! 

Bring on Summer!


From my heart to yours,

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Spring Cake Happenings

It is finally spring around here!

I thought when my oldest son started school I would have more time to bake and blog, but alas.
I got busier! Imagine that. Now I have had school parties and snacks to think about.

Believe it or not, when teachers, parents or students see me coming they wonder if I have brought goodies.
I'm officially a "treat lady". I secretly love it. I love to bring smiles to faces and here the "this is so good".
Oh yeah, changing the world one snack at a time.

Unfortunately my blog has suffered. I just haven't had time to sit down, type and post pictures.
Frankly, when I do get a chance to sit down I fall asleep. Don't judge, you have been there.

I have made a few cakes recently and have a couple more in the works so I thought I would share some cuteness with you.

I have been using less and less fondant in my cakes. Only using it for accents etc. I like the buttercream look and am honing my smoothing skills.

First Graduation Cake of 2013!
The theme was specifically requested. I do love when people are specific. As much as I like to be creative, sometimes it is good to know what is expected.

"Oh the Places You'll Go!"

My sons 4th Birthday!
He asked for a motorcycle jumping over his cake. Here is what I came up with. He also loves peanut butter and chocolate, so I covered it in that two. Chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream.

Tennis Cutie!
My friend and I saw a photo on cakeplanner.com. We fell in love with the cute little tennis girl sitting on top.
We have been waiting for a chance to create one for ourselves. She was having a lunch with some of her tennis girls, perfect time!

Thanks for sticking with me!
Only two more weeks of school left. It will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to the summer and SLEEPING IN!

From my heart to your kitchen,

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