It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Which can only mean one thing for the novice baker......its time for Christmas baking. Some of these goodies will be made a few days before christmas and other items will be made on the day. So far my christmas baking list looks a little like this

• Santa Hat Brownies
• Nuttela and chocolate macarons
• Coconut and strawberry biscuits
• Rudolf cake pops
• Snowflake & character cupcakes

I have include my inspiration board below and will post full recipe and pictures on Christmas day.  A few of these yummy goodies were sent to me by friends to bake a few for them, others will be give to the little kids to enjoy on the day....like the rudolf cake pops are reserved for under 12 people.

Hope you all have a great time baking it up this year...I would love to see all your creations via FB

xoxox KB

"Sniff, sniff"....Farewell my friends!

It is fair to say that I enjoy baking and decorating, it certainly has become my way of releasing tension and stress in my life.

My current project was extremely different, it was with great sadness that I baked this cake as it was baked to farewell my work colleagues and friends Louise, Leanda, Heidi, Karl & Matt. Our relationship spans over 5 years or 1300 days of amazing friendship, laughter, encouragement and support. Each person has made a massive contribution to not only my professional career but also personally.

They are each dear friends and while I wish them all the best on there future endeavours and adventures, I have no doubt that we will always remain friends and in each others lives, even without the day to day interactions.

I will certainly miss the laughter, jokes, the zumba moves and more importantly the quick shopping adventures during the lunch break.

Hope you enjoyed my farewell gift guys...Love you all

Oh and the Cake is Chocolate Sour Cream with a Herseys chocolate butter cream frosting

Katie B

Also, now that you all have some spare time I expect you all over for coffee and cake.....No excuses!

Love is sweet: A vintage kitchen tea party

Congratulations to my girl friend Vanessa for getting engaged but more importantly for her upcoming wedding. It only seems like yesterday that I was planning a similar event for my wedding and three years have already passed. The event was a vintage inspired high tea kitchen party. The weather was beautiful and the bride-to-be was super cute as always in her yellow polka dot apron. The entire house was themed to fit her vintage inspiration.

All the best Vanessa , looking forward to tasting all the sweets from your kitchen.



The cupcakes were vanilla with vanilla buttercream a rather popular combination, inspired by magnolia with a few minor changes as I have found that the original recipe was rather to sweet for us "Australians".

Until Next time, happy baking

xo
KB

Happy 60th Birthday to the Hamburger King

Never have I met a more generous and loving man than my Father in law,Con. I have known him for just over 10 years in fact I remember the first family event I was invited to was his 50th Birthday.

When his 60th came around it was a given that I would be baking something that he enjoys, making hamburgers. Dubbed as the "Hamburger King" of the Northern Suburbs, this cake was fitting.

This was my first attempt at a all over butter cream and I thoroughly enjoyed making, it was a labour of love. It took about 3 hours to complete, which included baking and preparation time, which is a world record. The cake is vanilla sponge with chocolate sour cream cake and lemon butter cream icing. It taste very moist and delicious,in fact the chocolate vanilla combo was great its been a good 2 weeks since I started my health kick, however I did enjoy a bite size of the cake, enough to not give me a sugar shock, I guess I will be burning that off at the gym tomorrow.

The expression on my father-in-laws face was priceless, definitely worth the effort. Until next time happy baking

xoKB

A cupcake Affair to Celebrate a Ruby Anniversary

A friend of mine asked me to make 70 mini cupcakes to celebrate her parents reaching a marriage achievement the Ruby 40th Anniversary. Granted the weather was awful in Melbourne, torrential non-stop rain. In fact it was extremely humid and working with fondant was not pleasant, two attempts later I managed to achieve dry heart and flower decorations, just in time for the deliver. The weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits when I arrived and made the delivery.

The cupcakes are vanilla buttercream on a vanilla sponge, the perfect bite size for dessert.

Macaroon Adventures: Part 1

Hot Pink Macaroons with chocolate ganache with a piccolo coffee

So I finally got around to testing out whether my baking skills were as good as what I thought. Granted it was on the most temperamental cookie known and loved to bakers the Macaroon. The word itself can create fear on even the best bakers, but as I have learned when you have zero expectation you may surprise yourself. I read about 5 different recipes weeks prior to make sure I had the right ingredients, process and method.

There were some critical elements that you need to get right, for instance ageing the egg whites, letting the macaroons rest and changing the settings and heat on your oven just before you put them in.

Beating the egg whites

Mixing the dry ingredients

Yes they are tricky, I stood over these little babies the entire time hoping that they would grow little feet and resemble to some degree what a macaroon looked like.
Mine turned out a little peaked, but next time I am sure they will will look a little more perfect

resting the macaroons and listening to some tunes...thats how I like my baking

The end results...two hot pink macaroon with chocolate ganache 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month...Cake Auction! ACTION FOR A CURE

Yes I know I am a little late with this post given there are only 4 days until the end of the month. This month however has been crazy and the idea only came to me last night.

I have decided that in honour of my special lady who is living through this battle that I will make a cake and auction it to who ever the highest bidder is.....Her battle to fight, is certainly inspiring, and through this simple act, I hope it reminds her that we are constantly thinking of her and here to support her in what ever and which ever way we can! love you lots cuz.

Many of you may or may not know that I had a brief and thankfully a false scare this time last year, what it taught me is that we all need to be aware that no matter what age, it is important to check yourself, just because your 27 doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

This is how I want to take ACTION in helping to find a cure to this disease that so many people we know and love are affected by, this is my contribution to making a small difference to others.

Cake Auction for the National Breast Cancer Founadtion

I havn't ever made this cake before so you will get something that resembles the above picture, (not exact)  remember its for charity so be kind.

Heres how it works: *PLEASE BID ON THE PHOTO*....ON FACEBOOK

Auction is for a 7 inch cake with ombre buttercream with fondant flower on top (in your choice of colour) and 12 matching cupcakes

Pick up from Pascoe Vale, unless within 20km of CBD happy to drop off

100% of highest bid will be donated to National Breast Cancer Foundation on behalf of our "Princess".
Enter your bid in the below comment area on facebook, highest bidder at 9pm on Monday wins...simple I think, if you have any questions before feel free to email me.

Payment can be made directly to the NBCF and you can forward me a copy of the reciept or to me via Paypal or Bank Deposit. Must be paid for within three days after auction.

Auction ends 31.10.11 at 9:00pm AEST

Happy to make cake on a date that suits the winner (within reason)

I will also be looking at many other ways that my little baking blog can make a greater impact to others so look out for ACTION for A Cure . If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

Until next time happy baking

KB

Amaya's 1st Birthday Cake

Its all about making the client happy at the end of the day, and whilst I was given a brief, this one topped the cake, it was a uber cute modern first birthday cake that had to feed around 70 people.

Amaya's First Birthday Cake

So a mushroom garden cake was made for my little niece Amaya to accompany her perfectly co-ordinated invitations and her dessert table. Given the response on the day, it definitely blew some people away, and the taste, well lets just say that mud cake has become my specialty. However, as hubby always says, " I can't just be a one-hit show" so next weekend I will be exploring with a few new flavours as well as cookies and it also marks the beginning of "my macaroon adventures" (this excites me the most, although there are many disaster stories i hear, which may make it a very short adventure). 

The Birthday dessert table

Until next time happy baking.....next on the cards are 40th anniversary cupcakes, bridal shower cupcakes, and possibly my first every wedding cake (I am still scoping whether I will have a satisfied bride at the end of it so am still scoping out the requirements)

Also, in my next blog post I will be sharing some tips on baking, which I have seriously learnt the hard way, this may assist you loyal followers who have said to me so many times...."i don't care about the decorating, I want to know how to bake...."

Enjoy

KB

My little blog.....and What Katie is baking this week

I had a few minutes betw ganaching een to update my blog and share with you "What Katie is Baking" this week. This week I am thrilled to be preparing Amaya's First ever Birthday Cake, it is a huge honour as she will have photos of this baby for many years.

You would never think I (of all people) lack confidence in my own abilities, you would think I would be the confident one being the extravert unfortunately self-doubt is one skill that I have mastered over 27 years of life. So with that I am impressed/surprised/dumb founded that this little blog, which really was a collection of thought and family cooking adventures has taken a life of its own with nearly 1300 page views.
The last few weeks I have been approached by a few people wanting to do baking classes with me, people requesting I make them cookies and cake pops and send them to Sydney, and more cake orders than I have time for. I am truly flattered......chuffed at how my little hobby is slowly growing into a passion that is also inspiring others to have a hobby, a creative outlet, even if it isn't baking!

I am excited to see where this leads me, this week as mentioned I have my nieces birthday cake, however next week I am started iced cookies inspired by some email exchange from some friends in Sydney. Well if they successful she may just receive her cookies in the post. I will also be kicking off my "Katie's Macaroon Adventure", I have more ganache than I know what to do with, so I figure they are the perfect compliment to macaroons.

I am also super excited, my new baking books arrived from book depository, excited to test out some new ideas and skills.

Take a look at Amaya's cake in the making, as you can see the brief was extremely prescriptive....the colours look amazing, as for the final product you will all have to wait until after the party tomorrow.

Happy Baking

Domestic Goddess
KB

A&K's Engagement: I Heart Cake

As far as weekends go, this one seemed non existent, I had a ball making a lovely engagement cake for a old friend, along with 150 baby cupcakes for her engagement dessert table, absolutely loved the simplicity of this cake, nothing screams elegant and modern than white hearts.

The bride-to-be was more than willing to assist me on the huge creation, my sister was the kitchen hand, however it would not have been at all possible without the assistance of my sous chef cousin Connie, thanks for your help on the cupcakes, we had a great time in the kitchen, and shared a few laughs on the weekend.

The Dessert table @ Biblos

I heart Engagement cake: 2 tier chocolate mud with chocolate ganache cake

My creation and photo shoot

Here I am with my baking creations....Congrats Lambo, it was a great night

Until next time happy baking

Next project on the cards is my niece,Amaya's First Birthday cake in 2 weeks stay tuned

Helen's Baby Shower Cake

The second celebration was my husbands cousins, suprise baby shower, given the amount of work that I had with the engagement, these baby cakes where something small to add to the celebration ...hope she enjoyes.. The cupcakes were vanilla with vanilla butter cream.


 

No one is more deserving than cousin Helen...congrats, we can't wait to meet bubs....
Happy Baking
xo Katie

Essie's Cake Pop Baby Shower

I was indeed looking for an excuse to make these really cute Hoot Hoot Owl Cake Pops, inspired by Bakerella. Unfortunately Wilton's had not cleared customs for about 2 weeks  so the entire Melbourne cake decorating industry was short on candy Melts,  I managed to source 2 of the last bags of chocolate from spotlight. The original plan was to actually make cake pops that looked like little baby girls, but short on supplies, this was the alternative.

I was so excited to make these for my girlfriends baby shower, she was having a lovely high tea so a cake or cupcakes almost seemed excessive with the amount of desserts and sweets so the owls became a favour for her gift, I will try and find a few other pictures to post as this was the only one I had on my phone.

The cake pops where chocolate cake with chocolate coating, and little candy to make the owl come alive.

Until next time Hoot Hoot!

Stefanies 7th Birthday- I heart cake



Stefanie's 7th Bday cake



Stefanie had strict instructions that it had to be a heart cake, and the mum gave me the colour pallet, so what better than a exploding heart cake. I tend to forget how much preparation goes into a cake, preparing and colouring fondant and cutting out shapes needs to be done days before the assembly of the cake. It was a "heart attack" of fondant in my kitchen this week. Hubby was far from impressed with the places he has found, fondant, sugar and ganache. I guess this weekend will be spent mopping up the floors.



The cake & mini Love theme



mini cupcakes

Cake is chocolate mud cake with chocolate ganache, baby cakes are red velvet with cheese cream frosting. This recipe is amazing, its been adapted from about 3 different recipes and dubbed "Connie & Katie's Amazing Red Velvet Cupcakes" Doesn't look like I am going to be able to share that recipe just yet with you all. It took us two attempt to perfect and lots of metric convertion charts.

I am hoping that this one is a hit with little Stefanie after all this is why I bake.

Until next time happy caking! xo KB

Luca's First Birthday

I am lucky to have wonderful neighbours, we are extremely appreciative, we hear so many horror stories about neighbours poisoning pets, causing trouble with council etc so we are thankful.

My next doors neighbours son celebrated his first birthday last weekend and she was really keen to make his cake, with my assistance, I had no input in design, flavour, or colours, this was left totally to the discretion of the mum.

I spoke to a friend who is also a mum about the craze that mums go through regarding first birthdays, I don't understand but she said to me "first birthday's are all about the mum". I guess that made sense from my experience its something about showcasing you baking and motherhood schools. What ever it is, I was happy to consult and show her a few cake decorating tips I have learnt in my journey. I think it turned out great. She received great feedback from her guests which is why we do this.

Until next time happy caking xoxo KB

Baby Cake Topper

Its great to road test some tutorials and was lucky that Sharon Wee had enlisted my help to road test her instructions, as you can see this was relatively easy, her instruction were great and I have Esma's Baby Shower cake semi completed! Now just to bake the cake, ganache, cover in fondant, create the bunting, add a few blossoms....easy enough!

Until Next time happy caking xoxoKB

Sophia's Christening Cake

Who would have thought doing a cake mid week would have caused so many head aches? I should have known, that juggling work, cake decorating and being a wife would have been a challenge. However, those who know me know that I am always up for a challenge.

Granted it took me a few attempts to get the cake itself the correct consistency, it was smooth sailing after that. Note to self, don't believe the cake decorating supply centre, a 10 inch board is not a 9 inch, I lost a day of decorating because I trusted him. I think this was a good lesson in learning to stock pile some essentials in case of last minute requests.

I was relatively pleased with this cake, I love the simplicity, and remember if it looks simple its usually harder as you can see the imperfection on a simple cake.

Strawberry Cloud Cakes

For some time know I have wanting to try out a meringue icing, so I decided that these little babies were  a must Sunday try. Here is the recipe if you want to give them a shot yourself

Strawberry Butter cake

90g softened butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1 cup SR Flour

2 tbs milk

2 tbs strawberry jam

1. Pre heat oven to 160º C in fan- force setting, Line 12 standards muffin pan
2. Beat buuter, extract and sugar
3. Add flour, milk and beat until mixture is pale in colour
4. Divide mixture among cases and add jam over over cupcakes and using a skewer swirl jam into cakes
5. bake for 20 mins and leave to cool

Frosting

1 cup caster sugar

1/3 cup water

2 egg whites

1. combine sugar and water in small saucepan, stir over heat without boiling or stirring for abut 5 minutes. Syrup should be thick but not coloured
2. Remove from heat allow bubbles to subside
3. beat egg whites until soft peaks form
4. while mixer is operating add hot syrup in thin stream 
5. beat on high speed for about 10 minutes or until mixtures thick and cool

Kyle's Tennis Birthday Cake

I had the great pleasure in creating a cake for a very dear friends oldest child. Granted I was given free creative design and really no pressure. I really wanted to do this cake, firstly to gain more cake decorating experience and secondly to gauge the timing of doing cakes on my own.

I learnt a costly lesson, in using new items, DON'T DO IT..I tried to skip a step and buy a pre-made cake mix, it actually resulted in a super dry and crumby cake, so in the bin that went and a new mud cake from scratch was called for.

Armed with my trusty mud cake recipe, it was take 2, with success. I decided to make a square cake, inspired by Kyle's love of tennis. I also knew from many car journeys with Ms Toula that her husband often plays tennis with Kyle with very little skill.

Kyle's reaction was overwhelming and truly made the time spent absolutely worth it. He was amazed and said it was the best cake he had ever had. I guess that's my job done.

Until next time, Happy Baking xoxoKB

Raspberry Fangipane Tart

Note: Fresh dates, blueberries, strawberries, dessert figs or prunes, sliced apples or pears in place of raspberries. An alternative to orange is lemon rind

450g sweet short crust pasty (or for home made pastry see below)
1 cup frozen raspberries (alternatively use fresh raspberries or strawberries)
Icing sugar
Whipped or double cream
Almond slivers

Short Crust Pastry

1 1/2 plain flour

125 g butter, chilled and cut into cubes

1/2 cup icing sugar

3 egg yolks

1 tbs iced water

1. Place flour, butter and sugar in a food processor and in short bursts mix until mixture resembels fine bread-crumbs.
2. Whilst motor is on add egg yolks and water, until dough comes together. Turn dough into fkoured surface and bring together to form a ball. Flatten dough to look like disk and cling wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. If you dont have a convention oven setting you will need to blind bake. Preheat oven to 180º C roll out dough between two sheets of baking paper and line tray (30cm) with pastry refrigerate for a further 30 mins.
4. Line with baking paper and place weights , bake for 15mins.

Frangipane                                           
250g unsalted butter                              
1 cup caster sugar                                
1 teaspoon grated orange                      
3 eggs                                                    
250g almond mean                                
1/2 cup flour

1. Preheat oven on Intensive Bake at 160º C with baking tray placed on shelf 1 (bottom)
2. Cream filling: butter, sugar and rind until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fold in the almond meal and flour, mix well.
4. Spread frangipane evenly into pastry shell
5. Arrange raspberries and almond on top
6. Bake for 50 mins until set and golden
7. Cool tart in wire rack for 30 mins before removing from tin.
8. Serve tart dusted with icing sugar, serve with cream.

Serves 12.

Oven Cooking Demonstration

I was fortunate enough to get a free cooking demonstration when I purchased my oven, granted it was nearly three years ago since it was installed, but better late than never. I had heard great reviews and it was a cooking class and free, so off I went to see how good it was

Ready to learn, I was pleasantly surprised with the service, after all I had already purchased the oven. I was greeted with a lovely cup of coffee and a divine pistachio and chocolate ganache macaroon. This afternoon was already looking to be great.

Whilst I love baking, I rarely use my oven outside of sweets and desserts so I wanted to learn how to make the most of this german beast and the other 12 settings that I have never dared to use.

Admittedly I wanted to purchase a few move oven accessories, wire rack, but after spending a couple hours with the lovely Kathy, I was converted, and no more wire trays instead trade them in for metal trays, your guests or partner will thank you.

At the conclusion of the demonstration we were able to sample the food to prove there was no tricks, we had veal racks, with horseradish, fetta and vegetable frittata, stuffed grilled mushrooms, bakes potatoes, carrots and brussel sprouts. The food was amazing and was by far the best sit down meal I had in a long time. and for dessert a Chocolate Frangipane Tart was devine.

I am looking forward to many cakes that don't have uneven peaks or cracked tops, and no more blind baking for me, thanks to the convention bake option. I thought I would list a few of the key things I learnt. I don't think they apply to all ovens, but I would think if you have a newish oven that the same rules apply.

1. Avoid baking on wire racks, the metal ones tend to distribute heat more evenly.
2. Pay special attention to the shelf position when cooking (who knew that you don't just put everything in the middle?)
3. Take all trays out of the oven before you turn the oven, only leave what you require
4. Use baking paper on trays
5. If you have Intensive Bake as a option use it! It eliminates the need for blind baking, however you will need to place your pie, tart, pizza quiche on the bottom shelf, as the heat is distributed at higher intensities towards the bottom of the oven.

Stay tuned, I will scan add the guide they provides us for future reference