Burned Out Baker's Birthday Bakes, Messy Cakes and other Tired Kitchen Stories

Hey Guys!!!

Welcome back. It's late in the evening, and I am honestly bummed as I had seriously planned to post my kitchen adventures of late on Monday. However, the internet decided to play a dirty joke, freezing all my windows and thus deleting EVERYTHING I had written throughout the day. A two whole weeks worth of material. You can imagine me staring blankly at the screen, with an astounded face...just...WHAT!!! I tried everything...my beautiful work was lost. It was close to 9 in the evening and there was no way on Earth I was gonna type away hours of work again. No...just simply out of the question. My dad, however, had a better idea in mind and made delicious pancakes, which soothed my bad mood and satiated that little craving I had for something sweet. And here we are now.

Let me start by saying that despite it being early in the week, I am very glad to be greeting new days. The week before last was the week from hell. I had so much to do, I still have no idea how I pulled it all off. Now, because Copa Café is now part of a series of restaurants and cafes that hold a 50% promo once a week when paying with a debit/credit card from one of the banks here, I've had my hands full, with heavy baking orders to cater for on Thursdays, which is our assigned day. It's perfectly fine, and I have managed to plan my time accordingly. This, however, leaves me very tired on Thursdays, not wanting to look at my oven ever again. But I also take personal orders and my customer list grows by the month. Now, I received several orders which I took. My menu included a double recipe, double layered Vanilla, Harley Davidson themed Birthday Cake, a triple recipe, triple layered, Vanilla Psychedelic Birthday Cake, 140 mini carrot cupcakes, mini cheesecake brownies, a Butterfinger Lovers Cake, a couple of Tres Leches and another 100 mini red velvet cupcakes (which were a disaster). All of this, FOR SATURDAY. 

Mini heaven cupcakes.
Carrot cake is one of the few cakes I truly enjoy.

And sure, many of you might think, this is not really that much, and very doable. Well, let me tell you that it WAS very much, that it WAS doable, but I only have ONE OVEN AND TWO HANDS. Thank the Lord and my giving father, that I have the best assistants with me in the kitchen: 2 beautifully matching Red KitchenAids. Otherwise, I think I might have crawled back into bed, and begged the heavens to take me. But duty called. And so Friday began. I baked and baked and baked and basically tried to have everything ready for a quick assembly the following morning. The Butterfinger Lovers Cake was finished late in the evening, ready for an early delivery the following morning. All I was missing was one vanilla layer, but it could wait until Saturday. 

I was somewhat relieved until I laid eyes on my mini red velvet cupcakes. The sight that met me was horrifying. My beautiful miniature cakes had all peeled away from the liners. I had taken every precaution to prevent that from happening, but in the end, it was inevitable. Over 100 mini cupcakes basically ruined. My knees almost gave away and it took every ounce of my body to restrain the sore tears that burned in the back of my eyes. It was no use. I had no more time to bake if I was to get up early and somewhat rested to tackle an even harder day. So I called my aunt *relieved sigh* to explain the situation. Thankfully, family can be very understanding and in the end, it was decided that the red velvet cakes were not necessary. So a little bit of a loss there, but hey...it happens. 

The alarm clock rang after what felt like seconds and in a flash, I was showered, ready and not at all eager to continue my unfinished work. So all hands on deck. First, I topped the Tres Leches with satiny Italian Meringue and alongside the Butterfinger Lovers Cake, I had them delivered. Then off to bake the remaining layer, all the meanwhile, multitasking like a boss. Filling layers here, masking over there, leveling cakes here and frosting over there. My entire kitchen was a mess. But slowly, things got out of the way. The mini carrot cupcakes were frosted and were chilling nicely, while I was cutting up the cheesecake brownies, followed by the 12" monster vanilla cake which was covered in colored buttercream splashes as I contemplated the clock and its never ceasing ticking hands.

Hmm...I think I need to practice my piping skills.

But time was running out. 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I was still frosting the cheesecake brownies. I had to hurry. The party started at 5. Thankfully my mom has heading out and she kindly and swiftly delivered the goodies: 140 mini carrot cupcakes, mini cheesecake brownies and a massive Vanilla Birthday cake. The minute the car left home, I felt a tidal wave of relief wash over me. I felt free. But I still had one last cake to finish and I hadn't the slightest idea of how to even begin the decorating task ahead. So I took it step by step. First, centering the words Motor and Cycles, piping as accurately and patiently as I could. The cake wasn't due until 7 later that evening. So, I took my time. Then came the words Harley-Davidson...let's not go there. Kinda wonky looking and slightly abstract, I kept smoothing, piping, removing, smoothing and piping frosting over and over again because I couldn't get it right. In the end, my efforts had to do. It was impossible to get it right. By 6:oo p.m. I cleaning the edges and placing it in the box. THREE HOURS PEOPLE! THREE!!! I took three hours to pipe all that and finish it. 

The picture doesn't do justice to the cake
...nor do my abstractly piped words

I am eternally grateful to know the cake was thoroughly enjoyed and even more grateful to know that my cousin was the customer. I say this with absolutely no intention of degrading my work or being more lenient on myself because it was family, but there is a sense of trust and they know I tried my best. I don't know how someone else might have reacted. Now I know...if I ever get asked to make a similar cake, I'll show them this one and let them be the judge whether or not they wish for me to make the cake. 

It was over. It was finally over. I felt lighter than air and regardless of the impending sleepiness, I showered, pampered up and joined my younger cousin's 80's themed, neon, psychedelic 12th birthday party. And guess where it took place?...Yup, at Copa Café. My aunt, a truly creative mind, transformed the place entirely and it looked awesome. A real 80's blast from the past scenario. While I was doubly the average guest's age, I still stuffed my face with mini burgers, pizza and chicken drumsticks and burned my tongue sucking on SweetTarts. I never want to lose the kid inside of me. By 9:30 at night, the last of the kids were leaving reluctantly, having failed to persuade their happy parents to let them stay longer. It reminded me of those birthday parties I never wanted to leave. I left around 11:00. I stayed and helped clean up. The place looked spotless and no sign of a birthday party remained. It was kinda cool. 

I think I slept in. I don't really recall Sunday. I was very excited as the magazine spread I appeared in finally made it to my hands!!! The article featured graced the Women Entrepreneurs section, and we spoke about the Café and my culinary education. It was the highlight of my day and I celebrated by baking, but at my own leisurely pace. After the past few days, it was very welcome. In the evening, I joined my parents for a movie. Yes, I am 25 years old and yes, I went with my parents to the cinema, ordered a medium coke and a large popcorn. And guess what we watched? The Adventures of Mr. Peabody and Sherman. Despite my mother's reservations and wanting to catch 300: Rise of an Empire, she laughed and enjoyed the movie. My dad and I, on the other hand, adore animated movies and we absolutely loved it!!! I could watch it again, anytime. It was still early when we got back, but it didn't stop me from changing into my PJs and jumping back into bed. I was out like a light in seconds.

Gracing the Women Entrepreneurs Section

The alarm rang...it was Monday again and a new week. I was sleepy but content. I vowed to decline personal orders, which I did...but only because my customers needed cakes for Thursday and I am way over my head, baking for the cafe. Guilt trip avoided!  I still baked on the side though. My dad turned a whooping 62 on Thursday and although his all time favorite is an old fashioned Apple Pie, he asked me to bake him a Vanilla Cake. I assembled it nicely, with a crunchy Almond and Dulce de Leche filling, frosted in a fluffy Vanilla Buttecream. It was very good! He also didn't want a birthday dinner, which is what usually takes place, so my parents and I joined my grandmother and my aunt for a birthday lunch at a rather newly open place called The Market. We had all heard amazing reviews from the modern twist restaurant, only to have our high expectations met with a sky high fall. We were very disappointed in everything, from the service to the food. But good conversation kept the mood light...we were very hungry. We cut the cake later on in the evening, only half of it remaining in the morning. It was only three of us...that pretty much sums up the awesomeness of the cake. 

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

I also introduced a new cake into the dessert display, designed for those who have a daily struggle with sugar or who are looking for something a little bit different. I don't know if you recall a yogurt cake I made for a friend back in October 2012. Well, it's basically the same with a few minor tweaks here and there. Instead of using white sugar, I used Truvia (natural sweetener derived from the Stevia plant) and because blueberries are hard to come by here, I switched to blackberries, which give the cake a whole new delicious vibe. I had to make another one for the very next day as it flew off the fridge. I guess we have a keeper!!! What do you think?

It certainly looks "to die for!"

The weekend came by and disappeared in an instant. I woke up on Monday, feeling energized, like I could take on the world. My mind was reeling with ideas and my fingers were happily typing away. I ran my errands, baked what needed to be baked and sat down in the evening to finish this post. However, my good fortune ran out for the day and in a bad stroke of luck, my work was gone. I fell asleep dazed and confused and woke up to a dingy, grey Tuesday. The day passed by smoothly, but my inspiration was gone. I fell into bed sleepily. Wednesday greeted us with glorious sunshine and I finally managed to sit down for a bit and type away this long novel of a post. I appreciate you sticking by for so long and reading down to this last part. I know you are few who truly take some time to read about my days in the kitchen, so thank you! It's late, and after an entire day baking, I'm sure sleep won't elude me. I wish you a wonderful rest of the week and I'll see you again on Monday.

Until next time.
xx