Hey Guys!!!
Welcome back!
It's a sunny Monday and despite being a little under the weather, it's just one of those days where a smile cannot elude the face. Thankfully, the weekend was light on orders, which allowed me some downtime. It would have been perfect, had I not been sneezing constantly. I hate being sick.
It's a sunny Monday and despite being a little under the weather, it's just one of those days where a smile cannot elude the face. Thankfully, the weekend was light on orders, which allowed me some downtime. It would have been perfect, had I not been sneezing constantly. I hate being sick.
Going back a little, this past week I had a series of busy days. Last Sunday (after the previous post), I had the fun task of making a rainbow cake. If you look online for pictures, they all seem flawless and for those new to baking, it might seem like a daunting task. Well, I'm here to tell you, that it's quite the opposite. Just take your favorite vanilla cake recipe and dye it in different colors...Ok, so not THAT simple. Considering my one oven and 3 8" cake pans, I made a double recipe for the cake. I whipped up the first batch in the morning, divided the batter into 3 bowls (NOTE: I weighed the batter to ensure equal and level layers). Red, Orange and Yellow were the first colors on the list and so each bowl had a glorious bright color. Into the oven they went and came out perfect!
I baked the remaining layers in the afternoon, using Green, Blue and Violet/Purple. The pigments came through and the result was spectacular. After they cooled down, I leveled them off and began the assembly. I wasted quite a large amount of butter and sugar trying my best to obtain a pristine white buttercream, but it was virtually impossible. Almost everywhere I looked, blogs, forums, websites, all emphasized the difficulty and how it was almost impossible to get a truly white buttercream. If anyone has any ideas, please, do share! I even tried white food coloring. Nothing!
In the end, I went for the sure thing and used my favorite cream cheese frosting. Although, not completely white, it was fluffy and smooth. Just perfect!!! I was opting for a tall cake, so I began to fret when the layers were being stacked. I stuck in some kebab picks to make sure the cake didn't tumble over. After a few minutes in the freezer, it was okay. The layers were no longer moving and my crumb coat was set. So I frosted it entirely and into the fridge it went overnight.
Monday came knocking and I began to fret once again. I had to carry the cake in the car and I was only grateful, knowing the frosting was well set, to reach my destination with a perfect cake. The photographer showed up a while later and with my preparations ready and at hand, we decorated the cake together, sliced it and the camera was soon clicking away. The magazine team was overjoyed and I was pleased. The cake didn't reach home, save for a slice for my dad. Everyone wanted a piece and I was only happy to oblige.
I still had one last dessert to make for the magazine: the Apple Stack Cake. Now, because the cake calls for ingredients prepared beforehand (like the dehydrated apples), it was decided to be changed to something simpler, that involved gelatin. The team sent me a series of options to make and considering what was already going to be featured, I chose the recipe that included lemon pudding. The preparation for the dessert took me literally, 15 minutes. It was that simple and all you have to do is wait for it to set (around 4 hours). It's ideal for those who don't have time to bake anything. Prep it up and pick it up later. It's also light on the palate and not really sweet. As a baker, I am not a fan of it per se, as it calls for instant pudding, and I would rather make my own, but hey! If it works, go for it! I'll post the recipe soon!!!
The week went by with no stressful events and come Thursday, I was ready to begin the step-by-step for the lemon dessert. The crew came to my house, and 2 hours later, they were driving away. My collaboration was done and over and as much as I wanted to go to sleep, I still had café baking duties to finish. I was already feeling the symptoms of a cold and my energy was falling fast, but I finished everything in good time. I got ready to go out for dinner and I thank my friends for making me leave the house. I've become a hermit. Some delicious green curry, a bottle of wine and gin&tonic night cap, I was sent to bed in a blissful state.
I kind off regretted having gone out next morning, as my cold symptoms were worse than ever. My stomach was aching badly, I developed a dry cough and had a very sore throat. I slept in till 8:30 a.m, showered and got ready, and applied the final touches on the baked goods before heading out. I was cold, despite the scorching weather, and all I could do was dream of my bed. As soon as I finished my errands, I came back home and baked a few things for the following day. Once finished, I climbed into bed, with a hot cup of tea, read a few chapters from my book and I was out like a light.
Saturday morning, I woke up early and left to run some errands. I was back a little after 1 p.m., famished and tired. I had my late lunch, chopped up some pineapple to dehydrate and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV. I only got up to bake a Brown Sugar Marbled Pound Cake because I got bored, then returned to my bed and stayed there until dinner. The evening comprised a movie marathon with some wine on the side. As much as I wanted to sleep, I had trouble breathing with my congested nose and suffered a disturbing headache. In the end, my tired body gave in around 2 in the morning. I woke up groggy. My alarm had rang at 6 later that morning. I realized I had to switch the trays on the dehydrator. My dad was already having breakfast, but I was basically sleep walking to into bed again. I woke up around 10, and enjoyed a cup of coffee with some pound cake on the side. I showered just before lunch. My Sunday visit to Grandma's was cut short due to untimely baking duties which were done 2 hours later and I watched TV for the remainder of the day. I had tea just before bed and I have no idea what time I slept.
Monday I was greeted by the barking of the dogs outside my window, but I was happy and got ready soon. After a couple of errands, I was back home for lunch and despite my baking orders not entirely complete, I've finally sat down to type away. I don't know what surprises lie in the coming days, all I know is that it's gonna be a good week!!! Happy Monday to you all!!!
Until next time.
xx
 |
| Bright and colorful rainbow layers |
I baked the remaining layers in the afternoon, using Green, Blue and Violet/Purple. The pigments came through and the result was spectacular. After they cooled down, I leveled them off and began the assembly. I wasted quite a large amount of butter and sugar trying my best to obtain a pristine white buttercream, but it was virtually impossible. Almost everywhere I looked, blogs, forums, websites, all emphasized the difficulty and how it was almost impossible to get a truly white buttercream. If anyone has any ideas, please, do share! I even tried white food coloring. Nothing!
 |
| Layered up and onto the frosting |
In the end, I went for the sure thing and used my favorite cream cheese frosting. Although, not completely white, it was fluffy and smooth. Just perfect!!! I was opting for a tall cake, so I began to fret when the layers were being stacked. I stuck in some kebab picks to make sure the cake didn't tumble over. After a few minutes in the freezer, it was okay. The layers were no longer moving and my crumb coat was set. So I frosted it entirely and into the fridge it went overnight.
Monday came knocking and I began to fret once again. I had to carry the cake in the car and I was only grateful, knowing the frosting was well set, to reach my destination with a perfect cake. The photographer showed up a while later and with my preparations ready and at hand, we decorated the cake together, sliced it and the camera was soon clicking away. The magazine team was overjoyed and I was pleased. The cake didn't reach home, save for a slice for my dad. Everyone wanted a piece and I was only happy to oblige.
 |
| The making of the rainbow cake |
I still had one last dessert to make for the magazine: the Apple Stack Cake. Now, because the cake calls for ingredients prepared beforehand (like the dehydrated apples), it was decided to be changed to something simpler, that involved gelatin. The team sent me a series of options to make and considering what was already going to be featured, I chose the recipe that included lemon pudding. The preparation for the dessert took me literally, 15 minutes. It was that simple and all you have to do is wait for it to set (around 4 hours). It's ideal for those who don't have time to bake anything. Prep it up and pick it up later. It's also light on the palate and not really sweet. As a baker, I am not a fan of it per se, as it calls for instant pudding, and I would rather make my own, but hey! If it works, go for it! I'll post the recipe soon!!!
 |
| Creamy, light and fluffy |
The week went by with no stressful events and come Thursday, I was ready to begin the step-by-step for the lemon dessert. The crew came to my house, and 2 hours later, they were driving away. My collaboration was done and over and as much as I wanted to go to sleep, I still had café baking duties to finish. I was already feeling the symptoms of a cold and my energy was falling fast, but I finished everything in good time. I got ready to go out for dinner and I thank my friends for making me leave the house. I've become a hermit. Some delicious green curry, a bottle of wine and gin&tonic night cap, I was sent to bed in a blissful state.
I kind off regretted having gone out next morning, as my cold symptoms were worse than ever. My stomach was aching badly, I developed a dry cough and had a very sore throat. I slept in till 8:30 a.m, showered and got ready, and applied the final touches on the baked goods before heading out. I was cold, despite the scorching weather, and all I could do was dream of my bed. As soon as I finished my errands, I came back home and baked a few things for the following day. Once finished, I climbed into bed, with a hot cup of tea, read a few chapters from my book and I was out like a light.
Saturday morning, I woke up early and left to run some errands. I was back a little after 1 p.m., famished and tired. I had my late lunch, chopped up some pineapple to dehydrate and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV. I only got up to bake a Brown Sugar Marbled Pound Cake because I got bored, then returned to my bed and stayed there until dinner. The evening comprised a movie marathon with some wine on the side. As much as I wanted to sleep, I had trouble breathing with my congested nose and suffered a disturbing headache. In the end, my tired body gave in around 2 in the morning. I woke up groggy. My alarm had rang at 6 later that morning. I realized I had to switch the trays on the dehydrator. My dad was already having breakfast, but I was basically sleep walking to into bed again. I woke up around 10, and enjoyed a cup of coffee with some pound cake on the side. I showered just before lunch. My Sunday visit to Grandma's was cut short due to untimely baking duties which were done 2 hours later and I watched TV for the remainder of the day. I had tea just before bed and I have no idea what time I slept.
 |
| Despite what people may think, this is an awesome breakfast |
Monday I was greeted by the barking of the dogs outside my window, but I was happy and got ready soon. After a couple of errands, I was back home for lunch and despite my baking orders not entirely complete, I've finally sat down to type away. I don't know what surprises lie in the coming days, all I know is that it's gonna be a good week!!! Happy Monday to you all!!!
Until next time.
xx
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