Tuesday, August 30, 2011

On top of the world!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to make the most exciting cake of the summer!

When I first meet my client, Linda, back in the spring, I just knew we would have a ball designing this cake. And a ball is what we created!! To top off all of her favorite activities and hobbies, we made a complete sphere cake to represent a globe.

This lavish, glamorous 50th birthday party was going to be over-the-top. I knew our cake needed to come up to the level of elegance this extravagant party was to have. First of all, the venue was a gorgeous private estate. Don't believe me? The home was even featured in Sacramento Magazine back in February!

My client has a real love for life. After just meeting with her, I could feel her energy and excitement for world travel, fun, and friends. With much thought, and trying to narrow down all of her favorite hobbies, we decided on the following design:

bottom tier: vintage luggage cake with stamps of her favorite travel spots
middle tier: movie reel cake- to coordinate with the Old Hollywood theme of the party
top tier: globe cake- marked with her favorite and most significant countries
decorations: mini popcorn bag cakes, ticket stubs, sugar flowers, etc
cake topper: a hand-painted Eiffel Tower, of course!!!



In hindsight, I wish had taken more detailed pictures of the cake and venue. The decor was exquisite!
(In fact, my delivery partner, aka mom, took some extra photos that I will need to snag and share soon)


"My Hollywood cake was the most talked about item at the party. Truly, truly amazing! You have Ace of Cakes beat anytime. Thank you" - Linda


Monday, August 1, 2011

Recipe Box: Guinness Chocolate Cake


With it's thick, creamy head and bold, tangy flavor, Guinness is an ever-popular dry Irish stout.



To be honest, Guinness is not my go-t0 for celebratory beverages. If it's not St. Patrick's Day or mixed with some Irish Cream, I'm not particularly interested. Unless, you bake it in a delicious chocolate cake, of course.

It is not unique to The Frosted Cake Shop to utilize beer in the kitchen. Due to its distinguished flavor, the culinary uses span from beef stew to french toast to even chocolate cake. The concept may not be original, but take a look at our take on the Guinness Chocolate Cake.


Ingredients:
1 cup Guinness stout
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift dry ingredients (flour and baking soda) and set aside.

Combine Guinness and butter in a medium sauce pan. Heat until butter is melted.

Over medium heat, whisk in the cocoa and sugar until combined.

Remove pan from heat.
Combine sour cream, eggs, and extract. Mix into butter/cocoa/sugar.
Whisk in dry ingredients until smooth.


Pour into prepared pans or cupcake liners. Bake until done!



Layers of Guinness Chocolate Cake with Fluffy Irish Cream Buttercream

and swirled on our cupcakes

Complete and ready to eat!