bccakes

Lara and Trevor...

2012-02-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

I never got to post these pictures before... They were with those tons and tons of pictures that I save in order to organize later (procrastination!)...
Anyhow, I was just reading this post at Style Me Pretty Canada about Lara and Trevor's very special wedding... admiring all those photos of some pretty awesome details, and that reminded me I had some of those photos somewhere... so here they are!

The cake was a 4 tier hexagon shaped cake, all covered in buttercream, with fondant lace and chocolate ribbon. The flowers on the top tier included white roses and fondant succulents!

It was a pleasure to work with LeLe Chan, from Lé Soirées Weddings & Events who helped to make this wedding what it was: a very unique day!

Not raining anymore...!

2012-01-27T18:29:00.000-08:00

This cake brought the sun back home... Vacations!!! No more rain... Just enjoy the sun kind of cake. Did you notice the grass tip? It's a great tip for borders!

Rainy mood...

2012-01-26T01:08:00.000-08:00

The magic dragon...

2012-01-22T02:48:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday, David! It was a pleasure to make this dragon cake for David's 50th birthday. A chocolate cake with layers of ganache and raspberry.

A close-up of his face shows how the dragon was covered in fondant and then painted with edible gold and silver dust.

Happy New Year 2012!!!

2012-01-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

What a better way to say goodbye to 2011 than with a wedding! And a very fun one, too! Beautiful jewel tones throughout the Vancouver main library in a great night organized by Angela Girard from Reflection Events

Santa has come and gone...!

2011-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

I guess I was trying to do too many things... So I got sick! Santa came, drunk his milk and ate his cookies... and I spent Christmas in bed with the flu... Looking forward to New Year's now!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

For all those students who have graduated with those amazing final projects, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Celebrate in peace in the company of those you love... and have lots of goodies and cake!!!

What is in a Tiramisu?

2011-12-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

After trying so many recipes of this famous Italian dessert, I am keeping this recipe. A lot better done with Ladyfingers instead of cake. I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients

8 ounces of mascarpone cheese

1/3 cup of sugar

3 tb of Kahlua

1 ts of vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups of cream

1 pkg of ladyfingers

1 cup of coffee syrup*

1. With electric mixer, beat together mascarpone cheese and sugar. Add Kahlua and vanilla extract.

2. Add cream, and beat until mixture is quite firm

3. In baking dish, arrange half of the ladyfingers over the bottom. Sprinkle them with half of the coffee syrup.

4. Spoon half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.

5. Arrange the rest of the ladyfingers over mascarpone layer. Sprinkle with remaining coffee syrup. Spoon remaining mascarpone mixture on top and spread with spatula.

6. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

7. Before serving, sift cocoa powder over the top.

Coffee Syrup

3/4 cup of hot water

2 tb instant coffee

3 tb of sugar

1/4 cup of Kahlua

1. Combine water, coffee, and sugar. When sugar disolves, stir in the Kahlua.

Honey cake...

2011-12-12T00:25:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

1/2 cup of butter

1 cup of sugar

4 eggs

1 cup of honey

1 cup of sour cream

3 cups of flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp of salt

1 cup of raisins

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 325 °F.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time.

3. Add honey and sour cream alternately, mixing well.

4. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

5. Add to batter.

6. Add raisins and walnuts.

7. Pour into 2 loaf pans.

8. Bake for 1 hour approx.

Good when it's warm, but definitively better the next day!

Gingerbread House Workshop...

2011-12-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread houses got very creative last Saturday during our Gingerbread House Workshop at Michaels, West Vancouver. Awesome rooftops, chimneys, and beautiful trees! ♥ ♥ ♥

Heritage Gingerbread House!

2011-12-04T00:58:00.000-08:00

This amazing Gingerbread House is part of Park Royal's Christmas decorations and it's well worth seeing... A very fine work!
In case you are feeling like doing your own (on a smaller scale) come to Michaels, West Vancouver. We are having our Gingerbread House workshop there, and you don't even need to bake! Come and find out!

Here we go again... Christmas time!!!

2011-12-01T16:36:00.000-08:00

December 1st. Time to start baking. If you are looking for a good recipe for Gingerbread Cookies, you may click here! And the recipe for the Sugar Cookies, here! Both types of cookies can be decorated. Happy baking!

Hydrangea baby...

2011-11-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

This cake and cookies were done during the summer months for a baby shower with a Hydrangea theme. It was a real pleasure to make. Edible Hydrangeas were done in buttercream with tip 2D. I just found these pictures... They bring a summer breeze to this dark rainy day!

A chocolate tree!

2011-11-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

A chocolate cake layered with ganache and raspberry, and then covered with chocolate buttercream to create this 3 tier chocolate tree. A lot of fun to make for a very wise owl!

Remember...

2011-11-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

Topsy Turvy with duckies...

2011-11-10T14:45:00.000-08:00

I usually like to use buttercream for my cakes, but for a topsy turvy cake, sometimes fondant works quite well...

Red Riding Hood cake...

2011-11-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

When people say: "Do whatever you want... I will leave it up to you!"... It's kind of hard to choose a design... But for this cake, I knew the birthday girl had worn a Red Riding Hood costume for Halloween... So, there it is! With the bad, bad wolf and everything... Very sweet, indeed!

Incy Wincy Spider...!

2011-10-30T00:59:00.000-07:00

This lovely Halloween tall cake was created today in our "Tall Cakes" workshop at Michaels, West Vancouver. It was a mother and daughter creation full of pure Halloween fun!

Wilton Advanced Gum Paste Flowers!

2011-10-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was delighted to attend a Wilton Seminar to get ready for the new Wilton Advanced Gumpaste Flower Course. It is always a privilege to count on these superb instructors to make this seminar one of a kind! Thank you very much to Eugenia and Susan!
This new course will start in February 2012!

Once upon a time... Lovestruck!

2011-10-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Every year we are proud of being part of Lovestruck. This year our theme was Snow White... and everything that tells us about that wonderful fairy tale. So, I just wanted to share with you some pictures... but there are a lot more to come. The whole event was beautiful and enjoyable, thanks to the efforts and coordination of Angela Girard who made sure everything was absolutely perfect!

Candied apple...

2011-10-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

For years, this has been one of weaknesses... Candied apples... with their jewel tones, and just so perfect! They come around Halloween, but I had never tried to make one...

This morning I've got this jewel... and other ones not so jewel looking : ) But all very good! Messy... but good!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

I love Thanksgiving day...! And not just because of the turkey... In fact, I don't like turkey, and I feel sorry about them during these Holidays... But it is really nice to get together with people you love, and have fun, and pumkin pie, and... also, it's a great opportunity to say: "Thanks!" I want to thank all those students that come to my classes at Michaels, so enthusiastic, and by the end of the courses produce these beautiful confections...
Thank you so much to all of you for allowing me to share with you my love for cake decorating... Happy Thanksgiving!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

Coco forever...

2011-09-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Brock House Restaurant served as the frame for a Coco Chanel inspired wedding. A very sharp and stunning black and white theme bringing, at the same time, a very relaxed vintage feeling... Remarkable job by wedding planner LeLe Chan...

Fiesta Wedding...

2011-09-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

This lovely wedding was inspired by a Fiesta Mejicana... Very colourful and lively at the Burrard Yatch Club. The weather couldn't have been better. In summary, a very fine day. Cupcakes were chocolate with raspberry buttercream. Don't you love the colours?

After this long weekend...

2011-09-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Kids are back to school...! Lovely! Ooops! I mean, look at this lovely cake... One of the cakes from this past weekend, at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Such a beautiful setting, and there we saw charming LeLe Chan, from Le Soirées, who did an awesome job on the wedding.
Anyhow, now that kids are back to school, I am hoping to have more time to go through all those pictures that accumulated during the summer, and hopefully, too, I will be posting them very soon...

Yo Ho, Yo Ho...

2011-08-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

A pirate's life is for me...!

Bzzzz, bzzz! Finally here... The fondant bumble bee tutorial!

2011-08-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

This is how bumble bees begin... they are born from an egg! Well, a small amount of yellow fondant in the shape of an egg. Then, add two thin rings of black fondant...

To finish them, add a smile and paint eyes with a black food marker. Add white fondant wings. You can cut out the wings with a small petal cutter. Attach them with your edible glue. And that's it... They are ready to bzzz on top of your cupcakes!

Bumble bee ba-bee shower cupcakes...

2011-08-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Sweet as honey...! I enjoyed so much making these bumble bee cupcakes... that I think I will post a tutorial tomorrow for you to learn how to make them... See you tomorrow!

Life is a roller coaster...!

2011-08-16T23:29:00.000-07:00

PNE is here again! I don't know, but as soon as the PNE is here, I know summer is over... And we didn't even had summer...

Happy birthday, LeLe!!!

2011-08-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Kind of belated birthday, I would say... But happy anyhow!!!

Kakes for Kids this summer...

2011-07-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

Great kids! Awesome Cakes! I love my job!!!

More damask design...

2011-07-29T00:42:00.000-07:00

For Kelly's anniversary cake, we used a black and white damask design... very dramatic... with the black fondant looking very sharp on the white buttercream...

So delicate...!

2011-07-28T00:48:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to organize all those pictures of the most recent cakes I have done... I will get there... eventually! It's not easy when it's summer out there with so many things going on...! But I wanted to share this one with you... It's so delicate... I love it!

My own version of Mr. Sticky...

2011-07-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Just to brighten up this cloudy summer day, I wanted to share with you this chameleon cake. Mr. Sticky is one of Colette Peters's collection from the book "Cakes to Dream On".

This rainy weekend...

2011-07-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

Very busy...! But in the end, this is what stays with you ... those beautiful images! The place, Capilano Golf Club, looked enchanting! A wonderful evening under the care of wedding planner Rebecca Rebecca Reynolds from Reflection Events.

Coming up in the fall...

2011-07-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

For all of you who have been asking for more Gum Paste courses... Wilton will be adding a new Course 4, with more Gum Paste flowers... I will keep you informed! In the meantime, enjoy this Lily from Minter Gardens... Isn't it pretty? Then, can you imagine to be able to make one like this... and then... eat it?

Rock climbing...

2011-07-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Rock climbing can also be sweet... like on top of a cake with rock candy!

Unicorn and rainbows...

2011-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

This unicorn was such a pleasure to make... with all these colours... He even had a rainbow on its nose!!! The idea was a sort of retro cake with tie-dye buttercream... A lot of fun to make!

Sorry...! We were out enjoying the sun...

2011-07-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

I guess I got carried away by the beautiful weather we were having... Anyhow... I just wanted to answer some of your questions regarding "Kakes for Kids". I have received quite a few mails asking me about supplies for this workshop... Well, kids need to bring their own cake (it doesn't need to be big), but they need a cake to decorate. They will also need some icing (you can buy the icing at Michaels), and some decorating bags and tips (if you have some at home)...
When you register your kids at Michaels, they will give you a supply list. Kids need to be registered in advance. If you have any other questions regarding this workshop, please, feel free to email me.

Happy Canada Day!!!

2011-07-01T01:50:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy your day, the parade and the pancake breakfast, too!!!

A chocolate angel...!

2011-06-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

Made out of dark chocolate, this sweet little angel was part of our adventure with chocolate for our photography group Craquelier. If you like chocolate, make sure you visit the gallery and see all those amazing chocolate photos from all over the world!

Black and white damask...

2011-06-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

Don't you love this cake? A black and white damask pattern with different shades of purple sugar flowers designed for Maria's and Mario's wedding. I fell in love with the design ♥ ♥ ♥ !!!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T01:12:00.000-07:00

I wish all Dads have an awesome day!!!

Congratulations!!!

2011-06-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

You did it!!!

To take away that bitter flavour... from yesterday

2011-06-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

He is Kung Fu Panda. A very nice panda bear, but I hope he goes on a diet soon if he ever wants to be a cake topper again...

Go Canucks Go!

2011-06-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

Ahola!

2011-06-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Lilly of the Valley... for sweet dreams!

2011-06-02T00:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of making this Lilly of the Valley cake for my neighbour's birthday. She had told me this was her favourite flower and that she always keeps some on her night table because of the delicate fragrance. So, I made this cake for her, and on Monday morning, on my door steps, guess what I found... A beautiful bunch of Lilly of the valley with a wonderful card... They are on my night table now!

Police... on a cake?

2011-05-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well, yes! A lego policeman... Jordan wanted a lego policeman cake... and this is it! Can you believe it? I still get to play with Lego...

What a day for a daydream...!

2011-05-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

What a day for a wedding...! It couldn't have been better for Diana and Jesse yesterday at the Aberthau Mansion... Everything was beautiful, romantic... A gorgeous day! Have a happy life, Diana and Jesse!

Clone Wars again...

2011-05-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

The costs of war can never be truly accounted for... Don't you love Yoda? He is so green...

A chocolate basket with red roses...

2011-05-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Remember the basketweave from the Flowers and Cake Design Course? Well, this one was done with tip #12 and tip #47. The red roses are gum paste roses... Chocolate leaves with tip #352. You could change the roses for strawberries or raspberries... Whatever you do... have fun!

Chocolate!!!

2011-05-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

I didn't dream about it! It is true! Craquelier group's theme for this month is CHOCOLATE...! So, I need to get ready... I need to go get some good yummy chocolate to start with... So... See you later!

If you are planning to come to the cake decorating classes in June...

2011-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Wilton has a surprise for you... Student Kits are 50 % OFF!!! Starting May 20th to May 27th, you won't need a coupon to get this discount!

Happy Birthday, Sweety Pie!

2011-05-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

We hope you have a wonderful day...!!! Love, love, love!!!

The lavander fairy...

2011-05-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

With lavander unicorn, of course! And butterflies!

A real princess...

2011-05-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

With unicorn and rabbits... A princess' dream!

The strangest things happen...

2011-05-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

I had another post before this... and all of a sudden... it's gone! It dissapeared! I guess I need some help... Maybe this super hero can help...

Happy birthday, Samuel! It's always good to have a super hero to the rescue!

I love these colours...!

2011-05-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have so many pictures I haven't posted... just watching the wheels go round and round...

For all those mothers out there...

2011-05-08T02:06:00.000-07:00

I wish you have an awesome day! Full of sunshine and beautiful surprises... and cake, too! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you...!

2011-05-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

We have been blessed...!

Marigolds and Chocolate...

2011-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Great combination!

Park and Tilford this morning...

2011-04-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

I hope you didn't miss the plant sale this morning at Park and Tilford... You did? Oh, well, don't worry! Just go and see the tulips there this weekend... You will be glad you did!

We've been commissioned...

2011-04-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

To make this beauty... Don't you love the ring on top of the cupcake? Well, just wait until you try the cupcake!

Plant Sale at Park and Tilford...

2011-04-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, April 30, from 10am to 1pm! Don't miss it!

Starting wedding season at Easter...

2011-04-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of starting our wedding season, yesterday. with a beautiful sunny day! The wedding took place at the Aberthau Mansion which brought together the elegance of the past with the magical twist of the new decor. Everything was beautifully taken care of by Rebecca Reynolds from Reflection Events.
The fact that Aberthau is a Welsh term to indicate “a place filled with light" was perfectly reflected in the whole atmosphere...

Funny bunny rabbit...!

2011-04-23T00:51:00.000-07:00

I was going to bake this morning, so I went to grab some eggs, and something wasn't quite right... That funny bunny rabbit had been fooling around! I think I like him, though... He likes pink, just like me!

How to make a Fondant Chick to decorate your Easter cupcakes...

2011-04-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

As I promise, Elisa, here is the Fondant Chick Tutorial... You will need a small amount of white, yellow, and orange fondant.

Take the white fondant ball and, with your ball tool, make it into a small cup . Flatten the sides.
With a sharp tool, knife, or scissors, cut the edges, so they look like a broken egg shell...

Take 2/3 of the yellow fondant ball, form it into a ball, and glue it with your edible glue to the egg shell. Take the rest of the yellow fondant and form a ball for the head. Glue it to the fondant body.

With orange fondant, form small beak and attach with edible glue. Paint the eyes with a black food marker.
And it is ready! You can add wings and flower on his head, if you want...

So? Isn't he cute or what? It's ready for your cupcakes... or brownies... or anything!

Happy Easter!

Happy belated birthday, Alyson...!

2011-04-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

For Elisa...

2011-04-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here are the Easter cupcakes with Easter basket included. I might post more pictures during the week... if I have time... Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Theatre night...

2011-04-17T00:21:00.000-07:00

From Craquelier again... Check it out!

Spring is definitely here!

2011-04-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

It came knocking at my door...! Actually, this morning was a very nice morning, very quiet and sunny... and I kept on hearing these noises,.. like some tapping, or soft knocking at the door...
Well, I went to have a look and saw this busy tiny bird hard at work... making his nest! First time my bird house has a guest! I love him already! Isn't he cute?

Pink roses for Simonetta...

2011-04-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air...

2011-04-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

And Easter around the corner...!

More squares...

2011-04-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Another rainy day spent at home... baking! I love baking... and I find these squares are perfect when it is raining because the lemon curd adds a sunny taste to them...

Lemon Squares

1 cup of butter
2 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 jar of lemon curd
1/2 cup grated coconut

1. Mix sugar and butter until creamy.
2. Add flour and baking soda.
3. Pat 2/3 of mixture into a 9" square pan (make sure you line it with parchment paper before patting the mixture)
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
5. Remove and cool slightly. Lower oven to 350 degrees.
6. Spread the lemon curd with spatula over the baked layer.
7. Add coconut to remaining 1/3 of mixture. Spread on top of lemon curd.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for another 25 minutes until lightly browned.
9. Cut into squares while still warm.

These lemon squares improve with time. But I never seem to manage to save them for the following day... Well, at least they lasted long enough to take the picture!

Ending this busy day...

2011-04-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

We finish this busy day with the delivery of this lovely cake to the Vancouver Rowing Club where it felt quite at home actually... After that, we took some time for a walk around the park just in time to find Lord Stanley...

And our dearest Robi contemplating the city...

Happy Birthday, Vancouver!!!

2011-04-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Afternoon tea with Alice...

2011-04-04T01:46:00.000-07:00

For all of you, who need something sweet this week, please have a look at this awesome video! Thank you very much, Fatrimax, for sharing it with me...

And she wanted a unicorn...

2011-04-02T22:09:00.000-07:00

Me too! I wanted to make this cake for quite some time... with the Daisy Fairy and the lady bugs, and the daisies... and the bunny rabbit! This Daisy Fairy is inspired by Cicely Mary Barker's classic Flower Fairy illustrations.

Our house has been taken over by flowers...

2011-03-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a long winter for Vancouver, so I thought you might enjoy these beautiful flowers brought to you by the Craquelier house... For all the people of Vancouver, for whom spring hasn't arrived yet, enjoy these flowers from different parts of the world, put together by Beatriz...
May these flowers be your inspiration for those awesome sugar flowers you will be putting on your cakes...

Dance me to the end of love...

2011-03-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Dance me to the wedding now... laralara... This cake really makes me feel like dancing and singing...

Eat, pray and love...

2011-03-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

How was your weekend? Ours was quiet. We didn't do much, mostly stayed home, made some goodies for the kids that are enjoying their spring holidays, relaxed... and somehow, I felt like praying...
My friend Melissa shared this prayer with us:
Prayer for Japan (translated from a prayer that circulated in Spanish for the people affected by the Chilean earthquake last year)

Lord, I want to say THANK YOU, because today I woke up and I knew where my loved ones were.
Because this morning my house is standing,
Because this morning I'm not crying for my children, my husband, my parents, my brother or sister who need to be rescued,
Because this morning I can drink a glass of water,
Because this morning I'm not planning a funeral,
and more than anything I thank the Lord I'm still alive and
I have a voice to pray for the people of Japan
Lord, I pray to You, the One who makes the impossible possible,
the One who transforms darkness into light,
I ask that you strengthen these mothers,
give them the peace that passeth all understanding.
Open the paths for help to arrive, You can provide doctors, nurses, food,
water and everything they need in a blink of an eye.
For those who lost their families, give them peace, hope and courage to carry on.
Protect Your children mightily.
I pray in Jesus name! AMEN.

Please pass this prayer on to others so that we may pray together for the people of Japan. We are truly blessed here!

Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your prayers with me! Other people have been busy, also, doing things to show how much they care and to show support, too. The people from the photography blog Craquelier were busy making origami birds to send together with their best wishes to Japan. This is the beautiful collage they came up with

To learn more about the people that participated in this creation, visit the blog Craquelier
My husband and I wanted to participate, and we made these origami birds thinking in particular of David, Mariko, and the kids...
We wanted to send you all our love... We are so happy to hear that you are all right, things are gradually getting better, and that you feel this crisis will be effectively overcome.
For the people from Vancouver that has kids on spring holidays, the Vancouver Aquarium is donating $1, from each ticket sold this week, for the Japan relief effort. So, there you are. A nice place to take your kids while at the same time helping Japan. See you at the Aquarium!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!
I know the Irish community will be celebrating today, eating all these green goodies and chocolate coins... As for the real coins... I also know they will be donating generously to the relief efforts for Japan...

These origami birds are part of a contribution to an origami project that started in Madrid by Makiko. Her idea is to make origami birds... 1000 birds. According to her, in Japan, people would make 1000 origami birds and then make a wish. So, she asked people to make these birds (in her blog she teaches how to make them), take a picture of them and send them to her to help reach the goal of a 1000 birds. This is the blog address to see the idea and video on how to make the birds las 1000 grullas.

There will be no post tomorrow because I am joining the Bloggers Day of Silence:

The best news today...

2011-03-16T22:09:00.000-07:00

When I got home today, my dear friend Candy had sent me this picture, of a little baby girl who was rescued in Japan today, and was reunited with her family! What a lovely picture!
Also, all my admiration goes to that group of 50 workers at Fukushima who have volunteered to stay behind risking their own lives. Please, pray for them, or if you don't pray, help by donating money to the Red Cross now, so they can deliver meaningful assistance...

I ♥ Japan!

2011-03-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

My students were telling me this morning that the Red Cross is at London Drugs, Park Royal, collecting money for Japan. So, if you were looking for a way to help, go to London Drugs and donate to the Red Cross!

I ♥ Japan!

2011-03-15T00:13:00.000-07:00

Learning of all the devastation that is affecting Japan and its people right now reminds me of the earthquake that affected Chile last year. My thoughts and prayers go to all those people who have been victims of this enormous tragedy, but also to those who are working helping the victims. There is a lot of work to be done... But I am quite certain Japan can do it. They will recover. But they need help now. They need our support.
Everybody can help in their own way. Maybe with donations to our Red Cross, or the Salvation Army... Maybe buying something made in Japan... or maybe with their prayers... Any little act of support counts. Support Japan!

Why I love my job?

2011-03-07T09:03:00.000-08:00

I have been doing Danielle's birthday cakes since she turned one. I still remember her first birthday cake with orange and yellow butterflies. I didn't have a digital camera then, so I don't have that picture in my website.
This year, she turned eight. And she sent me this awesome design for me to follow when making her cake. Don't you love it? I thought it is pretty cool, so I started working following her instructions and came up with this:

That's why I love my job!!!

Lazy Daisies...

2011-03-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

I love daisies...! And I came up with this version of the Lazy Daisy Cake... Pretty, simple, fresh... I hope you like it, too!

What can you do with all that leftover cake?

2011-03-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Well, trifle of course! I know many people are making pops with it... which seems to be a lot of fun. But I still prefer my good old trifle...like the one you see in the picture!
It has a layer of vanilla cake, a layer of whipped cream, and fresh raspberries... repeat sequence until the glass is full! You can use all sorts of ingredients and combinations, depending on the season...
So, this is the answer to the question many students ask me the first night of class. What do you do with all the cake shavings left over after levelling your layers or when carving a cake?
Trifle, of course!

The right to twinkle...

2011-02-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this cake! It was made with the piping gel pattern transfer technique... a long time ago... It was done with black royal icing on white fondant. It also has some red royal icing rosebuds around the border. It's just a pretty thing!

Sweet Sweet Peas...

2011-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

Have a nice weekend!

When life gives you lemons... You make lemon pie!!!

2011-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Lemon Meringue Pie
1 cup of sugar
4 tbs corn starch
1 1/2 cups of cold water
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 lemon's grated rind
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tb butter
1 baked pastry shell
3 egg whites
1/3 cup sugar

1. In a pot: stir together sugar and corn starch.
2. Gradually stir in water until smooth.
3. Add egg yolks. Stir constantly bringing to a boil and boil for 1 minute.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Stir in lemon rind, lemon juice, and butter. Cool.
6. Pour into pastry shell.
7. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 tb at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat until stiff peaks form.
8. Spread meringue around edge and then centre.
9. Bake in 350F oven for 15 minutes.

A sweet life...!

2011-02-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

My life is generally very sweet, so to speak... but it is even sweeter when I receive surprises... like these flowers that came to my door from a neighbour I made a cake for... or a message on the answering machine with very kind words about a job well done...
Life is even sweeter then... you kind of feel like walking on air...
So I dedicate these flowers to you today. Maybe they will make your day sweeter, too!

Faires in my kitchen...

2011-02-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

Late at night, when everything is calm, little fairies come to my kitchen... All sorts of them... Last night, this little blue fairy, who told me her name was Silvermist, came flitting by, took a fondant calla lily I was making, and put it on as a dress... She made it fancier by sprinkling pixie dust on it... She looked gorgeous!

Landing on a cupcake...

2011-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

When life gives you lemons...

2011-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

"R" is for roses...

2011-02-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

Have a happy weekend!

Love Express!!!

2011-02-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of love express? Well, my daughter comes from school and says :"Mom, I forgot to tell you I need a cake for tomorrow... we are celebrating Valentine's day!"
So, because I love her so much, I bake this cake in record time, ice it early morning (read here: "very early morning"), decorate it between classes... She takes it to her party... comes back with a BIG smile... gives me a BIG HUG! And says: "Everybody loved the cake, mom!"
Love express: Priceless!!!

PS.: Remember, when you need red icing, start first using Christmas red, and then add as much Red no taste as you need to get the shade you want.

Gentlemen prefer blondes...

2011-02-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

I don't know about those gentlemen, but at home, brownies were our old favourite treat... until we discover these blondies... mmmm!

Blondies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla or maple extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. In bowl, beat butter and sugar, and then beat in egg and vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Mix with butter mixture.
3. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
4. Spread in greased 8" square cake pan, lined with parchment paper
5. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden.
6. Let cool on rack; cut into 12 squares.

Cakes in retrospective...

2011-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

These are all cakes I have done through the years for Robert's birthday. He is very athletic and loves sports...
This year's cake was different...

I hope you feel better soon, Robert! Happy Birthday!