Cupcake Thursday...

To sweeten your day... Vanilla cupcake with hearts and ribbon rose...

Kakes for Kids...

This past weekend I had the pleasure of hosting our Wilton Course "Kakes for Kids".  It always amazes me how creative these young people are... Each of them designed their own cakes... And the result?  This lovely collage of gorgeous cakes... Kakes for Kids!

Breakfast at Tiffany's...

Guess who was with me for breakfast this morning... Isn't she great?

Summer...

I was organizing my pictures, and then I found this one... I love that black and white striped fondant ribbon... A real beauty!

Country blue and butter yellow...

I finally got my computer up and running again... So I have been playing with it, and learning how to make collages... I used country blue and butter yellow for this one because it's part of another project I have.

I think it turned out pretty good.

Flowers are from Emma Lappin, and the cake from BC Cakes...

Gingerbread House...

If you like Gingerbread houses, why don't you try a Valentine's Day Gingerbread House?  They are on sale now!  Get one, and you can make your own... Kids love these houses... and the more candy... the better!!!

Key to my heart...

Mini cakes... I DO love mini cakes... But I also love tall cakes... Remember this Saturday, at Michaels, Park Royal, we'll be working on those tall cakes... Don't miss it!

Because I like baking...

But I also like fruit for dessert... I baked these apricots yesterday... OMG! So good... So, here is the recipe...

Baked Apricots

1 cup of large dried apricots
1 pot freshly made Earl Grey tea
3/4 cup ground almonds
1/3 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tb lemon juice
18 blanched almonds
2 ts sweet sherry
Cream, if desired

*You need to soak apricots overnight.
1. Put apricots into a bowl. Strain hot tea over them, and soak overnight.

Next Day:
2. Preheat oven to 400F
3. In a bowl, mix ground almonds, icing sugar, all but 2 teaspoons of butter, and lemon juice. Knead to a smooth paste.
4. Drain apricots (you can drink the tea left, it's great!). Pat apricots dry with paper towels.
5. Divide almond paste in 18 pieces. Press each piece around an almond and use to stuff apricots.
6. Brush a baking dish with remaining butter. Put apricots into dish and sprinkle with sherry. Cover with butter wax paper and bake in oven for 10 minutes.
7. Serve hot with cream, if desired.

Makes 6 servings

Matrioshka with snowflake...

I fell in love with this little Matrioshka... It was a very sweet image I had to copy for a cake... A single snowflake was all she needed to look gorgeous! And she did!

Yoda says...

"More cake must you eat!"

Pink Champagne Cupcakes...

Angel's dreams...

I just love this Angel on a cupcake... It's so sweet!

Apple Pie!

Pie Dough

3 and 1/2 cups cake flour

1/3 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of water

1 and 1/2 cups of Crisco

Pinch of salt

1. Mix flour, sugar, water, Crisco, and salt on low speed until the ingredients are well combined and dough seems smooth.

2. Divide dough into 2 pieces and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using. It gives you enough for any 9" filled pie.

Happy New Year!

May this new year bring happy and wonderful blessings to each and every one of you! Just think of this... 365 days to have lots of fun, celebrate, and eat lots of cake...!!!