The little camera looks just like a digital SLR! And the writing as though part of old school film. 

Surprisingly, the camera detail is so easy to put together. Fondant works like clay and if it doesn't work the first time, roll in out and do it again. All you need is a steady hand, sharp knife and a little imagination (or youtube to help you!). And use a little CMC / tylose if you get stuck. 

Rolling out enough fondant to cover the cake however requires lots and lots of arm strength, patience and a good rolling pin! I always get nervous at this stage and imagine all the things that could go horribly wrong or the tears or the holes. Luckily, none of that happened today!

Chocolate Jaffa Cake with Cointreau, Oranges and Zest. Having the decadence of chocolate with undertones of orange and a bit of a kick. Not for children. ;)

Made multiple batches of Ginger ANZACs and Macadamia Cranberrie ANZACs this year.

And they're all gone!!

Lest we forget.

Take a recipe and turn it into your own. It takes time and practice, practice and more practice. Third time is the charm. Three layers, evenly baked, spongy and not too dense. Very moist and most importantly, packed with flavor. Without the buttercream (you can use a substitute), this cake can be dairy-free too... who said you can't enjoy cake with allergies?

 

Orange Almond Cake (Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free)

Yield 1 x 8-inch round (Triple layer)

 Ingredients:

2 oranges, whole (approx. 450 g)
1 C / 220 g white sugar
250 g almond meal, sifted
6 eggs, separated
1 t baking powder
Icing sugar, to serve

Method

1.       [Make ahead] Boil oranges in a small pot of water for 2 hours. Drain and then allow to cool to room temperature and then puree.
2.       Preheat oven to 140 degrees and grease and line 3 baking tins.
3.       In a clean bowl, beat half the sugar and egg whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
4.       Beat yolks and sugar until well combined and then add orange puree.
5.       Sift in almond meal and then baking powder and stir until just combined.
6.       Fold in egg whites to lighten the mixture. (Use 2 tins if doing this step for a higher cake)
7.       Pour into prepared tin and bake for 65 -75 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
8.       Allow to cool in tin (important) before decorating or serving.

Balloon Cupcakes and the house from Up preferably taking one to a faraway place.

 

Easy mini cupcakes with fondant and royal icing squiggle. And a significantly more complicated top tier house cake with a fondant bunch of balloons.

 

And because we left this one to the last minute, we had some problems getting the fondant to stay up and rigid without the usual dry time. Turned out cute anyway. Clouds always make cakes look prettier too.

 



 



Kids love... Thomas, Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig, the Simpsons and... CARS!!!

 

Or in this case, Mack the Truck from Cars. Bigger is sometimes better and Mack carries Cars in his semi-trailer so it's a winner! To show how much I know, I had been called it "Mavis" the truck until Elliot's mum kindly pointed out that it was "Mack". Oopsies.

 

We did a similar cake in October for a 5 year old and have done something similar here too for Elliot who is 3 tomorrow!

 

That's it from us (it's been a huge week in and out of work and baking) for this weekend. I think we've earned a well-deserved, quiet no-bake weekend! Although we do have the small task of perfecting a new recipe that is dairy and gluten-free... stay tuned.

 

Hooray, quarter-end madness is over and we can bake at regular hours again! ;) No more midnight cakes and early morning frostings.

Raspberries as sooooo in season right now and they are mouth-watering. We had a few punnets in the fridge and had to guard them fiercely to make this White Chocolate & Raspberry Baked Cheesecake. Chocolate in a cheesecake takes it to a whole 'nother level. And just because, we topped in with a layer of raspberry cream before covering with fresh berries.

It was really really good. I kid you not.