That being said, Katelyn's first birthday is only eight months away and, yes, I have already started planning for it. It didn't even take eight months to plan my wedding (two and half to be exact). It's not going to be a huge, grand affair...it will likely just be family, but I still want it to have lots of fun details. The things I'm focusing on are what Katelyn will wear, the decorations for her high chair (and a few other wall decorations) and, of course, THE CAKE.
In the grand tradition my mother started, I intend to make all of Katelyn's birthday cakes. In order for this first cake to not turn into some big floppy mess that looks like Katelyn made it herself, I've decided to start practising. Mike's birthday was last week so I took it upon myself to make his cake instead of buying one from Safeway. I was happy with the "cake" part of the cake...the decorating left much to be desired though.
I bought some icing in a can (I can hear Megan from Sugar Bites Biking screaming in horror) and some gel scribblers, rather than putting time into fighting with the parchment paper triangles and metal tubes. I was smart enough to do a "crumb layer" of icing (where you ice the cake and then pop it in the fridge so when you do the final coat of icing, you don't stir up a bunch of crumbs) and I was happy with the blue border. Other than that, this cake can undoubtedly be deemed a wreck :-)
I intentionally spelled "birtday" wrong, but I didn't intend on the balloons to end up looking like colourful little sperm. As for the other decorations, I was trying to copy what was on the packaging for the gel scribblers. Yeah, not even close.
Joel's birthday is next week. The boy doesn't like cake, but I'll bake him one anyways, just for the practice. He can sit and enjoy some apple sauce while the rest of us enjoy whatever wreck I come up with next :-)
Did you make the cake from scratch or use a cake mix? either way, i must know your secret, the cake looks divine! I made Finley's first cake which was a princess castle but I also am going to attempt to make her second. I also can bake really well but i am VERY concerned for what my decorating will look like! You are off to a good start!
ReplyDeleteHey Becky - the cake part was the easiest! I did use just a white cake mix and then I divided the batter into four separate bowls (they don't have to be even amounts). I used concentrated icing colour for the food colouring (the little drops don't result in very brilliant colours). You can have as many or as few different colours that you like (for Joel's, I want to do the rainbow colours).
ReplyDeleteOnce your batter is evenly coloured, grab one bowl and pour a small amount into the pan. Grab the next bowl and pour some more in. Go back and forth until you've poured all the batter in. DO NOT MIX. Bake as normal. It's as easy as that :-)
Okay, my sons 1st birthday is in 2 months, and I've never made a cake! You're onto something here, with the 'practicing' idea. I LOVE how colorful this cake is, sperm balloons & all :-) LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep that 'crumb' layer idea in mind, too!
- Amanda (cronin chronicles)
i too decided to make each one of my kids' bd cakes. i love the colorful cake; they sell bread like that at Harold's at easter time. The character cake pans are actually a lot easier than they look. Keep practicing & showing your pics of cake - can't wait to see.
ReplyDeleteLove all those colors!
ReplyDeleteSweet! Thanks Jyl, I am gonna give it a try!!
ReplyDeleteAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Hahahah! You did a fine job for your first time!!! I don't have a problem with icing from a can, but I DO have a problem with box mixes!!!! If you need any tips or recipes, just let me know :) I won't even charge heheheh - sugarbitescakes@gmail.com
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