Sheets cakes with a piped message on top can get the job done, but when someone asks me if I could do that, my response may come in the form of, "Of course, but how can we 'wow' or surprise them?"
This piano is a two-layer chocolate cake cut into the shape of a grand, or baby grand, piano. My wife hasn't seen this cake yet; she's also an accomplished pianist and I'm sure she'll weigh-in on its scale. A layer of cream cheese frosting divides the layers and the top coating is cream cheese and is as black as you can get it without ruining the flavor. The piano keys (much less than 88 of them) are individually piped with cream cheese frosting and the black keys are slices of Almond Joy.
So, today, we celebrate the piano man's birthday! Congrats!
It was Friday, June 1 when I scrambled home around noon after a short day of work to make sure all was packed. A small carry-on and a backpack for a personal item were stuffed full of clothes for a long travel weekend. The three boxes of cupcakes - dozen in total - required much from the backpack. I had planned to bring only two boxes, but this is special I thought. Do you remember that recent TSA cupcake confiscation story? I made sure that all my ingredients, wrappings, size and type of boxes were, yes, TSA compliant. Not only did I want to know with 100% certainty that all twelve of them would make it through, I didn't want to make the headlines - albiet local mostly likely - that a travelling baker attempted to smuggle cupcakes through Chicago's Midway airport. I know, right? No one would ever think that'd be a headline.
But when you know in your head that all should be well, you still get that worrisome lump in your throat that something's about to go wrong? That's what I was feeling when they scanned the backpack. What will they see and What will draw their attention were the questions racing - jousting almost - in my mind. Would the boxes appear as a huge, squarish void? Would it look like a top side of a dice with the four dots facing up?
My bags went through the scanner while I entered the full body scan and... they only questioned the threat in my shirt pocket. A pen. It's a good thing they didn't notice what was written on the pen: "Dave Ramsey LIVE". If they had seen that, I'm sure I would've been detained. Those people are weird.
The cupcakes made it!
After two legs in my trip, Midway to Minneapolis and on to Spokane, my brother picked me up late Friday evening. So good to see my brother. We headed back to his and my sister-in-law's place where I crashed that night. We enjoyed a lazy morning, was treated to Starbucks - yummy, picked up produce at the local fruit co-op, and then made our way to the school where the graduation was held. Is the secret still under wraps I thought. It's been months since the plan was formulated.
Besides my sister Caitlyn (the graduate), my mom was the only other family member already up at campus. Once she gave me the clear that my sister wouldn't see me, I met her outside. So good to see my mom. It's been nearly a year since I last saw them all. From there, mom told me where my sister was and I made my hideout in one of the corners of the courtyard. It was really happening. The plan: Video Skype call my sister, as if I were still in Michigan, and wish her a happy graduation. She had been begging for me and my family to come, but we just didn't think it could happen. And, technically, it didn't. My wife and girls had to stay back. However, we found a way for I to make it.
So, here's the phone call...
Along with this being a surprise to Caitlyn, as you saw, none of my other sisters knew either. Thanks to my parents and other siblings' help, we did it!
On Sunday, I got to spend the day with my family at our home church, stayed up all night along with Bethany as we helped chaperon Caitlyn's Senior class all-nighter...and three hours later, I got up to enjoy a truck run with dad around Eastern Washington.
...and we're... gonna elope!" Huh? I don't remember those lyrics. Well, either way, that's exactly what I've been called to do: put together a dessert reception for the eloped couple. Tonight, we head to the park and I'll be bringing the 200 cupcakes. Yes, I said 200 and, before I go any further, much credit is due my hot baking assistant for getting this order started and baking over 90% of them. And these aren't your cheap, ordinary cupcakes made from boxed ingredients and store-bought frosting (usually with cheap sweetener like high fructose corn syrup). I'm not trying to get all healthy on you; in fact, these are far from healthy. They're only good. No, as my wife would say, these are "Dang, Gina!" good.
Ever wondered what 200 cupcakes look like?
Yup, there they are. Actually there are 226, but who's counting? Ten batches of cake, 11 sticks of butter, 12 pounds of powdered sugar, 3lb of cream cheese...these are just a few of the numerous ingredients. I can't wait for the party to taste them.
Not only do they look fabulous, they taste even better. Go big or go home. I'm not saying they're perfect - they aren't - but they'll keep getting better as long as I'm baking them.
"So what did they order" you ask? Carrot (who wouldn't?), Chocolate, and Yellow cupcakes. Each are decorated to display their flavor proudly. The theme color of the reception is lavender so each cupcake has a lavender butter-cream center filling. The Yellow cake is then topped with the same butter-cream (unfortunately appears darker in the picture) while the carrot and chocolate cake receive the luscious favorite: cream cheese frosting. Carrots are individually piped and chocolate receives its natural Hershey shavings.
Thanks to all who've been following and faithfully returning for their dessert needs. Make your guests rave at your next event or just enjoy smiles with your family and friends after supper. Some even say leftover cake makes for great breakfast. ;-) You know who you are.
"Where has the baker been?" Yeah, I know. Getting on here and writing out my every thought and feeling, well, that isn't my forte. I'll leave others to do that on Facebook. In the meantime, 10 months into this adventure and CFAM's cake total sits at 144. Now custom cakes are becoming the rave and what a better time than during the season of graduation and summer weddings.
Three graduates, all names beginning with "E" from East Grand Rapids High, celebrated with this custom marble and chocolate with butter cream.
Wedding cupcakes are in the works this month along with custom birthday cakes, too. Let's just say that, with these new orders along with standard cake orders, things are busy enough. With our family's customary summer travels on the horizon and seasons of change happening in my life professionally and personally, I feel like I am finding my limits. It's kind of like Katniss finding the force field in the Hunger Games arena, except that I'm not playing a game nor trying to survive from the clutches of President Snow. Whoa! Step back, Luke!
Leaving that subject behind... [insert awkward break]...the pumpkin cake is coming back. It doesn't need to be harvest time, right? Also, chocolate lovers, can you handle a chocolate coma? Here it is: Chocolate Xtreme.
Thanks again for the support and keeping me busy on this adventure!
Seasons come and go. Spring reminds me of that. From a cold, sometimes bitter cold, season of ice and snow, the warmth and colors of Spring bring about the rekindling of life. If you’re in Michigan, like me, that has come earlier to you. As of recent, change in a season means my oldest has just turned 9 years old. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I remember like it was yesterday when I held her in my arms after delivery. Now, she is vibrant, opinionated, and growing up to be a lovely girl (and soon woman).
This chocolate dog-bone cake complemented her puppy-themed birthday party. It is chocolate on chocolate, one of her favorites.
I am thankful for the change in seasons but, at times, I wish they could remain the same. Don’t you? And, yet, without this change, our lives would become mundane, boring, and we wouldn't value what the new season brought. Easter is quite the marking of change in a season. It's the holiday that swells church attendance the most. For some, Easter is a time of rebirth and child-like play with bunnies, chocolates, and candy. For me, I am reminded of how my former, dead life has been reborn into a full life because of His death and resurrection.
The Easter cake: tri-colored, 3-tier vanilla cake, cuts like a checkerboard, and iced with cream cheese frosting and Cadbury chocolate eggs.
May you welcome your season of change! Happy Spring!
I remember the times as a kid when I'd to give out Valentine's Day cards to my friends at school. Those early years were fun. It was the only time of the year where you were "authorized" to pass notes in class. And not only could you pass notes without being disciplined for it, you were also encouraged to include sweets. Oh man, what fun that tradition was.
But then, as the years passed, they became awkward as kids formed crushes for each other (or lack thereof) and annoying. As a boy in my early teens, I only wished they weren't reading into my message too much. Be Mine? Really?!
Ahh, the joy of growing up. But, as I got older and matured, Valentine's Day has seemed rather silly. Why am I being forced to show someone that I love or care for them? Shouldn't I do that around the year? Well, of course you should. For me, it reminds me that I should love someone even if I don't like them right then. I once believed love was a reaction; however, real love is truly a choice, given when you don't feel like giving it. It is an action. It reminds me to act and show someone that despite my feeling at the time, I should love. But, that's just me.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Ooh, ooh! I have an idea! A succulent red velvet cake delicately wrapped with sweet cream cheese frosting is surely a great way to enjoy the evening. This homemade goodness will certainly make it sweeter.
