Sunny Treats

It is hard to believe it is the end of October. With Halloween right around the corner, I find myself in awe at how fast time is flying by me.

A few weeks ago, my blog turned 1! I've been baking like this for over two years now.  My two year anniversary at my job is very soon.  Louis is almost done with another semester in school, and we've almost been in this cozy apartment for almost a whole year already. November also marks our 3 1/2 year anniversary (do people celebrate half anniversaries?) The time is literally flying.

In between all the craziness that's been going on this month, I've managed to get a few orders in!

First was another birch tree cake.

I was a bit more heavy handed on this one... Not sure if I like it more or less than my first, because it just is different. We added sunflowers and I definitely hand painted more onto the fondant.

This couple was eloping and having the ceremony in the woods aside a stream.. Very fall, and the cake was a perfect touch!

Second order was for 100 cake pops for a housewarming/engagement party!

These were chocolate and pumpkin spice, and the color scheme was yellow and gray with sunflowers. 

 

I wanted to add a fun, artsy element to these, so I decided to try stenciling on fondant with some oil based food coloring. I was so in love with the results!

 

Sunflowers are definitely a great fall theme that I hope to do again soon.  They are classic New England, and fit in with this gorgeous fall season we've been lucky to experience this year!

 Next up, some spooky treats to pack in my suitcase next week, as Lou and I fly out on Halloween to visit Nick and Marissa in Ft. Lauderdale!!! We DEFINITELY could use some days away in the sunshine!

-Elena

The Birch Tree Engagement Cake

In 6th grade, we became best friends.  Inseparable best friends.  Our teacher knew it, and she would let us "take a break" and go for walks around the school to get all of the chatter out of us so we'd stop talking in class... Middle school came around and it was all about planning school dances, watching the boys we liked play sports after school, and having sleepovers.. High school brought us the most fun, filled with parties, Chinese food nights blaring Paula Abdul, and tons of memories I'll never forget.. Growing up with Maureen was FUN.

Our 17 year old selves got in the way, and we didn't see or speak to each other for four years.  One fateful "sighting" prompted her to give me a call, and ever since that call Maureen has been the most important friend in my life.  All of my best memories of the later years of college, summers, birthdays and all of our milestones are with her. We sit for hours with each other, drinking wine and talking about life.  It's the best, and she truly is the sister I have never had.

The most important milestone thus far, is Maureen's engagement to Caleb, her boyfriend of 9 years. I met Caleb as soon as I reconnected with Maureen, and instantly I could see the connection the two shared.  Their love for each other radiates from them both... Even when he's outside doing his thing, and she is inside doing her thing, he pops in and gives her a quick kiss and you can tell just being around each other makes them happy.  I am so friggen happy for the both of them, and so excited to be a bridesmaid in their wedding!

Yesterday we celebrated their engagement with all of their families and friends, and I made a cake for the two that I think encompasses them as a couple.. Rustic, fall-themed, and sweet!

I am still new at covering cakes in fondant.. My fondant bubbled a bit which after researching I've found out what I did wrong.. but I think it actually worked for this cake as the birch isn't supposed to be perfect.  Distressing the fondant and painting it to give it a birch tree look was scary but I think it worked!  I also created the leaves using real leaves and pressing the fondant into the leaves to get the veins to show!   The cake was a spice cake with pumpkin spice butter cream, since those flavors are all the rage right now!

The initials were my favorite part.. carved into a tree for all of eternity.. so romantic!

The cake was a hit and they both loved it which melts my heart because that is why I do what I do! To make people happy :)

Many more to come!! Congratulations you two crazy kids!! It is going to be an exciting year!

-Elena

Let's Go Golfing!

Last weekend I took a page out of my brother's book and I grew grass. 

It was lusciously green and thick, perfectly manicured on a golf course. 

Butter cream grass!

My parents' neighbor asked me to make a golf themed birthday cake and cupcakes for their grandson's 3rd birthday, and this turned out to be the cutest cake ever! 

Thanks to my wilton 233 tip, I was able to grow sugary green grass along the nice smooth putting green, made of fondant!  Added some vanilla cake pop "shrubs," a pond and a sand trap to complete the theme! My favorite part was the little golf cart I found on Amazon! It was one of those that you pull back and it just goes! So adorable for the 3 year old boy to play with after the cake is eaten, as he is very interested in golf right now. 

The same principles went into creating the cupcakes too! Both the cake and cupcakes were vanilla bean flavored with french vanilla butter cream on top! To die for! 

This week I am working on a top secret project that I am a bit nervous to attempt but I think it's going to be great!!!

Enjoy this gorgeous fall weather everyone! 

-Elena