Superhero Cake

Der der der der der der ... der der der der  ...der der der der der derrrrrr BATMAN!!!!

This is my latest and greatest Superhero Cake!! It was made for dear o' Simon from The Heart Of Food. He was conducting a photography talk at UNSW for the UNSW Photo Club and asked if I would like to be apart of the fun and become one of the sponsors, as well as his subject (my cakes i.e. not me personally lol) for his talk. Honored, I accepted and thus ... this cake was born!

I was racking my brains to think of what cake I could make that make that would capture the photography crowd. I thought "something cool yet not too girly, something detailed and fun that they could relate to". Lo and behold I came up with this design.

It was a 3 tiered cake with a Superhero theme. Batman, Spiderman, Superman and Hulk were involved. I wanted to add in Ironman too but unfortunately I didnt have enough time! 


The cake was due for 3 pm at the University. I managed to get it done by 2 pm, which I then ran around like a headless chook getting chocolate off my blouse and face and packing the car ready to head to uni. 


The drive there was nerve racking as per usual! I transported this cake fully assembled, unlike the 1 Month Baby cake, which was delivered in different parts. It barely fit into its designated seat on the floor of the car and was ever looming dangerously close to the glove compartment everytime I made a turn!! But like all fairy tales, there was a happy ending and it arrived safely in one piece! Even Hulk hands and Spidey's Web stayed in tack!! :) When I arrived, Simon quickly brought it into the lecture hall and hid it from the photographers who were to attend the talk in the next 10 or so mins (I know I always leave a very small window for myself.. gonna die from a heart attack one of these days).

Simon's talk was interesting, informative and funny! Although, throughout it I was a bit nervous as I was going to have get up after his talk to intro myself and The Dainty Baker (its been a while since I did public speaking). But this nervousness was overcome by a different panic as I began to think "OMG, my work is on display... theyre gonna see all the little flaws and scrutinise every little detail with their fancy schmancy cameras!" Lol It was only when he brought out my Chinese New Year dummy cake to photograph, and I heard some of them whisper "wows and ahhh's!!" that I eased up a bit.

The grande finale came and I made my way down the lecture hall steps (Ha! I didnt stack it!!) I introduced myself and gave a bit of a spiel of what I do and how I've got to where I am now and Simon brought out the cake. The whole theatre went "wooowww" and then started clapping which I totally was not expecting and I bet I was blushing like a red tomato!! lol

It was so lovely and great to see such a positive reaction to my work and although I'm not too good with compliments I couldnt help but be a proud little Dainty Baker whilst standing there watching the cake paparazzi's do their thing and enjoying the cake afterwards :)

My band of Superheroes - Lol was funny watching everyone call shot gun on the logos

Although I'm a baker - I really dont like cutting cake lol 

HULK SMASH! 

Photos Courtesy of UNSW PhotoClub

A big thanks to Simon from The Heart of Food for giving me this opportunity to demonstrate and display my skills and UNSW Photo Club for having me. It was great fun, hope there will be many more to come :)

♥

Full Month Party

Saturday night past was not only Mardi Gras in Sydney but was also the date of the celebration of my cousins baby girl - Adeline - turning 1 month. We had a massive family and friends gathering, nothing short of 100 something people at Zilver in Haymarket. We were all spoilt with a lavish 10 something course meal, typical of the traditional do's that Asians have for big occasions. Incase, any of you were wondering, in Chinese culture its a really big deal when the baby turns 1 month. A big party is usually held for this occasion and its the time when the new born is introduced 'formally' to all their relatives and friends. My part to play that night was of course, the cake.

My cousin wanted something 'WOW' so what better cake to make than what I learnt in cake structures class with none other than the Food Network Cake queen Marina Sousa herself.

I learnt how to build gravity defying cakes and cakes that tilt and turn at different angles. I had only made a model cake out of complete dummy cakes before so this was a feat to try and do it with real cake.

This was my first crazy cake, there was soo much fondant on it, it ended up being so heavy!!

This mammoth cake was specially designed and created for Adeline. It consisted of many tiers... half of which was made from real cake and the other, display cakes. From the pink tier down were real cakes, the flavours we chose were Chocolate with chocolate ganache and Vanilla, lychee and white chocolate.

I must say I was quite a cowboy in my approach. I had a vague idea of what I wanted in my head but when it came around to doing the cake I just went with the flow. First thing I did was rushed to Bunnings and bought all the 'hardware' I would need to build the base of the cake. I felt like Cake Boss whilst assembling it and watching it all come together!

I had everything ready and then came the scary part.. transporting the cake. I dont think I will ever get used to anticipation and nerves of cake delivery. Its the most stressful part if you ask me. So many things could go wrong, "what if the cake slides", "what if it falls over or we need to hard break and then the cake will come crashing into the back seat, what if I drop it or trip over whilst walking in my 5 inch heels???" :S

As the cake was almost a meter tall, I thought it best to be delivered in pieces and assembled when we got there.  In total I managed to break down the cake into 4 parts and delivered in 2 cars. I looked after the more delicate items like the gumpaste booties, teddy and my hot air balloon, whilst my little brother looked after the dummy cake on the cake stand. The rest (that was real cake) was in dads hands. 

Of course nothing is ever simple, it was pouring down that evening.. which as I'm sure you all know is bad news because fondant cant get wet :/ We looked like retards running from the car to the safety of the steps whilst huddled over the cake parts to make sure they were safe from harms way!

Little Chelsea kept wanting to steal the elephant off the top all she did was point to the cake all night lol

Arriving a little late (all Wobbles fault because he wanted to go home and get changed), almost half the guests were already there, so pressure was on.. I could feel all eyes on me as I got onto the stage to put this thing together. Luckily, the cake came together quickly and nicely and all the decorations looked sooo cute! 

The cake standing proud and tall I was able to relax a little.. 'nothing I can do now, just relax and enjoy yourself' was what was going through my head. But I couldnt help myself and kept turning around to look at the cake during dinner because I was afraid for 1, one of the 1000000000 kids that were running around would knock it down, pull it or steal one of the characters lol and for 2, that my worst nightmare would happen and the cake would somehow fall to bits :S Luckily, it was all in my head and the cake stood as it should the whole night and when it came to cutting the cake, everyone (especially me) was sad to see it getting pulled apart. The lychee was a big hit, many people were waiting in line and it was so cute to see all the kiddies call shot gun on the gumpaste figures. I think one of the adult tables stole the bouquet of handmade roses... I certainly didnt see it at the end of the night lol.

Congratulations and a big thank you to the lovely hosts Rebecca, John and little baby Adeline for a wonderful evening!! xxx

♥

Chanel Bag Cake

I was asked sometime last week to make a cake for a friend of a friend of mine, although I was the busiest little bee ever I couldnt resist when I found out they wanted a Chanel Bag.

I have always dreamed and wanted a classic Chanel bag, its so sheike, classy and understated ... but a little out of my price range (for now).

So after gruelling 10 hr work days I got home to baking and decorating this cake. I wasnt too worried about the bag itself as it was quite simple to do, however, the chains scared me. I individually made each of the links then put them together with the straps the night before it was due. By 11 pm I was exhausted and went to bed.. only to find myself having night mares about the fondant melting off the cake. This I blame on the Bon Voyage cake I made for a friend a few weeks before.The fondant was too wet and started to melt and drag down the cake, so I had to pull everything off and start again. I was not happy.

Anyways, the day it was due and after getting up and preparing for work I did a little prayer as I slowly crept to the kitchen to check on the bag. There it was staring back at me in perfect condition. Needless to say a little victory dance was done and I was on my way to work.

  

Now here was the real scary part. I forgot to stick the chain down. Well rather, I didnt think it necessary but because the driver was a heavy last minute braker (it wasnt me) the chains slid and slided around. So I quickly dashed off to Coles and bought some ready made icing and stuck it down before the cake was picked up. Phew! another cake disaster avoided!!

Now my efforts are focused on a cake for this Sat. Its a Yoda cake! Im making his head!! Not that I'm a massive Star Wars fan or anything but I was uber excited about this cake too .. its such an awesome challenge I just hope I do him justice. Will keep you guys posted how I go! :)

Be my Sweetheart?

With the impending "V" day coming up, im sure you all out there are faffing around (just like me) thinking of something thoughtful yet not too cliche to woo your partner over with, right? So you think ohhh a wallet, or a tie or something homemade...picture in a frame perhaps? Clothes (nah too 'unromantic')? Roses? (Break my wallet please)

So if its not too tacky or expensive its something you've given them in the previous years....

I'm always one for making something on Valentines day, its personal and they're forced sure to love it. But there's not always enough time and some just lack creative genes (no offence). Ah ohhh? what now??.... I have the perfect solution!!

This year I've made something cute and funky for Valentines day... Sweetheart cakes!!

Remember those little heart shaped lollies with little messages printed onto them? Well, I've transformed this miniature classic into mini cakes perfect for two.

The cake is a luscious yet light Red Velvet flavour with a rich chocolate ganache. I am taking orders until this Sat, 11th Feb. The cakes are $15 each and will be nicely boxed with a ribbon. Personalisations also available at no extra cost. If you are interested, please email me at thedaintybaker@gmail.com

♥ Happy Valentines day Everyone! ♥

Ps. Im opening a stall at the Crows Nest Markets. Details havent been finalised yet but I should be there from 9 - 3 pm on Sat the 18th February, if all goes well. So, if you're not doing anything or just wanna pop around to say hi, please do come by! For regular updates and further information about this you can like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.