French North Sydney Markets

Hello Everyone!!! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!!! I know I did :) Not only because there was beautiful weather but because I also had my French themed North Sydney market stall on. That was probably the most fun and lively market stall I've had to date. There were so many people and the weather was just perfect!! There were blue, white and red balloons up and live French music was playing, the whole day was just so great!

To get into the whole French theme I decided to make cupcakes with typical French icons on them. Naturally I had the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, French poodle and an "ooohh la la!" hahaa I also did a special cupcake with a pate a choux on it as well.

She was my favourite - Frenchy Poodle!

 

Pate a Choux

I made a display Croquembouche... cant get more Frenchy than that!

Lemon Meringue Tarts

Creme Brulee - these were gone within the first hour!

I had quite a selection of macaron flavours this time: Raspberry and cream, Lemon Lime, Double Choc, Lychee, White Chocolate, Hazelnut (Gianduja) and Lavender and Honey.

My cute little easel card holder!

We were right next to the fountain :) 

Mini cupcakes - so many times there were crying kids and as soon as the parents gave them one of these they instantly shut up, it was quite cute and hilarious to watch.

The most awesome thing was we sold out within 3 hours so that meant a well deserved early mark for The Dainty Crew!! :)

Viola Odorata

It's a big call but I have to say that I think this next cake is the prettiest cake I've done to date.

I love the simplicity, elegance and colour of this cake. Although the design isn't exactly extravagant like my usual style, theres something about the look of this cake that makes me swoon and so proud to say "yep I did that".

The lovely Nicola of Note to Self approached me to make some "Violet macarons" .. not the colour violet but violet flavoured. She then requested for a cake along the same lines.

As I have never used fresh flowers on a cake before I thought this would be my chance. I decided to incorporate fresh edible 'violets' also called Viola Odorata into the cake. The cake was a light lemon curd and vanilla flavour with a meringue icing topped with these gorgeous violets.

I didn't really know what violets tasted like before this. So after tasting these fresh blossoms it was quite interesting, it was quite tart but floral at the same time and you can taste the smell if that makes sense. It was a lovely subtle floral flavour to add a bit of difference to your sweets. On a side note DO NOT TRY A SINGLE DROP OF CONCENTRATED VIOLET ESSENCE STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE - it will blow your face off (needless to say, I'm speaking from experience).

Perhaps it was just the fact that I love the colour purple, which is why I love this cake. But who wouldn't melt at the sight of these beautiful purple blossoms! They look like beautiful little purple butterflies at a distance... Nature at its finest if you ask me! 

♥

ps. please note that not all violets are edible! Check with your florist, supplier or google before placing them on a cake.

WELCOME 2012!!

♥ HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! ♥

I cant believe we've already rolled around to the start of a brand spanking new year! Hope everyone had a fantastic start to the new year!!

2012 for me was welcomed in with around 100 ppl celebrating at my house with 3 levels of music, karaoke, alcohol, laughter, chatter and of course wayyyyy too much food! :D

I put together a little dessert table for the occasion, which to my surprise was a great hit! The kids and adults alike loved it!!

I made a selection of petite fours including:

Macarons

Strawberry flavoured filled with buttercream

Cupcakes

Chocolate Mud with cream cheese icing

Cake Pops

Chocolate fudge with white chocolate coating

The main feature of my dessert table was the New Years Cake. It consisted of 3 tiers of cake. The bottom tier was red velvet and the top two tiers were chocolate mud.

I also had a selection of lollies and candy...

I dont usually make new years resolutions, but this year things are going to change! so I've made a couple to help me along. Fingers crossed I keep motivated and inspired!! :) Wonder what everyone elses resolutions are? ... whatever they are, GOOD LUCK!!!

Lots of love and smiles to all my lovely readers! Bring it on 2012! xxox