Sunday, June 21, 2009

Labor of Love (Part 2)

As mentioned in my previous post, I will be baking a birthday cake for my elder daughter's 6th birthday for home celebration with family and friends. Started working on this cake for the past 3 days, spacing out the workload as and when I am free to work on it. Personally, I think for a child's birthday cake, fondant decorations really attracts them. And since my girl has asked for Powerpuff Girl's theme, I had to come up with a design that is nice and yet simple and fool proof enough for me to get it done! And based on my previous experience, I decided to go with part icing and part fondant, meaning not covering the whole cake with fondant and yet able to create a nice, "clean' looking cake with out having to sacrifice the taste.

If you are wondering why I decided not to cover the whole cake with fondant, well reason is I realize most people don't eat it, and it's kind of wasteful. Furthermore, it's difficult to keep the fondant nice without melting or even harden and cracked after a period of time (maybe I'm not good enough?!) So, with the advice of some friends that loves to bake too, I decided to make it this way.
The cake recipe I used here is the same as the Rich chocolate cake I used previously. This time I used chocolate butter cream to cover the cake. And if you see carefully, there is a present in the middle, behind the Powerpuff girls. The present is also made of the same chocolate cake but covered with fondant. ;) It took me quite awhile to mold the powerpuff girls figuring, and was really glad their BIG heads did not roll off when my girl blow the candles or before the birthday celebration was over, haha!
A close look at the inside of the cake. It's moist, rich chocolate butter cake with sweet chocolate buttercream and banana slices in between. ;) I invited some friends cum neighbors over for the celebration. Everyone enjoyed the cake, and I was overjoyed when some the kids had seconds & thirds too! Delicious and satisfying! My friends kind of marveled how did I make that cake, haha! Perhaps they are more surprise where did I find the patience and time to make the cake for my girl rather then just spend some $$ to buy one, haha! Well, all I can say is it's not about the $$ or the time spent, but the amount of love and care you put in to make this cake for your love ones that really matters. ;)
Overall, another satisfactory project for me. I was glad that I managed to get it done in time and most importantly my daughter loves it very much. ;) Now I just hope she give me an easy theme next year, haha. ;) Anyway, I kind of predict I need to make a cake that has lots of pink color and a princess in it in October for my younger daughter!! Wish me loads of luck, I need it!!

9 comments:

ReeseKitchen said...

Its really delicious and beautiful! I'm so sorry that Cheryl took 1 of the powerpuff girl....'pai-seh', anyway thank you so much. We r eating the cake now for desert....yummy!

Quinn said...

Your cake is super awesome, no joke!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Hey ReeseKitchen,
No, I want to give Cheryl the Buttercup, so no worries! I'm glad you and Cheryl like the cake. ;) BTW, thanks for coming yesterday, the girls had a blast! ;)

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks for the encouragement Quinn!

Kitchen Corner said...

Woahhhhhh!!! I'm speachless now....I really admire you can make such a beautiful cake! Very very good job!

Small Small Baker said...

This is so beautiful! It's better than those bought from the bakeries. You are so good!!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Grace and Small small baker! I am so glad that everyone likes the cake. ;) Guess hard work does pay off, heehee. But I know I still have room for improvement, hope to make even better ones next time. :D

Passionate About Baking said...

HBS!!
I really suspect if you're a great chef in disguise! Can cook so well, can bake so well and now, can decorate so well! I saw your "paos" and had to prevent myself from salivating too much. Then the Powerpuff girls cupcakes, then this cake. *tsk tsk* How can you find the time to do all these huh? Next time you come to Singapore, must learn all these from you leh!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Jane...you words almost lift me to the clouds already, ~float~ haha! To be honest, I am actually inspired by great bakers and chefs whom are just family & good friends around me...including you! So everyone does play a part some how, thanks! This cake's decoration is probably due to my past excessive playing with plasticine when I was a kid, haha! Nothing to teach larr, but it'll be great to get more our blogger friends and bake together...that will be super fun! ;)