A Pinkalicious Birthday Cake

I was asked to make a birthday cake for my niece's daughter. She sent me a picture of what she wanted it to look like. I baked the cakes (3 8-inch rounds and 3 6-inch rounds) and made the frosting. The frosting making process was comedic. It was suggested that the recipe be tripled so the beater attachment would stay under the frosting, thereby making a smoother product with less air pockets. Oh boy. 

Come on. Really? 

Here's how you get the frosting onto the cake.

Then you smooth it out. I used the Viva method. As in...paper towel. Once it was filled, frosted, stacked and doweled, I turned it over to my "partner," Laura. I tinted the frosting and handed it to her and she did all the ruffles. She made the ribbon and bow from fondant and the crown and star are gum paste. I painted the gum paste with lemon juice and applied gold sparkle dust. Then I spritzed it with water and added some silver sanding sugar to give it a little more sparkle. 

Laura is trying to find the best place to take a few photos. This wasn't the best place, so we went outside for the photo shoot. 

And here is the recipient, the birthday girl herself! Happy Birthday, Livy! 

Three pretty princesses! Laura did another awesome job. I can't do any of this without her. 

Here's the recipe I used for the cake.

Vanilla Butter Cake (adapted from the Mermaid Bakery)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 3/4 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325°F. with rack in the center of the oven. Grease and flour 3 8-inch rounds).
On medium speed, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about four minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg. Measure the buttermilk and then add the extracts to the buttermilk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar/eggs mixture in two parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour batter into pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean. Remove from oven and cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack (or immediately wrap in plastic wrap and pop them in the freezer until you need them.
I may never go back to a cake mix again!

The Sweet Tooth Fairy Experience

I spent the better part of the day in Provo today. We stumbled upon the Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery almost by accident. While I was in the store, I was overwhelmed with pure happiness. I didn't even have to be eating or buying anything, I was just happy with the sights and atmosphere of the place. Fortunately for us, a young man entered the shop just after we did and asked for his free Friday cupcake. He then explained to us that they give away free cupcakes every Friday but you have to ask for it to get the deal. I don't know if every location does this or if it's just the Provo location. Here are a few pictures I took with the kids (who all got their own free cupcake). And, because it was our first time in the store, we were all given a free "cakebite" to sample. We super-scored, and didn't spend a penny while we were there. But I was extremely tempted to try the samoa cookie or samoa cupcake. Maybe next time when I'm not given everything for free!

Holly, I think these would become your new favorite sugar cookies, putting Granny B's to shame. 

There's that samoa cookie I was referring to (upper left).

Cakebites all lined up so purdy!

Like a kid in a candy store (where's the kids?)

Here they are!

We had such a good time! I didn't want to leave. Ever. 

And look at their cute pen-holding jar! Brilliant! 

I know you didn't get to see Matthew in this post. Wait till the next post. You'll get to see a lot of him! 

One Day, Two Parties

My sister hosted two parties in one day. The first was a snowman party for her grandchildren and she invited mine to come along. Here are a few pictures of them at the party. I think Olive has decided to smile without showing her teeth nowadays.

Here is Matthew, wearing a cute little hat made by my niece. 

Adorable Eliot- doesn't that basketball look 3-D? 

This little Olive has me completely wrapped around any finger she chooses. 

Agnes is coloring

And here she is with her snowman. I sure love this girl!

See what I mean about her not showing her teeth when she smiles? 

This the cutest picture EVER! 

Later that day we celebrated my other sister's birthday.

Laura and I spent way too much time fussing with this cake. I baked it and Laura decorated it, but she had a difficult time because that middle layer was non-cooperative during the baking process. No, it's not a hat. Laura did a great job salvaging what should have been an easy cake. Check out the icicles on the top layer! The fondant snowflakes were cut with a Cricut cake machine. There was a slight learning curve that went with it, but Laura mastered it quickly. 

Trying to cut the cake isn't as easy as you'd think. 

These two ladies have birthdays only one day apart. This is my niece that made Matthew's hat. 

I left the party for a short time and while I was away, LynnEl opened her gifts. One little thing I gave her was a cookie cutter. They could not figure out what the shape was supposed to be.

When I returned (having put on comfy clothes), I told them what it was (a sewing machine). OH! 

Seriously? It wasn't at all hard for me to figure it out when I saw it in the store! 

The three sisters! We're not spring chickens anymore, but we can still party with the best of them! Besides, who wants to be a chicken? Happy Birthday, LynnEl! That day is also a birthday for two of my grandchildren, Jackson and Sara. Happy Birthday to you too! XOXO

Italian Cream Cake

For Matthew's blessing luncheon, there were several desserts. This one was particularly raved about. I promised I would post the recipe on Tuesday, but it didn't get done. I'm only one day late though, so I'm okay with that. Anyway, here's the link for the recipe.
Agnes enjoyed it a lot!

A Long Time Ago, Eliot Turned Five

I can't believe I never posted this party. Eliot wanted a "smash cake" which to me is like a piñata cake without the blindfold or the bat. Okay, so it's nothing like a piñata after all. you just "dig in." Here's the goodies lying in wait.

Now take a look at all the festivities that Laura made, 

which was difficult because this pregnancy has been so super hard on her. 

This is my unpainted skinny Santa wood, waiting for me to decorate it. I bought it before Christmas last year, and it's still waiting. This year isn't looking too good for it either, so maybe NEXT year it will finally get finished. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath here. But it made for a glorious this-a-way that-a-way sign holder. 

Laura had sun visors made out of paper plates for the kids to decorate and wear. 

Slippin' 

and Slidin'!

Piñata water balloons!

Water balloon catch...or masks...or? 

Water balloon sling-shots

Let's dig in! 

Happy Birthday #5 Eliot!