Search This Blog

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

We’re all a little crumby


Today I attended an instruction class from an award winning dessert chef. Some might wonder why I am sitting in on a cake class, but I have to tell you, listening to others in the cake arts is very insightful. I whole heartedly encourage the opportunity to learn and grow from others. You never know what kind of new techniques and tricks you can glean from these instruction classes.

After the class was over I was listening to some bits of conversation going on around the room. One comment in particular caught my attention. 


This cake is a little dry.” I thought about this comment as I left the class. I too have come across the occasional cake that I felt was a little too dry. I thought of the others in the session that had not commented on the cakes dryness but had instead raved about its flavor. Did these people also think the cake was dry or was it simply this one individual?

Heres the gist of it. Whether a cake is moist or not is actually perceived from a sensory stand point. It has to do with the amount of fat in the cake. It relates to the percentages of egg yolk, oil and water. Too many eggs and not enough oil create a mixture that doesnt allow all three ingredients to blend properly. This produces the sensory perception of a dry cake.

So, I think back to those other individuals who did not complain of a dry cake and wonder if they like their cakes on the dry side or if maybe we all just needed a big glass of milk.


Friday, January 11, 2013

Wedding Cake Trends for 2013

It's not often that I re-post an article but this one is a great read for anyone planning to tie the knot this year. The cakes are just beautiful. Enjoy!



Friday, April 27, 2012

Praise to the Rice Krispie Treats


Praise to the rice krispie treats:

Rice Krispie Wedding Cake via Edible Crafts

Some cake elements are just better made by sculpting rice krispie treats. The yummy marshmallow goodness can be wrapped around pvc pipe, molded, and carved. Making figures that are a bit too large to dry in time? No problem, mold them from rice krispies.
Krispies tend to be a little on the soft side so try omitting the butter and adding a little extra cereal for more stability. For molding and sculpting use the heat generated from working with your hands to smooth out the rice krispies and achieve the desired effect. Once the treats reach the desired shape apply a coating of melted chocolate to fill in the holes and give it a smooth surface. Apply gumpaste or fondant as normal to the smoothed chocolate surface. 

Rice Krispie Birthday Cake by Martha Stewart via Pinterest

When making a flat piece such as a “dummy” cake, allow the rice krispies to air dry so that the pieces are not so sticky and easier to work with. Once again apply melted chocolate and smooth. Why not buttercream you might ask? Buttercream tends to leave more bumps and ridges visible than the chocolate which when dried creates a shell leaving behind no visible bumps or holes typical of rice krispie treats.
 
And that’s the “snap, crackle, pop” of it…

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Fashionably Inspired


"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."
 - Coco Chanel

 
Artists and designers alike draw inspiration from the world around us. It is not unrealistic then to see a juxtaposition of the world of food and fashion. Such fashion designers as Gucci, Coach, Chanel, Capucci and Prada have inspired cake artists around the world to capture their designs in sugar. These stunning clothing pieces provide inspiration on color palettes, texture and form. Belle the Magazine's July 11, 2011 article Fashion Inspired Cakes says, "A mega-genius resource of inspiration for your wedding is your closet." Check out some of their examples:

Maggie Austin cake inspired by the Carolina Herrera 2011 Resort Collection

Image via weddingnouveau.com

Image via bostonmagazine.com/articles/tailor_made_dress_and_gown

Images via Fashionbride's Weblog and Austin Wedding Blog