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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Wall Mounted Unicorn Head tutorial video

 

So a while back I decided to make a wall mounted cake for my daughter's birthday party.

Y'know like you do. Y'all completely know how it is.

Well embarrassingly I videoed myself making it - first go, no do overs and this you tube video below is the result.


Yup pretty much it took me nearly 6 months to put it up as, I think I was on a sugar high while I recorded it, and then a sugar low, and then another high.

Oh yeah whoever it is out there leaving messages on Youtube that they don't like my voice, seriously this is how I talk, I'm from Australia, you should hear me say G'day :)



Anyhoo, so as well as the video I thought I would tell the story of the cake which only exists because my brother helped me out. He is always happy to help me out with crazy idea's and one day I messaged him the following:

'Hi I have a super crazy cake idea that will need a structural engineer or maybe you to help me out for 'Sweet's' birthday do you have a little time?'

To which I received the answer 'Sure. When?'

I followed up with a number of very confusing messages and the following picture.


Yup, this happened. I sent a picture of Pinky Pie 
in front of a frame to try and explain what I wanted.

And yet still he came over and worked out the following support structure for my unicorn head cake.
 

That's actually not a mirror it's some type of contact like sticky stuff. The gold frame is a plasticy frame from Ikea spray painted gold.

I didn't get a chance to take many process shots like I usually do but if you check out the video I go into all the detail of the hair, horn, eyes, etc.

 

If you love this cake pop over and see my Unicorn Cookies - I have a full free step by step picture tutorial HERE plus a link to the you tube how to.


For more pictures of the actual party click HERE for the full 'I believe in Magic" party post.


Linda Vandermeer is strangely obsessed with unicorns, a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 


Thursday, February 13, 2014

I 'ruff' you - Valentine puppy cookies


Ok seriously this little Scottie dog cutter I got from Cakes by Bien is almost too cute.


These cookies are made with my chocolate cookie recipe from the book Sweets on a Stick - but you could use any roll out cookie dough you like.

Then I've covered it with chocolate rolled fondant which I then scraped to look a bit like long hair. Then I added a little nose and eye and finished off with a red heart.

The cutter is 6cm (2 3/8") X 5.5cm (2 1/4") and from Cakes by Bien, they have lots of super cute cutters like this deer one I've blogged about HERE before.




Look I turned the ones below into cup edge cookies. I know Eeeek! The cuteness!


Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 


Sunday, February 9, 2014

10 sweet treats to make for Valentines

Clockwise starting left top corner: Love me love me not macarons (recipe and instructions),
Raspberry marshmallow heart fudge (recipe), Lollipop macarons (instructions),  
Tim Tam cookie pops (Recipe and instructions), Sweetie Valentine Cookies (Tutorial)
Conversation heart macarons (Instructions), Strawberry and cream cheesecake in a jar (Recipe Link)
Love is in the air cake pops (tutorial), High heel cupcakes (Tutorial Link), 
My love is blossoming for you cookies (Tutorial)


Yup, over the years I have made my share of Valentine treats.

Actually I think pretty much half of the stuff I make would make great Valentine treats, probably more than half, so I've rounded up 10 popular sweet treats from the past couple of years, the links are provided above under the picture.



Oh, and after I did up the 10 Valentine treats picture collage I came across these cookies I have always thought were cute so here is the link for them as well:

Are you thinking what I'm thinking cookies (Tutorial link)



Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Chocolate Raspberry Oreos for a quick afternoon tea party


Chocolate raspberry Oreos. Well if the name doesn't say it all I think the pictures do just fine.


I had half a pack of Oreos left over from the Valentine Oreos I made last weekend so I whipped up this little afternoon tea for the kids for when they get home.



Yup just a dollop of ready made chocolate frosting and then stick a fresh raspberry on top that you have washed and dried. Or a strawberry or any other type of berry would be lovely as well.

I actually piped my chocolate frosting on with a Wilton #21 piping tip, but any kind will do.


I picked my 2 tier platter up from 2 garnish, but here is a similar one I found online, plus a link for a cute little mercury glass tea light I spied as well:



Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 


Monday, February 3, 2014

Valentine Oreos - no bake easy to make treats


Mr Sweet and I have been married for 21 years this April. I'm not one to push unwanted advice upon others, and I realise that a marriage spanning multiple decades is not on everyone's must have or even mildly want list but for the rest of you I will share one of my secrets.

I have never given Mr Sweet a furry toy or any type of balloon that declares how much I love him.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's just not our thing and Mr Sweet seems to be happy with that.
However chocolate with hearts, and in particular easy to make treats that have Oreo cookies included in some way, do seem to be the way to my man's heart.

 


These no bake Oreo Valentine treats I whipped are pretty much store bought cookies, topped with some chocolate frosting and then a handmade fondant topper pressed on top.

They are easy enough for nearly anyone to make and pretty enough that they would even look great on a party table and you can replace the Oreos with a homemade cookie, brownies or cupcakes if you like.


No Bake Oreo Valentine Treats
I've made a quick you tube tutorial so click on the picture below to check it out before you read the instructions below:

You Tube tutorial:



You will need:
Fondant toppers (see instructions below)
Oreo cookies
Chocolate frosting
piping bag with star tip (I used #22)


Place Oreo cookies on a baking tray. Swirl on a dab of chocolate frosting. Press a fondant topper on top of the frosting.

Store in an airtight container until required. Up to 3 days.

Fondant Topper Instructions
You will need to make toppers at least one day in advance. You can make one type or a variety:

White fondant#
Red fondant#
cutters (specific cutters under each photo instruction)#
small plastic rolling pin#
cornflour (cornstarch)
brush and water

#Fondant, rolling pin and cutters can be purchased at online cake and decorating stores, ebay or craft stores.



Line a flat tray with baking/ parchment paper.

Heart Toppers
This is the easiest topper and you can find heart cutters at most supermarkets or discount stores.


Cutters required: heart cutter approx 4cm (1 1/2")

 Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out red fondant until quite thin. Cut out heart shape and place on prepared tray overnight or until set.

Topper 2
Cutters required:
carnation cutter 5cm (1 5/8th")
5 petal heart cutter 2.5cm ( 1")

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out carnation shape and place on prepared tray.

Roll out red fondant until thin and cut out the 5 petal heart cutter shape. Brush a little water into the middle of the white carnation shape and press the red 5 petal heart shape into the middle. Leave on tray overnight or until set.

Topper 3
Cutters/equipment required:
round scalloped cutter 4.5cm (1 3/4")

heart cutter approx 2.5cm ( 1")
toothpick

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out round scalloped shape and place on prepared tray.

Roll out red fondant until thin and cut out the small heart shape. Brush a little water into the middle of the white scalloped round shape and press the red heart shape into the middle.Using the toothpick press a hole into each rounded scallop on the edge of the white round fondant shape.

Leave on tray overnight or until set.

 Topper 4 (pressed fondant flower)

Cutters/ingredients required:
rose/ flower cutter 6cm (1 7/8")
red sprinkles

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out rose shape and place on prepared tray.

Pinch off a small amount of red fondant and roll into a round Brush a little water into the middle of the white rose shape and press the red fondant into the middle and then flatten out. Brush more water all over the red middle and then shake red sprinkles on the middle of the flower.

Leave on tray overnight or until set. Once set remove excess sprinkles.


I've added this idea over at Tip Junkie's Tip me Tuesday:
Tip Junkie Handmade Projects

 Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.