Pink Ombre Ruffled Dress Cake

Just a quick peek at the pink ombre ruffle dress cake I made for my friend's daughters birthday party.

The theme was fashionista.

and YES the cake is different layers of pink raspberry mudcake inside.

The party was styled by Putting on a Party who should have a blog post on Friday.

I'll post a tutorial on the cake later in the month.

Marhsmallow Cookie Pops

At Christmas time I was in the local discount store and happened upon some marshmallow rope.

Wow - I thought to myself, that looks just like the stuff that takes me ages to mix up myself and roll into ropes, I bet it would make great marshmallow lollipop cookies. So I bought some with the intention of whipping up a batch of marshmallow rope cookies.

 OK fast forward 4 months........I still haven't got around to it, although I did use the marshmallow rope to decorate some stuff. But I still thought the cookie idea was worth trying so I popped down to the Reject shop last weekend and picked up another packed determined that this week I would get around to it.


and I did. I made marshmallow rope cookie pops, and if you don't like fondant much these are a great alternative to the original marshmallow fondant cookie pops.

Plus for $2 for a bag of 10 marshmallow ropes that works out pretty cost effective when you take into account making your own and the effort of all that rolling and twirling, oh and the packet says 'FAT and GLUTEN FREE' which is totally awesome, of course until you stick them onto the cookies which totally negates those benefits.

For a variation of these marshmallow rope cookies check out the original marshmallow fondant cookie pops on this site. You can make the home made ones any colour you like and also vary the sizes easily. Plus they are easier to bite through.

The kids found that this version was a bit chewier.

Also apoligies for the lack of posting lately, over the 2 months I have had my daughter in hospital been overseas on holidays and then had a quick hospital visit myself which has resulted in not much activity over the past couple of weeks

But I do have a couple of exciting treats coming up very soon including the Oh-Sweet Mum E-vent being hosted by Blissfully Sweet on the 27th of April. I have created a rustic inspired pie table photographed by Naomi V Photography which I can't wait to share. Oh my goodness and just wait until you see the gorgeous wall art created by Ah-Tissue behind the table.

Plus I have made a pretty cake, cookies and some other treats for a fashion inspired 10th birthday party being styled by Putting on a Party.

White Cream Outfit worn by Bubble is Tea Princess from Vintage LadyBug
Pink Outfit worn by Sweet from Eeni Meeni Miini Moh

Marshmallow Rope Cookie Pops

I used Royal Icing for the cookies in the photo's however if you like you could use Candy Coating (you know the chocolate like stuff you use for cake pops) It would work as well, plus it sets a lot quicker.

 

Sugar Cookie dough*
lollipop sticks
Royal Icing - thick spreading consistency*
Marshmallow Rope

*I used the recipes for Sugar Cookie Dough and Royal Icing from my book Sweets on a Stick however you can replace with your favorite recipe if you like.

Sweets on a Stick 0ver 150 Kid Friendly Recipes available from Amazon and Fishpond 

(and lots of other places too)

Line 3 to 4 oven trays with parchment paper (baking paper).

Roll out the cookie dough and using a  round cutter (approx  7cm or 2.5") cut out shapes and place on the prepared over trays.

 Push a lollipop stick into the side of each cookie dough round. The sticks should be parallel to the baking tray. carefully flip the cookies over to see if the lollipops stick is completely covered with dough, if not use a little excess dough and press around the stick to ensure it is covered.

Chill until firm in the fridge and then bake according to your cookies instructions, or for around 10 -15 minutes at 180C.

Let cool on trays for 5 minutes then carefully remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cookies are cool, spread some Royal Icing on each cookie using a spatula.

Take the marshmallow rope and twirl it around until it resembles a lollipop swirl.

 Press the round firmly on the royal icing covered cookie. If the tail end keeps flicking out you may need to add a dab of royal icing in between the marshmallow to stick it together.

It may take a while to set, so I used a couple of heavy based knifes to hold it in place until it was set. You can just use any food safe item you have handy.

Leave to set overnight of until the royal icing is firm.

Store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Daniel Herbert's Best Ever Baking Recipes

OK - I love baking.

I love decorating as well, but what good is a pretty looking cake if the taste lets you down.

So it makes sense that I love baking cook books. Y'know the type that promises to deliver simple yet delicious tried and tested recipes, some of them handed down through the generations.

When I received David Herbert's Best-Ever Baking Recipes, which by the way has a super temptingly looking chocolate cake on the cover, I looked forward to flicking through the pages to see if there was anything I would like to try.

and I wasn't disappointed. With over 200 recipes included and chapters on Butter Cakes and Sponges, Cakes with Baked-on Toppings, Chocolate Cakes and Brownies, Slices, Biscuits and Cookies and Tarts and Cheesecakes to name a few the book ended up with quite a few post it notes stuck out the side ear marked for future baking endeavors.

I'm thinking for starters in might be the Raspberry and Coconut Macaroon Cake, with a baked topping based on the old fashioned coconut macaroons that I loved as a child. Or perhaps the Orange and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake or maybe the All in One Coffee and Walnut Cake, and that's without even getting past the first couple of chapters.Oh and I must mention I noticed quite a few gluten free options as well.

There are lots of colour pictures with a kind of retro feel and a relaxed styling approach that makes the end product look within the reach of regular home bakers everywhere.

David Herbert's Best-Ever Baking Recipes is available now at most book stores, it is published by Penguin Australia.



I received a copy of Best Ever Baking Recipes for the purpose of this review