Sweet Memories royal icing and lace cake

I made a cake.

A white lace cake with rustic rough royal icing and decorations inspired by doilies and broderie anglaise lace. It's all about the contrasting textures.....and the cake.

The cascade of 'flowers' match the doily inspired decorations.

Mr Sweet said I should have just stuck paper doilies on the side of the cake, it would have taken less time.

After all this time he still doesn't get it.........

I guess Mr Sweet and I are like the cake, all kind of contrasting textures, but in the end it just works.

I've called the cake Sweet Memories.

To make the broderie anglaise type lace and flowers I used these eyelet cutter for the little holes, they come in ones like in the link below and also with 3 or 5 holes.

 

PME Sugarcraft Eyelet Cutter Set - 1-Petal & 6-Petal 

Inside the cake is gluten free orange and almond with dark chocolate ganache. It's covered with royal icing and fondant 'lace' decorations. It was 8 inches (20cm) across and 6 inches (15cm) tall.

 

I picked my cake stand up from Tacey Lau a while back but I am unsure if she still is selling at the moment. I did find this cake stand below which would be totally perfect for the cake. You can't quite see in the picture until you click the link but it has sweet little eyelet holes like the cake, and they have like matching plates - I know - perfect !!!!

Gracie China, Victorian Rose Collection, 8-Inch Skirted Cake Stand, White Fine Porcelain

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:

Or here at fishpond (Aus/NZ)

Sweets on a Stick also available at the Bleeding Heart Brisbane: contact details info@bleedingheart.com.au

On my shelf - Laduree: The Sweet Recipes

Laudree: The Sweet Recipes * is the best cookbook I purchased last year.

Yup I'm in Laudree love and have been since it arrived, each recipe I have tried has turned out deliciously perfect, allowing me to recreate that just visited a patiserrie feeling at home.

OK I admit some of the recipes involve many steps - this is not a book dedicated to one bowl baking. But if you follow the instructions the end result is completely achievable and you can rest assured you will have a sweet worth the time and effort.

Although in saying that there are a few simple recipes which can be undertaken in less than an hour.

The book includes sections for macarons, large cakes, tarts, tea cakes, confections, drinks, pastries and more.

Laduree at Amazon

Look at these pretty little puffs I made for my daughter's birthday party. They were totally amazing, and the chocolate version were fabulous as well.

(ummmm the fondant topping is a little rough due to my fault not the recipe - I was rushed as guests were arriving and I did not melt it enough)

A couple of the recipes do call for specialist ingredients for example, pouring/dipping fondant which is different than ready rolled fondant. But in these days of easy internet online ordering you should be able to locate any item will little fuss.

Link to Sucre at Fishpond (free shipping to Australia and NZ)

 

Laduree: Sucre: The Recipes 

The actual book is a little smaller than regular, has a velvety cover with gilt edge pages and it comes in a pretty little box. It is such a treasure I have managed to keep it looking quite good to date despite the fact that it has been used unlike many of the books that lanquish on my shelves. Plus each recipe has a lovely little full page picture showing the finished treat.

Recipe measurements are in both metric and imperial :)


Oh and make sure you get the English version, unless of course you are looking for the original. 

* I purchased Laduree Sucre myself and did not receive it in exchange for a review. I just like to share what works for me.


If you are looking for other cookbook favorites of mine I also recommend the following books which are well suited to the home baker. I have tried many of the recipes with consistently good results :

The Whimsical Bakehouse

The Whimsical Bakehouse: Fun-To-Make Cakes That Taste as Good as They Look!

More from Magnolia (which contains the recipe for Magnolia's famous vanilla cupcakes)

 

More from Magnolia: Recipes from the World Famous Bakery and Allysa Torey's Home Kitchen

 
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:

Or here at fishpond (Aus/NZ)

Sweets on a Stick also available at the Bleeding Heart Brisbane: contact details info@bleedingheart.com.au

Sweetheart Valentine Cookie pops

Some people don't love Valentines day.

Me - I'm all for it, although I guess waiting for a certain day to express your love does seem a bit odd. I'm really more a every day should be filled with hearts and love kinda girl.

Take for example these cookies, I would happily eat them any time of the year.

But they do make a sweet little display, which if your into the whole Valentines day thing is perfect :)

I make these cookies all the time, they are a favorite of the kids, we just like to mix it up and decorate them differently.

The design and recipe is based on the Sweetheart cookie pops from Sweets on a Stick (details below).

And of course you don't need to pop them on a stick, they are just as sweet if you make them as regular cookies.

Shop the photo vendors

Cookies based on Sweetheart cookies page 90 of Sweets on a Stick - details below
Pink food color used on cookies - Sugarflair dusky pink
Pink fabric background - Tilda Rosalie fabric
Small White Letter Rack - Early Settler
Pink Candy - Strawberry bon bons - The professors

Paper straws used to cover cookie sticks (cut in half)

Linda Vandermeer is a mum, wife, blogger 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:

Or here at fishpond (Aus/NZ)

Sweets on a Stick also available at the Bleeding Heart Brisbane: contact details info@bleedingheart.com.au