The "NON"-peanut gallery

Here it is, the product of a peanut free cake!!  I had mentioned my client who needed a peanut free cake earlier in the blog and my surprise that it actually was a bit of a challenge.  In the end, this cake was a delicious outcome!  I called it the "Chocolate Overlord Cake" - not a typo guys, it was so much chocolate, it demanded an evil name!!

 Rich chocolate cake, chocolate mousse filling and topped with rich chocolate buttercream icing.

ALL PEANUT FREE!

Bring on the candy.... HEATH BAR SPECIAL

A special client asked for a cake containing Heath Bar candy as that is her husband's favorite candy.  I created this cake.  Delicious layers of vanilla cake with chocolate cake, layered with rich chocolate buttercream and encrusted with Heath Bar candy.  SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!

If you have a special request for a cake containing candy, please let me know and I can create something new just for you!!

I said, "THE OVEN IS ON FIRE!!!"

What a week-end!  Three orders and a fire last Friday night as I am completing my 1st order.  I had spent Friday baking when I speak to my client at night and a second tier needed to be produced.  No problem I thought.  I check the clock, it's 7:30pm.  I go pick up a pizza and think that I can start baking right after we (my husband, daughter and I) have dinner.  I get the pizza, feed the baby, eat and clear everyone out so I can start baking.  I make my batter then begin to preheat the oven.  There in the right hand corner of the oven, a nice small sized fire....  OH OH

"Baby, the oven is on fire!!!" I said.  I get a "WHAT?!?!?!" from my husband.  He comes over and we're both sitting there staring into the oven.  I shut the oven off and we're both thinking that's it.  Fire keeps shining bright and now the heating element is getting warped.  My daughter freaks out screaming "FIRE", my little one year old is screaming and getting excited and laughing at the fuss and trying to get into the kitchen as my husband tells me to grab the baby and I turn and tell my daughter to get the baby.  I'm freaking out thinking of all the baking I have to do and do what comes naturally, I curse the oven and the circumstance.  My husband says "Where's the fire extinguisher?".  A long silence between both of us as we stare at each other with stupid blank faces and it hits us at the same time, we are idiots and don't have one.  Next step, daughter and baby fighting in the laundry room as she tries to contain him in there, my husband goes online and starts to google on how to put out an oven fire safely.  I can't help but to almost start laughing.  We even google how to put out an oven fire.  Technology has turned us into idiots.  Suddenly, I see him like a brave knight with a can of baking soda bravely attacking our lit oven.  He walks away and I look, nothing.  Still shining brightly is our little oven fire.  We look at each other, yes, we know what to do next, throw the electrical switch.  That must work.  And it did.  Fire/element was out in seconds.  Safety.  

But what about my first cake?!?!  Well, I grabbed my batter and off I went to the nearest oven available at my sister's house who recently redid her kitchen.  I completed the second tier and decorated the cake to get the following beautiful birthday cake.  Delicious layers of vanilla cake with dulce de leche covered in a luxurious vanilla buttercream and decorated with fondant and silver accents.

 
Lessons learned:  First, never leave an oven on if you are not close by.  Our oven is pretty new and extremely clean.  The heating element simply broke.  No way of knowing or seeing this was coming except by being there next to it when it happened.  Another lesson learned, have a fire extinguisher.  Our new one is sitting way up high in our laundry room.

As for the oven, a new one is on its way and as for my other orders, well, my sister's oven came to the rescue and there are posts on those with pictures.  That old saying really is true....  All's well that ends well!

Peanut Conclusion!

I baked and tested and liked!!  YAY!  Even though you have to take a few extra steps, the end product results in a delicious peanut free cake.  (Final cake pictures will be sent this week-end after I make the birthday cake.)

Have any ideas for something new that you would like?  Let me know!!  I'm always looking for brand new ideas that may turn out delicious!

To be peanut free or not be peanut free? That is the question.

I got a call today from a possible client as to making a peanut free cake due to an allergy of a family member.  I thought of the most common ingredients used such as flour, sugar, etc. and my initial thought was that it shouldn't be difficult.  After speaking to the client to be, I was surprised to find that most chocolates are made in facilities where these products can come into contact with peanut products.  It was a new bit of information I wasn't fully aware of.  I've read about this but never actually went out of my way to research the information.  The same issue occurs with some vanilla extracts.  I went on a hunt and was able to find chocolate that is guaranteed to be peanut free and I'm going to make my own vanilla substitute using an actual vanilla bean and this should result in a delicious/peanut free cake.  Tonight I bake and test it out!

Champagne...... Ohhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhh...........

We all love it but who knew champagne could add more luster to buttercream and make it more decadent, more beautiful, more delicious?!?!  Now we know............. 

Luxurious champagne icing now available and in time for Valentine's day!!

Teachers get their 15% off discount!!!

Didn't hit the number but hey, so what?!?!  I say teachers deserve a discount anyway!!  So, from now until the end of January, teachers get 15% off any order placed (delivery can be any time in the future). 

On another note, I've spent all week-end working on a new Valentine's Day recipe.  Details to follow later......  :-)

2 more days to vote!!

2 more days to get to that 100.....  (See previous blog on teacher appreciation week early).

Seems like it won't get there.  I figure people are so busy nowadays that there just isn't time to spend on blogs/polls or the likes of it.  I get it, I know from my own experience with a 9 yr old and a 1 yr old that there just aren't enough hours in the day. 

That being said, I hope we make it to the 100.  I have a couple of friends/teachers that did vote and are waiting for it......  One good thing to running this on my own is that I can still give that discount, poll or no poll!!  So to those of you that did take the time to vote and called me to ask questions and see if you can get the discount, no worries, I appreciate you and what you do, no matter if the poll falls short!!!  ;-)  GO TEACHERS!!!! 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Cake

This is the type of cake I really enjoy making.  I love the colors and creativity that goes into it.  It was inspired by a web picture that my client sent in and so I got as close as possible to what she wanted.  She was very happy and I was even happier to deliver!!  On to my next project......

Teacher appreciation week early??

So the other day, I'm talking to my sister who is a high school teacher.  I'm talking cakes (what else is new?!) and she's talking teaching and all the hardships thereof.  It got me to thinking of what I could do as a thank you to teachers for all they do??  It kept floating around in my brain all week.  I'm sitting here today baking and BAM, it hits me!!!!

For all you teachers or those of you with family that are teachers, or for all those that realize how some teachers make an impact and help raise our children and mold them into great individuals, I am posting a poll. 

If the yes response hits 100, as a "thank you" to teachers out there, I will hold a 15% off week just for you teachers!!  Consider it an early teacher appreciation week in January instead of having to wait for May.  A nice way to help start your new year and help the countdown to your much deserved summer break! 

The 15% off will apply to all orders placed by teachers that week, even if delivery for the event is weeks (or months) away.  This includes cakes, cake pops, cupcakes and cake balls!!   

So poll away guys!!  Poll is open to all individuals.  Help teachers get their discount!!

(The poll can be found on M CAKES DESIGNS blog home page and will run until January 22.) 

100 YES = EARLY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 

Baker on a mission (Update #2) - CHALLENGE COMPLETED

This baker completed her mission!!!  It took me two days but I did it!!  (Gotta admit, I had a real good time making this one.)

I can't give away all my secrets but I'll let you all know that this cupcake is full of Baileys deliciousness, including the buttercream frosting.  Sooooooooooooo, a new flavor is added to the list! 

Keep any requests coming and please comment and share with others so they can comment and make requests as well!!

Baker on a mission (Update #1)

Well, I tried two recipe variants today. Both seem promising but need more work. I'm calling it a night and I have to say that I am in a very good mood..... Baileys, you're so yummy!!!

Baker on a mission...

With the NFL conference championships coming up, I've been given a unique challenge.  Got a request to create something yummy using Baileys.  It's a new flavor for me but I'm up for it!!  Sent hubby to the liquor store and I've got my thinking cap on.  Let's see what I can come up with.......... 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2012

New year, new blog!  A great way to keep everyone up to date with what's new and happening!  Join and follow us into 2012!!