Friday, March 18, 2011

Gift Box Cake

This is a Gift Box cake my daughter, Ruth, and I made for her future sister-in-law's shower.






Under the layers of green fondant tissue paper is a white sheet cake with buttercream frosting - the bottom part of the box. Everything else is fondant.




For the box lid, I used a piece of styrofoam. I didn't think I would be able to support it if it was made of cake, but after doing it, I think it would have worked. So next time . . .

You also might notice the plastic in the bow. I found out two days before the party that the party was that week and not the next! Not enough time for a fondant bow to dry. So I improvised by cutting strips of plastic from a 2-liter plastic bottle to hold the bow up. It worked perfectly, except it showed up in the pics! It wasn't so noticeable at the shower.




Other than not enough of the fondant bra showing, I like the results.

Congratulations, Calah!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Sugar Cookie Recipe

This is the sugar cookie recipe I'm using as of now. Especially the chocolate variation! I got this from Cookie Crazie and I absolute love it!




1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Here's how I do mine:

Cream together butter and sugar. Add sour cream, egg and vanilla. Mix well. In another bowl mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine. Roll out to 1/2 - 5/8" thick, depending on how thick you want your cookies. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 1" apart. Place cookie sheet with cookies in freezer for at least 10 minutes. Remove from freezer, making sure cookies don't slide together, and place in 325 degree preheated oven. Bake for 14 - 18 minutes, depending on your oven and how you like your cookies. I don't like my cookies the least bit crunchy, so I take them out sooner rather than later.

For the chocolate variation, substitute 1/2 cup of the flour with 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder. You can use regular cocoa, but one you try the dark, you will never go back to the regular!!

Hope you love it as much as I do!

Cricut Cake Machine

I am thinking of getting the Cricut Cake Machine. I have a wedding cake coming up and I could really use it, if it works as advertised.



I was wondering if any of you have one or have tried one, and if so, what do you think? Would you recommend it?