I.C.E.

Sorry it's been so long! I've been busy?  =]   So, I started at the Institute of Culinary Education two weeks ago.  I am taking weekend classes, so I'm working Monday to Friday and in school all day Saturday and Sunday.  It's busy but I love it so far.  We haven't done much baking yet, it's mostly reading and learning our workspaces, etc.   Sanitation is SO much fun to learn about. Especially when it is presented in a 1980's VHS.

My class is pretty small, which is nice. There are 15 of us, most in their mid 20's.  They are all from the tri-state area, so of course they are interested in exotic South Dakota. =]  Most of them asked if Fargo was in SD. There are a couple of people who want to go into cake decorating, but everyone else is pretty mixed as far as what they want to do.  There are a couple who are into artisan bread baking, a few into classic French pastry and a couple who have no idea.

We got our Wusthof knife sets this last weekend and started by learning what each one is used for, how to keep them sharp and clean them. We practiced using them by cutting all different fruits. We had to slice grapes, quarter apples and fan out strawberries, as well as cutting pretty much every other fruit there is. I only cut my finger once. (They are SO sharp!)   So part of my homework this week is slicing fruit, making sure they are sliced evenly at the right width.

We also made Pate de Fruit.  It's almost like a gum drop.  We made them with apricots, but you can use pretty much any fruit.  It was super easy and I am for sure going to try them again at home.  If you want the recipe, just let me know. =]


Well, that's pretty much all I have for now. I will keep you updated on what's going on with school.  Thanks for reading!

Courtney's Birthday Cake

Courtney's birthday is on Memorial day and she asked me to make her cake. Of course I said yes.  I also went on a camping trip that weekend. =]   So I baked the cake Friday night before we left. I had planned on being back home around 2 on Monday so that I would have time to fill and decorate it. It didnt work out that way.. We ended up leaving Lake George around 2, which meant we would be home around 5. The party started at 3, but Courney was fine with me being a little later.  So we are driving home and decide to stop and eat. Then got rear ended at the toll booth. Plus Memorial Day traffic.  I ended up getting home around 630.  I had to fill and decorate as fast as I could (without completely sacrificing the design..)   I finally finished and got to the party around 9pm. Only 6 hours late.  =]   Courtney was a good sport.  She loved the cake, and everyone enjoyed a late snack.    It didn't turn out exactly as planned, but such is life.  =]

Aaron's First Birthday!!

Aaron turns one tomorrow, but his birthday party was this last weekend. Susan asked if I would make Aaron an Elmo cake(to go with the whole Elmo theme) and of course I said yes. I tried a new vanilla cake recipe as well as a new butter cream icing. The cake was good, but not the best. I made the cake two layers with an Elmo figure on top.  I made the Elmo out of rice crispy treats molded and covered in Fondant. I was worried that my red looked more pink, but it turned out nicely. Now I know it's not the best Elmo, but it's not bad for the first character I've attempted to make. =]

My next project is my bake sale!  Lots of delicious treats being sold to help end childhood hunger in America! Stay tuned!

Oreo Balls

Ushir had been bugging me for weeks about making oreo balls for him to take to work.  I finally made them for him, and of course they were a big hit at work.  =]    So the thing with oero balls is that they are REALLY difficult to make. There's the oreos, the cream cheese and the almond bark.

First, you crush the oreos in a food processor then mix in the cream cheese. It works best if you use your hands.

Next, you roll the mixture into balls(or whatever shape you want, i guess.)  Refrigerate for an hour to let them firm up.

Next is the almond bark. I melt it in the microwave, mixing it every 20-30 seconds.  Now all that's left is to dip the oreo balls into the almond bark and let them sit and dry on wax paper.  See, SO HARD!

My next big "creation" is Aarons 1st birthday!  I've got to start planning his Elmo cake! Stay tuned =]

JETS WIN!!!

So Sunday was a very big day for the Jets. So of course I had to make a Jets cake. I was pressed for time, so I settled with a vanilla cake and butter cream icing. I tried a new cake recipe from a book I got for Christmas. Everyone seemed to like it, so I guess it's a keeper!  I left the cake white and added the JETS logo on top. I printed out the logo and put it under a sheet of wax paper to pipe on. It turned out nice, but it never hardened, so i had to put it on the cake with the wax paper. :/   Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure.  =]

My first entry

So here it is. My very own baking blog. I've read and followed many, and now it's my turn. I pretty much just bake and decorate cakes, but am ready to expand my horizons. I am open to requests, so if there is anything you would like me to try, let me know! 

I thought I would start by showing a few of the cakes I have made in the past.  Enjoy!