Hey, I saw Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel enough times to know that there are some adorable little critters out there in the rain forest. The green-eyed tree frog is one that has to be caught from the right angle to keep the bumpy-slimy-neon factor in the right balance. However, to a certain 4-year old birthday boy– this is the way to a perfect cake. Yup, I said cake. Look at the frog again. Doesn’t he look a little bit like he rolled through some melted chocolate? This can work.
In the skies above the pond are the blue morpho butterflies. They were #2 on the the cake-animals list. These guys are stunning.
The luminosity and the shades of cobalt are incredible. Love! These are worth a wander through google images. The reflection of light and deep colors are breath-taking.
When the frog and butterfly wandered across the birthday cake, we came up with this happy little rainforest scene.
I was tempted to throw in a skateboarding tree fairy (Fern Gully? Anyone?) but kept it more botanic. (This time.) The frogs are molded chocolate in greens and brown. The butterflies are gumpaste with a coat of shiny luster dust.
Posted in Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with 4, birthday, blue, butterfly, cake, four, frof, green, rainforest.
By Queen Bee
– November 23, 2010
I love Harry Potter. For the “Order of the Phoenix” I baked up a batch of midnight chocolate crackle cookies (similar recipe here) from Dorie Greenspan’s baking book. They were fun for sneaking into the theater because they held up well in my giant carpet bag of a purse! This year I can make up some delicate and authentic treats since we will be snacking pre-show. I’m thinking of treats that would pair well with a big ol’ mug of butterbeer.
My weekend plans for Deathly Hallows- Part 1 now involve chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, and chocolate cauldrons. (But more on that later.) If you have similar plans to whip up some Potter treats, I thought I would share this great tutorial from Bakingdom for chocolate cauldrons so you can make some too!
Even with plain sugar cookies, there is a lot of great imagery that is easy and fun to reproduce. Have fun!
Posted in Cookies, Musings and Inspiration.
Tagged with blogs, harry potter, recipe.
By Queen Bee
– November 17, 2010
When I was little I loved the Curious George books. George was always getting into some kind of scrape that the Man with the Yellow Hat had to come and rescue him from. There was adventure around every corner as we saw George’s curiosity in and around paint cans, balloons, rocket ships, and (my favorite read) missing puzzle pieces.
Charlie loves George too. His third birthday was at a monkey-themed play-place with tree houses, jungle gyms, and padded walls. An awesome spot for exploring and having fun.
The cake reflects the overall jungle theme of the party as well as featuring George, the yellow hat, and lots of bananas!
The banana theme carried over to the two huge cupcake trays (perfect for little hands to smoosh around!) full of chocolate cakes with banana cream filling. They are topped with tiny leaves and more fondant bananas.
Posted in Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with balloons, bananas, birthday, blue, curious, george, green, hat, jungle, leaves, monkey, third, yellow.
By Queen Bee
– November 8, 2010
I learned a ton of new traditions and meanings while working on this 1st birthday cake for baby Andrew.
For families with Korean roots, the Dol (돌), first birthday celebration, is a huge deal. We are talking family, friends, cake, balloons from a special balloon lady, special outfits, and everything.
I love this balloon sculpture of the boy and the ox. But I am getting ahead of my story.
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It is traditional to picture the child with the animal which is symbolic for their birth year. In this case- the lucky ox. The baby is also made from gumpaste and is wearing a colorful hanbok, which is traditional Korean attire.
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The cake is part of a stylized table brimming with sweets and treats like apples, candy, and cake.
These adorable mini cupcakes are pumpkin spice and chocolate, both with cream cheese icing, and an “A” for the birthday boy.
My favorite part was when they sat Andrew in the center of a ring of shiny objects that represent the choices for his future. A ball for sports, a gavel for studying law and justice, a pen for academics and knowledge, a $100 bill for wealth, a string for long life,… etc.
I was honored to be included in the celebration, although I would have liked to have seen a spoon in the mix in case Andrew wants to grow up and be a baker!
Posted in Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with birthday, blue, cake, child, dol, first, first birthday, green, mini, ox, traditional.
By Queen Bee
– November 4, 2010
Posted in Cookies.
Tagged with Cookies, halloween, holiday, smores.
By Queen Bee
– October 31, 2010
