Saturday, December 31, 2011

Paisley, Polka Dots and Stripes, Oh My!





My baby girl turned one a few weeks back. I dreamed about this cake ever since she was born. I would sit rocking her in her room, admiring her nursery and thinking about how I wanted to design her cake around the fabrics we used.



While the colors were a little off (I wanted much softer colors) I love this cake! I added in a little red to reflect the fast approaching Christmas holiday. It was a labor of love for my sweet girl!


This was my first 3 tiered cake. The top tier came off and was Maryclaire's smash cake. The stripes on the bottom tier were so much harder than I thought they were going to be! I think I'll be ok if I never try stripes on a cake again! Ha!

Happy First Birthday, Maryclaire!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Harry Potter Cake



I have neglected my caking blog terribly. I guess you could say I've been too busy making goodies to post about them! That's definitely a good thing for my little business!

My niece turned 10 around Thanksgiving and wanted a cake that looked like Harry Potter's robe.


I was nervous about carving a cake, but this one wasn't so complicated.

I love the way the fondant gave it a smooth look and I didn't have to fuss with trying to make the buttercream perfect over all those curves!




That same week I also made over 100decorated cookies...cute little owls, pumpkins, fall leaves, and lots of Christmas designs! It was so busy I didn't even have time for a picture!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Holiday Menu and More 2011

Who's Ready for Christmas?





Can you believe it's that time of year already? Candy canes, tinsel and lots of yummy treats!


I have been baking up a storm the past few weeks and have some real winners to share!




Don't see what you're looking for? Just ask!

Below is just a sampling of what I can do.




Cookies
Priced by the dozen

Snowflakes-$13 Stockings-$14
Christmas Tree-$13 Snowman-$13
Peppermint candy-$13 Presents-$18
Ornaments $14 JOY-$13
Reindeer-$18 Santa Owl-$16
Mini gingerbread man-$7
Mini Christmas tree-$7 Mini peppermint candy-$7
Mini Trio-$8 Assorted -$15



Most cookies can be personalized-No charge!

Cakeballs
Priced by the dozen-$9.50


Flavors: Mint chocolate (white or dark), Chocolate Peanut butter, Dark Chocolate Toffee, Classic white, Classic yellow and Classic chocolate

Coconut Snowball (cakeball rolled in coconut)-$10 doz.


Snowman Marshmallow Pops - $10/doz.

Mini Cupcakes
Chocolate-$8
Yellow-$8
White-$8
Gingerbread-$9
Peppermint Mocha-$9
Apple Cream Cheese-$9

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hot Pink and Zebra Cake


My friend asked me to put this cake together for her on the fly. Good thing it's easy and one I'm used to making.

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I liked the pink icing overlapped with black. I don't think you can go wrong with this cake!

On the inside: Confetti cake with strawberry buttercream and fresh straw strawberries. It smelled heavenly!

Wish I could have had a taste too!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Holiday Cookies




I waited as long as I could. This weekend I caved and made my first batch of Christmas cookies.


They were so much fun. I hope I get lots and lots of orders because I LOVED making them.


The snowflakes were my favorite. {{{LOVE}}}

Cookies prices vary, but on average are $1-$1.25 a piece and I am SHIPPING for the holidays! They are listed on my etsy page here or you can contact me directly by email or through facebook.

Peyton's 1st Birthday Owl Cake


My friend Ashley asked me to make her daughter's first birthday cake-what an honor! The theme was owls. CUTE!
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She also wanted coordinating cookies. Sure!



I loved how everything turned out. The 20 hours I put into this order was definitely worth it! I thought it turned out fabulous!
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Happy 1st Birthday, Peyton!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

About Me





Hi, I'm Jill, aka The Happy Caker.

First off, I am married to an amazing guy and mom to two pint sized kids. Taking care of this crew is my number one job! I carry some wacky hours because baking definitely comes second to my family.


I became inspired by cakes after watching many hours (ok, I'll admit it, maybe hundreds?) of Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes. My first cake I ever attempted was a train cake for my son when he turned 2. Wanna see? It's not pretty. In fact, when I look at it now, I'm a little embarrassed because I though it was awesome.
Well, you gotta start somewhere, right?



No worries, little man loved it and that's what counts now.

I knew with lots of practice I could get better, so I started asking my family to let me make special occasion cakes. Thankfully, I have several nieces and nephews with willing parents! Again, I cringe a little looking back! Ha!

So, here we are, 2.5 years later and many more cakes (and cookies and cupcakes) under my belt. I am thankful I've found my passion and for every opportunity I am given to create some sort of sugary confection.

This part of my life truly is the icing on the cake!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween and Fall Cookies






I know Halloween in over, but I post this for reference next year. These cookies are so much fun, but SO much work!




Unfortunately, I got ahead of myself and forgot to take pictures before I packaged them. Oops! Hopefully, you can still get the gist of all their cuteness.




I made ghosts, pumpkins and witch's hats to pass out at my son's school.



They were a big hit with the kids.



And honestly, I am SOOOOO ready to start Christmas cookie making. Crazy, I know! I just can't help myself!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

New Venture-Custom Cookies!






I have been dying to make these adorable sugar cookies for awhile. I finally got on the stick and made a test batch after my friend asked me about making some for her daughter's first birthday.
I was very happy with the way turned out, although they are way more time consuming than I ever imagined.
I spent the next 5 days perfecting the recipe, rolling the dough to the ideal thickness and testing the perfect cook time in my oven. I think I finally have it.


Looking forward to making many more of these!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Pottery Barn Peace Cake





My friend Emily contacted me a few weeks ago about a cake for her future step-daughter, Hannah. Emily was planning a surprise birthday for Hannah's 9th Birthday. Emily wanted me to design the cake around on Pottery Barn's peace sign quilt. Great idea! Who doesn't love Pottery Barn?

Here is a picture of the inspiration.


Here is a picture of the cake.


This was so fun and girly. I loved everything about it...except when I gave my thumb a 2nd degree burn heating some marshmallow fondant! Ouch!

Burn and all, this was a great cake!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!


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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Spooky Halloween Cake





I love Halloween! Makes me feel like a kid again. I made a test cake the other night for Halloween and this is what I came up with. Love it? I do!



It's iced in buttercream and the skeletons, pumpkins, sign, and scary house topper are all marshmallow fondant.

This would make the cutest centerpiece for Halloween. I'll be making it again for sure...a little closer to the actual day-Ha!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pretty Fall Ruffle Cake




Cake + Ruffles = LOVE

I have wanted to try this design out for awhile. Can't you imagine this cake with pretty pink ruffles? Oh, I want to do this one again....I'm sure I can find someone to convince they must have this cake! :)


What's inside? Apple spice cake filled and frosted with caramel apple buttercream. I didn't get to taste it, but I was told it was delicious.

First Birthday Zebra Stripes



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Happy 1st Birthday, Madison! This was a giant undertaking! Cake and cupcakes to feed 100. Wow!



The theme was hot pink and zebra stripes and the birthday girl even had the most adorable shoes to match!

Smash cake

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This was also my first cake project at our new house. Can I tell you how much I love all my new counter space? They may be green, but there's a lot of them and I LOVE all the space extra space.

Check back soon for a Halloween themed cake I'm making this weekend!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Fall Baking



I saw this cake on the cover of the latest Southern Living magazine. I just had to try it out. Doesn't that look delicious? And doesn't it make you so ready for Fall to arrive?




Here's the recipe for the APPLE CAKE BATTER:
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups peeled and finely chopped Gala apples (about 1 1/2 lb.)

  • PRALINE FROSTING:
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Preparation

  • 1. Prepare Filling: Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended and smooth. Add egg, flour, and vanilla; beat just until blended.
  • 2. Prepare Batter: Preheat oven to 350º. Bake pecans in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Stir together 3 cups flour and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in eggs and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in apples and pecans.
  • 3. Spoon two-thirds of apple mixture into a greased and floured 14-cup Bundt pan. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling over apple mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around edges of pan. Swirl filling through apple mixture using a paring knife. Spoon remaining apple mixture over Cream Cheese Filling.
  • 4. Bake at 350º for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 2 hours).
  • 5. Prepare Frosting: Bring 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and 3 Tbsp. milk to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth; stir gently 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Pour immediately over cooled cake.
And here is my version of the finished product.

It took a little bit longer to bake than most of my cakes with all the chopping of the apples and pecans, but oh so worth it! If you're in the mood, you should definitely try this recipe. I think it would be perfect for any table this Fall.