When life gives you lemons...

In the middle of the cold winter (that threatened to never leave) I decided to make lemon meringue cupcakes! I had never tried this before and wanted to do something different. This presented well and tasted light and fluffy. The lemon curd filling was the perfect blend of tart and sweetness. I had some difficulty figuring out the meringue topping but it all worked out in the end!







I have the urge to name these: "Sunny Day Cupcakes" but is that too corny?
hmmm... on a cold and cloudy day it is just right!

In the World of Cakes...

there is one illusive and beautiful classic that is a must have on any baker's menu.

The Red Velvet

She is distinct and mysterious. Her exact origin is unknown. Although commonly attributed to the southern states, it is the historic Waldorf Astoria in New York City that served the Red Velvet to guests in 1930 that caused it to first rise to fame. The recipe varies from source to source but everyone seems to agree that a rich red color is a must. I like the mysterious hint of cocoa in my recipe and a moist dense crumb that feels like velvet on the tongue!

I am perhaps my own worst critic.
Sometimes, I get a recipe to meet my standards on the first or second try. But that is rare. I actually went through four versions of the lady in red and each one was unique in its own way.
For now, I've settled on version #4.
I gave her cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of crumbs to distinguish her and reveal the scarlet interior that was waiting beneeth her swirls of creamy topping.

She may seem unnassuming at first, but after unwrapping her, I'm sure you will find her infectious and delightful at first bite!

tomorrow is a new day. :)

Maraschino Cherry Cake, Anyone?

It comes in a moment. A suggested recipe, a picture in a magazine, a tempting list of ingredients and instructions in a cookbook. But when it comes, it doesn't leave me alone until I have it just right. Thats how I began my week. A friend mentioned that she liked her mom's maraschino cherry cake. (How have I not tried this before?) I obtained the recipe and went to work.
Frosted's test kitchen was full of cherries, walnuts, and the world was pink and fluffy and sweet for days on end...

My first version was made as the recipe called for. I lathered thick buttercream on top. I thought it tasted great, but wanted a more tender texture.
I ended up with FOUR versions of this cake! I altered ingredients and mixing methods. I tried powdered sugar on top of one version:








I made one version as a round 10" layer cake frosted with home made white chocolate whipped cream. (yumm!)

But in the end, it was this version that won out:
A tender and moist but fluffy bundt cake with lots of cherries and walnuts. An almond glaze topped it off and it went great with a frothy mug of my favorite chai tea.

Welcome to Frosted's test kitchen...

I've been having fun lately trying out many new recipes and inventing some of my own concoctions.
I think I've made over a dozen cakes in the past four weeks!
(and I'm just gettin' started!!)

I have flavors floating around in my head at night.
Chai Spice Cake with Cinnamon Butter Cream anyone?

When I began baking as a child I had no idea what it would become. I was just enjoying creating something. It amazed me how a few simple ingredients when mixed properly together and baked could produce such delicious and wonderful desserts!

Decades later, I have found an outlet for my creativity, a challenge that keeps me pushing myself and striving for excellence, and a business that pays me for pursuing my passion!

Someone once said "To be truly successful, discover what you are most passionate about and then figure out a way to get paid for doing it."

My first wedding cake was for my brother's wedding, just over 8 years ago. The wedding was small but I was happy to help out. On top of baking the wedding cake I was also coordinating the wedding, decorating and in the wedding as a bridesmaid. I remember asking my younger sister to help me place the royal icing roses on the cake layers for me so that I could get dressed for the ceremony last minute!

I have learned a lot about time management since those days! I do not have a picture of that cake to show you as proof of my beginnings in the wedding business.

But here are a few weddings I've done since then...

More to come soon!...