Champagne Cake With Strawberry French Buttercream

Champagne Cake With Strawberry French Buttercream

Champagne Cake With Strawberry French Buttercream

It is Project Pastry Love’s birthday today!  I published my first post on April 12, 2014.  My mom always tells me and my siblings the story of how we were born on our birthdays, so here’s PPL’s story… Project Pastry Love was born prematurely.  I had been in the middle of working on my post and hit the publish button by mistake.  Before I knew it, Project Pastry Love was in my arms, screaming like a baby, and naked for all the world to see.   She’s a good sleeper, she’s talking up a storm, and she’s ruining my diet.  I made a champagne cake with strawberry French buttercream for this special occasion. Continue reading →

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How To Frost A Cake

How To Frost A Cake

Frosting a cake and making it smooth before decorating can be a bit tricky, but not impossible.  There are a couple things to keep in mind when learning how to frost a cake.  First of all, the buttercream needs to be at the right temperature.  If it is too cold, then it will be difficult to spread, and if it is too warm it could just drip off of the cake. If it does get too warm while you’re frosting you can put the buttercream and the cake in the refrigerator to chill it a bit. Secondly, it is important that your cake layers are equal in height, and leveled straight.  This will ensure that your frosted cake won’t look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa–unless you are going for that look. Thirdly, the cakes should be completely cooled before frosting.  Fourth, take your time, and if you need to take a break just pop the cake in the refrigerator. Finally, as in everything in life, practice makes perfect.   Continue reading →

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Family Circle’s Chocolate Fudge Cake

Family Circle's Chocolate Fudge Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cake

This cake is old school.  Family Circle Magazine circa 1975 old school, to be exact.  To be born in the seventies makes one a bit of a bad-ass.  I know, because I was born in the seventies.  Children of the seventies and early eighties didn’t wear helmets.  We weren’t in car seats.  We played in playgrounds without adults from the age of 4 up.  We weren’t given apple slices in our Happy Meal.  On weekends and during the summer months, we were frequently locked out of our house. When we’d attend our friend’s birthday parties, which were usually held at McDonalds, our parents weren’t with us.   We drank soda.  We built forts in the woods using hammers and nails.  We played too closely to train tracks. And we never ever wore sunblock. We’d even go from neighbors’ house to neighbors house, begging for food.  And sometimes we’d hit the jackpot and get a slice of chocolate fudge cake.   Continue reading →

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Vanilla Saffron Cupcakes

Vanilla Saffron Cupcakes

Vanilla Saffron Cupcakes

I don’t really have adventurous tastes.  I tend to play it safe with flavors, but my interest was piqued when I spotted a recipe for vanilla saffron cupcakes in one of my baking books.  Saffron has such a distinct flavor.  I would describe it as tasting like the sea, with some earthiness, and a little bit of heat. The spice gives this cake a kick , which is then softened just a bit by the vanilla and lemon flavors in the buttercream.  This cupcake is different, but delicious!  I’m livin’ on the edge, folks.  Continue reading →

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