Andrea bakes a Cake

This is my first true decorated cake (I bake pies for James every year for his birthday). Though I made a cake that looked like a stack of pancakes for Mom’s birthday once and a cake that looked like a Snicker’s bar for Melody’s birthday in Russia, this is the first time I wanted my icing to be smooth, my edges to be crisp and neatly bordered, and so on. It was a knee quaking attempt for me. But this is my first child and my first child’s birthday, I can’t imagine a better place to start! Thanks, James for not letting me wiggle out of this one. I would have regretted not doing this for my baby girl’s first birthday!

Titus’ favorite hangout in the kitchen--between Mama’s feet.

On Thursday, I made the butterflies and roses at my mother’s house. My mother also gave me a quick tutorial on the whole decorating process.

These butterflies were made with Colorflow icing (you can get the mix from Wilton’s) on wax paper over a coloring book printout we got off of the internet.

On Friday, I baked the cakes, layered them with raspberry jam between the layers (yum) and iced them as well as I could. I set them outside to harden before icing, but it was snowing and I had to dust off a few flakes before I could get started. Oops.

On Saturday, I decorated. The edging was a little challenging, and it really is a bunch of connected globs, but at least they are semi-consistent globs! The lettering was difficult too, but I followed a friend’s advice and wrote into the cake ahead of time with a toothpick. It doesn’t exactly flow gracefully, but at least it is neat!

Once the lettering and edging was done, the rest was a piece of cake (ha-ha)! Piping green vines and leaves was a lot of fun, and I got to add a little rosebud here and there. It was fun placing my roses and butterflies all over the place too.

I used extra cake batter and icing to make the little cake. I really am loving the rose and butterfly, pink-and-purple combination. It’s taking me back to my little girlhood!

The “Grandma” and the “5” were a surprise for my mother, who shares Clara’s special day.

So, is that enough pictures of my cake? I have more! Do I seem just a teensy bit happy with it? : ) Just wait. I already have plans for next year!

I think she liked it!