My first ever Barbie Doll Fondant Cake

     My very first doll cake. Wow! such a amazing feeling after seeing the finished product.  It really paid off all the hardwork I spent.  Although, it wasn't perfect but for an amateur work it looks pretty decent.  It really helped when I'm alone in the house working by myself without any interruptions.  But I  also give credit to my parents who supported me all the way and took care of the boys while I was busy with my cake projects.

This cake was ordered by Maliza Ong, a former schoolmate in high school.  Of course, thru facebook she saw some of my creations and that's how she got hold of me.  I'm very thankful to her for patronizing and trusting me that much to have spent SOME MONEY for her daugther's birthday cake.  Nevertheless, I am so grateful for this God-given opportunity.

...still under construction

Please excuse my cluttered background.  I just don't have good working space in our small house but I know someday I'll have one.  

       The whole experience was somewhat difficult for a first timer like me but it was also enjoyable at the same time.  This is my passion, creating beautiful edible stuff.     And I really value people who knows how to appreciate my creations regardless of the costs.  Such a blessing to have seen so much joy and excitement on Lois' face that day she picked-up her cake.

....not quite done yet

        And here she is..........

ANGRY BIRDS CAKES

   These cute little birdies' craze!!!  It's every kids favorite cartoon character nowadays. Undeniable cute themed for a cake also.  These are some of the creation I've made so far.  Mostly were chocolate moist with choco-caramel filling and iced with chocolate ganache and vanilla buttercream.

Fondant Cake                                                                                                      

Marc Nathaniel, my nephew just recently celebrated his birthday last March at the beach.

It was a wonderful feast day!!!


This particular one was  a 
MOCHA CAKE (coffee flavored sponge cake) filled with espresso buttercream icing. I'm happy that Ate Grace Tampos and her family, especially the kids loved it. 

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       My dear friend Weng Abarquez ordered this cutie yummy cake for her nephew Fritz. Happy to know that Fritz loved it so as the rest of the family.  Looking forward to make another birthday cake next month for Weng's mom.

Topped with an angry bird model gumpaste, a coin bank and some toys also.

8x3 Chocolate Moist Cake with choco-caramel filling. Frosted with fluffy vanilla icing.

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     Another Christmas cake ordered by Romeo for her daugther Sophie. This was a devil's food cake recipe.          

Thank you all for patronizing!

   

Chocolate moist cakes

       All time favorite cake dessert : 

CHOCOLATE MOIST CAKE  

Most of my projects lately were these, filled with choco-caramel and frosted with chocolate ganache and some fluffy vanilla icing.  Very popular to many because of its heavenly taste plus chocolate will just plainly make you feel happy.  

TRIVIA: Chocolate contains anadamine, a brain chemical that helps brighten our mood. Scientists believe that other chemicals in chocolate cause anadamide to stay longer in the brain, thus enhancing its positive effect.

.....these are only few of the many ones I've made

 I am well pleased with the outcome of this cake although the design was very simple but I am happy to know that Czeannon and her guests loved it.  I didn't know she had a big celebration for her graduation.  Anyways, congrats little girl, for being FIRST HONORS in your class!!!  We are so proud of You!

          

 This cake was for my sister Rose Anne, the recipe was exactly a devil's food cake, which I prefer the most.                                                                                                                                                               

This cake was for her daugther Nicole

 On the other hand, Mrs. Reyes from Sangguniang Office fondly preferred my cake over Park N Shop's Boulangarie bakeshop.  

It's truly a humbling experience!  

Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake

      At long last.......after two years of residing here in the Philippines I finally got to taste fresh strawberries topped in my cheesecake.  I have been waiting seemingly for eternity some good fresh strawberries, it's rare here in Davao since we don't grow them locally.  Although,  in Baguio, northern part of Luzon, grows them typically the variety yields tiny fruits.  The ones I got were slightly larger and very red as you can see in the photos.  
   

        I was doing some groceries that day and I came across the produce area and surprised to see these awesome fruit.  Without hesitations, I asked hubby if I could have some and promised to make a cheesecake for us.  

        I have to asked hubby since it wasn't on our grocery list, good thing is, he also loves cheesecake.....(wink wink).  I know it was also hard for him to resist. Anyways, it immediately put a big smile on my face!  .....Love you, sweetie!    

             Seriously, I have not eaten cheesecake in awhile since I got here.  I made some but not so crazy about them except for this one here.....it's my FAVOURITE!  .....and oh, it is to die for!!! ...(trust me on this!) 

       Hmmmp....I just don't know when I can buy good red strawberries again.....as you all know it's not a regular item in the grocery aisle here.

      So, ladies and gentlemen, this is how I served my strawberry cheesecake that day......lavished with dark chocolate sauce.....soooo yummy.....sooooo good the best dessert day ever!!!  Thank you, God for those wonderful strawberries!

Golf themed fondant cake

 Whatta week!  [Big grin!]  Thanks be to God for His awesomeness!!!  Anyways,  I finally delivered my recent creation two hours ago.  It was very challenging I would say in making this particular order.  

    First reason why?.... is the base. It's a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting....yumm! It wasn't hard to make it, actually love making this.  It was the frosting I was worried, I just hoped that it would not melt like crazy in this weather, all I know it wont be that stable, clever right?!  Carrot cake won't be the same without the cream cheese that I guarantee, so I really didn't have much choice regarding the frosting. But I think the buttercream frosting would be the ideal icing under a fondant.

   

  

           Second reason why???.....is the gum paste!  Have no clue how to make it and which recipe would be the best one for my project.  It is actually my first time to work with gum paste. Although, gum paste is available now at some specialty store but it is still way too expensive here in the Philippines!  It really didn't leave me much choice but to make it from scratch....So far, looks like I made it!  I actually mixed mine with fondant, I just thought it would be better if it will be in the softer side since I 'll be making a figure model.  

  

          Third and final reason???......is the figure model.   I panicked a little bit when Ms. Cecil gave her specifications about her order.  Although, she is always very helpful as she sent me an image of the cake she would like me to make. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakegirl/4094248877/ This time she ordered a cake for her lady boss, golf themed!  I actually liked the photo she sent me, it was cute and simple!  I almost didn't want to make the topper, I felt like it was too hard to do.  I honestly don't have any idea how to mold it worst of all I don't have any tools that would helped me make it.  So we looked at a slightly different design but still with a figure topper. And we found it and agreed about the changes.  At some point, I contacted a friend of mine who makes cakes also.  I have asked her if I can order just a topper from her.  She said she would do it for me but declined this time as she was also booked with several orders for this week herself.  So it left me again with no choice but to make it from scratch!  Earlier during the week, I've gone to the malls and check out the figurine stores hoping to find some lady golfer topper.....negative!!! 

   As you can see, the topper is not all gum paste, I opted to use some parts of the barbie doll since I don't have all the tools that I needed to make the head and hands.  But I really am dying to make nice figures someday when I have all the necessary tools and the right recipes to make them.  But for now, I am very happy with the outcome, barely satisfied though but the good thing is that...there's always room for improvement!  I am only self taught and have not had any professional training but how I wish someday I could enroll to some classes 'coz I know those additional knowledge will get me farther in my craft.

  Thanks again Cecile for your order...looking forward to make Mark's birthday cake soon.  I hope your boss liked the cake!

Elvie's Order

     Another day of busyness for me.  I almost turned down Elvie's order because it was sort of a last-minute thing.  She called last night and ordered a birthday cake for her daughter Abigail and a blueberry cheesecake.  And needed them by 3pm the next day...and I didn't have the cream cheese in stock that night....so I couldn't make it in advance.

             It was very challenging today, not having my "kasambahay" around to look after my son Zach. She took off to see her mother so I was left with two crazy babies and two cakes to make. But good thing that hubby was there to help out. He took some time to get the rest of the supplies I needed for my projects and did also the babysitting. Thanks Honey, I love You!

   Abigail's choice of color for her cake was very nice.  She mostly wanted yellow and a princess themed. I thought the pink accent would look great so I did put some.  But I think she was hoping for perhaps a princess in the castle with stairs in the front.  I just didn't have the time at all to exactly meet her wishes.  I just hoped she liked this one.  I think she didn't want a store bought cake, so thanks to her mom Elvie for remembering me.

            We were actually invited to her birthday party but we could not make it due to some more busyness.  Anyways, I wish she had a wonderful birthday together with her dad, they actually have the same birth date.  Thanks again to the Barner's for your orders!  Blessings to your family!!!

Cake for Mama's 61st Birthday!

 .....So yummy....loved the coffee flavor!!! Anyways, I made this cake 4 hours before the party.....and thanked God it still turned out to be a good one.  My niece thought I bought this cake from Goldilocks, a popular cake shop here in the Philippines.  She couldn't believed I made this one.  I am pretty happy about this creation, I just thought of the design on the spot though.  Hubby thought it look like a pro!!!  "Thanks my love, you never fail to compliment my creations..."

my first time to piped a rosette design, not bad at all!

I am glad to see a smile on her face when she saw the cake. I think she was so very proud of me.  And I am also very proud of her!

   This is a 3 layered cake with chocolate in the middle. Iced it with Italian Meringue Icing and decorated with rosette and border using the WHIPPIT icing with coffee flavor. I should have roasted the sliced almonds to give it some contrast, oh well there's always a next time....!