Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1, Class 4: Final Rose Cake

Here is my Wilton course 1 final cake. I made six roses for the top. They were really hard to make at first, but I practiced a lot and finally got the hang of it.

Lots of Cupcakes

I was in a colorful mood and made a bunch of different kinds of cupcakes. I used the 3M tip for the swirl. I used mini chocolate chips on some of them because they held better than the bigger chips.

Yummy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies- 'The Chewy' vs. 'The Crispy'

There are thousands of chocolate chip cookie recipes, and I really want to find an amazing one to use over and over again. First, I tried a recipe I found on AllRecipes.com. I am nicknaming it 'The Crispy' because I thought it was a little too crispy. They were still good, everyone I served them to liked them a lot, but I knew I could find a better recipe.

I did.

I have read a LOT about 'The Chewy.' I finally made it a few days ago. It is a recipe from Alton Brown. The recipe calls for bread flour, which was a little tricky to find. I'm not sure what stores you have near you, but I found it at Waldbaums. Trader Joe's and Stop & Shop did not carry it.

I will post both recipes so you can make comparisons. You have to try The Chewy! They were SO yummy!!

From Alton Brown- The Chewy

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter.

Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes.

This recipe made about 36 cookies.

From AllRecipes.com- The Crispy

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until edges are nicely browned.

This recipe makes about 48 cookies.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1, Class 3: Clown Cake

At class 3, we learned how to make roses, faces, and how to pipe a body. Here is my clown cake!

Watermelon Cupcakes

First I made vanilla cupcakes...

Then I frosted them and then dipped them into red sugar sprinkles.

Then I used used Wilton kelly green to color the icing and I piped it around the edge. Then I used a smaller tip to pipe a white ring of icing. Last, I used mini chocolate chips and turned them around and pushed them into the cupcake. They are perfect for a summer BBQ!

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

I really enjoyed making these for a party I am going to tonight. My camera isn't working, so these pics are from my computer's camera (so they are not good pictures). I will try to add better pictures another time.

I bought these cones at the grocery store. I was excited that they came in so many colors. I made them by putting the cones in muffin pans and filling the cones directly. I know some people make cupcakes and then put them into the cone. I liked baking them in directly, but a few got messed up while baking. But if you don't mind a few casualties, it is okay.

I had some blue icing left over from a cake I recently made, so I used that for some of the icing. The other icing is a new recipe that I tried, and I have to say, I like it better than icing with shortening as far as taste. But I think for cake decorating, icing with shortening is better.

The icing recipe I used was very simple: 1 stick of butter, 1 pound of confectionery sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla, and two teaspoons of milk.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1, Class 2: Rainbow Cake

I had my Wilton cake decorating class last night. It took me quite a while to get ready for it. I had to make several different icings in three different consistencies. I used Wilton food coloring to achieve these colors. I love them!

I baked a double layer chocolate cake. I leveled it off using a knife, and it came out fine. I put some chocolate icing inbetween. I iced the cake before class.

During class, we learned how to transfer a pattern using piping gel. Now I know how to transfer any pattern! We also learned the base of the rose, and some some decorating techniques. I really do learn a lot at these classes. At the end, we had time to decorate our cakes. Mine will be eaten this weekend at a party!

Double layer:

With icing:

The final cake:

Art

I ordered this Good Housekeeping magazine cover from November 1931 from art.com. Then I had it framed at a local store.

I made this out of scrapbooking paper and some 3D cupcake scrapbooking stickers. Very simple for a little corner in my kitchen!

Wilton Cake Decorating Classes

I started Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1 last Thursday. If you aren't too familiar with Wilton courses, there are 4 courses, each course has 4 classes that are each 2 hours. The 4th course is all about fondant and gum paste. That is what I am most interested in, but I want to take all the courses in order to get the most out of it.

You can take the classes at places like Michaels, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, and Sur La Table, as well as local craft and candy supply stores. Not all the classes are listed online. I called a few stores to find the best class time that worked for me. The classes are offered monthly, so if it works out, I will take one class every month, and I will be finished the end of October- just in time for Halloween and the start of the holiday season! This possibility has me very excited.

The classes are around $40 each, but there are sometimes deals. For instance, when I signed up, I was only charged $20 and I was told that it was a special July deal.

At the first class, you will mostly learn about what you will be learning and you will learn how to make different icings at different consistencies. We were also taught how to make a double layer cake. You will get the book for course 1 which has tons of information in it. You will get a supply list at the first class. Everything was bought at AC Moore or Michaels. I listed the approximate price for everything without using any coupons. PS- I was told that if you ask nicely when paying, the cashier will let you use as many coupons as you want, and you can print them from the internet.

Here is what I was told to buy:

• 10 inch cake circles - I bought a 12 pack $7
• cake turntable- I bought it because I think it will make life easier $14
• course 1 kit- I bought this. It comes with all the tips you need for course 1, the practice board, two featherweight bags, flower nail, 2 couplers, and a few other things. $25
• extra couplers- I bought some. They are around 50 cents each.
• derby clowns- You have to buy these to use in course 1 for the third class. $3
• Wilton meringue powder- There are many sizes.
• disposible decorating bags- I always buy them in bulk.

These were recommended that I buy them, and I did:

• Tool Caddy- I got the empty one with the red top by Wilton. I am an organized person, and it will really help me organize my tips and tools. $20
• tip # 789- This will help a lot when icing a large cake. $2
• icing bag ties- 12 pack for $4
• Wilton clear vanilla extract- I bought it so that my white icing is pure white. $5
• Wilton icing colors- I bought the 12 pack. I am very excited about these! $16

Things I still may buy:

• bake easy strips
• cake easy spray

Other general things that you need:

• cake container- You will need something to carry your cakes back and forth. I already have several of these.
• Containers with lids to put your icing in and bring back and forth to class.
• wax paper
• toothpicks
• piping gel
• zip lock bags and paper towels for clean up

Next week, we have to go to class with a cake baked and several kinds of icing already prepared. We are making the rainbow cake. I think I am going to bake a double layer cake for this.

I will be blogging all about the Wilton classes, so check back!

Banana Chocolate Muffins

I found these on another baking blog, and I just had to make them.

Here is the recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Topping-

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cold butter
• 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line muffin pan.

2. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and butter; mix well.

3. Stir in dry ingredients mix until fully combined, be sure not to over mix. Mix in chocolate chips.

4. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.

5. Mix topping ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over muffins.

6. Bake for 20 minutes.

Fourth of July cupcakes

Graduation Cap Cupcakes- Take 2!

I made graduation cap cupcakes last week, but I was in a rush. I made these today for someone. I am happier with the way they came out. I definitely recommend using a chocolate square of Ghirardelli, which I did this time, instead of a cookie like I did last week.

Cupcake Apron

I love www.etsy.com! They sell incredible handmade things. I need an apron because I have been ruining too many shirts, and I found this great cupcake apron. The seller's website is Boojiboo on Etsy.

Brownie Pops

I used my new Wilton Brownie Pop Mold. I know a lot of reviews were so-so, but I thought it would be something fun to try. I was able to make 24 pops out of a standard brownie recipe. I baked them for 30 minutes. I used cooking spray, and they popped right out of the mold. I put in the stick as soon as I got them out of the oven.

I spread some chocolate icing on the sides and then dipped them in sprinkles and nuts.

Overall, I would say the mold is worth it!