30 November, 2009

Cakes, too!



So here's the beauty I was working on last night for this morning's delivery. There are some who think I am only doing cupcakes BUT yes, I enjoy making cakes as well! 
Provided they don't involve fondant ( just not my favorite), since I think the whole thing needs to be deliciously edible. Provided it doesn't need to look like a cookie cutter of an earlier generation. As long as all the ingredients are there, and the whole things tastes great...I like that it can be a creative outlet for me...on how and what I pipe and how I decorate the whole thing- since I like to think that each cake is a gift to you.



27 November, 2009

What did your family have for Thanksgiving?


Happy after Thanksgiving to all and to all- I hope you had good desserts! Several of you have asked what did your family have for dessert after the fabulous turkey dinner? After baking on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday...I have to admit that I don't have recipes that only bake a dozen at a time...my recipes are usually 18-24 per batch. My family reaped the benefits of the extra "blanks", seen here.

From the left you see, dark chocolate cake filled with raspberry puree, topped with chocolate silk frosting. Pumpkin cake with pecan creme filling, topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting- some with chopped pecans, some with a leaf shaped sables cookies. There are a few coconut cake with rum custard with a coco vanilla meringue buttercream, as well as brown sugar pound cake filled with chocolate custard with Godiva liqueur, topped with vanilla meringue buttercream and Dutch chocolate sprinkles. There are carrot cupcakes with pecan creme filling, topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting AND pumpkin cakes fllled with chocolate custard, topped with coconut meringue buttercream with toasted coconut. 

They were loved by all and quickly devoured, and some made it in care packages on to go paper plates.

I have a week to breathe and then it's time to think about December! Stay tuned for those Holiday ideas for the JujyCakes Holiday menu!

19 November, 2009

How much do I love these...sables!


I REALLY, REALLY LOVE a wonderful butter cookie! There is nothing more delicious than butter, sugar, flour and a bit of salt. I have tried nearly everyone's recipe for butter cookies or sable. I tried the recipe in Paris Sweets and countless others. BUT I recently acquired PASTRY by Michel Roux over the summer and was intrigued by his recipe and technique. The technique is as if you were making pasta. Your fingers literally learn about the texture and feel as the fingertips gently, yet firmly massage the butter into the flour/ sugar mixture.
I have always done the "sanding" in my food processor, but I think from now on I will do the sabler by hand. It's a wonderful tactile experience.
It's time to snack on a few extras that aren't needed for a recipe...yum.