Coco Cooks has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds.

If not, please visit http://www.coco-cooks.com and update your bookmarks and RSS feed.

5.31.2008

It Looks Cute... But This Sweet Pea Cake Tried To Give Me Trouble

Babies are so cute. But behind all that cuteness they can be some messy trouble!My good old friend S (who looks like Liza Minnelli in her Halston/Cabaret days) is going to young hot grandma!And she asked me ( OK I suggested and hinted) to make her daughters Baby Shower cake. The child( yes I still think of her as a child) wanted a Sweet Pea themed cake. Gender neutral( I feel its going to be boy as I type this). Damn! I remember giving the girl Spice Girl clippings from my old magazines. I'm old. I'm not up on Mommy culture and all things baby, so I had to sleuth to find Sweet Peas cakes and deigns. Not much out there but yet its a popular theme.

So I went to Cake Walk , my favorite store, and purchased what I needed. I normally use mixes to provide protection against any disasters. But I loved that Perfect Party Cake recipe from Dori Greenspan. I wanted to use the sponge and butter cream.Normally I use Wilton butter cream made with shortening, but my taste buds wanted the real deal. Who know it would get so warm! In the fridge,out the fridge...... The Mama to be wanted a marbled cake( just divided the batter in to two and added cocoa), strawberry filling, and coconut butter cream. OK , she's pregnant! But her wish was my command. . I used Coconut extract for LorAnne Oils and Creme of Coconut as well. I forgot to get a divider as I was making tiers. So I fashioned one from heavy Styrofoam plates and lollipop sticks for support. And you know what it worked!. My issues were my layers crumbled apart as I tried to rectify a mistake. I pieced it together and filled it up with butter cream and filling. Then I I realized my top layer on the bottom tier had filling on top and no cake. I wasn't thinking!Quick something. I had some fondant that I placed over the filling. It worked. Then I added the second tier, careful to have 3 layers of cake this time. Some more crumble, but it took and was sturdy. This cake wasn't going to master me. and I wasn't going to let my friend down. Thank God I started the day before , because it was more time consuming than normal. I crafted the sweet peas from pastillage and gum paste. I wasn't happy with the cracking of the pastillage. But I was experimenting. I found some great new product that provides the airbrush effect in a can. Its a life saver to hide messy mistakes, smudges, etc. I let it rip. I had to clear the fridge to house the cake as this was real butter cream. Doesn't my sweet pea on top look like Chucky. Wasn't intentional. But in the end it cleaned up good and is cute. Whew! Now the hour and half drive!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

You, my friend, did a fantastic job!

Emily said...

What a lot of work! You better be getting something out of this. Money would be good.

I think it looks very cute. I love the sweet pea them.
Good job!

Anonymous said...

Very cute cake! The mommy to be will be thrilled when she sees it. Hope you will manage to deliver it without any accidents....1.5 hours is a long drive...
btw just today I was thinking maybe making something with peas in a pod for friends who just had a baby, not a cake though but again we're on the same brain wave length ;)

Tempered Woman said...

I'm praying for your hour and half drive- yikes! The cake is just too freaking cute for sure~ I love the idea of a sweet pea cake for a baby shower. Let us know what everyone thinks.

Nina Timm said...

You are so talented, I am green with envy!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wow, your cake looks so pretty! I don't think I'd have the nerves to do such an elaborate beauty!

cheers,

Rosa

Andrea Meyers said...

Wow, what an adorable cake!!

Unknown said...

GREAT job, girl. Just passing by and found your blog!! Keep up the good work!

Proud Italian Cook said...

First of all, you are way to hard on yourself. and secondly that cake is adorable!! I see creative cakes by Courtney in your future!!

Swati said...

I love the idea of the baby peeping out of the pod and your choice of colors..You have done a splendid job Glamah..I love it!!

Jen said...

Oh my goodness, Courtney! You are SO talented. That has got to be the cutest shower cake I've ever seen.

Rosie said...

WOW Coco what a fantastic looking cake!!

Rosie x

~~louise~~ said...

Oh Courtney that cake is just too much... Simply adorable!

Such time, energy, patience and creativity will not go unrewarded. I just know you made the drive with all intact.

Deborah said...

It looks so wonderful! I love the sweet pea theme, and I would be very honored if you had made this for me!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I'm sure that this cake stole the show:D

Luca and Sabrina said...

Yes, we have been busy, it has been like a marathon by the cooking stoves! We were happy at the end of the day and that's what really matters! Thanks for your support.
Hug and Kisses
Sabrina&Luca

Your peas cake is a MASTERPIECE...you let us astonishing!!!!!
Who did eat it? How many people?

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's elaborate! Must have taken forever.

Kajal@aapplemint said...

OMG , this is such gr8 talent here. I could never make a cake like this that requires so much patience and perfection. Well Done !

Megan said...

How funny I made a chocolate/vanilla perfect party cake this weelend too. Strawberry jam in the middle but it was chocolate buttercream. I think coconut would be super! Yours is just darling. Love the pea pods.
Too cute!!! :)

Simply...Gluten-free said...

Wow! Adorable. Well done.

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Great job Glamah!!! That looks so incredible. That was one of my favorite challenges the Perfect Party Cake too. I have made it several times since but never to the success that you have had on this one.

Gigi said...

Very very adorable! The mom to be must have been so happy to see such a beautiful cake.

The Caked Crusader said...

Wow! That's a work of art - very impressive!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

You made that cake? beautiful!!

TeachMom said...

Very nice work! The cake looks incredible and the theme is adorable!

Laura Paterson said...

Ok, I just wrote a bit of a mad panic comment, but in my fluster (luckily) closed the window before I sent it!

That cake is super-scary - I'm pretty much terrified by peas (small green round and evil!)

I totally appreciate how utterly amazing and gorgeous it is, and how chuffed the mummy will be - but next time could you please use chickpeas?? ;)

Y said...

I love the pea pod on top with the little girl sticking her head out. CUte!

Núria said...

Gosh Courtney!!!! How many hours did it take you? It's such a beautiful cake :D. I really admire you for having the patience... it's a work of art! I wouldn't be able to eat it... I'd cry!

Laurie said...

"How adorable"..when do you find the time!!? :)

Chou said...

I love your sweet pea! Sooooo cute. And, of course, made from my favorite research stuff.

Anonymous said...

You made this?! Wow! Terrific!

Paz

Elle said...

That is a VERY cute cake, and a lot of work, too. Love all the peas everywhere!

jasmine said...

Lots of wor, but lots of cute :)

j

Anonymous said...

I love your sweet pea.