Welcome: Sugar Creations

Half Baked is excited to announce the newest addition to our Top Tier Cake Directory! If you’re a lover of cake or a loyal Half Baked reader, you’re probably already familiar with this very talented lady.  If you’re a bride-to-be or party planner extraordinaire in the Kansas area, now’s the time to listen up!  Rebecca Sutterby has been baking since grade school, creating cakes for happy customers for years and inspiring us all along the way!  Her work has appeared on TLC, Food Network, BRIDES Magazine and more!   Today, I’m truly honored to welcome Rebecca and her cake shop, Sugar Creations, to our cake directory!

Rebecca opened Sugar Creations in 2002 after discovering her talent while creating a cake for her son’s birthday.  Almost 10 years and oodles of cakes later, Sugar Creations will grow again with a new store location!  Rebecca and her husband are renovating an old cafe in Uniontown, Kansas, with the hopes of opening their new shop in late 2012!

Rebecca specializes in wedding cakes but also happens to make the most amazing party cakes.  With clean lines and a whimsical flair, her children’s cakes are over-the-top adorable! Get ready to ohhh and ahhh… and then hop over to the Sugar Creations website, Flickr and Facebook Page to see more of these incredible cakes!

I could not be more thrilled to have Sugar Creations as part of our Top Tier Cake Directory!  Show them a little love and check out their full listing in Top Tier.  A special thanks to Rebecca Sutterby for joining us.  We can’t wait to see more of your spectacular work!

Quick Reference Links:
Website: www.sugarcreations.com
Be Inspired: Sugar Creations on Flickr
Be a Fan: Facebook Page
Top Tier Directory: Full Listing

View the original article here

Space cake ideas

These ideas of space cake can be used for a portion of space, part of Star Wars, the Party of astronaut theme, etc. Your cake might include a ship of the rocket, the space shuttle, moon, planets or an astronaut. Ideas can be fun alot and make the cake the success of the party.
To make a rocket ship cake, you need a cake in the 13 x 9 oven has cooled. Cut your cake in the middle of two long rectangles. Your cake add cake foil down and put a long rectangle to the bottom of the Board of Directors.

Cut your rectangle remaining in the half. Then, one of the halves remaining into 4 triangles, as shown in the diagram.

Place the half rectangle over your long rectangle for the body of the rocket. Add a triangle at the pointed top. Add another triangle on each side of the bottom of the rocket. Add a layer and leave to stand for several hours.

Decorate as you would like to add some functionality you want.

Decorated with stars and smoothed sides. Candy and flags added to the decorations. Space ships mini cakes decorated by children.

You can use this same idea above and add more layers of cake to create a cake of the space shuttle. You need to do two or three layers and sculpt the front of your cake. Crumb coat and add details. A wing could be made of a frosted sugar cookie.

Photo: rarebeasts

Create a cake in frosting a cake round single or double layer with glaze mixed with bits of candy. This makes a great rock glance cake works well for a cake of Earth or the Lune.Ajoutez shuttle space topper or a candle to a grass or rock decorated cake.

Share an image of your cake, and please give instructions on how you do!

If you like my Web site, please help others to discover. If you have a blog or Web site, or know someone that is the case, please consider linking to me.

Add me to your Facebook or MySpace, this Tweet, share on your favorite parenting or kitchen forum! Each link help!

View the original article here

Star Wars cakes

by Frank Lopez
(Los Angeles, CA)

It took me a week to work to "vessels" based on the. The more difficult is the fighter wing which was too heavy be "glued" by icing, especially since it was so hot that day. I got through it.

See Luke and Darth veteran off, half resolution, rock candy used as stars, Millennium Falcon (small version) fighter wing, tie fighter suspended in air of ready for combat. It is a chocolate cake with strawberries and regular yellow fill.

Click here to view the comments.

Participate and write your own page! It is easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to share your cake.

by Yvette Romero
(Chicago, IL, USA)

It is a full sheet cut in half and carved. All parts of the cake were used including the dome which has been auditing. Cover of frosting, peak # 47 used to outline, point # 12 for the elevated circles, Tip # 3 & 5 edges and residents.

Click here to view the comments.

Participate and write your own page! It is easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to share your cake.

by Jenny Koverman
(San Jose, Ca.)

I cooked two rectangular cakes. I frosted all except in a cake and chopped and then to the middle of the range. I cut a number 7 among other the cake and placed in part chopped up, trying to look like the 7 had broken through the middle of the cake. I fade iced orange in the microwave and he poured over the middle to look like lava. Then I've decorated with star wars toys.

Click here to view the comments.

Participate and write your own page! It is easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to share your cake.

If you like my Web site, please help others to discover. If you have a blog or Web site, or know someone that is the case, please consider linking to me.

Add me to your Facebook or MySpace, this Tweet, share on your favorite parenting or kitchen forum! Each link help!

View the original article here

Cake Trend: Vintage Book Typography

Today we’re taking a look at another trend in cakes that is gaining popularity….only, I’m not sure what to call it.  After much debate, I’ve finally given it the label of Vintage Book Typography.  Wait, vintage what – what?  Yes, you read that correctly.  Typography is the art of arranging letters in order to create visible language.  Whether it is printed, cursive or calligraphy, UPPER CASE or lower case, the written word is both powerful and fascinating!  And I absolutely love how it is popping up in all aspects of design, including cake!  Whether it’s pages pulled from a classic book, old newspapers or love letters, vintage typography adds a uniquely romantic feel to any design.

Our first featured design was created by the talented Lori Hutchinson, owner and artist behind The Caketress in Toronto.  This elegant 5-tier wedding cake is simply stunning!  Alternating tiers are made to look like written text pulled from the pages of a novel.  Gorgeous gumpaste flowers include both soft, romantic pink blooms and ranunculas made of ‘vintage book pages’.  As an unexpected touch of whimsy… hidden among the flowers is a little book mouse!  From the tiers of scrolling text to the book mouse’s smart little glasses, you’re going to love this Vintage Book Typography Cake!

Lori shares some thoughts about this cake she created for her clients, Liz and Nick…

“They wanted their cake to be romantic but with a quirky twist. Their reception was at Bellvue Manor, The Library room.  So their decor was surrounded around a novel theme.  For the pumpkin flavored cake, we designed it to look like written vintage pages.  The gumpaste ranunculas-like flowers also look like they were made out of book pages.  I added cute book mice hiding in the floral bouquets for an unexpected playful twist.”

So whether you agree with my name for this trend or not… I think we all can agree that this cake is a winner!  It’s a perfect example of how to include written text into a cake design.  A huge thank you to Lori Hutchinson of The Caketress for sharing her stunning Vintage Book Typography Cake with us today.  Just like a good book, I’m captivated and can’t look away!

Intrigued and want to see more?   Watch for more examples of this vintage book, newspaper, written text, typography-inspired cake trend in upcoming posts!

Quick Links for The Caketress:
Website:   www.thecaketress.ca
Blog:   thecaketressblog.com
Follow:   The Caketress on Facebook

View the original article here

Halloween Round Up

Halloween is almost upon us!  I’m sure there will be great sights and frights over the weekend, as little ghosts and goblins start to appear.  So I thought we’d wrap up with week with some of my favorite Halloween sweets, styles and treats for the year.  From gothic glam to wicked fun and creepy-crawly things that go bump in the night… it’s a Black and White Halloween Round UP!

Add a touch of gothic glam to your Halloween with these black and white glamorous finds:

Nothing says Halloween glam like black lace!  THE original black lace cake by the Cakegirls still reigns supreme in my book.  Replicated many times in many ways, it instantly became a classic.  {Sending a little love out to Mary and Brenda who are working to bring their business back to life after a fire destroyed their shop.  We’re all anxiously awaiting the return of THE ultimate Cakegirls!}Put down the knife and grab a paintbrush to create these bold, graphic pumpkins.  Learn how to make your own black and white painted pumpkins HERE at Country Living.It’s not too late to BOO your neighbors!  Don’t worry, Halloween BOO-ing is a good thing!  Download this ultra-glam, black and white BOO sign HERE at The TomKat Studio, for FREE!

Ready for a little wicked fun?  These bewitching Halloween treats will leave you spellbound.

Every cupcake needs a costume, and this one definitely seemed to be a hit!  Had to include our Cupcake Liner Witch Hats that went viral on Pinterest.  So break out your scissors, extra baking liners and get started!  Find our super easy tutorial HERE on Half Baked.A witch’s spells are pulled from her book and transformed in to a captivating paper wreath.  Created by Southern Belle’s Charm for a Bewitching Halloween Party by Frog Prince Paperie.  See the enchanting dessert table and wickedly mod cake HERE.  See the entire party HERE.Once again, we’re mesmerized by the clever craftiness of Sweet Sugarbelle.  These witch-y cookies have us charmed!  Learn how to make these Leggy Little Witch Cookies HERE.

It’s not Halloween without some creepy, crawling things that go bump in the night…

These pitch-black macaroons by Les Madeleines look sinfully good.  Created for an playfully fun Itsy Bitsy Spider Party by Bump Smitten.Long legged spiders dusted onto black whoopie pies, served up on a cobweb… it doesn’t get much better than these creepy-crawly treats created for an Itsy Bitsy Spider Party by Bump Smitten.  See the full party HERE on HWTM.Eerie little eyes are watching you… BOO!  These black and white cookies by Glorious Treats are frightfully fun!  Learn how to make these elegant but spooky Halloween goodies HERE.

Hope you have a spook-tactular Halloween weekend filled with adorable costumes, delicious treats and some good frights!  Happy Friday!

View the original article here

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Today is a day for thrills and chills as the ghosts, goblins and ghouls make their appearance.  I thought we’d take a moment to enjoy this hauntingly fun day with something a little different.  Frightfully eerie with his long, black hooded cloak and his pale skeletal figure, this guy is creeeeep-y!  Be afraid, be very afraid.  We all know who he is and exactly what he wants.  He’s The Reaper and he’s come for…. the CAKE!  Enjoy this humorously dark Grim Reaper Cake by Jamie Hoffman of Yuma Couture Cakes.

Jamie shared a few thoughts  about her creation:

“The reaper was constructed with many thin and ripped sheets of fondant draped over a wire armature that I constructed.  The inside was hollow to make it as light as possible, but it was still very heavy.  Once it was all set up and dry, I airbrushed it black. The hands, scythe and cake are all hand made from gumpaste, and painted with edible markers and gel color. The message on the front of the tier (which was a 12? round for scale) was etched in over the black airbrushed surface, with q-tips and vodka.”

Make no bones about it, that little skeletal hand is amazingly frightful!  Good thing this Grim Reaper has his eye on the cake because he is spooooky!  A huge thank you to Jamie Hoffman for sharing her eerie Grim Reaper Cake with us.  He is the perfect Halloween treat!

Hope your Halloween is brewing with fun.  While you eat, drink and be scary… remember to be safe!  Happy Halloween everyone!

Vendors & Credits:
Cake: Yuma Couture Cakes

View the original article here

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese

Our cupcake contributor, Lauren of Crave. Indulge. Satisfy, is helping us transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving!  And she’s bringing along the pumpkins…

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about a special dessert to accompany your big turkey feast!  During the fall my pantry is always stocked full of pumpkin as my go to ingredient.  I have about 12 cans on hand right now!  Pumpkin is such a great ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes.  So this year, why not branch out from the standard pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread and mix up a batch of Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.  I guarantee all of your turkey day guests will just gobble these right up!

These pumpkin cupcakes are smacked full of fall flavors featuring cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  The cupcakes are paired with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting which is the perfect compliment to the cinnamon flavor in the cakes. I guarantee you won’t just be eating one of these at a time. Afterall, Thanksgiving is a time to indulge in all your favorite foods…so save room for dessert!

If you are worried about having too many things to whip up for your holiday meal, these cupcakes are super moist and can be made a day ahead of time. I do recommend waiting to make the icing until the day you plan to serve.  I love how you can see the specs of cinnamon throughout the icing, not to mention the taste is amazing!  I hope you are inspired to try these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese this year!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese
(makes 30 cupcakes)

For the cake:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with cupcake liners.In large bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.In bowl of stand mixer cream butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy.Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.Add dry ingredients and milk, alternating until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl as necessary.Mix in pumpkin puree.Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter.Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.Let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.Once cupcakes are completely cool frost with Cinnamon Cream Cheese icing.

For the icing:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

In bowl of stand mixer beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well combined.Gradually add in confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix until combined.Place icing in piping bag fitted with a large round tip and frost cupcakes.

Hope you enjoy this pumpkin inspired recipe! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Lauren is a regular contributor for Half Baked. She is a self-taught baker and lover of all things sugar. Read more about Lauren on her bio page.

View the original article here