Tuesday, February 8, 2011

How NOT to Bake a Cake!!!

Isn't this the most beautiful cake you've ever seen? Well, it's not the only thing that went wrong with the cake order that I did this weekend for Life Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.  They  celebrated their 2nd year anniversary as a church and needed a cake- of course, I was happy to oblige.

My original design idea had 3 layers. It also had a cross on top that I planned to fashion out of rice crispie treat and cover with homemade fondant.


 This is a picture of the rice crispie treat cross that never was............ yup! That's my trash can.

I've made hundreds of them- but this one wouldn't stick. It was moist- you can't "mold" moist rice crispie!!

Then - there was the missing cake pan- the one I found just AFTER I finished baking the second layer in the wrong size pan. But, I pride myself on rolling with the punches..... so I did what any professional would do (like I've ever seen a professional bakery other than on the "Cake Boss") - I put a pan on top of the wrong sized, already iced cake and proceeded to cut it down.






Well............I've seen better! But the clock was ticking since i was already a day behind at this point- but THAT is a whole OTHER story.






After a quick (HA) trip to the store for more ingredients because the icing was running low at this point.....
                                               
                                                      I learned that you can't stick a metal spoon in your mixer while it's spinning - no matter how much icing is stuck to the back of the spoon! By the way ... it's a little tricky to make icing with just one paddle- but it can be done!


And  FINALLY...........
It was done! The final product looked absolutely nothing like the original, second, or even third design - but I was happy (...RELIEVED, EXHAUSTED, RESIGNED, FINISHED) 

They loved the cake & said it was perfect and the best fondant ever. Now, I'm off to make some little Valentine cupcakes with the boys with all the leftover icing....... and hubby ate the "ruined" cake pictured at the top.... so, I guess... all's well that ends well!!!

Keep rolling with the punches and don't do what I do! yikes-   


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12 comments:

Angela Toucan said...

the finished article looks fabulous

Simplifying in the South said...

I had to laugh because I've been doing the same thing in the kitchen here recently. Everything wrong. The finished product looks delicious though! Congrats for conquering!

Laura's Last Post: Lord I want patience and I need it right now!

Unknown said...

Great job...did you finish that wine bottle behind the cake in the fridge my chance after doing all this! LOL...I would have!

Unknown said...

This is hilarious! I hopped here from the Valentine's Day Countdown blog and just had to read the rest! Thanks for sharing your character building moments with us! You can rest assured you are not alone! Glad it turned out - wish you coulda ditched the headache with it, though!

Unknown said...

Thank you all! Ida- I was actually wishing it was wine when I noticed that bottle myself..... but, alas- it was "Mona Vi" health product (sigh)!

Tonya said...

Oh my goodness, it's gorgeous!! Have you taken any decorating classes? I love to bake, but cake decorating is so not my thing. I hope it tasted as good as it looked!

Holly G said...

I think you did an amazing job! As for me, I'm lucky if my spaghetti comes out edible!

Kristi said...

Now that was a fabulous cake!!! LOL! Mine would've been a sight...in the trash!!!! Beautiful!!

Young Adventures... said...

Thanks for sharing your funny story. It brought a smile to my face. The final cake is beautiful!

Hol said...

What a beautiful cake! Looks like it was worth all the trouble. ;)

Janice W. said...

Beautiful cake! Your blog is fun! Thanks for following mine, so I can follow you!

House Queen said...

So glad I stumbled on your blog! What a great story! Looks like you kept on trying and saved the day! I am a new follower and hope you might choose to follow me too! Nice to meet you!