Life is short, eat dessert first

As many of you know, a well known saying in my family has always been, “Life is short, eat dessert first!” While we may have not necessarily always eat dessert first, we definitely are always finding a reason to celebrate so we can eat cake! This of course isn't hard with so many people in my family. There is always a birthday happening monthly. Recently, since I started my baking phenomenon, I have been sharing the duty of birthday cake baking with my grandma Connie, who in the past has always made everyones cakes. I think she has enjoyed passing on this tradition...especially now that she doesn't have to make her own birthday cake anymore! You wouldn't be able to tell by her picture, but this year she celebrated her 70th birthday! Crazy right? I think eating cake helps you stay young! For her cake, I tried a new recipe. I took what was a strawberry shortcake trifle and put my own spin on it. 

Another special birthday was also celebrated this year. My grandma Jeanne, who is 84 years young this year, is who, I think, I get my love of caramel from! For her cake, I made a yellow cake with a chocolate caramel fudge filling, covered in a caramel buttercream and drizzled with a homemade caramel sauce. It's probably the most delicious thing I've made. Well, at least each part separately was delicious. Unfortunately, thanks to work, I didn't even get to try a piece of this. But, after talking to the caramel extraordinaire, she assured me that it was just as good as I anticipated. The fact that there wasn't a piece left was also a good sign!

 

life is short

eat dessert first

Luca's 3rd Birthday!

I probably had the most fun making these cupcakes! Although I wasn't at home, and didn't have my kitchen, my equipment or my ingredients, and was a little off my game, I have to say I was pleased with how everything came out. I owe it all to my special helper, Luca, of course...

I think I was most excited about making these when my sister told me about how Luca was telling everyone that "Aunt Tiffy is making cupcakes for my party!" The shy little guy who didn't talk to strangers made sure to let the guys at the fire museum know that his cupcakes "were going to have fire hats, hoses and boots on them!" This was of course, to fit in with his party theme which was held at the Tampa Fire Museum.

The flavors were a strawberry cake with a strawberry cream cheese frosting and then a chocolate cake with a white chocolate frosting. They were a hit with everyone from Luca and his friends to Luca's great grandpa! So, I vote this a success and can't wait for what my sister has planned for Luca's part this year!

life is short

eat dessert first

Cake Tasting Extravaganza

A few weeks ago I had my first cake tasting party! I know most of you can tell the purpose of the party from its name, but for those slower ones...I wanted to have this party to give people the opportunity to actually taste some of my cakes. A lot of you have seen pictures of my cakes but it's a whole different story when you get to actually taste them! There was a great turn out and I am so glad so many were able to make it.

I spent some time contemplating how exactly I should host this party. My original plan was to pick which flavors of cake and frosting I thought went best together and already have the cake frosted. But, with the helpful hint of my lovely hubby, I decided to allow my guests to pair together whatever flavors of cake and frosting they chose. I had five different cake flavors to choose from (chocolate, carrot, s'more, almond, and mint melt away) and seven frostings (vanilla, orange, cappuccino, peanut butter and raspberry buttercreams, marshmallow fluff and cream cheese).

While I did have a list of "popular pairings", I didn't want to limit my guests to what they could try. It was interesting to see the different flavors that people mixed. Some unusual, and some I might actually consider selling! :)

I think the most popular flavors were the s'mores cake with marshmallow frosting and the mint melt away cake pops! If you missed this delicious party, don't worry, there will be more in the near future. Of course, I can always do a personal cake tasting for anyone interested in purchasing a cake. Also, make sure to take the poll to the right on which cake flavor is a MUST for my next party!

life is short

eat dessert first

This Journey is Delicious

Hello! Welcome to my bliggity blog! I am excited to start this blog and give all of you a little insight into my cake journey. I have recently picked up on this whole baking thing and I am really starting to enjoy it! In the past two years I have done quite a few cakes for friends and family...some really bad, and some, if I do say so myself, pretty darn good ones! I guess I am what you would call a "self taught" baker and decorator...with a little help from two great friends that are trained in the industry!

Rachel and Mandy are the ones that have really inspired my resent infatuation with baking! I am so thankful for their help and encouragement throughout the past two years and hopefully I can make them proud!
I also hope all reading this will follow my blog and be a part of this journey with me as well! I look forward to what the future holds for me and this hobby.

Below is a picture of the first wedding cake I ever did. I truly had no clue what on earth I was doing and appreciate Lisa and Christian Noonans faith in me to produce such a huge part of their special day!

They were such good sports and I had so much fun making it!

life is short

eat dessert first