Inspiration

Check out this this new website, Tineye, that I found while using StumbleUpon.




Sometimes my mind draws a blank on new ideas and color schemes for my cake creations. I love using StumbleUpon as an idea generator. It feeds me pictures of art in all kinds of media. There are craft ideas. There are paper projects. The wedding layouts make me dream.  

The other day when we was cruising Stumbleupon for my morning inspiration, I came across Tineye. This website lets choose up to 5 colors on a color matrix. You can use the sliders on the side to determine the percentage of the color mix. The site then pulls photos from Flikr to give you a pallet that fits your choice.

What is great about is that you can get a feel for your color scheme and how it works. The percentage mix of the colors lets see how an accent might work.

It is great too because the photos themselves can give you some inspiration for shapes and flowers that would coordinate with your palette. We had a lot of fun playing with this cool little tool. We do hope that you have fun and get some inspiration too my Cake Friends.

Visit CakePlayGround for more free video cake decorating classes, pictures, new ideas and product lists. At CakePlayGround, it's all about the fun!

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cake. What's not to love? Try it with some Chocolate Buttercream Frosting or Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting. You will be in chocolate heaven.

Yield: 1 10-inch round cake or 2 8-inch round cakes 
Time: 1 hour Preheat Oven: 350°

Ingredients:

1 1/2  c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar 
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature and cut into 1 inch pieces)
1/3 c. cocoa powder (Dutch process, if can get it)
1/3 c. unsweetened chocolate (melted)
1/2 c. hot water
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Line baking pans with parchment and spray sides with non-stick spray.

In a large stand mixer (like a KitchenAid) with a paddle attachment, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder.

While mixer is running, add butter a piece at a time.

Mix until mixture looks like wet sand.

Stop mixer and pour in melted unsweetened chocolate. Mix until incorporated (about 1 minute).

Add hot water and mix. Scrape down sides and bottom with a rubber spatula.

With mixer running, add eggs one at a time.  After eggs are incorporated (about 1 minute), scrape down sides and bottom with a rubber spatula.

With motor running, pour in buttermilk and vanilla extract. After the buttermilk has mixed in about 30 seconds, stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom with a rubber spatula.

Mix another minute to incorporate all ingredients.  Give one final scrape of sides and bottom with rubber spatula.

Pour into pan: Pour the batter evenly into the parchment lined cake pans.

Bake: Place the pans in the middle shelf of a pre-heated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Test cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the tooth pick comes out with few or no crumbs, remove from oven. If there are wet crumbs, bake another 5 minutes and test again.

Remove from oven: Remove cake pans from oven and place on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. 

Remove cake from pan: Run a butter knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake from the pan.

Place a cardboard cake round or plate on top of the cake pan. Invert the cake pan onto the the plate or cardboard. Pull off the parchment. Place the wire rack on top of and cake and invert again.

Set aside and let cool thoroughly.


See the video class on how to make this delicious cake.


Visit CakePlayGround for free video cake classes, recipes, photos and tools.

How to Make Modeling Chocolate

You can make easy cake and cupcakes decorations with this candy clay. It is a fun project for the kids too.






Check out our video class on making modeling chocolate.


1 package of Candy Melts
1/4 c. white corn syrup

Melt Candy Melts in the microwave.
Start at 1 minute.
Take out and stir.
If not completely melted, put back in for 20 seconds and stir until completely melted.
Add corn syrup and stir.
The mixture start to get thick and clumpy. Don't worry. It is supposed to do this.
Stir until pretty much mixed.
Turn out of bowl onto plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and let set over night.
When you are ready to use, you will knead the clay until it is pliable. It may feel hard when you start but the warmth of your hands will soften it.
When the clay is pliable, roll or mold dough to desired shape.

See video on making clay and on fun ideas like how to make a rose from modeling chocolate, how to make a magnolia from modeling chocolate, how to make a swan from modeling chocolate.

How to Make Modeling Chocolate Video

       

How to Make Modeling Chocolate Rose with 5 Petal Cutter Video

       

How to Make a Magnolia from Modeling Chocolate

How to Make a Swan from Modeling Chocolate