Holy. Has it ever been a while. I'm not exactly sure why I am posting today... maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm SICK for the first time in a really long time. What's the best thing to do when you're sick?? Well, for me it's do all those little irritating things that you seriously DON'T want to do all the other days when you are perfectly healthy and fit to do so.
You know. Things like... Clean out and organize your bookmarks bar. Catch up on some reading. Recover the old blog you used to do.
I finished my semester last week.. and that was a quick and dirty one. 14 of the longest weeks of my life. I'll spare most of the gory details... but in a nutshell, brownies for dinner practically every night. 10 finals in two weeks. Brink of my sanity.
So this whole "free evenings and weekends" thing is something I've only heard whispers of on phone commercials. Foreign concept.
Since being back in Edmonton not much baking has transpired. My big project this summer was my sister's WEDDING CAKE.
My first endeavor with fondant.
I was a little intimidated. As I was shopping for my supplies, we were told that Michael's does cake decorating COURSES. I considered this possibility... but the schedule was heavy. Why would I sign myself up for cake boot camp on my very last summer vacation??... Oh right. I wouldn't. The saleswoman told me that I might be able to muddle through basic fondant without training... but no way with anything on a larger scale.....
... Are you seriously telling me I can't deal with glorified play dough? Whatever.
There were tears. I'm pretty sure I aged about a decade constructing this cake. I have had so many people ask me how long it took me. Honestly, I didn't time it. But a guestimate?.... about 12 hours.
The inside was The Gold Cake. Aka: That beautiful Martha Stewart cake made with dark brown sugar, coarse salt, and rum. Each layer is then soaked in homemade butterscotch and the whole thing is enrobed in brown butter cream cheese frosting. Then you cover the outsides in toasted pecans.
<---- Yes, this was inside of....
This. ----->
Yeah, she was a big one.
Anyways. Since the trauma of the wedding cake.... I have done a few other little things.
Dad's Birthday Cake!! Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. It was stupid good. Notice that awful icing job? This was the first thing I baked since the wedding cake. I still remember saying "I don't even care." over and over as I frosted this cake.
Classic Red Velvet Birthday Cake!! One for Tera <3 and one for Megan <3
Tiramisu. Apparently much too strong.
Momma Carmen taught me to make pie crust :)
We scratch made pecan, pumpkin, and coconut cream pies! The flakiest crust EVER.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes filled with Dulce de Leche, and frosted with Dulce de Leche Buttercream. Apparently quite sweet. o.O
Chris and Blair got married, so I made their wedding cake. 4 thick layers of dense chocolate cake filled with Nutella Buttercream.
So that's a quick little summary of my most recent baking projects! I am happy to announce that... It is officially Christmas Time!!! Who am I kidding, I changed my alarm to Christmas music at least a week ago. Looking forward to MANY baking adventures this holiday season :)
Here's a little bucket list of the must-makes:
Cuban Lunches
Christmas Macarons
Holiday Colored Peanut Butter Rice Krispies with TONS of Callebaut
Ginger Snowflakes
Aged Almond Pecan Shortbread
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Sugar Cakes
Assorted Truffles
Super Secret Decandently Delicious Mystery Christmas Dinner Dessert!!
Also. I'm off for holidays from the 14th of December all the way to the 2nd of January!! I'm SERIOUS!! This means that this Kat (ha.) is heading back to the homeland at quittin time on the 14th. Car packed. Presents wrapped. Treats in tow. Christmas playlist playing. Hair and makeup done, with a cute seasonal outfit.
Speaking of trips home... I happen to be going tomorrow! I always forget at least one thing... and I'd love to have THIS be the time I break that habit and remember EVERYTHING I planned on bringing down. Good to be back! Happy Baking :)
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