This is grandson`s wedding cake made just over a year ago. The bride was quite specific – she wanted `parcels` and the colour was to reflect the colour of Simon`s paratrooper beret (he is in the army)
And this is a Silver Wedding Anniversary cake I made for a friend a couple of years ago.
For many years now I have been making celebration cakes – Christening, wedding, engagement and special birthdays – mainly for the family. It amuses me now to see shops dedicated to cake decorating – in my early days I can remember travelling to London and going into the haberdashery department of a large store to buy some millinery wire for the sugar flowers – it wasn`t very suitable as it was too thick.
It started when I was living in Oxford and I bought a book on Sugar Paste by an Australian. I was fascinated by the technique as royal icing always defeated me. I had to buy all the ingredients and mix the sugar paste by hand and then make a similar mixture with a few additives to stiffen it up to model the flowers.
I think my first `commission` was for a Professor in Oxford who was retiring – he was an expert on Roman architecture. I made a sort of Forum with pillars and mouldings and a lovely pediment onto which I piped cavorting figures – my friend looked it over when I`d finished and protested that the figures were naked – `Of course!` I replied – `they were in those days.` I delivered the cake with strict instructions to watch out for the ornamental vases on each corner of the roof as they were wired on (yes, the millinery wire) and I didn`t want anyone choking at the party.
Another grandson is getting married in June this year and I did offer to make their cake – after quite a long delay, his fiancée wrote me a lovely letter back thanking me but saying a friend of hers had already offered to make the cake for her – she hoped I wasn`t offended. Offended? Whew! I was so relieved. I think perhaps my days of making elaborate wedding cakes have ended.
I’m not a cake baker myself but have some friends and relatives that are. Tell me, what do you think of this fondant stuff? I mean it seems like you can do anything with it and it’s a lot safer than millinery wire but do you think the flavor and texture is as pleasing as frosting?
I personally prefer it to frosting. As it can now be bought ready made perhaps it would be best to buy a small quantity, try it and if you like it, buy more! I do know it varies from maker to maker. Of course you can always make your own! Thank you for visiting my post and for your interest.
Thanks for answering my question. I find that interesting. I’m not baking any cakes, I promise you I was just wondering what your take was on it.
My daughter and I took cake decorating classes several years back. Oh, I did love it and made so many special cakes that I was proud of but that certainly provided a certain amount of stress. These days my daughter makes the special cakes for the grandkids, and she does a great job. I can still make a mean decorated cupcake or a special gingerbread house.
I`ve never tried a gingerbread house but that`s an idea!
Those are lovely creations, Anne!
Thank you Shail – I am fine once I make a start but always quake a little beforehand at the thought.
Wow, those cakes are too pretty to eat. You are such a talented lady….and here I thought your artwork was confined to two dimensions–silly me! I bet those pieces of art were tasty, too!
Thank you – the cakes do taste good I must admit – at christenings the children used to queue up for seconds and sometimes thirds (I suspect it was the alcohol I used!)
Starting them young, I see! So that’s the secret…
You decorate cakes?! Or, maybe that should be, is there ANYthing you don’t do well? Beautiful cakes, Anne — you’re a very multitalented lady!
Oh Becky – I can`t sing!!!
I have a voice like a corncrake. My kids used to promise to go to sleep if I promised not to sing to them and the cats used to put their paws in their ears!
Lol, well it would not have been fair to the rest of us had you been given ALL the talent!