Cupcakes - Trees for Babies

Now, my work colleague is absolutely brilliant advertising for me, she is always doing interesting things and lucky for me most of the time they require a cake or as in this case cupcakes! She put me on to a lovely lady who required 150 cupcakes for an annual Tree for Babies event on Mothers Day. People are invited to purchase a tree in remembrance of a loved one who has passed on or just to purchase a tree as a gift for anyone. When the planting had been complete each person was allowed to grab a cupcake.  I am really glad I got the opportunity to be a part of something so special.

 The "BABY" collection.

 A lined up and ready to go. Lucky I had a large kitchen area at work to decorate them all.

 An abstract rendition of tree sprouts.

This collection represents the Keep Dunedin Beautiful logo. Although the emblem has 6 blossoms, I felt all 6 was too much for the cupcakes and left it at three blossoms. (Sorry to those who had blue tongues and lips after eating these)

Quick cakes!

A couple of weeks ago, a student of ours was called back home immediately for her awaiting position at a research company, she only had three days to organise flights, pack her bags, clean her flat and do all those things you have to do when leaving a country, I repeat three days! Within those three days I received a phone call "Sarah! can you please make two cakes for a leaving morning tea for the department? " No worries mate! On top of the 150 cupcakes I was already making I managed to bake and decorate two cakes as well. A very busy weekend indeed! The entire department pulled a wonderful morning tea together. Someone bought cupcakes, another cheese, crackers and dips. I wish we could have this every morning. It was sad to see someone leave after four years of being in the department, but these photos are something special to remember her. 

These are the end results: Cupcake blog coming up next!

Football Cake

When my work colleague asked if I could bake and decorate a cake for his football club, I jumped at the chance to strengthen my cake creativity. He asked for a football field with his clubs crest for their 125th Jubilee party.

 I received a lot of ooohs and aaaahs when I delivered but was secretly disappointed at a large crack that had appeared from the weight of the cake during my walk with it across the football field. It was hardly noticeable but to me it was heart-breaking. Safe travelling with a cake like this is so important! I had to travel with it in my car, uphilll, downhill, through roadworks and potholes, it survived the drive but not the walk!

 I started with the crest, it turned out great! I was even more impressed with it, when I was told the crest has been kept and put on the wall to remember the evening. How flattering!! I ordered a football set from Kiwicakes.co.nz. The goals and the players really made the cake "come alive".

Strawberry Shortcake Cake!

 This cake was for a 1 year old gorgeous girl, her mum requested this strawberry shortcake cake like one she had seen online. The top tier was really easy to do, to my surprise! I used a polystyrene ball bought from Spotlight, then decorated it according to the picture online. The middle tier was a dairy free chocolate cake. The cake itself was very light but moist. I used a round tin and then cut the edges, my attempt of cutting parallel edges looks a little lopsided! I am sure I will do better next time. The bottom tier was a dense chocolate cake, covered with pink fondant icing. I used an impression mat for the first time, it was a bit difficult to use so any requests for a cake with impressions would be kindly accepted so I can practice this art!
Now, in New Zealand some toys are actually hard to get, a proper strawberry shortcake doll was very difficult to find. I eventually found the perfect doll on Trademe but to my disappointment, it did not arrive in time. I ended up searching the (3) toys shops we have in Dunedin and bought a Lalaloopsie doll, which I took home and painted to resemble Strawberry Shortcake. I hope you like it!!