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My return to work is approaching and I've been thinking about possibly baking something for my first day back. I haven't really been in a cake decorating groove since the whole cancer thing but lately have found myself perusing some of my favourite websites for inspiration. I thought it might be a nice way of thanking my colleagues for all the slack they've had to pick up in my absence.
I'm currently debating whether I would go with a cake or cupcakes. Cake tends to be a little less labour-intensive, since you don't have to individually decorate each one the way you do with cupcakes. Then again, cupcakes are easier to bring since everyone can just grab and go.
A few ideas that I'm considering:
Butterfly cupcakes. I made these once before but it was a long time ago and most of the staff are new or wouldn't remember them. I don't usually like to repeat designs but this one had such a great wow factor, I'm tempted to do it.
Sparkle cake. One of my favourite baking blogs, I Am Baker, had a Frozen-inspired cake. On the top and along the sides of the cake were sparkly "icicles" made from sugar crystals. I think I would modify this a bit but I like the general concept.
Flower cupcakes. I found this tutorial on how to make ruffled fondant flowers on Bella Cupcakes and was intrigued. It looks fairly easy - fondant isn't that hard to work with - but rather spectacular. I think I could incorporate some metallic flakes as well which could be quite stunning.
Beehive cake. I found this recipe for Honey Bee Cake from Lick the Bowl Good. I love that it's a vintage recipe. Awhile ago Home Outfitters had a beehive-shaped Bundt cake pan for sale. I didn't buy it but I was very intrigued. Partly because of my fascination with bees, and partly because it's just a beautiful and interesting shape for a cake. However, I wasn't sure how often I would use it so I passed on it. Golda's Kitchen has the Bundt pan, as well as a version that creates little miniature honey combs. Something to consider!
I'll continue to do a bit of research and look through some of my cake decorating books for inspiration. I don't want to over-do it and take on more than I can muster right now. But it would be fun to surprise everyone.
I'm currently debating whether I would go with a cake or cupcakes. Cake tends to be a little less labour-intensive, since you don't have to individually decorate each one the way you do with cupcakes. Then again, cupcakes are easier to bring since everyone can just grab and go.
A few ideas that I'm considering:
Butterfly cupcakes. I made these once before but it was a long time ago and most of the staff are new or wouldn't remember them. I don't usually like to repeat designs but this one had such a great wow factor, I'm tempted to do it.
Sparkle cake. One of my favourite baking blogs, I Am Baker, had a Frozen-inspired cake. On the top and along the sides of the cake were sparkly "icicles" made from sugar crystals. I think I would modify this a bit but I like the general concept.
Flower cupcakes. I found this tutorial on how to make ruffled fondant flowers on Bella Cupcakes and was intrigued. It looks fairly easy - fondant isn't that hard to work with - but rather spectacular. I think I could incorporate some metallic flakes as well which could be quite stunning.
Beehive cake. I found this recipe for Honey Bee Cake from Lick the Bowl Good. I love that it's a vintage recipe. Awhile ago Home Outfitters had a beehive-shaped Bundt cake pan for sale. I didn't buy it but I was very intrigued. Partly because of my fascination with bees, and partly because it's just a beautiful and interesting shape for a cake. However, I wasn't sure how often I would use it so I passed on it. Golda's Kitchen has the Bundt pan, as well as a version that creates little miniature honey combs. Something to consider!
I'll continue to do a bit of research and look through some of my cake decorating books for inspiration. I don't want to over-do it and take on more than I can muster right now. But it would be fun to surprise everyone.