Momma Told Me: Simple Steps To Beautiful Cakes- #CakeMyDay 25 Winner Giveaway

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Simple Steps To Beautiful Cakes- #CakeMyDay 25 Winner Giveaway

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Sweetworks. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic.
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
Momma Told Me: Practice Makes Perfect!

Some people call me a baker- I refer to myself as a dessert innovator. Even long before Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars were 'things' I found myself deconstructing sheet cakes and using rice krispies treats for 3-dimensional birthday cakes. I've made king kong, a pizza, a club sandwich, a bottle of Jack Daniels, a hamburger, ice cream cone cakes, a massive cupcake, and most recently the Reese's Cups cake. In fact, I have made my father a unique food themed cake for his birthday 10 years running, and usually start planning 6 months or more before the actual day. Yes I plan, and planning is so very delicious because, above all things, I intend for my edible art to be edible (not full of chalky fondant or cardboard rods) and only ever use edible elements for my creations. That means lots of trial and error and 'practice cakes' in the weeks leading up.
Reese's Cup Cake
For my favorite cake, the Reese's Cake, I actually hand molded 2 8" Reese's Cup cakes with chocolate ganache, brownie cake and homemade peanut butter filling. Then I used the butt end of a sheet cake to help 'fluff' my fondant wrapper, and made a mock cardboard sleeve to set my cups in. A little hand piping on the top and viola, the spitting image of the beloved candy! While I usually innovate my own cakes, there are a lot of techniques and ideas I see online and in stores I wonder how to replicate in my own kitchen. And that's where the brand new Cake My Day book comes in. I recently had a chance to check out an advance press copy and holy smokes! you must pre-order this book whether you are a curious kitchen tinker or professional cake artist, the tips and tricks are priceless!
#CakeMyDay book #Sponsored
From the authors of the best-selling Hello Cupcake book, #CakeMyDay is a collection of hundreds of unique cake concepts and design ideas with step-by step techniques and tutorials. And there are even a few cake-master secret tips in there too (in case you are a strictly original cake creator.) Inside you'll learn how to properly level a cake, how to build 3-dimensional cakes from basic sheet and round cakes, frosting texture techniques, secret patterns and so much more! To help show you the world of possibilities the Cake My Day book opens up I've created what I call a 'technique cake,' where I've practiced a few different cake tricks. Consider it a dry run for future cakes where I'll incorporate the tricks individually.
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
For my first technique I wanted to play with the 'melted crayon' technique that seems to have taken the web by storm. I'm always up for making a mess and playing with colors so I was sure to start with a beautifully frosted white cake. Next I took 5 ounce of white melting chocolate, 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, and 2 TBS corn syrup and nuked them in the microwave together for 30 seconds. After a good stir the mixture went back into the microwave for an additional 20 seconds, then was split into 6 small bowls where I proceeded to color each portion with candy coloring. Be sure you are using confection color specifically for confection or your chocolate will seize and it will be game over.
I could have stopped pouring colors after a single run and been quite happy with the rainbow finish of the cake but I wanted even more 3D texture and continued to overlap the drips until all of my ganache mixtures were gone. The end result was a bit more like a pile of melted wax or a very intense oil painting. Next time I think I'll add a teaspoon of shortening to help thin the mixture and create more of a watercolor effect- though the thick 'wax' texture of this recipe sure turned out pretty cool!
The melted crayon technique proved to set quite quickly. Taking a page (or several) from the Cake My Day book I decided to replicate an Argyle pattern with some colored Sixlets and chocolate Ovation Sticks from Sweetworks.net. Sweetworks sells many of the decorating staples used in the Cake My Day book and several of their bulk products can be used over and over across many of the book's designs and techniques so I highly suggest ordering the 14oz Sixlets bags and such when beginning a big cake project.
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
Because a cake covered in a rainbow of melting crayons wasn't quite enough I decided to try my hand at creating an Argyle Spring pattern with Irish Cream Ovation Sticks and brightly colored Sixlets chocolate candies. The Ovation sticks snapped/broke quite easily where I intended them to break and this was done fairly easy by hand and eye with no real planning. However, any proper cake designer would truly appreciate the official tips and tricks for a flawless Argyle cake design found in the Cake My Day book.
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
As if my cake wasn't a big enough eye sore already, I had thrown a special surprise on the inside- the actual cake itself. Cake My Day has several tips and tricks for putting patterns inside your cake (from polka dot to leopard) and even the most inexperienced of bakers can pull off a surprise cake with their tutorials. Of course you may remember I've also shared my own tips for making a polka dot cake on this popular post, as well. The technique for this style surprise cake is  bit different than the spots in Cake My Day's leopard sample cake, so I'm especially looking forward to getting my hands on the hard copy of the book to try that one out too!
Argyle, Polka Dot, Melted Crayon abstract cake. #CakeMyDay #Sponsored
So if all these colors and sweets haven't inspired you to get in the kitchen and pro order the Cake My Day book, I really don't know what will....Wait, I do! We're teaming up with 24 other bloggers to share original Cake My Day inspired creations AND 25 chances at winning your own Cake My Day Sweetworks prize bundle! That's right, we're going to send 25 of you a digital copy of this amazing book and a box full of candies used to create the amazing cakes inside it! Be sure to keep on reading to hear how you can enter and hop along to another delicious creation!

What Daughter Says: If only all of life's practice rounds were this delicious!





25 bloggers have teamed up to each offer a $50 Sweetworks candy and Cake My Day prize bundle, that's $1250 in prizes up for grabs! Each blogger is hosting their own giveaway so after you enter ours below be sure to follow the linky and hop onto the next blog!
Sweetworks Cake My Day Prize Package

70 comments:

  1. This is such a rock star cake Jenna. Love it! I really love the argyle look. So fun.

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  2. The feature most interesting to me is learning of all the different designs for cakes.

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  3. I likethe fun and easy designs you can do. I find it challenging sometimes trying to come up with that perfect idea of a cake that i know would come out looking right.

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  4. I love the melted crayon effect. I must be behind the times as I've not seen that before. It looks really cool. Rather like caramel. I love the bold, bright colors - like a rainbow exploded. It makes me happy.

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  5. I think that it’s interesting that the recipes and instructions only require every day bowls, pans and measuring cups according to the description. I think that’s great.

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  6. The falling rainbow of colors down the side make me drool and want the eat that delicious cake! I love the way you made the colored dots on the inside too!

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  7. WOW!!! I must have this book so that I can make amazing cakes too!!!

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  8. This really takes talent. I am lucky if the cake doesn't stick to the pan!

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  9. I love your cake. I need to try that melted crayon effect.

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  10. WOW!!! LOVE your cake! And, as far as this book, I love that the recipes are so simple, so I can try them and not feel intimidated!

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  11. Sixlets have always been one of my favorite candies. I love how the book explains -- with colorful illustrations -- exactly how to use Sixlets to create beautiful designs.
    Dede

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  12. That cake is amazing! I love how you took the Sixlets and made them look like they were running down the side of the cake. Yum!

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  13. I like the whole chapter on using Sara Lee Pound Cake.

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  14. I am really excited that it is a book which starts with cakes and not cupcakes. I don't have the patience for cupcakes, and I really admire the folks that do!

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  15. Easy recipes, and the use of the Sara Lee pound cakes is genius. Makes it easy for everyone.

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  16. I love the oxo grip tools they have to help you decorate your cake

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  17. I like the step by step instructions. I also like how easy it looks to decorate with candy.

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  18. Could there be anything better than a cake topped with frosting AND candy? Answer: NO!

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  19. I like the beautiful photos and ideas to make unique cakes. i wodul love to make the boot cake for that special man.

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  20. I almost got that crayon effect with my frosting without even trying. Love the combination of effects in your cake. I do love this book and can't wait to try more of the techniques inside.

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  21. Just WOW you never cease to amaze me! Your photos, your talent, so unreal! Great work!

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  22. Loving the recipes they look great

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  23. I like all of the pictures of recipes.

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  24. I love the variety of looks that this book shows! I love throwing bday parties for my boys so this will give me more ideas!

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  25. I love all the decorating ideas.

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  26. I like the many different designs and ideas that you can use for any occasion.

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  27. I love the beautiful pictures!

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  28. I love the pictures of their cakes. I would love to be able to make cakes this beautiful

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  29. I also love to play with cake shapes (I made a cake in the shape of a bowl of spaghetti once!) but this book piqued my interest with its creative ideas.. mpapetti@live.com

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  30. I love the easy recipes. Can't wait to try the tabby cat cake. (Laura DeLuca)

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  31. I love the Sara Lee Pound Cake gift certificates, the Work Boot Cake from Cake My Day!

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  32. I'm excited about the Sara Lee pound cake chapter and the variety of cake designs.

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  33. I like that my sister who makes a lot of cakes for friends parties could find some great designs using the sixlets

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  34. I love all the creative ways to use the candies and pearls.

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  35. I truly can't believe how AMAZING these photos are. I know I tell you this all the time, but this is my favorite!! What a fun cake. I need to make one like this for my daughter's birthday. I'd love this book for inspiration!

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  36. I am excited about all the beautiful cakes I can even as a novice. YOUR PICTURES ARE AMAZABALLS

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  37. I love the barnyard cakes - I can't wait to try the goat cake again.

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  38. Love your cake - so bold and beautiful.

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  39. I love that there are great photos. I am the type that needs a good picture of what the end result is supposed to looks like.

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  40. I love the idea of using pound cake as a decorating base

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  41. My favorite feature of the book is that you don't need fancy kitchen utensils or pans in order to create most of the recipes.

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  42. My favorite part of the book is that i can make these cakes with the instructions. They are all so stunning from the pictures I have seen.

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  43. I love the odd recipes like the Waffle House. It's so much cuter than a traditional gingerbread house!

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  44. All the ideas and tips are so helpful.

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  45. I'm most excited about the photos! I'm not a great cake decorator so I'm sure mine won't turn out as beautifully as yours and the author's, but I'd love to try!

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  46. I really like that they include designs and tips for people of all skill levels.

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  47. I like that you can use sixlets to decorate.

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  48. Pictures! I hate a cookbook that doesn't have enough images, so this is GREAT!

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  49. I like that there is a whole chapter on using store bought pound cake so I don't have to worry about my lacking baking skills and can just decorate.

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  50. I love how creative they get with candy.

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  51. I love that they give such detailed instructions on how to use the candies to make such unique and beautiful cakes.

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  52. All of the unusual cakes excite me -- although I'm not sure I could ever pull one of them off!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  53. I am most excited about learning to use the Sara Lee pound cake as a base for a decorative cake.

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  54. I like that it has step by step instructions.

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  55. I love that it has a section for using pound cakes to make decorating faster.

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  56. I like that it includes colorful illustrations of the cakes and that you can create the confections with everyday kitchen tools. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  57. I love all of the ideas and tips and tricks! I love the idea of having no idea what I'm doing, but still ending up with a professional finished product!

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  58. My favorite thing about the book is that the authors don't make you feel like you have to be an expert baker to make a cake that looks fabulous!

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  59. I love the whole idea of using the candy to add texture and design to the cake.

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  60. I love all the great decorating ideas the book has!

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  61. I love all of the designs. So creative. I love the candy and cookie crown cake.
    heymissvirginia at embarqmail dot com

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  62. I like that they have a seasonal section in the book

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  63. I'll be the 1000th person to tell you today...........but wow....are you talented!!! You've inspired me to bake something this weekend!!

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  64. I love all the awesome designs! SO cool!

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  65. I like how I don't have to bake from scratch to make these amazing designs

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  66. It’s so full of color and energy and fun! I like the graphic in it because it presented the recipes just like a magazine layout.

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  67. I like the step-by-step instructions to create the cakes.

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  68. Nicole Carter (Weasley)March 27, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    It looks to have a very informative recipe section! Something I could do!

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  69. Love the many themes and how simple it is

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  70. I like that they have a lot of pictures so I can see what the cakes 'should' look like.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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