My first fondant Cake

This is the day when I decided to make a fondant cake, my huge interest in baking pushed me to go big and jumped into a not so basic cake making, I moved to a new place on my own and trying to fix things at home in preparation of my wedding this Nov 2011. My fiance will be joining me to work and live here in the Emirates by August 2011.

I bought baking tools, mostly the basic ones and most importantly is that i bought a gas range for the first time. My electricity is FREE so i can enjoy using my oven as much as I wanted to.

Today is the first day and first time to attempt baking a cake. I attack doing a fondant and guys feel free to comment but I feel like for a non experienced cake baking hobbyist like me I did a job well done.

This is a mix of chocolate and vanilla cake topped with self hand made fondant out of mashmallow (recipe to follow) and a dozen of vanilla cupcakes topped with decorated fondant. I did the whole process for 2 days and gave as a gift to my colleague Hatem.

Enjoy Baking!!! 

Loves, Miss A

First Baked Cake

Hi ALL!

This is how I kick off my passion in baking. 

Chocolate Cake 

source:  Hershey's Chocolate Cake With Frosting

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

1
CAKE DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2
Combine dry ingredients in large bowl.
3
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.
4
Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.
5
Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

6

Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" round pans.

7

Bake 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. But if your baking cupcakes with the same recipe 25 mins will do. 

I still remember how I use the oven for the very first time of my life, my very brand new electric gas range.

With my newly bought and first ever 9" pan.

8

Cool 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks and cool completely.

9

Frost with "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting.

10

For a perfect texture i usually keep the cake overnight at the fridge, I cover it with the sealed plastic and aluminum foil and the following day it is quite perfect to spread the icing. See how it looks like after removing the underneath parchment paper. 

FOR THE FROSTING

1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine

2/3 cup cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FROSTING DIRECTIONS: 

Melt butter.

Stir in cocoa.

Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency.

Add more milk, if needed.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE RECIPE: 

source: Georgetown Cupcake's Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

Ganache

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Direction:

Lay a large piece of wax paper on the work surface.

Combine the heavy cream and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. 

Fill a medium saucepan with an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat. Place the bowl over the saucepan and let the mixture melt, stirring until it is shiny and smooth.

Remove the bowl of chocolate ganache from the saucepan; let it cool slightly, for 2-3 minutes.  

I really enjoyed my first baking experience to my new home sweet home with my friend bernadine. I am counting the adys and months till i get married this  november, at least i was able to start my passion before i'll get hitch. 

Enjoy Baking!

Loves,

Miss A