Simple Swiss Meringue – my cheater version

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I am very excited to share with you my very own Swiss Meringue buttercream... but it's far from traditional.... I LOVE a good meringue based buttercream. Be it Italian or Swiss or any other method, they're all delicious. My favourite attributes are their silky texture, their less sweet flavour and simple fresh ingredients. However, the method is always a royal PAIN. Heat the sugar, double boil your eggwhites, cool that.... sheesh... When you have to make 8-10 batches of buttercream in a weekend, you need a quick buttercream that will come together in minutes. All the time. None of this fussing around stuff. I first saw a cheater recipe over at Artisan Cake Company. Loved it. Except one thing... I still tasted a bit of the grit of the icing sugar rather the completely smooth texture of typical SMB. Then one day  I was playing around with a macaron recipe and failed at the meringue portion (must have had oil in the bowl somewhere) and almost pitched my eggwhites and sugar when I … [Read more...]

Simply lace makes it Simply stunning

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I have for a long time.. I mean a looooonnngg time been telling you about the beautiful work from Bruna of Simply Lace Photography.  When she asked me to have some fun for her mom's surprise party and gave me her colour scheme - I was hooked.  Not only does she have good taste, but she gives me free reign and then takes beautiful photographs of everything!?!??! What more could a little cake-artist ask for??? Oh right. She's sweet and lovely to work with =) So without further ado- here's how it all came together... Pretty hand painted watercolour flowers on a black and white striped cake with a gorgeous coral and blush sugar peony on top. Delicate little green wafer paper  and shimmery gold leaves to top it off.  The cake flavour is one of our big sellers, strawberry delight with vanilla swiss meringue buttercream. YUM.           Below is her sweet mamma and dad as they surprise her with their party and treats.   We HAD to make … [Read more...]

From inspiration to cake

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Ever wonder how a cake gets designed? Who makes the final call on  cake design or theme? How does it all work? Here's a little insight with a recent cake I created! Sometimes you meet with a client and they have lots of pictures of what they'd like, and it's easy to compile and create a cake sketch based on all their ideas and wishes. Other times you just get a few pointers and free rein. This can either be exhilarating and the best thing since sliced bread or a major case of writers block. It really depends on whether you enjoy the subject. When the subject is cake design being inspired is definitely key! For this cake I asked the client what she liked and she said: PURPLE!  (I need to admit that purple is probably one of my least favourite colours - shocking to some, I know - but deal with it,  I'm a aqua- seafoam/pink/white/gold fan, I also can't choose any specific favourite).  Since PURPLE doesn't really steer me down one specific path for a sixteen year olds cake, I … [Read more...]

we made the cover – you may now refer to us as a “cover girl”

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the latest edition of COCOLILY magazine has hit the preverbial/viral shelves and we couldn't be more excited. we made the cover.. uppers. we're on it. gravity defying cake, cookies and all. Check out the latest edition here, sit back with a frothy cuppa and enjoy! http://issuu.com/cocolilymag/docs/cm_vol2.no1_winter2014 … [Read more...]