A Bushel of Fun

Oh how I love whimsical cakes and this one couldn't have been more fun to make!

 

As I walk you through this steps I used to make this fun little project, I feel the need to take a little walk down my own memory lane. 

My first cake memories are of the smiley face cakes my mother made for my twin brother and I on our third birthday and my first monogram cake in pink.  HA!  Some things never change.  Let's face it, I'm smitten with all things pink, monogrammed and made with sugar!

I met my husband on his birthday.  We were both in sales for the same company.  We met at a trade show in a small town in Alabama.  The day event ended and as fate would have it, I missed the one and only flight home.  The sales team decided we should mosey on down to the local watering hole.  As the evening progressed, we learned of my husbands birthday.  Well, we were young and I was quickly becoming my mother, so my first instinct was to rush to the store in search of a cake and candles. Sadly, it was late in the small town where we attended that trade show and the sidewalks had already been rolled up and put away.  However, this wasn't going to stop a girl in search of a proper celebration! I found an open 24 hour gas station, bought a hostess cupcake and votive candle, tipped the door attendant to let me light the candle in the club and well, the rest is history. 

Now that you have the background, I have to tell you the present:  My husband has been wanting a bushel of crabs all summer.  Alas being a native of Texas, I must say I've never really grasped the Merry-land concept of going to all the trouble to break open crabs for such a tiny amount of meat.

With that guiltily said, I thought I'd whip up a batch for his birthday.

If you've never used chocolate molds before, I highly recommend them!  They are so easy to use.  I personally prefer a good quality, real chocolate mixed with paraffin for taste, but for the sake of time I often find myself using Wilton's Candy Melts.  They are incredibly easy to melt, refrigerate quickly, pop out perfectly and come in all shapes and sizes!

 

Speaking of cake...  For this design, I baked a standard chocolate cake.  I actually made two batches because I knew for the bushel, I would need a tall stack. I baked the cake in four, 9 inch round cake pans, then crumb coated the cakes with a basic butter cream frosting.

For the base, I used a piece of cardboard cut into a circle, covered it with a washable place mat for easy clean up,, not to mention it added that cute, "crabs on a summer picnic" vibe... 


This was my first time creating a "wood design" on a cake!  I wish I had taken photos as I went along to show you the process, but frankly I thought it would be a bust... I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.

For the bushel creation, I rolled out a batch of  Wilton Fondant. I usually make my own, but again for sake of time, I chose to use this store bought version!  I was thrilled at how easy it was to use.  I measured the height and width of the cake, then cut strips for the design.  Next, I used Wilton Fondant/Gum paste tools to rough up a wood look.  I used the roller to make a rough, woody edge, then gave the wood some cuts and holes to make it look a bit more authentic.  Finally, I painted the pieces with a small amount of Wilton's Brown Gel Food Coloring mixed with are you ready for this?  A quarter cup of Vodka.  I know this sounds odd, but the alcohol evaporates as it dries..  honestly! To finish it off, I adhered the wood strips with another light coat of frosting.

Here it is!  The birthday boy should be surprised, I know I am! Who knew a cake could be this fun to make?

Do you have a favorite cake memory?  Friend me on Facebook. I'd love to see it or hear about it.

Thank you for strolling down memory lane with me..

It truly was a bushel of fun!