Sunday, March 30, 2008

Daring Baker's March Challenge - Perfect Party Cake

I was thrilled to discover the Daring Baker's site. Thinking of all the cakes and breads to be made and shared. Each month they give you a challenge, complete with a recipe and rules to follow. Everyone makes the same recipe, the same way and we all post on the same day. Too fun! And it has been very interesting to see the other entries. This month's challenge was given by Morven at Food Art and Random Thoughts. It is Dorie Greenspan's The Perfect Party Cake.
I have to admit when I signed up for this I was feeling confident in my cooking/baking skills. Believe me, I was challenged and even doubted myself a little as this cake took on a life of it's own. We were able to play around with the flavorings. I stuck to the recipe for both the cake batter and buttercream icing. The filling was black raspberry. I did not cover the cake in coconut, because the family doesn't like it. Here are pictures of the production:

The cake batter coming together

Oven ready

The two cakes in their different pans must have schemed together while in the oven. For only one of them rose enough for me to feel comfortable cutting it in half.

Making the buttercream was scary to me, not because it was necessarily hard, but because I had never made a buttercream before. And while it all began well enough, it never seemed to want to stay together. After beating what seemed like a lifetime, I began icing the cake. It iced well enough, but the consistency was not what I would have liked to do any extra decorating.

Then the stacking commenced

Here is the finished product of my first challenge!

It was very tasty, despite the flaws ;)

Thanks to the Daring Baker's for letting me participate!
For more cake entries, go HERE. You will not be disappointed, just inspired!

HAVING MY CAKE AND EATING IT TOO!
Meez 3D avatar avatars games

35 comments:

Proud Italian Cook said...

You did a great job Saralynn! Your buttercream turned out so nice, I chickened out with that, I might have to give it another try. :-D

Anonymous said...

SaraLynn, It looks awesome! Great job ;)

Working Mum said...

Hey, you're in my kitchen! (See my Good Friday post)

Cake looked scrumptious. Don't think I'd have the confidence to do it on my blog, though. Kudos to you!

RecipeGirl said...

I didn't care much for the buttercream either. The consistency wasn't wonderful, and it was just far too rich. After doing my layers with buttercream, I opted to frost the outside with whipped cream. Glad I did. We would have gone into a diabetic frenzy if we'd eaten all of that buttercream!!

Pam said...

That looks just amazing! I am coming over for a piece now! Learning to make birthday cakes and decorate, etc is something I would love to learn to do. Thanks for sharing....looks great!

artisbliss said...

Oooh buttercream. Not on my diet.

I am making your mini meatloaves and au gratin potatoes for today's dinner. I'll let you know how they tasted, but they went together great.

Marie Rayner said...

SaraLynn Your cake is fabulous!! I am most impressed. My layers didn't rise very much either. From reading some of the other posts I think it was quite a common complaint. Nevermind, it was delicious eh!

aisha said...

I love the graphic! Your cake looks like it turned out great! Way to go!

Shelby said...

Looks great Sara! Thanks for visiting my site also.

BTW, I love the little Garfield on the side of your blog. :)

Debby said...

I am impressed. My frosting never comes out. Which is why I used nutella. Perhaps a candy thermometer would help, but why spend the money? Then I wouldn't have a excuse to not do it. Three cheers to you for the job well done!

Melanie said...

That looks so yummy! I need to learn how to make cakes and do more baking!

btw- I just posted my book meme on my Livin' With Me blog.

Michelle said...

Great job on the cake and I think it looks awesome!

glamah16 said...

Saralynn welcome. Thanks for your nice comments.Your cake turned out wonderful and I love the avatar at the end chomping down on some cake.

Anne said...

Lovely cake! Well done:)

Anonymous said...

nice job! It came out really great.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Congrats on a job well done! Nice looking cake!

Sass said...

Looks like an amazing cake. My cakes don't rise like that.

Cool meez.

Unknown said...

sorry that your buttercream didnt turn out fine, but you still got a very nice looking cake, congrats!

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks delicious! Congratulations on your first challenge!

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

Looks good :-)

Deeba PAB said...

Hey Sara...that's a pretty & delicious looking cake. Am so envious of your yummy black raspberry filling. We don't get it here, & have never tasted it. The buttercream texture too is one of the best I've seen so far. Welcome to Dbs & congrats on a great first challenge my dear!!

Deeba PAB said...

O sorry...me again. Forgot to tell you that I LOVE the Garfield quote, & wish my kids slept in toasters!!! POP POP POP!!

Megan said...

Your cake looks wonderful and you rolled with the punches like a true pro. Job well done!

Y said...

Your cake looks great, despite your misgivings.

SaraLynn said...

Thank you all for the kind words!!!
This has been a wonderful first challenge for me. I have taken time to go through the blogroll and I am AMAZED and HUMBLED at the beautiful and stunning masterpieces that grace this event!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

It was enjoyed by all so that is the important thing Saralynn!!

Sarah said...

Nice job! Welcome to the DB's!

Cakelaw said...

Looks great Saralynn - I can't see any flaws, and the black raspberry preserves sound delicious.

Snug said...

I see no flaws! I think your cake looks wonderful :)

Katie said...

Your cake looks great, very tall and elegant

Half Baked said...

Your cake looks flawless to me and sounds delicious too! Nice job on the challenge!

Jacque said...

It looks positively delish!

Gretchen Noelle said...

Great job facing your first Daring Baker challenge. Welcome!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your first challenge! you did a great job.

Jaime said...

congrats on your first DB challenge! your cake looks great!