Cake, cake, CAKE

So, I started a cake decorating class on the first... and found out that our 'homework' is quite the job! We had to make and prep a cake for decorating, as well as bring all our icing already colored and ready for work. Not to mention practice icing.

So, on Saturday I baked two batches of never fail chocolate cake. I wrapped them once they had cooled and stored them in the fridge. Monday I decided to get these cakes cut, layered, and iced.

The cakes were ready, but the filling was not. I quickly whipped up some cooked vanilla pudding and was devastated to find it not thickening. Not one for patience, I cooked it longer, then put it outside to cool a bit before refrigerating it as well. Should have done that on Saturday or Sunday. Now I know for next time.

The icing was colored and everything was ready to go but that cake. Now that I could finally start on it, start I did! We were supposed to make our cake into four layers... for practice, our teacher had told us. That is a lot of filling, folks. The entire box of vanilla pudding was put into that cake.


I was impressed with how well I was able to cut the cakes in half. And a tip... when baking a cake, put a pan of water in the oven underneath it to help it rise more evenly so you don't have to cut off the top 'domed' area. Less waste of cake (although I guess it never really gets wasted, does it?).

It took me forever to ice the thing, and then I didn't like how it wasn't smooth enough and would try again, only to find it looking worse each time I tried again. I gave up after awhile and it ended up looking like this. I was able to smooth the top a little more, though, which was more important to me anyway.

In class we learned a whole lot of stuff... which meant less time for decorating... which meant I had to finish when I got home. I did the rainbow in class, and the white stuffs at home. I'm very impressed with my work! I got the stars mostly close enough (there were a few gaps here and there) but for having never successfully made a 'star' before, I felt really impressed with it!

And the 'Happy Day' was going to be "Happy Spring" or Easter or something... but I didn't have room... ha ha. I was feeling a little rushed near the end and didn't anticipate the space needed. Ah well, happy day it is!

And here is the finished cake! It is also my Project 365 photo for day 280. I'm loving how it looks!

Now I wish to freeze it so it can be brought to a gathering that I need to bring a dessert to anyway. Nothing like getting two birds with one stone!