Thursday, February 28, 2008
Fondant Pig?
The Cake Adventures Continue!
When deciding on a plan for this cake, one recurring theme came up in our research. Fondant icing. This is the really smooth, silky looking stuff that you actually roll out with a rolling pin, then almost "wrap" the cake in. I'm never one to say no to a challenge, so deciding that fondant HAD to be part of this cake.
The only thing is, you either need to buy it premade from a fancy cake store, or you can make it yourself, but need a few wacky ingredient like glycerin and glucose which you don't just find at Loblaws! After extensive online research the conclusion was that there don't seem to be any fancy cake supply stores in downtown Toronto, so following the advice I found on a blog, I headed out to Bulk Barn way out at the far end of the Danforth subway.
Well, it was blazin' cold here yesterday, around -20 by the evening, and windy. I was't quite dressed for a long winter hike, so when I headed out of the subway station and couldn't see the mall that I was expecting in either direction, you'd think the first thing I'd do is head back into the station and ask directions...no, not me. I took a guess, and started walking...and walking...and walking. 15 minutes later, still no sign of the mall, and my face was FROZEN. So I caved in, a flagged down a passing cab and got a lift all the way back in the other direction, past the subway, up a little hill, and poof, right there - a 2 minute walk in the other direction.
Anyways, the bulk barn had everything I needed and more! About $60 more, on decorating equipment, icing colouring, fancy icing knives, the glycerin and glucose, some flavour extracts and a few cookie cutters. (this friggin cake BETTER turn out well!)
The first challenge for the night was making a Fondant Teddy Bear, following some instructions I found on YouTuber. I think my guy turned out pretty well, but i) he looks more like a pig ii) I forgot the little black candy buttons for his eyes and nose. Still, I'm pretty damned proud!
This is my fondant pig!
When deciding on a plan for this cake, one recurring theme came up in our research. Fondant icing. This is the really smooth, silky looking stuff that you actually roll out with a rolling pin, then almost "wrap" the cake in. I'm never one to say no to a challenge, so deciding that fondant HAD to be part of this cake.
The only thing is, you either need to buy it premade from a fancy cake store, or you can make it yourself, but need a few wacky ingredient like glycerin and glucose which you don't just find at Loblaws! After extensive online research the conclusion was that there don't seem to be any fancy cake supply stores in downtown Toronto, so following the advice I found on a blog, I headed out to Bulk Barn way out at the far end of the Danforth subway.
Well, it was blazin' cold here yesterday, around -20 by the evening, and windy. I was't quite dressed for a long winter hike, so when I headed out of the subway station and couldn't see the mall that I was expecting in either direction, you'd think the first thing I'd do is head back into the station and ask directions...no, not me. I took a guess, and started walking...and walking...and walking. 15 minutes later, still no sign of the mall, and my face was FROZEN. So I caved in, a flagged down a passing cab and got a lift all the way back in the other direction, past the subway, up a little hill, and poof, right there - a 2 minute walk in the other direction.
Anyways, the bulk barn had everything I needed and more! About $60 more, on decorating equipment, icing colouring, fancy icing knives, the glycerin and glucose, some flavour extracts and a few cookie cutters. (this friggin cake BETTER turn out well!)
The first challenge for the night was making a Fondant Teddy Bear, following some instructions I found on YouTuber. I think my guy turned out pretty well, but i) he looks more like a pig ii) I forgot the little black candy buttons for his eyes and nose. Still, I'm pretty damned proud!
This is my fondant pig!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Adventure!
Laura and I are heading out to the Outdoor Adventure Show today. Should hopefully be a lot of fun...we're also in theory looking to buy lifejackets if there's any good ones for cheapish.
We went to see Hayden this week out at the newly refurbished Danforth Music Hall. It was a really nice place, all theatre style seating, but with a nice classy feel. We sat in the 10th row, had a fantastic view, terrific sound...and of course Hayden was wonderful...he even played Trees Lounge!
Went out for dinner with Sara and Dave to Mezzetta, this middle eastern tapas-style place. We tried 20 different little dishes, which was fun, although generally the food was only so-so. Still fun.
It's Laura's birthday next week....need to get cracking. I want to make a fun cake for the party. I'd love suggestions!
We went to see Hayden this week out at the newly refurbished Danforth Music Hall. It was a really nice place, all theatre style seating, but with a nice classy feel. We sat in the 10th row, had a fantastic view, terrific sound...and of course Hayden was wonderful...he even played Trees Lounge!
Went out for dinner with Sara and Dave to Mezzetta, this middle eastern tapas-style place. We tried 20 different little dishes, which was fun, although generally the food was only so-so. Still fun.
It's Laura's birthday next week....need to get cracking. I want to make a fun cake for the party. I'd love suggestions!
Labels: Adventure, Cake, Hayden, Restaurants
