Birthdays are for FRUIT CAKES

I love celebrating birthdays, but too often find myself struggling over what to give as a gift.  My husband tells me I just over think things, I like to think I just put a lot of thought into it.

Finding it hard to top our Hawaiian celebration (I mean who can top Hula girl decorated water bottles, and an office decorated like Hawaii complete with leis and pink flamingo's?) just meant I had to really think outside of the box for Dr. Calls Birthday this year.  Dr. Call has been on a serious health and fitness kick, so I knew the challenge was to celebrate without ruining his hard work and Viola....the "FRUIT CAKE" was born. 

The base of the cake is constructed from some watermelon that I carved and the remaining fruit was just attached using toothpicks. It was served with yogurt fruit dip too (not pictured).  It was a hit!  Dr. Call loved his gift.  Now the wheels are spinning, I am thinking next time, chocolate dipped berries, more layers, kiwis, peaches, oh the possibilities!

Mummy Pops

So this year I have been in a funk.  I just haven't been able to make any treats or even tricks for that matter on my own (so not like me, I never would have guessed that being PTA President took so much out of you.)  I have however, ooo'd and ahhh'd over all the fun holiday things people have been doing this year.  Now I know there are tons of cake pop recipes out there, but my cute bosses wife brought these in, and they are Spooky good!  My waist line will attest to the spookiness of this particular cake pop.

1 box  cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 block of softened cream cheese
1 package white chocolate bark wax paper
M & M's

1. Make the cake according to the package directions.  After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with cream cheese.  When I made these at Easter, I liked mixing it with my fingers.
3. Roll mixture into a log shape.
4. Put in the fridge and cool for a couple of hours
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Stick a sucker stick in each cake log, dip in chocolate, be sure to tap off the extra chocolate, and lay on wax paper, place M&M's on to form eyes.  When firm, go back and drizzle more chocolate the cake logs to give the mummy his wrap effect.  Set until firm.

Look at this cake pop holder how clever!  I love fall and all the beautiful gourds and paired with this delicious treat...LOVE it!

Homemade Fondant

My new Tween had high aspirations for her Birthday cake this year, especially as she has become a fan of such TV programs as Cake Boss and the likes. My skills at cake decorating are novice to say the least. Having gone to the school of learning by doing, but having a tradition for homemade Birthday cakes, I thought I would give it a try (and have Sams club on speed dial just in case.) Not being a fan of the taste of traditional fondant my first order of business was to find a recipe for some better tasting fondant. I think I did okay. We used buttercream icing for the body of the cake and the fondant for decorating. This recipe was not too difficult, and tasted good enough that we ended up making two different cakes using the fondant. Even Mike got in on the fun, making the bow for one cake and helping to run the fondant through the pasta machine.



INGREDIENTS:
1 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 cup shortening 2 lbs powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, stir together the shortening and corn syrup. Mix in the salt and vanilla flavoring, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until it is a stiff dough. If you are using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. Otherwise, knead by hand. If the dough is sticky, knead in more powdered sugar until smooth. Store in airtight container at room temp. or in the refrigerator.
2. To use, roll out on a clean surface that has bee dusted with powdered sugar until it is 1/5 inch thick or thinner if you can. Drape over frosted and chilled cakes and smooth the sides down, or cut into strips to make bows and other decorations.

From All Recipes.com Submitted by Kelley