Pop! Goes my Cake.

Planning a party is one thing - planning a party AND doing catering is another kettle of fish altogether - and was definitely my biggest challenge (as well as working full time, managing a business - oh and performing in a local production of Chess!). So without further ado - here is Part 1 of our Tea Party recipe collection: Cake Pops.

(Oh and thanks to one of my favourite Hugh Grant films "Music and Lyrics" for the title inspiration!)

CAKE POPS

I've yet to find a Brisbane cake-maker that can make professional quality cake pops (Do you know of one? Let me know!) - in fact it's hard to find anyone in Brisbane who has even HEARD of cake pops, so I knew it was up to me.

Cake Pops are ridiculously easy to make but ridiculously hard to make WELL. Firstly - if you're not aware of Bakerella's blog - do yourself a favour and get acquainted with it NOW!

Here are some instructions aimed at Australian readers:

Ingredients/Resources:

1. 1 x packet Greens chocolate mud cake (I've found this the best cake to work with)
2. 3/4 can of pre-made Betty Crocker frosting (chocolate works well for me)
3. 1 1/2 - 2 packets of Wilton's Candy Melts.
4. Styrofoam block
5. Lollipop sticks (I get mine from eBay - they're so cheap!)
6. Sprinkles or other decorations.


A word on the Candy Melts - these are becoming easier to find in Australia now - Little Betsy Baker has them in practically every colour for around $10.50. Check out eBay also - various cake makers sometimes sell their leftover stock there a little cheaper. We spotted them in Spotlight the other day too - in pink, blue and choc-mint - again for $10.50.

Method:

1. Bake your cake and leave to cool. 
2. Break cake into halves and rub together into a bowl to form fine crumbs - there should be no lumps at all.
3. Scoop out frosting and stir through. You might also need to use your hands (although beware - this is VERY tasty!)
4. Roll into balls the size of chupa-chups. Any bigger and they'll fall off the stick - in my experience anyway. You SHOULD have 50 or so, depending on how many you've eaten off your hands!
5. Place onto a tray and pop into the freezer for an hour or so.
6. Melt candy melts in the microwave (low heat) or over a pot of simmering water. Be careful not to overheat- I've done this - it's not pleasant. Stir thoroughly to eliminate all lumps.
7. Stir in a little oil to thin mixture out a little (there are other thinning agents you can use - but oil works for me - just not too much or you can taste it).
8. Take a few cake balls out at a time. Dip a lollipop stick into the melted candy mixture (about an inch), and push into the centre of the ball. I tend to prep about 5 with sticks before I move onto the next step but it's up to you. 
9. Lower the cake ball (on the stick) into the melted mixture and wriggle it around to get even coverage. Try to avoid spinning the stick - unless you want to risk it falling apart. Lift it out and stick into the Styrofoam block. You have about 5 seconds to decorate with sprinkles before it hardens!
10. Repeat - another 49 or so times. I didn't say it wasn't time consuming!

Bakerella has the BEST decorating ideas on her blog - I am a mere pleb in the world of cake-pop making. But the ones I have made have been received very well and are super SUPER yummy!

Laura's 11th "Unbirthday" Party

My daughter Laura is the "luckiest girl in the world". Or so she keeps telling me, after her 11th birthday party, held on Sunday the 15th of November, 2010.

She is mildly obsessed with Alice in Wonderland (in every incarnation - animated and Tim Burton alike), so we decided to put on a small tea-party for her and a small group of close friends. You can bet that it was the talk of the class the next day!

I'll be doing several posts over the next few days with recipes and how-to guides - however here are the main photos of the day - with a vendor list at the bottom.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed creating the event!

Invitation created with Photoshop and printed on white cardboard, w/rounded corners. 

Ribbon chandelier with a selection of blue and white lanterns waved gently in the breeze. White/covered chairs tied with blue sashes (with exception of Mad Hatter and Red Queen's chairs - tied with brown silk sashes). A mixture of scattered cushions were provided for non-padded chairs.

 Red and white feather butterflies dotted with red and white spotted mushrooms adorned the chairs.

 A splash of Laura's favourite colour accented the table. Lavender feather butterflies were hot-glued onto wires, and placed into flower arrangement with red and white spotted mushrooms.

 Lavender felt candle-holders also gave a lovely splash of colour.

 White lace trimmed with red heart ribbon, lined the table.

 

Photo taken during setup. 

Red "jelly shots" with blue/red heart motif on "Drink Me" labels.

 Ribbon sandwiches with blue/red heart motif on "Eat Me" labels.

 The Red Queen (played here by local Brisbane actress - Erin Grigull) sat in her rightful place at the head of the table!

A selection of "Alice in Wonderland" inspired games were played including Croquet, Mad Tea Cups, 52 Pick-up and Card Toss. The birthday girl is pictured here with the Red Queen and the Mad Hatter.

 A variety of drinks were served including Red Queen lemonade and Mad Hatter iced tea.

Red and blue themed dessert table complete with ribbon chandelier, flag bunting, cupcakes, assorted lollies, cake pops and red heart cookies!

White chocolate (and peanut butter) spiders were a hit!

 Blue cake pops and red heart cookies (neither lasted long!)

 

Vanilla and buttercream frosted cupcakes with red hearts for the birthday girl!

Assorted lollies in red and blue were displayed in small vintage-inspired jars.

 Guests were able to take home leftover lollies in their very own lolly bag at the end.

 The Mad Hatter (played by talented Gold Coast actor/writer Gareth Gredig), enjoying a cupcake.

The happiest 11 year old you ever did see.

Vendor List.

Moonlight & Whimsy

 

Feather Butterflies - ($7.50/pkt 5)

Spotted Mushrooms - ($7.50/pkt 10)

Lanterns -  ($2.95 - 20cm/$5.45 - 35cm)

Lavender Felt Candle Holders -  ($5.00 pkt 4)

Connecting Mini Hearts Diecut Ribbon (Red) -  ($7.95/9m)

Blue/White Cupcake Wrappers - ($13.95 pkt 12)  

Moonlight & Whimsy Hire (Email for prices)

Sashes

Throw cushions 

Wooden chairs (white)

Assorted teacups (floral)

Assorted vintage-inspired candy jars (clear glass)

White 2 Tier Cake Stand

Other Suppliers:

Flag Bunting: Giggleberry Creations (custom design - contact for prices)

White Paper Favour Bags: Candy Soirees (50c each)

Candy Melts (Cake Pops & Cookies): Little Betsy Baker - $10.50 (pkt)

Mini White Nonpareils (Cake Pops): Little Betsy Baker - $5.95 (pk)

Assorted Confectionery - Tom's Confectionery Warehouse  (assorted prices)

Fabric offcuts/ribbon: Spotlight

Whimsical Wedding: Sarah and Alan

When this Wedding hit my inbox, I was in love! Sarah and Alan's wedding was a beautiful example of how your special day doesn't have to cost the earth to be memorable. You just infuse some originality into it - and top with a smattering of personality and a sprinkle of fun - and you have this laid back, imaginative and whimsical event.

Sarah and Alan
Byron Bay Surf Club
 7 March, 2010

Sarah and Alan tried to make the wedding as personal as they could - as well as relaxed, informal and memorable for their guests who had travelled to be there. They kept things simple by marrying at the Surf Club with a budget-friendly but spectacular backdrop.

Place settings (which also served as favours) were love hearts made from seeded paper that could be planted afterwards as a memento of the day. They also handed out "Lucky in Love" envelopes with a $2 scratchie, making for a low-budget but effective talking point. The wedding "car" was a 1646VW Kombi and Sarah's flowers were simple white daisies that she styled herself.

Sarah is from Melbourne and Alan hails from Griffith, NSW. They met online and he proposed over a burger at The Rails pub in Byron Bay while she was four months pregnant! Their 50-guest wedding was about their new family, including Alan's 6 year old daughter and Archie who was born in August, 2009.  "We wanted relaxed, informal and very personal" Sarah says. "It had to reflect us."

Sarah and her mum planned everything to the letter, however a day-of co-ordinator was hired to ensure the smooth running of the event so the newlyweds could enjoy their day.

"We were overwhelmed by the feedback in our guestbook" Sarah mentions, some of which included:


"So much love in the room!"
"A beautiful family."
"A stunning backdrop and beautiful vows"
"Lots of Sarah's personal touches throughout the day".

It's the personal touches that made this wedding - and indeed any wedding - so amazing.

Sarah's dress was made especially for the day by The House of Hinton. "As I gave birth 7 months prior I needed something that was flattering for post-baby tummy and also not too difficult for emergency breastfeeding!" she says. The dressmaker took one look at her and knew she'd be perfect for a Spanish designer gown she had always wanted to emulate, and it was perfect for the style of wedding that Sarah had in mind.

Sarah's step-daughter was the only flower girl, and wore a simple dress of white and gold.

 

Sarah found it hard to choose a favourite memory from the day, but says if she had to choose one, it would be "walking down the aisle to the Blue Hulas singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' island-style and seeing my husband's face."

A gourmet BBQ was served on the deck, with a dessert/lolly buffet providing all things sweet for their guests. Sarah and Alan opted for a wedding "cheese" in place of a cake, which was then serviced with biscuits and figs and the night was topped off with milk and cookie shots and home made limonello.

Congratulations Sarah and Alan - and thank you for sharing your special day with us!

Vendors: 
Venue: Byron Bay Surf Club
Dress: The House of Hinton
Photography: Jeremy Heffernan of Conception Design


Sarah loved styling her wedding so much that she has started her own business!
Visit her at www.itsasweetlife.com.au