Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Normally, I would try to drum up business so I can do my Xmas shopping, but this year I'm trying to raise money so I can get myself into my own place...(or an affordable room at the very least). So, without further ado, here is my 2011 Thanksgiving Menu.

I hope something on here will tickle someone's fancy and you'll throw me an order or two!

Queenie Cakes Thanksgiving 2011

Here it is in a condensed version for all you people too lazy to click my link!

(BTW- it's $15.00 or 2 for $25)


Chocolate Mouse- Chocolate pastry crust filled with a rich milk chocolate mouse, topped with vanilla whipped cream and dark chocolate curls
Southern Pecan- A top seller every year, this bourbon infused pie is pretty, as well as delicious!
Sweet Potato- An American staple- with or without the marshmallow fluffy yumminess on top
Pumpkin- No canned recipe here. I puree my own pumpkin and blend it with cream and spices to create this traditional Thanksgiving dessert. I suggest making some cinnamon whipped cream and serving it alongside this pie.
Coconut Custard- I use a crème brulée base to make my custards. This pie will be richer, smoother, and more decadent than anything you’re going to buy in some other bakery.
Apple- Between two crusts or crumb topped, this has been my baby since the beginning. With a sweet cinnamon-spiced crust and a distinct center, my regulars order this type from me year after year.
Apple-Pumpkin – Traditional apple pie with a pumpkin butter twist! Do you love apple pie? Do you love pumpkin? Do you want a little of both, but can't decide which one to go with? Try this one! It's just a hint of pumpkin mixed in with the apples for an extra-special Thanksgiving treat! Specify a d0uble crust topping or a crumb topping. (Or a crumb topping with some crust decorations.)

Specialty Flavor for 2011

Tiramisu
Yes, I know it’s ballsy to take this traditional Italian dessert and transform it into a pie, but if anyone can do it right,  it’s me. My tiramisu base is legendary. I’ve found a way to transform that into a pie. With a “crust” of soaked lady fingers and a tiramisu filling, this sinfully new pie is topped with a dusting of only the finest Dutch processed cocoa powder. Give it a try; you may want one for X-Mas, too!

I also offer Carrot Cake Cookies- which are soft cake-like cookies sandwiched Oreo-style with a filling of cinnamon cream cheese frosting in the middle. A box 0f 16 is only $10.00.


C'mon, guys! Help a baker out!!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Masks

"As we ascend the social ladder, viciousness wears a thicker mask."
~Erich Fromm
Well, perhaps that's not the best quote to match up to this cake I made, but I just read it earlier today, and it's fitting in this age of digital social circles. Be kind to each other.

Well, I worried about it and I lost sleep over it, but I'm fairly happy with the way my pillow masquerade cake came out. What do you think? Yes, I'm aware my seam is a hot mess, but again I ran out of time and showed up an hour and half after the agreed drop off time. (What can I say? I'm having such a beast of a time trying to figure out how long my fondant work will take.) Most of it is rather smooth, except for that seam. I have two silicone molds that I've managed to employ on numerous occasions the last several years, and I think it's time I bought some new ones. Besides my offset spatula, it's one of my favorite tools in my arsenal. It's absolutely mind-blowing the things that can be done with silicone.

If you only have a few dollars to spend on some professional baking tools, I suggest a couple of silicone molds for edging. It will save you a load of time when working with fondant, and it adds a really nice finished look if you use them right. Unfortunately, a rush job made my edging look like complete shit. I'm working on it....

Other than that, check out my latest cake from yesterday. The Sweet 16 Mask Cake. Not bad considering I was working with a surgical mask on to keep my flu germs to myself. Do you see the dent right on the corner in the very front? I was going to hide that corner in the back, but it turned out to be the best side of the cake (despite the dent).

What happened was that I had the two pillow tops done and drying off to the side. My brother came by to see me and bring me some medicine and hot & sour soup. (That's a little secret to clearing out your sinus and respiratory system when you're ill. Chinese Hot & Sour soup. Since you're sick, you can't really taste it anyway, and the heat will help.) Well, he put his jacket down on the table where I had these two pillow tops. The little pillow top started leaned into the bigger one. It was too late when I realized what he had done, and I went nuts, but he apologized profusely and said he didn't know they were cakes. He swore they were just pillows. Anyway, he was trying to convince me the dent make them look more pillow-like. I beg to differ, but it was a funny story after the fact. Everyone was really impressed!