Baking Tip for the day.

BAKING TIP for the day. The next time you make cupcakes and you really only need 12, not 24, fill 12 cupcake liners and the remaining batter you pour into an 8" round cake pan or smaller. When the round layer is cooled, wrap securely in plastic wrap, then heavy foil and you've got an "almost ready" dessert in your freezer.

Wilton 307-831 13 Count Cupcake Stand

Some ideas for your one layer round? Yellow cake: split horizontally (when still partially frozen) and fill with instant vanilla pudding, chocolate glaze on top= Boston Creme Pie. Or with icing it's a just-the-right size small cake for dessert.

Wilton Aluminum Performance Pans 8 by 2-Inch Round Pan

Short and sweet ;)   that's it for today !!

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

check out my latest project: 
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Hot Tub Fun !! playing with gumpaste people...

What do you do with a 9 inch square cake, a photo of 4 friends in a hot tub and gumpaste and piping gel? Unleash the creativity! Fondant, of course is a wonderful medium to play with. Shown here is a square, two tiered cake, covered in icing then chocolate fondant that has been scored and marked to look like wooden planks. The inside was partially scooped out and filled with blue buttercream icing. On top of that, clear piping gel (fantastic stuff!) tinted blue for the water effect.

Wilton Gum Paste and Fondant Student Kit

  

Featured in the hot tub are figures made of gumpaste, with fondant bathingsuits and icing hair. Fun little touches are bottles of beer. See the spilled one on the right? candles, and a towel, all made of fondant. This was my first attempt at making people out of gumpaste. I would like to experiment further to fine tune the details and continue to work with the recipe.

Not much for "how to" with this post, but just wanted to share the photo. You could easily adapt this idea to a round swimming pool and fill with just little heads bobbing around and tubes and rafts. What would YOU like to see on a cake with this great water effect?

Wilton Piping Gel, 10-Ounce

This photo and other cake and food ideas are also shown on my facebook pg.(see below)

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Edible Play-dough ! Beautiful flowers and trim!

I took a Gumpaste and Fondant class a few months ago and I'm still appreciating what I have learned. And will continue to enjoy the new skills for a long time. There are SO many beautiful creative things to be done with such a magical medium . It's sugar play-dough, basically. 

I highly recommend a nice set of the flower cutters (like cookie cutters), and the fondant/gum paste tools. If you make the flowers assembly line style, you can create a much higher volume of   flowers in a shorter amount of time. They need to dry anyway, so make ahead. I was VERY pleased to make the roses as I've always had difficulty doing them old-school on the flower nail. A little bit of arthritis and jitters from too much coffee have often prevented me from attempting too many. Not so with the gum paste! I cranked these out in a matter of minutes! It's all about working quickly and letting them dry in the proper shape. What a great concept to have leaves and flowers ready made for the next project! 

Wilton Gum Paste and Fondant Student Kit

I love the eyelet detail at the bottom. SO simple and a fun alternative to the usual shell or rope border.  A roller tool that cuts even strips and a cutter that makes the eyelet lace detail. I feel like a kid with my new toys !

Check out a Wilton class in your area. Many Michael's Craft stores offer them. Well worth the time and money. 

Wilton 1907-1107 Set of 10 Gum-Paste Modeling Tools with Storage Case

Next up... modeling people and tiny items! fun !!

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Friendship Bread

According to Wikipedia, Amish Friendship Bread is a cake-like sweet bread made from sourdough starter, a portion of which is often shared with friends in a manner similar to a chain letter. The starter is a substitute for baking yeast and is shared with friends and a portion saved out to start another cycle. 

There is nothing backing up the connection of the sweet stirred-bread to the Amish people, although the name has been taken from them. True Amish Friendship Bread is "just sourdough bread that is passed around to the sick and the needy", according to Elizabeth Coblenz, author of the syndicated column, "The Amish Cook", and member of the Old Order Amish.

Apparently the recipe first appeared on the internet around 1990, but the actual recipe is several decades old.

Farberware Bakeware 9-by-5-Inch Loaf Pan

A common recipe using the starter, also known as the Mother Bread,  suggests using one cup (240 ml) of it to start a new cycle, giving the remaining batter to friends, typically in airtight plastic bags with instructions for feeding the dough and the recipe for baking the bread on the 10th day of the cycle. 

A typical cycle involves adding or "feeding" the starter with 1 cup each (240 ml) of sugar, flour and milk every 5 days. The 10 day cycle produces approximately 5 cups of starter which must be either given away, baked (each 1 cup of starter makes 2 loaves of bread) or used to start a new cycle. Given the obvious multiplication facts, unless you want to bake ALOT of cinnamon bread, on day 10, it is best to pass it along to friends, with the option of saving one cup for yourself to start again.

The Amish Cook's Baking Book

Despite some instructions which say otherwise, according to the article in Wikipedia, the starter can be frozen for later use or if a few days delay is desired, refrigerated, which slows the fermentation process to about half. I may try this just to see how it works.

The end result is a very sweet and moist cinnamon bread. You may vary the bread slightly by adding nuts and or raisins to the batter before baking.

The bread pictured was made from a starter given to me at a workshop, and goes nicely with coffee !  Be warned: once you cut into the first loaf (it makes 2) you better freeze the second loaf or it will all be gone in a day or two depending on how many in your household or how much you can't resist. It's delicious ! 



I'd love to hear from you if you've tried the Friendship Bread. 

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Happy Baking !!

Steps To The Perfect Cupcake

A cupcake is a pretty standard thing to bake, but here are some tips to end up with a professional looking treat, taking your reviews from "oh, that must be home made, to "wow, did they come from a bakery?"



First, a cupcake liner is a must, there are SO many fun options out there. You can check out your local craft store, and on eBay, you can buy custom colors in bulk, for a special event. I found these awesome zebra/hot pink ones at the grocery store. Don't use the pastel thin ones that sometimes end up greasy and sheer, a heavier paper is a must. And with many you can even go without a standard muffin/cupcake tin.


Cupcake Creations 32 Standard Cups: Pink Zebra

Next, I recommend using a mechanical scoop to neatly measure the batter into each liner. I have all 3 sizes in stainless steel by Pampered Chef. They take prime real estate in my bakery gadget drawer.
If you fill the papers only half full, they will rise to the top of the paper and you have plenty of space for plenty of icing, and who doesn't love icing! 

Wilton 2104-7778 Master Tip Set

For a uniform professional looking swirl with your icing, I recommend the #1 M Open Star tip by Wilton. I like to use a coupler in the decorating bag for stability and the convenience of switching to a different tip with the same bag/color.

If you decide to add sprinkles or sugar, it is best to sprinkle on when icing is moist, before it sets, otherwise they won't stick. Ice several, then sprinkle, then move on to the next ones and repeat. Sprinkle over a bowl and you can reuse the ones that fall off. No waste. Less is more when it comes to sprinkles and sugar, you're looking for an accent of color.

I save the sturdy plastic trays that party platters come on, as seen above, (including the domed lid) Wash in hot sudsy water, remove or cover the sticker, and you have a perfect presentation container for your next bake sale or away from home casual party. No need to worry about leaving your favorite container or plate. 

And of course, always always always make your frosting from scratch. Leave the tub-o-plastic icing at the grocery store. Wilton's, Buttercream is a no-fail favorite. Whip until light and fluffy and smooth preferably with a quality stand mixer. (see my post on my 20+ yr. faithful companion) and finally, NEVER, use margarine...or spreadable plastic as I like to say, ALWAYS use real butter!

Cupcakes 'N More Dessert Stand-Holds 23 Cupcakes 1

 Experiment with flavors, a touch of vanilla and a hint of almond is a nice combination. Substitute orange juice for the  cream or milk and you have a delightful citrus icing. (garnish with orange zest?) Or how about peppermint extract , a drop or two of red food color to make a pale pink icing and top with crushed candy canes, on a chocolate cupcake..divine! 

If you'd like to see more cupcake and cake ideas, check out my facebook page, Party Hostess Diva. I'm also on Pinterest, as Elizabeth Corbett. 

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz

see my latest project at this link:
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4



Happy Baking !!

My Faithful Companion of 20+ years

The longer a companion is faithful to you through thick and thin, the more you cherish them. MY diehard faithful companion of over 20+ years is my dear KitchenAid stand mixer, affectionately known as Betty. (yes, inspired by none other than Betty Crocker) We've been through alot together. As we measure years and events and occasions for human companions, I look back with fondness and appreciation for the confections this workhorse of a mixer has helped me create. She's not the biggest of the available models, but strong like an ox, just the same. Pictured, is the exact model I own.

I started adding up just the cakes I've made that I could remember (many of which are documented by cherished photos) over the last 20+ years and here's what I came up with:

10 wedding cakes (3 tiers each ) 4 large Anniversary cakes, 5 Graduation cakes, at least 20 Holiday cakes and a minimum of 65 custom Birthday cakes. Now add in how many recipes of rich Buttercream icing it takes to cover that many cakes...approximately 165 individual icing recipes in case you're wondering. (NOTHING whips up that icing like my girl) Not to mention MANY other cakes for bake sales, school events, Girl Scout events, and don't even get me started on cookie dough!

Check out Betty's sister; bigger and stronger, from Amazon (aff) 

KitchenAid KP26M1PSL Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Silver

Another way my Betty has been faithful to me is in the making of bread dough. The dough hook

is fantastic for this..no messy hands, or strained arms. And how about a clean hands version of meatloaf? I mean, who likes to handle raw ground beef? ick, not me! I toss in the ground beef and ingredients and the mixing paddle takes care of the rest, dump into a pan and shape with a spatula, and tadah! you're done! What to do with the whisk attachment? Quiche, whipped cream and meringue, to name a few.

Now you may wonder if I'm getting a commission from KitchenAid for sharing all this, but I'm not. (THAT would be nice, if any KitchenAid people are reading) I just think that when you have experience with a fantastic product you want to share with others and steer them in the right direction if they are considering what to get. How many inferior stand mixers have you been through? How many hand held mixers are rattling around in the bottom of kitchen drawers? My Betty girl has been on my counter top at the ready, since day one. It's just so easy to have her right there and ready to go.

As we gals get on a little in years we learn alot of things. One of those things is that QUALITY matters. So for me....I prefer; MY man, true girlfriends, gold, sterling silver, diamonds, top shelf drinks and good coffee to name a few and of course, my partner in the kitchen, Betty.


Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

High Heeled Diva Cupcakes! Zebra Purse!

What better way to celebrate a monumental birthday for a classy lady, than to create high heeled shoes in red and black/zebra! Believe it or not, they are CUPCAKES, from the book, "Cupcakes, cookies and Pie, oh, my!" Click here to get your own copy at Amazon (aff)  at a great price! ( Cupcakes, Cookies and Pie, Oh, My! ) by Karen Tack  and Alan Richardson. I was surprised at house easy they were to construct and the results were SO cute and delicious!

The zebra purse cake was constructed in a very small amount of time, but completed nonetheless with the help of a fantastic new product by Wilton called Sugar Sheets. (the zebra design) Click here to get your own at Amazon (aff)  (Wilton Sugar Sheet, Zebra Print ) I've made zebra fondant by hand, but this you just press on to a moist cake...HELLO, how simple and TIME saving is that!

Gold decorator powder moistened with a drop of vodka (yes you read that right) turns into shimmery gold paint for the hardward on the cake, in this cake it's a designer "Norma" bag.(Happy Birthday, Norma!)

Had there been more time, I would have fixed a few details, but if you can't tell, then neither will I . :)

I highly recommend the cupcake book. Something for every occasion. Cupcakes are the new rage..and why not? No need to cut and serve and you're not making a commitment to decorating a huge cake. Just do as many as you like. Warning...you'll want to make a whole bunch!

I hope this has inspired you to consider at least the shoes for any Diva's in your life..all you need is to pick the shoe color, cupcake liners, colored sugars and details and off you go!

For an up close shot of the shoes, go to my Facebook page: Party Hostess Diva.

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4



Happy Decorating!