Where have I have been? 4/15/10

WOW!!! It has been a while since I've been here last. You all have probably been wondering if I'm ever coming back to post again. I have been so busy lately at home and just doing things around the house that I haven't had the chance to bake. The hubby has been dieting as well (not so happy about that) I mean, I'm not happy 'coz I can't bake as much, I am happy that he's trying to lose weight :-)

The last thing I made was some cake balls for a Firemen's Banquet I was giving away as a door prize. There was a lot of disappointed faces that night, those who didn't win :-( I felt bad.

So I made a mini plate with 2 dozen cake balls.

I also made 3 boxes with 8 cake balls.

It was a hit and everyone loved it, well to those who actually had some. LOL!

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Smooth cake ball (VIDEO) 4/3/10

Hi everyone!

I have a few of you that have asked on how to get a smooth cake ball when you dip them in chocolate.

I'm no expert on cake balls but I have done a few already that I have managed to figure out on how to dip mine fast and smooth. The key too is have a nice smooth and satiny texture on your chocolate before you start dipping. It has a lot to do with the chocolate you use too and how you melt them. I use the microwave a lot and it's the best way for me to melt my chocolate. Also what kind of chocolate melts do you have available? Another thing, heat is another factor on how to melt. If you melt it too high you actually cook the chocolate and it will get lumpy. Microwaving it for 30 seconds interval is how I do mine. Also you can add a solid vegetable shortening (I use crisco) to thin out the chocolate.

Be a fan at my Facebook page :-)

Hope this helps a bit and just send me a message.

The Few, The Proud, The Marines... cupcakes

A friend of ours requested this cupcake for his son who wants to be a Marine when he's old enough to join. Since I can't draw or make pretty pictures I ordered the edible image online.

Here's what it looks like when I put it together.There was some extra cupcakes with no images so I tried the rose swirl :-) and my golly I did it, wooohooo! Oh, and I packed some extra cake balls too so they can try them.

Doesn't it look too pretty? I'm so happy on how this turned out.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Thank you cake balls 3/28/10

I made these cake balls to giveaway to friends and families for when I see them on Saturday at the Banquet (3/27/10). These are red velvet flavored cake and dipped in white chocolate and semi sweet chocolate. I got the treat box from Michael's and it was on sale. The size was just perfect for the cake balls.

White chocolate drizzled with the semi sweet chocolate. These are hubby's favorite so I have to hide it from him, or he will eat the whole entire thing. :-)

Semi sweet chocolate, he doesn't fancy this too much but he likes it too.

I gave a box to my friend Michelle Mah Belle, to my MIL and FIL and I brought 2 extra boxes with me at the Banquet which was gone and eaten after dinner. They had cake balls instead of having some sweet treats they had at the dessert table.

❤ clairebakescakes ❤

Happy Birthday Hazel 3/27/10

I made this cake for a friend. Her hubby ordered the cake and he pretty much told me to make whatever is my best flavored cake. Everyone loves my chocolate cake so I made it for her.
I got some pretty sweet strawberry at the grocery store Friday and I figured I might as well dip them in chocolate and use it on the cake. I had some melted chocolate handy since I was also making cake balls, I will post that tomorrow.

I want to thank Hazel to send me home some food even though I didn't stay at her party. I had a previous engagement that I had to attend.

Happy Birthday Hazel and Thank you Fred for ordering the cake.

Those were some yummy dipped strawberry. I had some and I had to tell myself to stop or I wouldn't have anything left for the cake. LOL!

I always have a hard time smoothing out the sides of a square cake. So most of the time I make it grooved or something with wave or anything that won't show the flaw *wink* I just took the spatula and starting from the bottom just drag the tip of the spatula to the top.
I apologize of my writing since that is one of those things I am not good at.
❤ clairebakescakes ❤