Sorry for the lack of posts lately. It’s because of something really
exciting – we bought a townhouse! I’ve been busy moving and redecorating. We’re
into a rustic industrial theme for the main part of the house and have been
completely engrossed with finding the right pieces. It’s been fun (Right J???)!
Along with the townhouse came a gas convection oven. I’ve only used an
electrical oven in the past and heard great things about convection, so I was
really excited about trying it out. Um…frustrating!! I can’t get the hang it!
Nothing is working! Previous recipes are completely failing! This can’t be
happening! As though I don’t have enough confidence-shattering fails as it is!
Enter: My friend’s daughter’s first birthday – Hello Kitty themed. I
decided/was asked to make a Hello Kitty cake and cupcakes. I started baking the
night before, and of course I had to make each twice because the first ones
failed miserably, and the second batch wasn’t quite like when I had baked them
before, but were acceptable.
Anyways, if you’re on good terms with your oven because you know how it
works, or if you’ve just moved and want to test your oven-relationship, and
want to make a Hello Kitty cake, here are some pieces that I used.
Check out this video for decorating the cake: http://youtu.be/_hvSWuLWkJ0
I used this recipe for the cake:
*I used 2, 9-inch cake pans and made sure the stencil was large enough
I used this recipe for the Italian meringue frosting:
I used chocolate covered almonds for eyes, a stencil and pink sanding
sugar for the bow, and strawberry Pocky for the whiskers.
I also made cupcakes and strawberry Rice Crispy Treats for the Hello
Kitty birthday party. I halved the cake recipe to make 12 cupcakes and made the
following frosting:
Strawberry Lemon Frosting
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
4 cups icing sugar
3 Tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
½ teaspoon lemon extract (I used LorAnne)
2-4 Tablespoon cream (depending on how soft you want it)
Directions
Combine all ingredients and beat until fluffy.
Pipe using a
2D or 1M tip, starting from the center of the cupcake.
Verdict: Luckily, everyone enjoyed the cake and cupcakes! I personally
really liked the flavour of the frosting – it reminded me of a Japanese candy
that I had when I was a kid. We topped the cupcakes with Hello Kitty figurines.
The Hello Kitty cake actually turned out! Loved the Pocky whiskers – an idea I
got from friend who made a similar cake!
The birthday girl just went for it, but in a polite sort of way – she
just grabbed at the edge of the ear. What a cutie!
Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats recipe to come soon.
