Giggling Cakes

Our new address

2010-04-21T14:30:00.002+01:00

You'll find me from now on, at Giggling Cakes

So come along with a cuppa (and a cupcake if you fancy) and I'll keep blogging :D

Anna

We're on the move...

2010-04-21T11:07:00.002+01:00

Ok, so I've rediscovered my love of blogging about cakes and such, I'm no longer pregnant so have more energy to bake, although I'm not baking to avoid EATING everything in sight - I have weight to shed ;)

However, I have so many ideas of where to take this love of mine, I'm taking advantage of the rediscovery to reinvent Giggling Cakes, and take it forward!

So, this blog will be reinvented and moved elsewhere in the coming hours/days, but worry not, I will post the new location the minute it's ready for you to feast your eyes!

Oh and I placed an order on ebay for more bits and bobs, couldn't help myself ;)

Order in...

2010-04-20T16:40:00.003+01:00

For the necessary bits for Christening Cupcakes & cake that I'm making for my wee man, Adam, who is being Christened on May 1st!

It's a special weekend, the May Bank Holiday, as it's not just Adam's Christening, but it was also the same weekend that Jack was Christened in 2007, although his was on May 5th, which brings me to the other reason it's special: the May Bank Holiday usually plays host to my birthday :D Not this year, as it too is May 5th, but it's always classed as my birthday weekend!

Anyway, this morning I tasked myself with getting the bits I wanted for the Christening cakey bits... I'm making a small 6" round madiera sponge for the top of the tower, and under that will be a selection of cupcakes - haven't quite decided on flavours, but will probably keep it simple and do 12 vanilla and 12 chocolate, simply to keep it easy for myself lol! The decoration for the cake will be a smooth white fondant with baby blue accenting pieces and Adam's name. The cupcakes will be topped with a smear of buttercream and topped with a fondant disc in either white or baby blue, and then topped with a selection of fondant accent pieces - bees, flowers, ribbon, piped dots.

I had planned on going to Decobake in Clane to get the regalice ready coloured, but I discovered to my dismay that Decobake have closed their shop :( BOO HOOOOOOO So I have spent the day trying to source a supplier for ALL the things I need within Ireland, rather than risking getting from ebay or UK since I can't be certain they'll arrive in time, what with airspace closures due to the Icelandic Volcano... Thankfully, I found Brennans Cook Shop http://cookshop.ie who have all I need (excluding one small item, but I'll hopefully get that in Blanchardstown in the coming days), and of course I treated myself to some nice things, like these beauties

Aren't they just GORG!!!! Don't know when I'll use them, but they'll be definitely for a GIRLIE party!!!

Haven't got any plans for birthday cake for me, I find it bizarre to think about baking myself something... Maybe this year I'll change that...

Back from a LONG break

2010-04-19T14:17:00.002+01:00

No I haven't forgotten about this blog, it's been a mental number of months, what with the pregnancy and work going crazy busy...

Thankfully, the bun in the oven arrived well baked, Adam was born on the snowy morning of February 25th at home! It's hard to believe only 2 months have barely passed since then as it feels longer, but I guess it's a sign of how life just went on and he had to slot in!!!

His Christening is coming up, and of course, I'm baking cupcakes for it! I will post the pictures when they're done...

I'll also be moving forward with cupcakes in the coming months, I have decided to put together a cupcake book, so if there's anything you'd like to appear in it, post a comment :D

Till then, keep giggling ;)
Anna

3 months left...

2009-09-24T09:19:00.002+01:00

I know I know, it's TOO early to be talking about the festive season!!! I love this time of year, the air gets crisp, the colours of Autumn, the walks in the forest... it all makes me feel so alive, and of course, the fact that it's time to think about Christmas... YES IT IS!!! I love making plans, I'm like Mr.Claus, making my lists ;) Lists for presents - I like to have everything bought by November - I have J's since January last... I kid you not!!!!

Mainly, this year, I want to list out the things I need to MAKE for this year's festive season. I'm knitting and crocheting bits for friends as tokens. My Mom wants a cross-stitch piece for her kitchen. Let's not forget the BAKED goods :D I have to sort out cakes, puddings, and jarred goods - pickles & chutneys... I'm contemplating taking orders for Christmas cakes this year since it's no big deal to make 10 when making 1 lol!!!!

So who wants a Christmas Cake????

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

2009-08-05T15:48:00.003+01:00

I apologise, I've been away for a while again.... This pregnancy is making me very lazy ;)

Baking took a little bit of a break as well, the thoughts of it just turned my stomach, so the poor boys were really hankering after a cake of any shape or description last week! Luckily for them I had an order in for a Christening cake and mini cupcakes, so I decided to be generous and baked a surplus to let them munch on!!!!

Worked a treat actually, my brother and his fiancé moved into their new home last weekend, so it meant I had some nice goodies to bring with us when we all converged on their place to help them unpack and organise themselves a bit! A great family time was had, it was nice to do something for eachother and do it together. Not a cake was left after the grandparents, and the rest got tucked in!!!

There's a possibility that The Giggling Cake Company will have a stand at the MagicMum Christmas Fair 2009, all details here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116422731860, but I'll confirm here when it's definite. I'm already thinking about Christmas cakes and such things... so watch this space :D

Have decided to focus a bit more on Amosh Designs over the coming while, I've neglected it a bit lately, and it's having an emotional effect on me, so I think baking might be a less regular occurence over the next few weeks, but that's not to say I won't be thinking about cupcakes :D

Although, I'd better make some brown bread for Leslie today, or else he'll be upset ;)

Off I go! Eat up all, enjoy the excuses to eat a cake ;)

The perfect weekend!

2009-07-06T09:33:00.003+01:00

What can I say, had a great weekend, a bit of everything: cooking, baking, resting, napping, walking, chatting, sipping cuppas, hugs, listening, DIYing, reading...

A beautiful little girl was Christened last Saturday, on July 4th! I was asked to do 60 cupcakes for the celebration afterwards, instead of a traditional cake!

What can I say, I loved every minute of doing this creation. I got the excuse to try out my new and SO deliciously improved Red Velvet recipe, the Fluffy Frosting (also known as American or Italian), as well as make some lovely girlie toppers with pink and white fondant.

So 5 dozen cupcakes, with a dozen each of Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet, Pineapple & Carrot, and White Chocolate Mud Cake!

I believe they went down a treat ;) I know Leslie and Jack (as well as Nicky, Ethan, & Ciara) enjoyed sampling the few extras that were available!!!! Ok Ok I made extra of some of them lol!!!!

I LOVE the Mud Cake recipe, as well as the Red Velvet, such smooth cocoa & cinnamon, a perfect cupcake IMO! As for the fluffy frosting, well it is just AMAZING, seriously, people, try it! It's not half as difficult as some might thing with making the syrup! The AMOUNT of icing from such a small quantity of ingredients is unbelieveable! Really works with sweet cakes as it's not sickly sweet like buttercream can often be!

I can see the fluffy frosting being used regularly, VERY regularly!!!

I also made a batch of mini filled cupcakes earlier in the week for a mom-friend get-together! They're lovely, really dainty and so handy to have bite-size treats instead of regular cupcakes! I have a picture somewhere!

Leslie has also been very active in the kitchen these days.. In that he's been getting the room all ready for painting next week (our DIY holiday, Jack is going on hols to my parents while Leslie and I stay home ;)!!!) I now have a fantastic shelf for all my cookbooks and recipe folders, as well as a cute little shelf above that for my kithen trinkets!

Then yesterday, he put up my SPICE shelf!! Now this is no ordinary shelf IMO! It's a shelf the length of the longest worktop, I now have a FREE worktop, with nothing cluttering it! All my herbs, spices and condiments are arranged on this shelf, in a very pretty fashion, along with my few spice grinders, etc... This frees up a WHOLE shelf of a large press (I have A LOT OF condiments lol!). So today I get to reorganise my kitchen presses, in the hope of making more efficient use of the space I have!!!!

Leslie I love you!!! Although, I love the shelf just as much ;)

A special cupcake in the oven!!!

2009-06-24T19:40:00.002+01:00

Not an edible one this time ;)

Over last weekend I discovered I'm pregnant, and as I was aptly informed, have a bun in the oven!!! I thought I might prettify the phrase up a little, so I'm baking a special cupcake :D

Strangely enough, after getting a lend of a LARGE amount of fabulous character cake tins, I've not done a bit of baking since last week!!! The itch to create more cupcake creations is starting to come upon me, although I'm trying to ignore it a bit as I'm inclined to eat them all at the moment ;)

I suppose I 'could' do fairy cakes with Jack, or make some cookies... but I dunno, I feel I NEED buttercream at the moment, so giving in to the need could be very dangerous...

Someone call/text/email to say you're calling around so I'll have the excuse to bake PLEASE :D

From the Giggling Cake Maker, both edible and otherwise ;)

Giant Cupcake!

2009-06-18T18:11:00.002+01:00

A birthday request from the "Big C" for his 19th!

There are 6 cakes in this beauty, I wanted to see if it was possible to do without investing in the Wilton Giant Cupcake Tin... I reckon I have, although I'd say the tin would be a smaller creation!!!!

The 'case' part is chocolate fudge buttercream, and 'swirled' top is vanilla icing, with Cadbury Flake as the sprinkles! The 6 cakes are all chocolate sponges!

An idea of the size!!!

I hope it's enjoyed, I know I enjoyed making it!

Giggling Cake Menu...

2009-06-16T17:09:00.004+01:00

Having had a few friends looking for me to give them price lists so that they can give them to their friends & colleagues, I thought I'd better get my ass in gear, and do one! So here is The Giggling Cake Company's Menu & Price list! Click on it to view it full size ;)

Now this is subject to change, but when/if it does I'll post a new one up! Let the orders roll in!!!!

Gotta love Ebay - or should it be called Ebake??

2009-06-14T11:26:00.002+01:00

Oh I love it when value for money is had!!!! Having drooled over some fabby items on Ebay in the past month, I decided this morning that I would spend €20 on bits. I took out my tape measure and figured out the size of the great gold cases I splurged (insane price compared to ebay actually) on last week, and turn out to be the exact size for my baking trays and what bits I got!!!! I cannot wait for my selection of bits to arrive now. Some colourful cases, red checker cases, square cases, silver cases, disposable piping bags (I hate the concept, but I do wash and reuse as many times as they'll allow (3-4 usually), and dusting stencils... Yes all for just over €20...

Now I'm still drooling over a perspex cupcake stand, but I'm going to leave that purchase for another day - perhaps next week when I might have a sale or two to fund it...

I also encountered a shop in the South-East who are selling cupcakes for €30 per dozen... Now forgive me for saying so, but is that not slightly expensive??? I know the work that goes into them, but to charge €2.50 per cake, and then just multiply that by 12 for a dozen, where's the discount in bulk buying???

I haven't actually sat down and done up costings for a cupcake myself, but I do believe that €20 per dozen is a fair price, and I operate the bakers dozen approach too, as I always bake more than is necessary as contingency... Leslie and Jack never complain about this increased cost ;)

Perhaps today I'll work out the breakdown of costs.... while I dream of all my new bits winging their way towards me!!!! That reminds me, I've had a lovely offer from a friend to borrow her tins and equipment that is stored in her attic, must bake a batch of cupcakes and take them around as way of thanks when I collect them!!! Oh pooey, I'll have to find a bigger press to store them all now!!! Eeeeek...

Never too old for cupcakes!

2009-06-13T14:35:00.002+01:00

There's a lady out there today who is going to be blowing out a candle on her very own cupcake tower!!! 60 isn't old, really, but I personally think a cupcake tower really gives a fabulous alternative to a birthday cake with 'Happy 60th Birthday' written across it! To me the alternative cupcake tower signifies playfullness, yet class, frivolity and happiness! So one is NEVER too old to have cupcakes :D

I went with a theme of florals for this batch of cupcakes (vanilla and chocolate fudge). Using white, yellow, pink, and purple (comes out a bit browny on the pictures :( unfortunately). I iced some as begonia's - my cupcake bouquet aim has been fulfilled. As the order was for a smaller number of cakes than the tower can hold, I added in some faux flowers in similar colourways to give the impression of fullness. It was a 'notion' I had, and on doing it, it really works, so I'll be considering other 'plumping' items for future use....

Flowery cupcakes...

2009-06-12T22:01:00.002+01:00

The first attempt at icing a cupcake bouquet! Well, I got 3 good 'uns on my first go, although the rest weren't too bad either!

I also tried a new recipe and both Leslie and Jack have given it the thumbs up, and considering how easy it is I have a feeling it's going to become my basic recipe, into which I'll add flavours. This batch I added cocoa for the chocolate hit, and it created a lovely fudgey flavoured cupcake, that cut through the sweetness of the icing, as the cake itself wasn't hugely sweet...

This coming week is a business one for the ovens in the Giggling Kitchen. I have a cupcake tower order to fill for tomorrow - a 60th birthday - it's going to be a flowery one (hence my practice run at the icing today!!!) also going to top some flat with fondant flowers. I'm contemplating a flat fondant disc for the top of some also, with richly coloured piped flowers and a cauchos ball in the centre, but we'll see ;)

Then next week, a giant cupcake has been requested for another birthday party. The birthday boy himself requested it... apparently he's the only one going to eat it! Now there are a plethora of cupcake shaped baking tins, but I've decided I'm going to 'build my own' and ice it... I figure a multi-tiered chocolate (another request) cake means I can make it as big as needed rather than being limited to a tin :D

Oh it's going to be a great week!

Next project!

2009-06-06T19:45:00.003+01:00

No baking done this week, but no bother, I've been mulling over ideas ;)

Firstly, I want to try out a few new recipes for cupcakes - send on any you have.

Secondly, I want to source a tin to make 'round' or 'square' cakes instead of cupcakes, and ice them with fondant icing. It would also mean one could make small chocolate biscuit cakes or fruit cakes. Fabulous for a wedding cake tower, or just for a very sophisticated look. I might chance doing it with a large square tin, making the cake, and cutting it into individual cakes, rather than getting a square cupcake tin... although I'd love one ;) This is what I mean:

I'm thinking a Sex in the City themed one, just for me ;) So black and white, with shoes in some form!!!!!

Thirdly, I want to try my hand at icing a bouquet of cupcakes... A sample of what I mean:

Finally, I want (actually NEED) some more bits and pieces, I'm lusting after some fabby cupcake cases, but finding it hard to find the right ones... These ones are amazing though...

Now, off to peruse cupcakes online!

Glorious weather & cupcakes!!!

2009-06-02T13:23:00.002+01:00

What a weekend! I'm currently blogging while sitting out on the deck in our garden, under a large umbrella to keep me in the shade - I'm going for pale and interesting this Summer, not actively seeking a tan (or the tan lines). I digress! On Sunday last, we had a 2nd birthday party, and I made a tower of cupcakes for the little princess! I enjoyed EVERY minute of creating this, it was fab seeing it all come together, and it went down a storm if I may say so myself! The sun and the buttercream weren't exactly best friends, but we kept it all in the cool till the very last minute, and then my dearest husband carried the full tower out for me - I was too afraid I'd drop it...

I made an extra special cupcake as candle bearer, and for the birthday girl, the icing has an 'icecream cone' feeling as I used the bag from the white icing with some pink to get the dual tone effect! Works nicely I feel!

Chocolate ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

2009-05-29T13:26:00.005+01:00

So the past 2 days have been cacao flavoured...

I baked a round of Caramel Mud Cake Cupcakes (made with Green & Blacks white chocolate) - for sampling purposes... I had help, Z called around under duress (!) to give me her opinion on them!!!!! ;) They're quite rich and lucious, and I reckon half-filling the case is the way to go in order to give them a nice swirl of icing, without making them too much for one person (I suppose it's possible...)!!!!Then I got the urge (well anything beats cleaning bathrooms) to try piping chocolate to make hearts, and the Babywearing Ireland logo. They're all setting right now, but in this heat I don't know if they'll set fully for AGES... might have to find a way to slide them onto a tray and into the fridge. I think I'll use the hearts for the cupcakes on Sunday, and the Babywearing Ireland logo - well I'll have to add some pink edible glitter for it to be accurate, and then I think I'll insist on eating it myself... They're all made from 81% chocolate though, so very good for you really!

Although totally unchocolatey, this morning, I also baked 2 loaves of bread, so at least I won't have to bake any till Sunday/Monday now... Have my parents up for the weekend, so they'll need their dose of bread!!! Of course, this particular brown bread is the PERFECT medium to slather on the homemade chocolate hazelnut spread that J and I whipped together yesterday evening...

Wednesday's creativity...

2009-05-27T16:53:00.002+01:00

So, with a 2nd birthday party for a gorgeous little girl coming up, and as I am making a cupcake tower for her birthday cake, I needed a stand. However, I wasn't sure what I wanted, and while I had sourced a cute cardboard stand, I wasn't going to get near the shop before Sunday, I needed an alternative. So a-Googling I went, and this is my DIY Cupcake Stand, with girlie fabric between the levels - this is changeable - which I think looks pretty damn fine really...

I must credit the source of the instructions for this stand: http://www.how2cakes.com/cupcakestand.html. Although I did tweak the construction slightly, and had to improvise with one of the layer supports, but nothing beats a little bit of customisation to make something your own!

Now I just wish I could fill it this evening and sit looking at it.... I think I'm obsessed!

The Oxymoron - the pictures!

2009-05-26T18:55:00.002+01:00

Well here it is, The Oxymoron Cupcake! When Leslie arrived home he said not to put anything on them as they're just right without!!! Instead, I just dusted with some icing sugar, although I might do a little cream cheese frosting tomorrow just because I want to ;)

The Oxymoron Cupcake

2009-05-26T17:17:00.002+01:00

Well Jack took my earlier suggestion on board, so we spent the morning at the playground, and while he slept in the afternoon I made fondant decorations for a birthday cupcake arrangement (yes the ironing should have been done, but PAH to that)... I LOVE edible glitter for making things girlie!!!!

I was requested by my husband, Leslie, last night to make a batch of Pineapple & Raisin muffins, and as I type, the second tray of them is in the oven. I've decided to name them - as well as all my creations from now on - as The Oxymoron Cupcake. Why you ask? Well, apparently, they're healthy... I suppose the pineapple, carrot, raisins, and wholemeal flour make them healthy, pity about the white flour, sugar, and oil!!!! Now I guess they are healthier than the normal cupcake, and they are delicious if I may say so myself; brilliant for children Jack loves them, Leslie adores them, and they're not as heavy as other cupcakes.

Now I'm itching to ice them, which really would make them a true oxymoron lol!!! So to try to keep them on the healthier side, I'm considering a nice vanilla cream cheese frosting. Which also means when Jack decides to just eat the frosting, he'll at least get protein from the cheese!!!!

Pictures shall follow later on!

Jack's entry...

2009-05-26T08:08:00.002+01:00

Jack is wanting to 'do something' this morning on my computer. Now at 2 years of age he insists it has to be done while sitting on my knee, with MY laptop on HIS knee then lol!!!

So what does Jack want to do this morning??? My suggestion is some surfing for Momma (me) now, while he colours with his crayons, then playground while the sun shines, and in the afternoon we can play with icing and make butterflies and crowns for a birthday party cupcake tower next weekend... I must pick up some white chocolate while out and about as well as I;;;;; think we should make some piped chocolate shapes.... Perhaps attempt a BWI logo :D

However, Jack is saying no to this suggestion, saying he wants to sit on my knee and do something....

SOOOO:

Jack's Entry:
Mmmmmmmmjjjjjjjjj
jd\t/////////////////////////////////;

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

2009-05-25T21:18:00.005+01:00

Ingredients: (for 9" square/10" round tin)

1.5lbs Butter
3/4 pint Golden Syrup
2lbs Good Quality Dark Chocolate (mix with milkier for less rich cake)
2 standard packets Digestive biscuits, roughly crushed
1 standard packet Rich Tea biscuits, roughly crushed

Method:

Line the tin with cling film, allowing enough to completely fold over the top when tin is full.
Melt the chocolate, syrup and butter in a large bowl in a microwave. Alternatively, place bowl over a pan of hot water. Stir to make sure everything is mixed together well.
Add the crushed biscuits and stir well.
Pour mixture into the prepared tin. Level it on top and press down well to avoid "air gaps". Fold over the cling film and cover completely.
Place in the fridge to set, which will take about 3 hours (it will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge)
To serve or decorate, just turn out and carefully peel off the film.

Recommend you leave it out of the fridge at room temperature for an hour before serving.

Nuts, fruit, marshmallows can all be added to this mix depending on preferences!

Insanely rich, so slice thinly - for a wedding cake this cuts the same as fruit cake in terms of quantity...

Just a blog

2009-05-25T20:37:00.002+01:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Ok, so today this is just a blog, but I have a dream... My dream is to bake/cook for people, with LOVE! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I have always found baking and cooking therapeutic. When I was at my lowest point last year I went on a baking blitz, I made about 7 different varieties of biscuits: jam drops, vanilla melting moments, shortbread, oat flapjacks, wholemeal shortbread cookies, chocolate drops... You get the idea, I spent a WHOLE Sunday afternoon baking, in my own little world, where I had full control and clear direction! Luckily, I was hosting a sling meet (www.babywearingireland.com) the following day, so I had lots of treats for the fabby mommas and little ones who attended ;)

Today, well today I'm no longer at a low point, but I still adore cooking; it's like reading to me, a form of escapism, only on top of escaping reality, cooking gives me a feeling of inner satisfaction when I the end product is complete. Seeing others enjoy what I make gives me great satisfaction!

So back to my dream! Well this blog is a place where I can waffle on about it, as well as posting pictures, as I like to produce beauty as well as flavour! Sad as it may seem, but I keep looking at the pictures of my cupcakes from last weekend, and they fill me with joy... and that's without having eaten them all!!!! My dream is to be able to have a glut of such images, perhaps having made to sell, and hopefully with a glut of satisfied customers!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

The fastest chocolate biscuit cake EVER...

2009-05-25T08:19:00.002+01:00

All for Cian's 1st Communion celebration!

Last Saturday morning (the day OF the Communion) found me at the store buying the ingredients, then sped home! With Jack and Leslie's help I got the cake mixed and into the freezer where I hoped it would set in less than 3 hours...

I had made the toppers over a week ago as I wanted them to harden, so at least they were done and ready to go. The cake was practically set, one could even say set to the right consistency (only knew this when the cake had been cut lol).

Icing was a little blemished when being added - we were late at this stage - but I used the toppers to cover the worst bits ;)

I have a feeling that the blemishes weren't noticed, within MINUTES of it being placed on the table in the party room, a wee monkey (not mine) stuck their finger into the icing, thinking it was creamy... So the fondant then had a large hole lol! Ah well, made no difference to the taste!

And it begins...

2009-05-24T22:22:00.005+01:00

It begins, the weekend I've come home from hospital, where I couldn't WAIT to get home to bake! I am SO chuffed with these creations, which I have to say were made while my mind was thinking of the lovely Livy. I strongly believe that she would prefer cakes to be baked with her in mind than tears being shed. It might seem soppy, but I made these with love for those who will eat them, it's the simple pleasures!