A Red Velvet Cake for Anne

Last week I mentioned going to my first wedding shower of the season.  It was a great success and I was happy to be able to make the cake for the event. This cake may look impressive but really - it was quite easy to put together.

The key is rolled fondant - purchased in a tub from Bulk Barn.  Simply roll out the fondant as you would  cookie dough and place it over your layers of cake.  This cake was two layers of red velvet cake and one layer of vanilla with cream cheese icing in between layers and iced on top to ensure the red from the cake doesn't seep through the fondant.  Purchase some satin ribbon and fresh flowers to decorate.  A simple frame with the letter of the person's name is an easy and classic cake top.

Red velvet cake is becoming more popular in Canada.  A Southern U.S. tradition, this cake came about during WWII when a shortage of cocoa and sugar led to some creative substitutions.  The unique cake combines a small amount of cocoa mixed with buttermilk and red food dye to produce this colouring.  Traditionally, this cake is iced with cream cheese icing, producing a flavour all of its own.  Red food dye is certainly not always the best dietary choice as it can have health ramifications in large doses however I've tried recipes that use anything from beets to strawberry juice but the effect is not the same.  So - everything in moderation as they say.

If you are looking to purchase rolled fondant rather than making it yourself, I would recommend staying away from the Wilton fondant and spending the extra $5 on Liberty Virgin Ice White Fondant that comes in a 4lbs tub.  The Wilton fondant dries out rather quickly and becomes hard as a rock so if you don't use all of it in one go - you are out of luck.  The Liberty version keeps for a long time and is easy to mould.  It comes in a variety of colours as well.  Happy decorating!

Spring Showers

Tomorrow marks the first of the wedding showers that I will be attending this year.  This time last year, I was planning a wedding shower for my good friend at my home.

I love planning for these events although it had its harrowing moments.  My house is a decent size however I was on edge each time someone agreed to attend as I was worried about the space at the table.  I was determined that everyone who attended this celebratory brunch would sit down together at one table to eat and chat rather than having guests milling about in separate rooms.

I had hoped to also have it outside but this is always problematic in Toronto - too hot, too much rain - not worth the risk so indoors with the air conditioning was the way to go.

I borrowed chairs from all my friends and purchased tables that filled my now empty living.  Simple flowers in whites and violets filled many different sized vases which decorated the table along with hand made place cards and individual party gifts with matching purple ribbon greeted the guests (the bride likes purple).

I was excited to use all my serving dishes for the quiche and sweet treats.

Overall - the shower was a success with just the right amount of people attending.  Best advice I can offer - have a family member help (special thanks to my sister) and book a long holiday afterwards.  Sitting lakeside at the cottage was heaven!