Tuesday, January 11, 2011

It's a Small World After All, -belated post on the wedding cake for my brother.

Bite sized is the best size in my humble opinion.

I've always had a fascination for things in miniature.  When I was little, I loved my doll house and was constantly searching for things to turn into mini furnishings.  Even though I detest adults wearing those Crocs shoes, I think the kids sized ones are the cutest things ever.  While in pastry school, I always wanted to make everything in mini.  Mini tarts, mini cakes, bite sized cream puffs.  It is a serious obsession, and maybe the reason I have never really been drawn to making wedding cakes (well full size ones).  However when my younger brother announced he was getting married, pastry chef big sister had to step up to the "plate" and offer to make the wedding cake.

I consulted with my good friend Kristen from Let Them Eat Cake because her cakes are beautiful, elegant works of art I would love to mimic if I were to start making wedding cakes on a regular basis.  I calculated recipes, amount of ingredients, and timing.  My lovely Aunt Pat offered me use of her kitchen, her hands and moral support for 2 full days while I tackled the Purple Polka-dotted Beast!

Four tiers of double-layer, Vanilla bean syrup soaked, white velvet cake, sandwiched and covered with French Vanilla Buttercream and Fondant accents later, there were no catastrophes or meltdowns, but I was done.  It is not a task for the faint of heart or scared of butter and sugar.  Many people said it was the best tasting wedding cake they'd had.  My Dad longed for another piece to have with a cup of coffee.  And the little kids at the wedding loved eating the fondant dots like candy.  It was delicious, I ate more then my fair share, and my aunt had a freezer full of left over trimmings for turning into parfaits and other delicious creations.

Although I've said before I am not a huge fan of cupcakes, I would have enjoyed making this cake on a much smaller scale.
 The Newlyweds and their cake

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A Very Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year Wish

The last month of the year already has enough going on with Christmas and New Years, but throw in trying to settle into a new apartment in a new Country, starting a new job, celebrating your husband's 30th birthday, and meeting lots of new extended family (most who speak very little English), you might understand why I haven't posted much lately.  I've also been doing a LOT of baking at home.  

Now finally back in Paris from our holiday travels to the north of France, I've found a quite moment to share few photos of this holiday season and some reflections on a very busy 2010 with you.

Now that's my kind of Christmas Tree

 
Definitely looks a lot like Christmas

 Christmas Cake for a friend

Chocolate Mousse and Red Berries Charlotte

I am yet again amazed to look back on this year and see how far I'm come.  If you had asked me 10 years ago where I thought I'd be today, I don't think I would have had any idea.  Completion and graduation from a great culinary program, an amazing summer stage at Laduree and now finally living in Paris with the most special person in my life and finally being able to share everything with him, I couldn't ask for anything more.

Let this be a reminder to all of you, that dreams do come true, you just got to get out there and chase them and don't let anyone tell you it can't happen. 

Wishing you all good health, delicious desserts, magical moments and dreams coming true in 2011!
         
          -Jenni