baking
german buttercream frosting
As I write this, I’m sitting in my living room. It is sunny, there are three cats laying under/around the Christmas tree, and I’m drinking coffee like it’s my last day on earth. Actually, I can hear one of the cats slurping water from the tree stand, which explains the need to fill it three…
Read Moreorange sugar cookies
On Sunday, we had our first snow flurries here. Not many – just enough to make me feel like running around the yard with my tongue hanging out. But since I only run when being chased, I sat on the couch with my coffee surveying the neighbourhood and watching for possible crime. It was positively…
Read Morehoney gingerbread
. . . I survived the cake station. You were probably wondering – perhaps even fretting – so I thought I should tell you that yes, I survived the final station of my first baking school rotation. I was uber prepped. I didn’t sleep all week. My jelly roll got rolled, my black forest cake…
Read Morethe ballerina bakeshop: autumn fairy cupcakes {cinderella}
. . . Welcome back to the Ballerina Bakeshop! Today’s special? Cinderella-inspired pumpkin cupcakes topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Get it? Because the Fairy Godmother turns a pumpkin into Cinderella’s carriage? That kind of tie-in is art, people. And just in case you’re confused, that little ballerina on top of the cupcake…
Read Moreoatmeal scones topped with lavender sugar
Here’s the thing about baking school: it is equal parts exhilarating and disheartening. I wake up in the morning excited but terrified. I reek of yeast, sweat and anxiety. As soon as I think I’ve figured something out, something goes wrong. It’s an exercise in frustration – and it’s pretty overwhelming. I’m reasonably confident that…
Read Moreblueberry snacking cake
During my first week of baking school, I have learned that I know nothing. And anything I thought I knew, I didn’t. But I expected that. So, I will be stripped down and rebuilt like the bionic woman. I’ve been whisking wrong, frosting wrong, and holding my offset spatula wrong. I’ve been chopping, slicing and…
Read Morethe ballerina bakeshop: white swan cupcakes
These White Swan Cupcakes are of the orange-infused sort, and they are topped with a cream cheese frosting. A bitter-sweet combination – like the story of the white swan. She finds her prince, but they – you know – die. The cupcakes have a gentle orange flavour, and are very moist. The cream cheese frosting…
Read Morethe ballerina bakeshop: black swan cupcakes
Let’s talk Black Swan Cupcakes. These cupcakes are a light chocolate cupcake with a classic chocolate buttercream frosting. I added black food colouring to the frosting to make it darker. It will turn your tongue a little blackish-blue. If you don’t like using gobs of food colouring, you can just leave ’em as is – they’ll…
Read Morechocolate cupcakes with {awesome} chocolate frosting
. . . Three weeks of visiting with Haddy, Luke the Dog, Adopamop, Pumpkin and Turnip, have taught me an important lesson. I have learned that 4.5 million accumulated drops of happiness can be matched in sorrow the instant you have to say goodbye. Now, don’t fret. I have also learned that: chocolate cupcakes slathered…
Read Morelemon tea muffins
My brother, Adopamop, along with Pumpkin and Turnip, arrived from France just over two weeks ago. My sister, Haddy, is here too. She brought Luke the Dog with her. They are all staying with Bill and Rosie Beaucoup. And they are all wearing me out. French kids sleep in. They aren’t total a-holes like North American…
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