Jul 19, 2009

It Went Really Well!

Musings of A Beautiful Mess
Please for the love of God and everything that is holy, do NOT submit these pictures to Cake Wrecks! I am proud that I did this cake. However I am NOT going into cake decorating business ANYTIME soon. I'll leave that to the experts such as Sassy and KimboSue. And anyone else who can decorate a cake better then I...such as ANYONE!

It started on Saturday when I baked both layers, with a cake mix. I totally cheated because I knew I was going to be STRESSED out with the fondant and if I had made a cake from scratch, I would've gone CRAZY! I baked them, let them cool and put a layer of icing on them. The icing I made came out a bit thin, so I put it in the fridge for a bit and it was fine. It wasn't as thick as I would have liked it for in between the layers, but it was going to work. The cake came out totally lopsided, which actually worked out in my favor, as we were doing a construction cake and I needed a "hole" to put some mud in. I was planning on baking just a cupcake and putting that on the side, but I didn't have to do that, since part of the cake sunk. Totally not freaking out at this point...that's later.

Then I put the whole cake in the fridge while I rolled out the fondant and BEGGED my husband to go to the store and get frosting so I wouldn't have to make more and have it be "runny" again and stress out *some more*. Thankfully, he took pity on me and went to the store. I should've started drinking at this point, I might have been more calm.

Rolling out the fondant wasn't as bad as I had thought it was going to be. Although, cleaning up powder sugar off my counter is NOT as easy as cleaning off flour from a pie crust, but whatever. It rolled out pretty well and it didn't break when I put it on the cake. Which, I totally expected it to do. I probably could have rolled it out a bit thinner, but for my first time, not so bad. Since I chickened out and didn't have the courage to dye the fondant, we had a "snow scene construction site" cake...lol I did find the correct mixture of colors to make brown, which is NOT what was suggested by Master Baker Google when I Googled it. Equal parts of blue, red, and yellow do NOT make brown. I can't even remember what ended up being brown, it was those three colors, but it was not equal parts.

Once it was covered in fondant and it was time to put the trucks on it and the chocolate frosting, is when I started to stress the FUCK out! I had a picture of what this cake was going to look like in my head and it was NOT turning out the way I had pictured. Finally, I let it go. Husband, thankfully, talked me off the ledge and gave me "permission" to screw up this cake. Worst case scenario, we'd go to the grocery store before Zilla's birthday party and get another cake. Once again, wine would have helped me here ;o)

I opened up the frosting and Zilla and I went to town on the cake! He told me where he wanted his trucks and how he wanted one to "look like it crashed, with mud ALL over it". The "tracks" in the "snow" were Husband's idea. We drove the trucks through and cut out the fondant with a knife. It worked really well and when we pulled off the fondant, it REALLY did look like the truck had drove through it! I was really pleased at how it was coming together.

Zilla HAD to have his name on his cake and his age. So I did that...and THAT'S where it went downhill! I bought the correct icing but didn't even THINK to buy tips *slaps head*. So, his name came out like he wrote it. Sadly, he probably could have done a better job, but oh well, I tried. the best part was that Husband came in as I was feeling all disappointed about how it turned out and suggested I use the yellow icing to outline his name. I told him he was MORE then welcome to try that. So he did and it didn't work! So, I felt a little victorious that the one who has NO artistic talent at all *me* didn't do any better then the one who does *him*. Childish, I know, but STILL, made me feel better. Which is why there is a little random "happy birthday" decoration that doesn't even match on the cake. That's where Husband tried to use the yellow icing. Couldn't really erase it, so we just covered that little mistake up...lol Nobody knows about that..shhhhhh


The best part of the whole thing is when all of Zilla's friends came over, he took them directly to the fridge and showed them his cake. He was very proud of it and was very proud that his mom made it.

Everyone was very impressed with it and thought it looked really great. Even if they were being nice, it was good to hear. Dinner was a success, even though MAYBE two of the six kids that were here, ate it. All of the adults really liked my lasagna and I got LOTS of compliments on it. I'm always a bit too critical of my cooking, so I thought it wasn't as good as the last time.

The in-laws didn't go insane with all the extra WILD boys running around. They got Zilla cool toys and my FIL was very pleasant to be around. Probably because they had just bought a new car and he was either in shock, or on a "new car smell" high.

I still have a whole box of fondant left over and I might try to dye some of it. Maybe I'll even bust out another cake and it'll look super cool! I might even go as far as to buy tips for my icing next time. It was a learning experience that could have turned out A LOT worse. I'm happy with how the cake turned out and the events of the day. I am MORE happy that it's over and I can go to bed soon...ahhh my bed is calling me name!

34 friends have commented:

Andy on July 20, 2009 at 5:25 AM said...

It's absolutely AWESOME! You can come back my birthday cake next month, k?

Shelli on July 20, 2009 at 5:35 AM said...

My son would totally love this cake! Great job! I give you props for trying it on your own... I just don't have the courage to take on a cake like that. lol.

SS on July 20, 2009 at 6:37 AM said...

What a sweet cake! You did great and best of all Zilla was so proud of mom's work. Job well done!

..al on July 20, 2009 at 6:52 AM said...

What clinched the day? "The best part of the whole thing is when all of Zilla's friends came over, he took them directly to the fridge and showed them his cake. He was very proud of it and was very proud that his mom made it."

That actually shows how proud Zilla was of you! Congrats! Would love to have a piece, please....

Katie on July 20, 2009 at 7:05 AM said...

I think it looks great!! Can I have a piece?

Joy on July 20, 2009 at 7:43 AM said...

I think it turned out great. Besides, the person you made it for really liked it and that's all that matters.

Happy Birthday to Zilla!

Kristin on July 20, 2009 at 8:01 AM said...

It DOES look great!

natalie on July 20, 2009 at 8:40 AM said...

I think it turned out great! I am sure I would not have been able to pull that off...especially without a glass or two of wine ;) Good job!

cowboyboot lady on July 20, 2009 at 8:54 AM said...

The cake really looks great! I like the "dirt"...very nice touch. That is so cute that Zilla was so proud of his mama for making it and showing it off to his friends!

Anonymous said...

I think it's really cute! LOL about forgetting the tips! I totally would have freaked about that! Zilla's reaction is the most important, as Wiseguy said. He will remember this cake (I remember cakes my mom made for me).

IF Optimist, then... on July 20, 2009 at 10:23 AM said...

As I was reading this post I thought, "Oh gosh, this cake is going to look crazy." Then I saw your picture at the end and I thought, "That is a totally cool cake! What is she worrying about? I would have loved my mom to make an cake like that." Ha ha ha. I'm glad Zilla got to help in decorating and that he was proud and showed off the cake. You should be proud too! Any person can go out and buy a "perfect looking" cake, but it takes a totally cool and awesome mom like to you make a "perfect love" cake. :-)

Anonymous said...

The cake looks great! I can just see Zilla taking all his friends to the fridge to see the cake his Mom made for him. I bet he remembers it for years :-)

Great Job !

xX

Anonymous said...

The cake looks great! I can just see Zilla taking all his friends to the fridge to see the cake his Mom made for him. I bet he remembers it for years :-)

Great Job !

xX

Sunny on July 20, 2009 at 12:28 PM said...

It turned out wonderfully, I am super impressed! And it sounds like you ended up making the most important thing of all: memories. ;)

(That is totally something my mom would say. It's inevitable, me turning into her.)

Aunt Becky on July 20, 2009 at 1:05 PM said...

Dude. I love it. I'm dying to try and learn to do it myself.

Fertility Chick on July 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM said...

The cake looks wonderful! Being from Canada, I think a construction scene in snow is highly appropriate! Glad that it was a huge hit with Zilla and his friends. Wish I could've tried a piece!! ;)

Jamie on July 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM said...

I love it! I can see why Zilla was so proud of it, too. You did a great job!

Experimenting with baking is always so much more fun when it ~isn't~ for a party. I think you should take that left over fondant and let your imaginiation go wild!

Mugsy on July 20, 2009 at 5:45 PM said...

Awesome. I'll be over for a slice of the next one!

Anonymous said...

the cake looks awesome! and it sounds like an incredibly fulfilling day, all around--great job!

Caz on July 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM said...

The cake looks so awesome.
I fail at making cakes very badly.. usally even the packet ones.. Eep
I make great muffins though!

Your son sounds so sweet, showing of the cake to his friends like that.
what a beautiful moment.

Caragh
ICLW

cheryllookingforward on July 21, 2009 at 5:46 AM said...

I have tried all kinds of icing and I've never had a cake turn out as good as yours. No one was lying when they said it looks great!

Jaymee on July 21, 2009 at 8:11 AM said...

there is no way that cake would ever make it on cake wreck. you did an amazing job!!

Deathstar on July 21, 2009 at 9:31 AM said...

The birthday cake was amazing and even better - it was built with love, sweat and tears!

JB - A.K.A. Jenn on July 21, 2009 at 10:49 AM said...

Holy Shmoly hon....I LOVE that cake!!!

You did such an awesome job on it!
I am so proud of you for even attempting to do it and then to have it come out that good is fantastic!

I still remember the record album cake that my mom made for me at age 10 (ooohhh - I am really dating myself with this story) I absolutely LOVED it then and cherish the memory now. I am sure Zilla will carry his cake memory for years to come!

HUGS

L.A. Mommy on July 21, 2009 at 12:07 PM said...

Cake Wrecks?? Your cake was awesome!!!

You go!!!

")

sunflowerchilde on July 21, 2009 at 12:15 PM said...

Are you kidding?! That cake is SO cool! One of the things I am most looking forward to about having kids is doing all that creative stuff. Great job!

sassy on July 21, 2009 at 12:23 PM said...

That cake is really cute and you are so funny!! I would never think of submitting it to cake wrecks!!

Michelle on July 21, 2009 at 1:25 PM said...

I'm impressed! I think you did a great job! Much better then I could ever do !

Jules on July 21, 2009 at 1:49 PM said...

Aw, looks great.
(and even though for who knows why we own a cake decorating set, I'm useless in that department, even with the tips) Good job!

Anonymous said...

Uh oh you better be prepared for the cake orders to be pouring in. That is awesome. I am not a baker or a chef. The best is that your son was showing it off

ICLW

We have Angel Wings on July 22, 2009 at 4:37 PM said...

I love the cake. I think that it's so awesome! You did a wonderful job.

My birthday is in October if you're up for baking me one. :)


T

KimboSue on July 23, 2009 at 11:50 AM said...

awww...thanks for the shout out - but I ain't no expert either...simply an experienced amateur!

It turned out great!

And cheers for it being a family fun project!

Anonymous said...

I'm VERY impressed by this! Maybe I'll hire you next May to make my son's birthday cake!:-)

CanadianMama on August 6, 2009 at 2:15 PM said...

Ok, actually the cake looks a million times better than anything I could have done! I'm sure he loved it. I'll be sure to call you when it's my birthday :)

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