Skylander Cake

How do you make a Skylander(TM) cake?

I educated myself on the Skylander(TM) website, poked around the Internet, there are so many clever bakers who have created realistic and beautiful Skylander (TM) cakes.  Most, have used rolled icing.

However, rolled icing is not quite my cup of tea!  Don't get me wrong, I love it, you can create the most long lasting and realistic decorations for your cake, if you make a mistake, you can start again, you can make it way ahead of time.  There's simply too many advantages than disadvantages except 1. Sweet!  It's always too sweet, after all it's sugar.

A basic round cake with 'stone walls" all around.  How to create the "stone walls"?   The option of rolled icing keeps coming back as a foolproof solution.  No! too sweet, that would ruin the taste balance of the cake.   I remembered the good results I had with the crackle cookies I made for Christmas, it was a big hit, taste and appearance.   

Ta Da! Showcasing our Skylander(TM) Portal Cake! 

Just add your favourite Skylander (TM) character

 

Heston's Lemon Tart

SBS recently screened the series "How To Cook Like Heston?" Each episode features a key ingredient - chicken, eggs, cheese etc.  His steps are relatively simple,  besides all the ingredients and a couple of gadgets/tools.  You can cook like Heston!  Don't forget to print off the recipe from Channel 4.

Dee decided to try his Lemon Tart which is featured in the Eggpisode!  You can't make this in a couple of hours as you do need to chill the tart down completely, so make it the day before. 

Artisan Baker Association

My sourdough journey continues, after 15 not-too-good loaves (maybe 10 really flat bad loaves), I am now a member of the Artisan Baker Association (ABA).  I comply to a standard set of guidelines set by ABA.

1) My leavening agent is 100% sourdough

2) I use only unbleached flour

3) I use only sea salt as flavouring.

I am still perfecting the loaves!

Olives Added

Almost-Allergen-Free Cake

We have a very brave niece, her name is Evie.   Before the age of 1, she has endured more medical procedures than most of us have in our lifetime.  We were very excited to be part of her 1st birthday celebrations!  We are making her birthday cake, she needs an almost-allergen-free cake:  Eggs, Diary & Nuts Free.

We tested the cakes, made a couple of tweaks, Take 2!  And yes.. it was a GO!  The frosting did take a few more attempts, we used a combination of Copha and Nuttlex.

What's inside?

A layer of chocolate cake, a layer of vanilla cake held together with a berry "fauxtercream"

The top is rolled icing and the sides are covered with more "fauxtercream"

Here's her cake.  It was really tasty! (yes we were all surprised!)

Here's our recipe for all out there with a similar allergy situation.  It's very simple and delicious!


Evie's Almost Allergen Free Cakes


Sweet Vanilla Cake
245g flour (try gluten free flour if need be, for coeliacs)
1/2 tsp salt
175g sugar
1 tsp bicarb
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup vegetable rice bran, canola or sunflower oil
1 cup soy milk (rice milk is also an alternative)
3 tbsp homemade apple sauce (less preservative)

Mix all ingredients together and beat for 1-2 mins till well mixed
Transfer batter to pre-lined 20cm tin.
Bake in 180C oven, 15 mins, turn down the oven to 170C and continue baking till done (approx 30-40 mins more)

Awesome Chocolate Cake
210g flour
60g cocoa power
3/4 tsp salt
200g sugar

1 tsp bicarb

1 tsp cider vinegar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup vegetable rice bran, canola or sunflower oil

1-1/4 cup soy milk (rice milk is also an alternative) or cold water

3 tbsp homemade apple sauce (less preservative)

Mix all ingredients together and beat for 1-2 mins till well mixed

Transfer batter to pre-lined 20cm tin. 

Bake in 180C oven, 15 mins, turn down the oven to 170C and continue baking till done (approx 30-40 mins more)

Enjoy!