Indholdsfortegnelse for Celebrating Cakes 2012 i Southern Lady

One of my favorite memories from childhood is the celebration of my birthday. Mom and Dad always made that day the most wonderful one of the year. It meant that I would have a “store-bought” birthday cake. Mom made scrumptious cakes, but when we moved to Birmingham, she discovered Pizitz Bake shops, where the birthday cakes were very special. The snow white layers were iced with buttercream frosting. In between them was Pizitz’s signature cherry pecan filling. When the white box was opened, inside was a perfectly decorated cake with my name in script icing. Decades ago, Pizitz department stores closed, and birthday cakes as I knew them were gone. In 1998, a brand-new bakery opened in Birmingham: Edgar’s Old Style Bakery. I was ecstatic. Would it be as magical…

I CAN’T SAY ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND is my unquestioned favorite book from childhood, but the colorful jumble of characters and occasions in the Lewis Carroll classic certainly made an impression. My favorite character in the book by far is the March Hare, who leads Alice down the rabbit hole and who later joins her for tea with the Mad Hatter and the dormouse. The memorable images of that long-ago story inspired me to create a tea party for my grown-up girlfriends. The topsy-turvy cake I created, reminiscent of the Mad Hatter’s unique top hat, is made even more colorful by the swirls, whirls, and free-form designs found also in the teawares. How do you order from a bakery? See page 100. whimsical I replicated the hearts from the teapot…

WHEN SUMMER ARRIVES, it seems as if the long, lazy days will last forever—but in reality, they tend to evaporate like the grassy dew of a June morning. With children home from school and family vacations looming on the horizon, sometimes it’s nice to take a few moments to simply stop and savor the coming season before we’re buried in a flurry of fun. Last summer, I decided to have a few of my girlfriends over for a last-minute luncheon to offer us all a chance to relax and visit with one another before our lives became too hectic to do so. I settled on a color scheme of blue and white, reminiscent of calm, cool waters, which I punctuated with bits of yellow in a nod to summer’s abundant…

LATE AUGUST USUALLY FINDS ME OUTSIDE AMONG MY FLOWERS, trying in vain to revive weathered geraniums and drooping dahlias. My sadness at seeing the last of summer’s bounty trickle away, however, is softened by the onset of autumn. As is the case every year, the moment inevitably arrives when I feel the caress of a cool, crisp breeze across my face—a sure sign that fall is on the horizon. That moment brings with it the knowledge that within the span of a few weeks, we will bid goodbye to the long, carefree days of summer and witness the dawn of a new season—one of bountiful pumpkins and chrysanthemums, of glorious, colorful sugar maples, of football and fuzzy sweaters. I view fall not as a season to pine for the summery…

THE TOKENS FOR LUCK ON A BRIDE’S BIG DAY ARE FAMILIAR TO MOST of us: something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. These must-have good luck charms are outlined in a singsong rhyme that is believed to have originated during the Victorian era. However, the color blue has been used in weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to connote love, modesty, and fidelity, and the color’s symbolic meaning has carried through to the present. These days, brides are becoming more and more creative when finding “something blue” for their wedding day, whether it’s an antique cameo worn at the neck or baby blue satin heels tucked under a flowing tulle skirt. For a country club wedding at which the primary color was a rich chocolate…

GROWING UP, THERE WAS NOTHING I LOOKED FORWARD TO QUITE AS MUCH as Christmas morning. The anticipation was so great, my sister Darri and I would even stage “rehearsals” before the big day, pretending to wake each other and race to the tree twinkling with lights and standing cheerful sentry over the piles of presents just waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. By the time Christmas Eve arrived, the air seemed to crackle with excitement. As an adult, I have found that holiday celebrations with my own children always seem to fall on the afternoon or evening of Christmas Day, causing the night before to lose a little of the luster I recall from my childhood. In an attempt to recapture the magic, my husband, Terry, and I host a…

Not everyone is born with the ability to paint great masterpieces, write beautiful sonatas, or pen lovely poems, nor does everyone come equipped with the dexterity and skill required to decorate showstopping cakes. I count it as one of my greatest blessings that God granted me the gift of creating artful cakes. Sometimes, however, the prettiest adornments for cakes are not to be found in a pastry tube or a sheet of fondant, but rather in your favorite fruit bowl or flower garden. And the nicest part, aside from the relative ease with which you can embellish your own beautiful cakes, is that while an experienced hand with delicate decorations is not required, the use of your creativity is.…

“I’ll bake a cake.” So often these words are spoken as a celebration draws near. The occasion always calls for cake whether a homey holiday, a milestone event, a grand affair, or simply a moment when we need a little slice of comfort. I remember vividly the cakes my mother made as I was growing up. The warm, buttery aroma would curl out of the oven and waft through the whole house. And then there was the frosting—mounds of butter creamed together with sugar, a combnation that eventually provided the inspiration for the buttercream frosting we make at Edgar’s Old Style Bakery. As a child, I never understood why the cake had to cool before it could be frosted—that was a lesson that would be learned later. What I did…

ANIMAL PRINTS ARE VERY POPULAR, and safari cakes are in demand for kids. I loved the idea of making the animals on the cake somewhat abstract by using a crosshatch to draw them. (Crosshatch is a technique that uses lines like a grid to fill in the animals.) The King of the Jungle takes his place on top of this wonderful cake. His purple cape represents royalty and contrasts nicely with the yellow color of his body. I chose khaki for the background color for the top tier. All the other icing colors work well with these three colors. The bottom layer is zebra striped, formed by cutting the fondant icing into random black stripes over white. Add tiger stripes, leopard spots, or giraffe spots to other layers if desired.…

NO INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION WOULD BE COMPLETE without a stunning volley of fireworks to end the evening— you could even say the sparkling display takes the cake. With this in mind, I created an iced strawberry layer cake decorated with bursting sparklers, which I served by the slice with tall, cool glasses of iced tea for the evening’s main event. Earlier in the day, however, cake combined with fresh fruit invariably takes center stage at the table. Our family’s Independence Day celebrations are typically enjoyed either at the beach or the lake, as we find being near water helps quench the oppressive heat of summer. A light, fruit-filled trifle, presented in a trio of patriotic colors, adds not only to the decorative scheme, but also to the illusion of a…

OF ALL THE GIFTS OUR MOTHERS PASS DOWN TO US, both literal and figurative, I count heirloom china among the most valuable of those hand-me-down treasures. A table set with mother’s heirlooms is a place where memories come to life over and over. My dear friend Ellen is in possession of such a set of dinnerware, which originally belonged to her great-grandmother—and I was thrilled to have it as both the backdrop and the inspiration for a Mother’s Day luncheon staged in Ellen’s home. The dainty, intricate patterns that dance across the china’s surface are mirrored in the cakes that compose the pastel spread. On a day that honors our mothers, I can think of no better tribute than to have a selection of her special heirlooms, handed down from…

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PARTICULAR FONDNESS FOR HORSES. From my earliest days on my family’s farm, I can remember watching in awe as my sisters galloped by on Buddy, a bay quarter horse, and Missy, a dark bay mare. Although at a young age I found the horses a bit intimidating, I loved feeding them sugar cubes, always minding my mother’s instructions to keep my hand flat so the hungry animals wouldn’t nip my fingers. Perhaps it is these memories that generate such a fever every year for the first weekend in May. In the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, I pore over the statistics of each horse and jockey to determine which will receive my cheers. Whether I’m watching the race live at Churchill Downs or…

MANY TIMES IT SEEMS THAT CAKES PLAY SECOND FIDDLE to other party embellishments— fanciful centerpieces, elaborate table settings, and bountiful fresh flowers. For a bridal shower staged in late spring, I wanted to rethink the traditional formula and let the cakes themselves function as the serving table’s sole decoration. To this end, I crafted a three-tiered cake, featuring a variety of spring and summer blossoms cascading from layer to layer. I surrounded the springtime showstopper with a selection of smaller rounds, each of which draws on elements presented in the centerpiece cake. The only enhancement needed for this fanciful display was an assortment of crystal cake pedestals in varying heights, drawn from my collection at the bakery and bolstered with a couple of heirloom Fostoria pieces belonging to the hostess’s…

MY MOTHER LOVES FLOWERS, and I love creating cakes that mimic her flower garden. Purple and lavender are very popular colors at parties this year. I am even seeing this combination for weddings. The contrast with the black cake stand makes the white cake stand out. The silver basket holds icing flowers like those on the cake, but it could hold real flowers if desired. yellow A cake does not have to be complicated to make a big statement. This one is decorated with ruffles and flowers I made from white modeling chocolate. I then handdyed the chocolate to achieve the desired colors. The base of the cake is several ruffles placed together to appear seamless. This ruffling technique is popular and requires some practice, but it produces a pretty…

Cutting cake, especially for large groups and parties, is no easy feat. These slicing tips will give pretty even pieces every time. Sheet Cake: When cutting a sheet cake, it’s best to cut the length of one side completely and then divide into even portions. This method keeps the slices a consistent depth for the entire length of the cake. Eye the width of each slice on the first row, then cut the remaining cake, following the same steps. When cutting a sheet cake, you don’t have to worry about slices falling over or crumbling, so focus instead on the consistency of the slices, and then plate an entire row of cake at one time. To do so, place the cake server under each slice, using the cutting knife to…

Baking and icing a cake can be one of the most rewarding things you will do in your home kitchen. The act of crafting a cake can be a gift to your family, a way to honor your friends, and a way to satisfy your creative spirit. The following recipes are tried-and-true basic cakes and icings from which you can create an infinite number of cake expressions. carrot cake Long before Terry and I opened Edgar’s, my sister Nancy’s carrot cake was a family favorite. We counted on her recipe to be the special dessert at the end of every holiday meal. 1½ cups vegetable oil 2 cups sugar 4 extra-large eggs 2 cups grated fresh carrots 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice 2¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon…

Farm Fresh • Page 14 Children’s dinnerware and centerpieces: Christine’s Adventures in Cake • Pages 18-21 Tea service, tablecloths, and napkins: Christine’s Baby Mine • Pages 26-29 Decorative glassware: Christine’s Candleholders and cake stands: HomeGoods Silver baby cups: Edgewood Fine Jewelry Stars and Stripes • Pages 30-33 Plates: Harmony Landing Red bowls and beaded goblets: Harmony Landing Bridal Charm • Pages 36-39 Cake topper: Edgar’s Bakery Serene Setting • Page 40 White pitchers (used as vases): Harmony Landing Mother’s Heirlooms • Pages 44-47 Antique cake stand and compotes: Interiors at Pepper Place Figurines: Beverly Ruff Antiques and Linens Napkin rings: Table Matters Floral arrangement: Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market Pumpkin Patch • Pages 50-53 Dishes, chargers, vase, and mugs: Harmony Landing Run For the Roses • Pages 54-58 Cake stands: Edgar’s…

NOT ALL GREAT WEDDING CAKES ARE WHITE! Two brides who wanted something special for their garden weddings chose these two chocolate cakes. The cake on the left was designed to resemble stacked flower pots. Loose chocolate-cake crumbs were saved and then sprinkled on top of each layer to resemble garden soil. The flowers are gum paste and are painted in realistic floral colors. Use your imagination, and plan your cake to reflect the style of your wedding. This flower-pot cake would be perfect for a garden tea as well. basket weave Chocolate basket weave piped with chocolate buttercream icing on the base layer and paired with juniper green butter cream on the top tier is a creative combination for this garden wedding cake. Each flower is attached to foodsafe wire…

OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE NOTICED A TREND DEVELOPING AMONG young brides and grooms. More and more, many young couples are choosing to forgo the traditional walk down the aisle in front of family and friends in favor of smaller ceremonies in more exotic locales. Saying “I do” under the balmy shade of palm trees or in a quaint villa perched on a snowcapped mountain may be every bit as romantic as a traditional ceremony, but destination weddings do pose a singular dilemma: how to include friends and loved ones in the big day. I recently helped a dear friend solve that very quandary. Her son, who was planning to wed in St. John, wanted to bring together loved ones to celebrate this joyous occasion, but not everyone could attend…

WHEN I ENTERTAIN, I always like to have a cake on the sideboard so my guests can anticipate dessert. This is a beautiful cake to display for the holidays. We always think of nuts and oranges around Christmas, and I incorporated them into the glazed fruit for the topping. In fact, I included all my favorite dried fruits into the topping. The rich fudge cake is the perfect complement to the white chocolate buttercream icing and fruit. Serve with a steaming cup of coffee, and prepare for compliments galore. glossy This is one of the most beautiful cakes I make. The glazed fruit is so glossy, it seems to glow. I love the combination of a fudge cake with fruit, but underneath the fruit is a delicious white chocolate icing.…

THERE IS NOTHING SIMPLER OR MORE ELEGANT than a white frosted cake. Once you cut this dreamy six-layer White Chocolate cake, your guests will be surprised to find a delightful raspberry filling. Garnished with white chocolate curls and raspberries, this cake will be appearing throughout the year. For the holidays, it is the perfect dessert. I have shared these recipes with you on page 110 so that you can create this crowd-pleasing cake for your next celebration. dreamy This six-layer cake stands majestically on a crystal cake plate and catches the twinkling lights from the tree. Display your masterpiece before you cut it and your guests will be delighted with the surprise filling. Slicing three regular layers horizontally into six allows for more filling, showing off your baking skills.…

SENTIMENTAL IS A WORD WITH MANY NUANCES. For some people, the word evokes maudlin expressions of emotion, but to me, sentimental conjures images of things from the past that we cherish and protect. In the busy world we live in today, one of the things we seem to have sacrificed is simply connecting, on a daily basis, with the people we love. That is why to me, Valentine’s Day is such an important holiday, and an intimate lunch for two is the perfect way to have uninterrupted time with your sweetheart or another loved one. For just such an occasion, I decided to create small individual cakes, each with a rose on top that represents love. The use of soft pink, lilac, cream, and ivory adds an extra touch of…

Over the years, I have seen people make every mistake possible when it comes to ordering a cake. Most often, their faux pas fall into one of two categories: either because of a lack of time or imagination, they are forced to order a generic, uninspiring sheet cake for their event, or else they arrive at the bakery with a picture of an elaborate creation they’ve come across and then are shocked to hear what such a confection costs. At Edgar’s, we try to minimize these extremes by offering cakes that are gorgeous and unique—but that won’t cause you to have to dip into your savings account. When you order exclusively designed cakes like the ones our talented, artistic decorators create, there are a few things to keep in mind.…

At Home Furnishings 2921 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-3510 Beverly Ruff Antiques and Linens 2417 Canterbury Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-871-7872 Bloom 2518 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-7673 Christine’s 2411 Montevallo Road Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-871-8297 Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market 2560 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-871-0092 Edgar’s Bakery 499 Southgate Drive Pelham, AL 35124 205-987-0790 Edgewood Fine Jewelry 2854 18th Street S Homewood, AL 35209 205-423-8616 Elaine’s 860 Plantation Way Montgomery, AL 36117 800-811-3742 Harmony Landing 2925 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 205-871-0585 HomeGoods 1656 Montgomery Highway Birmingham, AL 35226 205-823-5221 Interiors at Pepper Place 2817 Second Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 205-323-2817 Lamb’s Ears Ltd. 70 Church Street Mountain Brook, AL 35213 205-802-5700 Table Matters 2402 Montevallo Road Mountain Brook, AL…