Saturday, May 1, 2010

So chic

A Baby Shower - Chic Mommy cake (door)

There is something about a cake with a door on it that is particularly inviting, I think. This precious pink creation was commissioned by my Haligonian friend Winnifred as a baby shower gift for her brother and sister-in-law. The yummy mummy-to-be is a fervent pastry enthusiast and Winnifred had seen this silly old blog post of a greeting card which served as the inspiration for this little cake.


By little, I mean that this cake was only 5 inches in diameter and 4 inches high, meaning that all the details in each of the three scenes were tiny, the perfect challenge for an ex-ophthalmologist. At one point, I considered wearing my old pair of surgical loupes for more magnification. The chic mommy strolling along with pink pumps and matching purse was the most satisfying to make, especially because she was a mere 2 inches tall, excluding her hat.

A Baby Shower - Chic Mommy cake (closeup window)

Next, the inset window showcased four petits gateaux with rows and rows of macarons in the background. This scene, plus having a co-worker just return from vacation in Europe, has made me think it is time to return to Paris for some major rejuvenation. Meanwhile, the actual cake was chocolate cake and chocolate mousseline with a crunchy hazelnut feuilletine layer.


In addition to the gift of cake, Winnifred wanted to provide party favours for all the shower guests in the form of pink, brown, and tan macarons, packaged in sacs of three, filled with dark chocolate raspberry, milk chocolate hazelnut, and gingerbread spiced ganaches, respectively. Eighteen dozen macarons later, I decided that I really need a bigger kitchen, bigger oven, and bigger refrigerator. This was especially because there was a third part to Winnifred's order, which I will write about in my next post...

A Baby Shower - macaron favours

20 comments:

Lavender Playground said...

Oh my goodness, the details on the cake just blew me away. The macarons look so good too.

Kristen said...

That is the sweetest cake ever!

Anonymous said...

Your cake is beautiful!

Ana said...

Fantastica!!!! Impresionante!!!

Jami said...

that is so sweet! just perfect.

Treats SF said...

Your cake is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the whimsical design. Great job!! I'll be adding your blog to my blog list.

Canada said...

I love that cake, it's very cute! And I like that you brought that macaroons into the cake to tie it together.

Memória said...

The cake and macarons look absolutely perfect. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Your cake is gorgeous! Very, very cool. I have to decorate the sides of cakes from time to time at work and I find it so difficult... This is amazingly impressive!

Jen said...

Hi Charmaine,
I discovered your blog through tastespotting, your cakes are absolutely gorgeous! And I feel like I can relate to you because I'm an optometrist itching to do more creative things too. Wish I had talent like yours though!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh my goodness, this is toooo cute!!!! I love everything about it. Bravo!

:)
ButterYum

Viv said...

This is one of the prettiest cake I've ever seen - very artistic and I love the colours!

Ali said...

I could put your cake on a revolving pedestal, sit down with a glass of wine and watch it rotate for hours. It's like I'm window shopping down a quaint little French street.

Win said...

Charmaine, you are amazing. The cake was just PERFECT. Too bad I was not able to see it in person. I was, however, fortunate enough to taste the macarons. (Fedex from Vancouver to Halifax) For those of you wondering if they tasted as fantastic as they look... they were even better !!

My brother and sister-in-law found it difficult to cut your masterpiece as the cake was so beautiful... but one taste and it was salivary heaven.

thankyou, thankyou, thankyou

Charmaine said...

Win: It was my pleasure and don't thank me, it was your idea! I just put it together. I'm glad I wasn't there to see it get cut and eaten though :)

Thien said...

Very sweet cake. I just found your blog via Tastespotting and wanted to let you know that your work is lovely and inspiring!

Unknown said...

that is a really beautiful cake. the detail is impeccible. wow.

Eyes Bigger Than Belly said...

WOW!! Absolutely gorgeous - I love the attention to details - you should be so proud!! :)

Gabby Malcuit said...

I love your work!

Sugar Siren said...

Amazing! & soo cute.