When I think of birthdays I think of cakes, blowing out lighted candles, and getting a year older. When my grandson thinks of birthdays, he thinks of mud and snakes. Landon celebrated birthday number 8 last week, and he had some definite ideas about how he wanted me to decorate his cake.
The first cake I made for him was for a family party. This cake was all chocolate and was baked in an 11 x 15-inch sheet pan. The frosting was his favorite Chocolate Buttercream recipe, and he wanted it to have a Gator and a four wheeler playing in the “mud” on top. Once he chose the vehicles for the top, the rest of the cake was a cinch to put together. I used the wheels to “track” up the top of the cake icing and finished with a shell border made with a #22 tip. The script was also written using chocolate buttercream with a #4 round tip.
The cupcakes are frosted with a #4B tip, the eyes are made from a #12 round tip, and the diamond shapes on the back are made by combining copper, black, and yellow coloring with white buttercream then piping through a #16 tip. The rattles on the end are made with a round #7 tip.
All my colorings had the same warning on the label – “made in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts,” etc. Another grandson is very allergic to peanuts and all tree nuts, and I knew he liked the white cake. There was no way I could add the coloring to those cupcakes with this warning on the label. I did however, add a few colored lines for stripes, being very careful to leave many of the cupcakes untouched by the color so they would not be contaminated. Looks like I’m going to have to discard my current food coloring and look for a safe brand.
I'm already a follower of your lovely blog – Thanks for guest hosting the "Thriving on Thursdays" blog hop.
Angie
godsgrowinggarden.com
Look at that happy Landon! What a great and thoughtful grandma you are, Anita. I know he enjoyed all the cakes. I would've chosen the chocolate buttercream, like Landon. I will have to check my labels on the food coloring. Thank you so much for the tip.
Looks like Landon approved of your beautiful cakes! You did a great job!
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
Love the cakes!
Oh my gosh! Your Grandson is adorable and so are the cakes. You did a great job! (Who doesn't think of snakes and mud for a birthday? Perfect!) =o) What a lucky birthday boy.
What a cutie…….You are the best Grammie….Happy Birthday to Landon……..Andi
looks inviting and mouthwatering stuff!
Very cute!!
Great job reading the label – I am not sure I would have read the label on the food coloring.
Great Job on the cake / cupcakes.
Cute idea for the cupcakes! When your grandson smiles, it makes me smile!
My grandson is also allergic to tree nuts. Here is one of my favorite sources: http://www.peanutallergy.com Cute birthday ideas:) Are you ready to party????