Baby Shower Cake - Twins Boy & Girl

 I have been baking cakes for family and friends for a couple years now. Just a few days ago, my husband said I should stop baking so many cakes and focus more on baking my decorated cookies and cupcakes. Maybe he thinks my cakes aren't as good as my cookies and cupcakes ? ( I know he doesn't mind eating the cakes that I bake.)
 Anyhow, this is my first cake in a few weeks and it is for a baby shower for a colleague at work.
His wife is having twins; a boy and a girl ! They will be some busy parents for a few years, so they deserve a nice cake.
 Although I am using a store cake mix, I have modified the recipe and added extra ingredients that make the cake not too light and not too dense, I will find out from my colleagues tomorrow how good it tastes ??!!

Ingredients:
1 box of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 box of vanilla pudding mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil

Directions:
In a mixer, beat at medium speed oil and sugar.
Add in eggs, mix well.
Add in sour cream.
Mix in vanilla pudding mix.
Stop mixer, add in all the rest of the ingredients.
Mix and beat batter for 3 mins.

Line 2 - 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
Evenly scoop batter into cake pans.
Preheat oven at 350 degree.
Bake cake for 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool down and remove from pan.
Slice cake into 2 on each of the cake.
Frost and decorate cake with buttercream.

SJC Graduations Cookies

It was tough to get this red color correct. I needed to add a little of this and a little of that, including some bright red Pillsbury icing. But I think they came out well. What do you think ?

Here are the cookies !

Pink Floral Cookies

My pink floral cookies seem to be perfect for a Mother's Day celebration. They are lively and lovely and just say love in every bite. Take a look ! :)

simple cupcakes

I wanted to bake a quick batch of simple cupcakes for our church's coffee fellowship.I wasn't really sure what to make, so I went through my pantry and refrigerator and was able to get enough ingredients together to make these delicious little cakes. I call these cupcakes "Joanne's leftover surprise". They ended up being very sweet, light and lovely.  So, here they are !

Easter Cookies

Every holiday is hectic and Easter is no exception. But being busy is what I do, so what shall be my special Easter project ? It would be nice if I could bake some cookies, but getting the icing right has always been a time consuming challenge for me. How about some beautifully decorated and festive Easter themed sugar cookies ?

I made sure I had some free time yesterday for baking and I am so glad I did. These Easter themed cookies came out beautifully, especially the icing. I think I have this style of icing down now. When an idea comes to fruition, baking becomes a joy that brings a warm feeling to my heart and a happy face to those who eat them, especially my cookie monster hubby.

Below is the recipe for the sugar cookies.
And my recipe for the Royal Icing here.

      ran out of royal icing, so some of these were no iced flooded :(, I tried the best I can ;)
   

Festive Bunting Quilt

I found this Candy Bloom Quilt pattern and really like it instantly. The measurements and details are all mine, but I want to give thanks to Tilda's blog for giving me the inspiration to create this Festive Bunting throw quilt.
 My husband thought it was festive and elegant. It was fun for me to make, but it wasn't easy. Lots of details to get just right. If you know me, you know I want to get the details right as best as I can.
 I made this for my granddaughter Ella. But I haven't given it to her yet. I just want to enjoy it one more day :)

Springtime Chocolate Cake

For quite awhile I have been looking for a special chocolate cake recipe and I think I have found it. I will call it my 'go to' chocolate cake recipe for either that 'special occasion' or just because I want to make it :) Either way, it will be fun making it and those I share it with will be smiling too !

Here it is, I found this Most Amazing Chocolate Cake recipe. Now of course I had to put a few 'Joanne twists' to the basic recipe, such as the cream cheese buttercream frosting with a hint of peach pastel. I wanted to welcome spring with my party and my cake in a light and pretty way. But without the twists, its not really mine to share with others. But I have done some good things with this recipe so please give it a try yourself. I think you will be happy with it too !

I made this cake for my annual springtime party and everyone who tried it loved it. They also liked the way it looked and I was happy they thought it was pretty too.

It is a good feeling to make others feel good. Food, especially baked goods are almost always a popular feature at a party. It just makes people happy to see a nice, big cake sitting there. So take a look and see if my pictures give you a hint of happiness as well.

Here a snapshot of the last piece cake standing!

Ingredients:
1 cup hot water plus 1 tsp instant coffee
1 1/2 cup buttermilk ( add 1 1/2 Tbs lemon juice and milk to fill  to measure 1 1/2 cup)
4 eggs
3 cup flour
2 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup Hershey Cocoa
1/2 oil
1 tsp vanilla

Direction:'
Preheat oven at 350.
Lined 3 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and oil side of pans.

In a big bowl, combine dry ingredients; flour, sugar,baking powder, baking soda and Hershey cocoa. Toss and mix well for a good blend.
In mixer, mix eggs and oil, add in buttermilk.
Mix in dry mixture into mixer.
Add in hot coffee.
Pour cake mixture equally into cake pans.
Bake for 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Let cake cool for at least 15 minutes.
Place cake on cake stand, layer with cream cheese buttercream frosting (my recipe here)
Crumb coat sides and top of cake, place cake in refrigerator for 15 mins.
Smooth coat cake and decorate with more buttercream frosting.
Keep cake cool in refrigerator until ready to serve.