Designing and creating a cake for a special occasion; a milestone birthday, a child's birthday, an anniversary or a wedding always fills me with such a feeling of joy. As I work on the cake I feel my craft will help make the occasion even more special and I always feel honoured for the request and the ability to add something really special to the day. When the delivery takes place, I leave before the guests arrive and rarely witness the guest reaction to the cake and its taste.
Last weekend my wonderful mother-in-law turned 65 and my father-in-law planned a surprise party for her. He hesitated asking me for the cake because the party was two hours away on a hot July day. I really wanted to do this cake and I went to work creating an elegant design that I felt would suit her beautiful, kind and loving nature. It is not often I get to design a cake from scratch and this one was an extra special project.
I started by creating these fantasy flowers that shimmered with lustre dust and reminded me of sea shells, perfect for my m-i-l who loves to travel. Then I baked up layers of chocolate butter cake and white butter cake and alternated them with my delicious Swiss meringue buttercream tinted the softest shade of coral. I fashioned an elegant 65 out of gum paste and placed it on top of this beauty.
After a harrowing 2 hour drive in 32 degree celcius heat, the cake arrived at its destination intact. It was a different experience to be there as the cake was cut and served. I suspect that like every cake delivery I make, the cake became a focal point that people could talk about, study and eventually taste. The incredibly positive feedback added a happy element to the party for me and I was so happy that my mother-in-law loved it as well. I wish you many more happy and healthy years, Jackie!
