Happy Easter!

This sweet example of cookie art was designed and decorated by member Jason Gottlieb, owner of Flour Patch Bakery in Montclair, New Jersey. This edible cookie could be used as a whimsical favor or place card for your guests.

Yummy Butter Cookies!

These yummy wedding cake butter cookies were baked and decorated by member Linda

This yummy recipe for butter cookies is compliments of the New York State Chapter of the International Cake Exploration Societe.

Butter Cookies Yield: 3 to 4 dozen cookies

1 cup (8oz) unsalted butter
1 cup (8oz) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 cups (12 oz or 340 g) all purpose flour, plus extra for rolling out dough

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a mixer paddle attachment for 2 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl.
   
3. Cream the mixture for an additional 60 seconds. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
4. Sift together baking powder and flour. Add the flour mixture 1 cup at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly after each additiona.
   
5. Knead the last cup of flour by hand. The dough will be stiff.
6. Divide the dough into two balls. Wrap one ball into plastic wrap until ready to use. Further divide the un-wrapped dough in two parts.
7. On a floured surface, roll out one of the halves about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Use a large offset metal spatual to run under the dough to prevent it from sticking. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters, dipping the cutters into flour before each use. Carefully place the cut-out cookies onto an ungreased nonstick cookie sheet or a parchment-lined half-sheet pan.
   
8. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until the edges of teh cookies begin to brown lightly. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet until ready to use.
   

A New Take on a Basket Cake!

Photo courtesy of Helen's Cakes, LLC

This stunning cake designed by member Helen Murphy, Helen's Cakes, is a unique take on the traditional basket cake design. Colorful sugar lilies spill over a handmade bamboo basket made of gumpaste. For a more spring-like feeling lighten the colors and add violets, tea roses, baby's breath, apple blossoms, peonies, and a more traditional woven sugar basket. For a tropical twist, change out the flowers for bird of paradise, hibiscus, or gumpaste orchids. Another idea is to incorporate the recipient's favorite flowers into the basket. A breathtaking alternative to a floral bouquet for birthdays and even Mother's Day!

And Even More Cupcake Ideas!

Cupcake was designed and decorated by Dina, Organizer, New York Cake Decorators Meetup

Violets are one of the first flowers to show their beautiful blossoms in spring. This sweet little cupcake was iced in buttercream. Then a small amount of buttercream was tinted with Wilton leaf green paste color and the "grass" was piped with a grass tip. Perky little gumpaste flowers and leaves were wired and attached to a small toothpick that was inserted into the cupcake. These cupcakes would be so special as favors for a spring bridal shower, baby shower, or garden party.

More Cupcake Ideas

This dainty collection of sweet cupcakes was designed and decorated by Linda

Passover starts at sundown tomorrow and for those with a sweet tooth, The Kosher Cupcake at the Market and The Kosher Cupcake feature a tempting array of tasty treats and recipes. Lace cupcake wrappers can be found at several online shops including Fancy Flours.

Just in time for the holidays: Cute Cupcake Designs for Newbie Cake Decorators

Presentation is Everything....

This tiered cake was designed and decorated by Isabel (Isa) Sanchez, Isa's Cakes

How many cake designers spend hours decorating their cakes right down to the finest detail and then present their cakes in photographs poorly. Take time to style your cake to show off your work to its best advantage. A neat little book devoted entirely to this topic is Cake Styling by Nicholas Lodge.

NYC Cake Decorators - Isa's 9 Petal Rose Tutorial

Wedding Cake Talk From Bronwen Weber

Spring Cake Designs

The wine and fruit basket cake was designed and decorated by Helen, Helen's Cakes, LLC.

This stunning wine and fruit basket cake is the perfect dessert for your spring event.

More Easter Cake Ideas

Egg cake designed and decorated by Grace.

Easter Bonnet Hat Cake designed and decorated by Yvette

Stumped for a message for your holiday cakes? Here are some ideas:

Egg-cited for Easter
Happy Springtime
Bunny Love
Ears to You
A Very Bunny Day

Cake Decorating Time and Cost-Saving Tips

This beautiful baby cake was decorated by Shauna.

Let's face it, times are rough--even for us cake designers. Our members are great at sharing ways to save money with sugar art:

1. Use a cheap kitchen cabinet space saver to dry gumpaste flowers. - Dina
2. Wet and wring clean old towels and use in place of store bought baking strips. - Jessie
3. Make your own cake release by mixing equal parts of flour, shortening, and vegetable oil. - Jessie.
   
4. Fondant rolling pins are often expensive and are too small for large jobs. Take a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's plumbing aisle and pick up a piece of PVC pipe long enough to cover a large cake.- Dianna L.
   
5. Pick up a piece of clear vinyl from a fabric store to cover your working surface. You can use this to help pick up a large piece of fondant to drape your cake without sticking your fingers through it. Another thing is if you fold it in half and roll out your fondant in between it - it helps keep your fondant from drying as you roll it out. - Dianna
   
6. When not in use, a long bread tin can be used as a flower former. - Lynn
7. During your downtime, makes lots of buds and flowers in one color (such as white or light pastel). When you need to decorate a cake, airbrush or dust those stored flowers with color to suit the occasion. - Jessie
   

Gumpaste Peony Class with Chef Ruth Drennan

Members proudly showing off their gumpaste peonies with Chef Ruth Drennan (back row R), Ruth Drennan Cakes

Iva's gumpaste peony

The Gumpaste Peony Class with Chef Ruth Drennan, Ruth Drennan Cakes, was a lot of fun! Ruth is a very patient instructor with a relaxed style that made it easy to learn the flower. She graciously shared behind the scenes information about her experiences on "Amazing Wedding Cakes" with former Cake Atelier partner, Lauri Ditunno, and tips and hints to improve our gumpaste work. One helpful tip is to purchase a cheap white knee-high stocking and use it to hold cornstarch. Works like a charm! Why not join us at our future meetups? For more information, contact Dina, NYC Cake Decorators Meetup.

See you there!

Dina