Once bitten forever smitten - How long does it take to make a cake?

I was at a garden party last weekend and the mother of a prospective groom asked me how long does it takes to make a wedding cake and my response - about three and a half days. This is true for a standard 3 tier cake and I thought no more about it. Then today I got a call asking if I could make an open bible cake for a christening in 10 days time - of course I can make it and I had loads of ideas to make it appropriate and pretty but I cannot make it as there isnt enough time...

So when ordering a special cake its not the time it takes to make the cake that's important for your order to be accepted its the time available in the 3-4 days before the delivery date. With the exception of fruit cakes which should always be ordered 10 weeks in advance most cakes shold be ordered 3-4 weeks before you need them. Then your bespoke cake maker can schedule the purchasing of special trimmings, ensure the cakes are baked, rested, 'dirty iced' so called because the crumbs show through, chilled, second coat buttercream, chilled, marzipan covered, rested overnight, fondant iced, stacked and decorated and finally boxed for delivery or collection.

If you have a wedding make sure you start the selection process for a cake maker 6 months before the big day - and for all other celebrations unless you want a 3 tier cake make sure you have chosen a cake maker a month in advance. Of course at a quiet time you may be lucky with a week or two's notice. And don't forget if you want something special for your own Birthday register for the wish-list. Orders can be placed by email or via the contact form.
Best wishes, Janet

Once bitten forever smitten - Wedding Show

Newsflash - Delicakes has signed up to go to my first wedding show!

Put on your sexy M and S food ad voice - this is not a wedding fair but a two day exclusive wedding show featuring Delicakes for the very first time, inspiring designs, exquisitly decorated show cakes and some divine tasting samples.

Yes the show will be packed with Kent's finest:  Venue's, Photographers, 4 Catwalk shows compared by Claire Sweeney, florists and every other thing you need to make your wedding perfect. As soon as possible I will add a link and pictures.

Its at Leeds Castle 15th and 16th October 2011 - make sure you put the date in your diaries especially if you are getting married next year.

I was so excited last night creating new and exclusive cake designs for 2012 to launch at the show I couldn't sleep. Its too soon to reveal the designs but as a little taster I'll tell you the themes include Snow White and Chandelier

For 2011 design ideas see the Once bittten forever smitten website
Best wishes, Janet

Once bitten forever smitten - Cake Pops

I cannot believe it has taken me so long to actually make some cake pops - and yes I'm totally smitten - true these ones are rather plain and not perfect but they were just for family to try out as I was creating the recipe.

The thing is they are really like a cake truffle; rich, dense, creamy and moist and all hidden under a chocolate candy coating that makes a satisfying crack as you take the first bite. These have to be the all time best of both worlds - small and pretty like chocolates, tastes of cake and buttery vanilla, a moist mouthfull that is truely addictive. I didn't expect to like them but I am very keen to make some chocolate filled ones next.
they would make great favours so I have featured them on the Wedding Favours page of the website
Next step is to create some designs to feature for Birthdays, keep a look out for these on flickr.
All cakes can be ordered by phone 01732 843518, text 07714286911 or email me direct.
Best Wishes, Janet

Once Bitten Forever Smitten - Father's Day

This year Father's Day is the day after our son comes home from university so there will be more than one reason to have a scrumptious cake for tea. This cake was made for a lady Bridge fanatic but its a theme suitable for many Dad's - especially if they like a game of cards

Or you could go for a garden cake as lots of Dad's like to potter in the garden and grow their own - I really think this cake should be carrot cake but you can actually order any flavour you like

For my own Father I will make his favourite cupcakes with Velvet Cream frosting on a vanilla cake (why do the American TV shows always say Vanilla Bean - is there another sort of Vanilla I dont know about?
If you have any cake requirements this summer I can cater for Wedding Cakes up to 500 portions or Dinner Party puddings for 8 - tel 01732 843518 text 07714286911 or you can email your order
To see lots more pictures and full details of cakes see BirthdayDelicakes or WeddingDelicakes
best wishes, Janet

Once bitten forever smitten - Sight, smell, touch and taste

Enjoying a cake uses four of the five senses (all except hearing). When you see that cake you just want to taste it, when you smell that sweet mallowly scent of fondant icing you start to salivate, when it gets onto your tongue you feel the lightness of the sponge and the sweetness of the frosting on your teeth and then your tastebuds are all at once satisfied by the melting butteryness and sugar rush.

The whole concept of Delicakes is that the taste and mouthfeel is so mouthwateringly yummy you will always want more. If you dont like fondant your cake can be covered in butttercream frosting as above or creamcheese for a clean finish as below

Or you can go for a fondant decorated cake to reflect a favouite hobby such as this Snare Drum cake that had a chocolate and vanilla marble cake hiding inside.

All cakes can be ordered by email, and there are now separate websites for Birthday cakes and Wedding cakes so you can quickly find what you want, best wishes, Janet

Once bitten forever smitten - Chelsea Flower Show

This week is Chelsea Flower Show and although I've left it too late to get tickets I am celebrating the Queen of English flowers with a fresh rose design in Lime Green. Yes I know its not typical - and it may not be real but this Rose Topper cake has been made specially for my sister and the cake is a lemon sponge with a zingy lime cream cheese filling and I wanted the decoration to complement the filling!

And just to show that Carnations are still a popular flower here is the Wedding Cake I made for a lovely couple who were so not 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' 

 If you have a big celebration coming up why not have a bespoke cake made especially for you - email orders via the website contact form or text 07714286911
best wishes, Janet

Once bitten forever smitten - Colour Blocking

All the fashions for this spring and summer are about big bold blocks of colour - and they dont come bigger or bolder than this fantastic 40 - covered in red glitter and sugar diamonds what diva could mind turnng 40 if they had a cake like this to celebrate.

I think the equivalent cake for children would be a lego bricks cake but I havent made one of these yet so here is one made by Dragonfly.

There are so many ways to link cake with current trends and fashion, so if you want a birthday cake and fancy one shaped like a handbag or a shoe let me know by emailing me your order or check out BirthdayDelicakes
Best Wishes, Janet