Christmas Spirit!

I don't know what it is about this year...maybe it's the weather, or just being super busy...but it does not feel like CHRISTMAS TIME!  It makes me quite sad that I can't get into the Christmas spirit - I love buying gifts, wrapping them, decorating and of course making Christmas sweets!

It's been tough with my hours at work, then training for a half marathon (I'm crazy..I know)!  I just haven't had that much time to make super special Christmas/holiday treats.  I did have a request for Red Velvet Cupcakes for the beginning of December, so I decided to make them somewhat festive!  I made everything from scratch, including the cream cheese icing, then added some white sprinkles (to look like snow) and a candy cane as the North Pole!  What do you think?

Stay tuned... Christmas cookies are coming up this weekend and next, any suggestions on some new recipes I should try?!  Bake ON!!

A Very Sporty Birthday!

Growing up, I was quite the tomboy and into every sport imaginable.  I tried being a cheerleader, I even did ballet and loved it.  But, my true love was sports - softball, basketball, soccer, and even football.  I received a cake order by a little girl after my own heart...she didn't want a princess or a butterfly cake - she wanted a basketball and soccer themed cake!

I checked out a few designs, but I knew in my heart what I wanted to create for her.  A true fusion of soccer and basketball, mixing her two worlds into one cake!  I did a large sheet cake (vanilla) with home-made butter cream.  I made half the cake a soccer field, and the other half a basketball court and the two fields met in the center of the cake, where there was a half basketball/half soccer ball layered on top!  She was super excited for her cake and I was quite proud of how the two came together into one.  What do you think?!

Bake on!