The Perfectionist Confectionist

Rabbit in a Hat Trick!

2012-02-02T12:54:00.000Z

Every year we make a cake for St. Sylvesters School in Malahide for their Cake Sale. A 'Guess How Many Smarties' Cake.

I think this one is my favourite to date.

The cake is a 3 x 6" chocolate fudge cake and the rabbit is made from rice crispie treats. Everything is edible except the brim of the hat and the bunny's whiskers.

Beach, Blue Sky and Boobs

2012-01-26T15:56:00.002Z

I was sent the following pictures by Nicola and asked if we would be able to make the pictures into a cake!

'No problem' I say.

Gibson SG for Jon

2012-01-21T12:49:00.000Z

We got a phone call about making a Gibson SG and I nearly had heart failure but we took the gig anyway and it was so much fun. Nice to be really challenged. Everyone I told about the cake kept saying Geoff from Ace of Cakes made one - you'll be grand. But I'm no Geoff!!

Still, it turned out brilliantly and I am dead proud of it. Combined effort of Bernie and myself and ............judge for yourself.

The cake itself is a carved 12" vanilla madeira, triple layered with vanilla buttercream and covered in sugarpaste.

Janet

2012-01-07T13:07:00.001Z

Since taking up cake making I have met many wonderful Cakers, some of whom have turned into great friends. One of these is Nicola Grant of Impact Cakes. So when she was feeling under the weather and asked me to make a model to go with her fantastic cake I was happy to oblige.

MAC # 2

2012-01-07T12:47:00.000Z

We made this for the nicest woman. It was for her daughter's 21st birthday. The cake itself is a 10" chocolate biscuit cake and all the 'MAC' products are made from sugarpaste and Mexican Modelling Paste.

So what exactly goes into making a novelty cake then?

2012-01-05T23:47:00.002Z

The price of cakes- particularly novelty cakes can sometimes be more than you might have had inmind initially. "Oh my!", you think. "Surely it can't be thatmuch - it's just a cake! Right?".

People often expect to pay a lot for a wedding cake, but aresurprised at the quote they have been given for a novelty cake. Yet noveltycakes are often more difficult to make.

A novelty cake isnever just a cake. It's a tailor-made commissioned piece of art foryour friend/ loved one. A personalised gift to light up their face andmake their day, and hopefully remember for some time afterwards. Much much morethan simply a dessert at a party, or something to eat with their cup of tea; anovelty cake takes centre-stage on the table at any celebration.

Good cake-makers canmake detailed novelty cakes look effortless, and unless you are making noveltycakes yourself, it can be easy to dramatically underestimate how long a cakemay have taken, and what went into it.

Novelty cake-making is a skill that takes a lotof practice to develop. It requires a good artistic ablilty, an eye for detail,a steady hand, and an awful lot of patience. If you have never made a noveltycake before and decide to give it a try, then you could be in for a shock (andprobably some disappointment)!

I have been makingnovelty cakes for a number of years, and below I have detailed what is involvedin making an €80 sponge novelty cake. Cakes that cost more than this are pricedas such because they take longer to make. It is not unusual for a more complexcake e.g. a car to take 12+ hours.

Here's what goes into an average €80 noveltysponge-cake

Research time(often around 30 mins for a tailor-made cake - to design the cake and work outthe size required and items needed)

Shopping time :Each cake requires specific items that have to be sourced individually -including specific size and shape of board (boards cost between €2.49 and €13depending on the size and shape), the box (can cost between €1.50 and €5) ,ribbons, decoration, edible paints, other decorations, specific colours oficing, and in some cases new tools.

Preparation of sponge mixture and baking time:Around 1.5 hours in total.

Each cake is baked fresh to order within about 3days of dispatch so that the cake is as fresh as possible and will keep for atleast 2 weeks. Every cake is made using free range eggs and pure butter for areal home-made taste.

Decorating time: Around 3.5 hours for a €80novelty cake.

Carving and sculpting the shape of the cake.

Butter-creaming between layers and around thecake.

Colouring and kneading the fondant icing andthen decorating the cake - smoothing it so it looks neat and without bumps andair-bubbles.

Bringing the caketo life with all the details - using textures, colouring and molding of thedifferent fondant parts and attachments, making the models, painting etc.

Ingredients used:

1.75 - 2.5lbs of pure butter (for cake and buttercream)
1.25 - 1.5lbsflour

1.25 - 1.5 lbs castor sugar

6 - 12free range eggs.

1.5 - 2lbsicing sugar

Flavouring and jam

Plain fondanticing, pre-coloured fondant packs, specialised Mexican modelling paste, orflower paste for details and models.

Other items:

Edible paints,glitters, sprays, confectioners glaze, edible glue, CMC thickening agent forfondant, thick foiled cake board, ribbon for the board, and box - notforgetting tools for shaping and cutting. It is not unusual for the cost of theseextras to add up to more than the cost of the main cake itself.

Ingredients andextra items normally add up to €28 - €35 for an average €80 novelty cake. Thatleaves around €42-€35 for my work and time on the cake. In comparison this is amuch lower hourly rate than other skilled jobs would pay.

Delivery cost andtime

I always deliver the cake free of charge ifwithin 5 km of my house.

So - there you have it - the novelty cakeexperience behind the scenes.

Whataffects the price of a cake?

Figurines & models

A cake that has figures on it will add to theprice of a cake. Animal figures require specialist Mexican modelling paste andtake between 30 and 90 minutes to model (each add from €15+ to overall price),and dressed human figurines with facial expressions take around 1.5-2 hours tomake (each add from €25+ to overall price).

Also bear in mindthat little models of items will add to the price - the intricacy of the itemsand number of them is proportional to the cost.

'Technical' cakes

A cake that requires a technical representationsuch as, say, a car cake, camera cake, or an electric guitar cake, requirescritical attention to proportions and measurements for a respectable likenesswhich takes time and must be factored into the overall cost.

Sculpted Cakes

3D cakes that need to be sculpted into a shapesuch as a car, a 3D animal cake or, for example, the Nemo cake will involvewastage of cake, so the cost of this wastage must be factored into the overallcost.

A metallic, shiny coloured cake

Cakes that are verysilvery, gold, pearlescent, or metallic in colour will be more expensive as themetallic shiny edible paints and sprays are more costly than other colours. Forcakes that require shiny gold detail, I often use 24ct gold leaf (real gold andcompletely edible) powder for a stunning finish.

Overall size of thecake

Most novelty andstandard celebration cakes will feed on average between 35 and 45 people. Ifyour cake is to cater for more people than this, then the cake will cost more.

Flavour of the cake

Cakes made with chocolate and also alcohol willcost more than other sponge flavours.

Fruit cake costsconsiderably more than sponge cake since it is full of rich ingredients: fruit,nuts, cherries, and lots of French brandy. However - a fruit cake will providetwice as many portions as a sponge cake of the same size and last a lot longer(sponge cake lasts around 2 weeks if kept in a cool airtight container, whereasfruit cake will last for months). As a price guide, a 10ins square fruitcakefor example will cost €35 more than a sponge cake of the same size.
Candles

I don't generallysupply candles for cakes. However, I will source them for you if requested andadd this to the cake price - depending on the number and type of candles yourequire.

Angry Birds

2012-01-04T13:41:00.000Z

I was asked to make these to go with the cake that the mother of the birthday girl was making. I had a blast, unfortunately am now addicted to the game.

VANDALS!!!!!

2011-12-01T09:24:00.000Z

This, at this moment in time, is one of my favourite cakes. It's an 8" chocolate biscuit cake decorated with handmade figures based on the birthday boy's own children. There is a nice, casual laid back vibe to it.

Ayveen's Christening Cake

2011-12-01T09:20:00.000Z

I don't know what I did but I messed with the settings when editing the photos which means . . they're not great photos. So annoying. Especially when you're pleased with the cake, like I am.

This is a 8" Zesty Lemon cake. It's been triple layered with both buttercream and home made lemon curd (thank you Nicola - fellow caker), The flowers and buttons are all handmade.

Pint of Guiness

2011-12-01T09:11:00.000Z

A simple, straight forward pint of Guinness. Can't go wrong with a pint of the Black stuff, can you? Bernie took a well deserved day off and I had to do the piping bit. Tis great how we all have our skills but I'm only learning about royal icing (I've done a course with Ms. Grainne MacClancy - go find her, the woman is one of the best teachers I have ever met). I think it turned out rather well, as did the client. Which is the main thing.

BALBRIGGAN CHRISTMAS MARKET MENU!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-28T18:47:00.012Z

Here's something you haven't seen in a while

A market menu!! We're back. Back doing something we love. Selling direct to you, and having a chat, at the market.

The market is running from 6pm - 9pm on Friday, 2nd December and 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday (don't talk to us on Monday as I have a feeling we'll be tired and cranky).

So? What do we have for you??? Well . . . .

Red Velvet

A light chocolate cake with a fantastic red colour, think Rudolph’s nose. It is topped with a delicious white chocolate cream frosting.

The Malted

hese malt flavoured cupcakes (think malteasers) are perfect!! Topped with a delicious malty butter cream and a trio of Malteasers these cupcakes are exceedingly tasty, with a pinch of nostalgia

Egg Nog

So excited about this one!! It's a new one for me, Niamh, but Mo' knows me and reckons I'm going to love it. A light and fluffy Eggnog cupcake with an eggnog frosting and a dusting of cinnamon.

Vanilla Bean

The Classic cupcake topped with our favourite and most traditional icing recipe. We use the best of ingredients to make this cupcake and you can taste it. Oh, and as it's the season for snow and being jolly, these cups of yumminess are topped with a sugar snowflake.

Snickerdoodle

These are delicious. A moist, cinnamon-y piece of heaven!! Topped with a delicious, light cream cheese and cinnamon frosting. I, Niamh again, would crawl across broken glass for one of these!

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow

Delicious Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect for cold mornings/afternoons/evenings . . . . . Perfect for any time.

Chocolate and Peppermint

A perfect cup of Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting. Ooh, mustn't forget the crushed candy canes.

Apple Spice

A spicy apple cupcake with a maple and brown sugar frosting.

BUT WAIT!!!!! There's more . . . .

We also have our, now famous, chocolate biscuit puddings. The best Belgian Chocolate mixed with butter, golden syrup and a range of lovely biscuits before being lovingly topped with sugarpaste 'cream', and 'holly'. These are flying out so if we don't have any when you come to see us, don't fret, we'll have our order book with us.

Small puddings: €12.00 each or 2 for €20.00

Big puddings are €25.00 each

Also, there are our Belgian Choc. Chip Cookies, Biscuits, in a jar. All you need is 100g butter, tsp vanilla extract and an egg and you're away. Within 11 minutes of mixing our jar with those few ingredients you'll have upwards of 20 delicious cookies. That's 20 BIG ones.

Jars of Cookie mix (I still think 'biscuits') are €10 each

Then there are our 'Cupcake in a Jar' jars. We'll have a few on display but really we're just making these to order. In each jar you get one and a half cupcakes with three swirls of our luscious buttercream topped with sprinkles and supplied with a spoon. All you do is uncap and eat. Great Kris Kindle/Secret Santa/present for someone you forgot present. They'll last 7 days from receipt, unopened and in your fridge. I promise you they are divine.

They cost €6.00 each or you can have two for €10.00

We'll also have Peppermint Bark. Only three ingredients are required, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and candy canes and it is absolutely perfect.

We may also have, homemade marshmallows, peanutbuttercups and fudge . . . we'll just have to see how tired and cranky myself and Mo' become.

Either way, come and say hello and have a taste of what we have to offer, promise you'll love it.

Somewhere, beneath the sea. Nemo

2011-11-26T13:46:00.000Z

Nemo is a carved 10" chocolate orange cake. Layered with a delicious chocolate orange buttercream.

I was unwell, migraine, and Bernie just did her thing and ... doesn't Nemo look fantastic?

Wild West Wedding

2011-11-26T13:42:00.000Z

This cake near gave me a nervous breakdown, I think it was the preciseness of the drawing we were given. The bride and groom loved it and that is what we aim for. The cake is a 24 x 12" vanilla and raspberry cake, triple layered with raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream. The cake was then covered in fondant and decorated with sugar fences and cacti. The sign is also made from sugar and we did have sugar posts, for the sign, but the weather went against us and it just didn't set.

(Not just for Christmas) Chocolate Chip Cookies in a jar

2011-11-21T13:18:00.000Z

Last year these little jars of loveliness where a huge hit for us. Each jar, depending on the size of your cookies, can give you up to 30 gorgeous chocolate chip biscuits ('cookies' to the kids). They are €11.00 each or 2 for €20.00. They'll keep, unopened, for up to six months.

Bob and Marge's 75th Surprise Cake

2011-11-19T11:07:00.000Z

My aunt and uncle recently turned 75. There was a surprise party and my cousin rang looking for a cake incorporating organ playing and sailing!!? A good caking friend (Karen Geraghty - no relation) came up with something along this line, I was stumped.

The cake itself is a 10" chocolate fudge cake and everything, excl. jewellery, and mast, are edible. Do love this cake.

Ginger Date and Lemon Cake

2011-10-14T18:48:00.000+01:00

I use this recipe a lot for weddings. I also make it for us, as a family, a lot as it really is delicious.

You'll need:

200g Dates

200g Butter - cut into cubes.

300g Muscovado Sugar.

2 eggs.

50g fresh or frozen root ginger, grated.

Grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon.

200g Self Raising flour, sifted.

1 Bramley Apple, approx 250g, peeled, cored and cubed (pea size pieces).

Then you:

Heat oven to 160c/fan 140c.
Butter and line a 20cm cake tin.
Place dates into a bowl and cover with boiling water.
Melt butter in a large pot, then stir in sugar.
Allow to cool slightly. Beat in the eggs, ginger and lemon zest.
Drain the dates and finely chop them. Scrape them into the pan and then mix.
Stir in the flour then the apple.
Spoon into the cake tin, place the tin on a baking sheet (stops cake cooking unevenly).
Bake for approx. 1 - 1.1/4 hours until well risen. A skewer inserted into the cake should come out with a few moist crumbs sticking to it.
Leave to cool in the tin. If wrapped well this cake will keep for at least a week and it definitely improves with age.

Dreamy Lace

2011-10-14T11:56:00.000+01:00

We're very lucky with our couples here at Perfectionist. Again, we got a lovely chilled out bride and groom. They asked for the Joanne and I asked, because I've already made that cake a few times now, if I could try something else. They said 'sure, why not?'. So I got to make an ivory cake and decorate it with handmade hydrangea flowers in white with just the barest blush of pink.

The cakes is made up of a 12" baileys chocolate biscuit cake and a 10" ginger, lemon and date cake

Always a manky plaster!!

2011-10-11T20:54:00.000+01:00

I've discovered that I love making cakes with water in them. I love that shade of blue. This cake was ordered by Elaine, for her sister Karyn's birthday party. Originally just a drink with a few friends it quickly became the event of the year.

The cake is a Baileys Sponge and the water is made from piping gel. The figure of Karyn is made from fimo and is made to be kept and to sit on the edge of a shelf.

The manky plaster? As a child I can always, always, remember a plaster floating past at some point or another when in the swimming pool.

Blake's Christening Cake

2011-10-01T23:52:00.000+01:00

A 10" Victoria Sandwich inspired cake, delicious vanilla madeira that has been triple layered with vanilla buttercream and raspberry jam.

Birkin and Shoes . . . Happy Birthday Pamela

2011-10-01T23:44:00.000+01:00

I love this cake, these cakes. Loved the client. A dream to work for as he knew exactly what he wanted. The bag is made from a carved chocolate fudge cake and everything is edible. The shoes are based on a design by Littlewoods and aren't edible. They are made from Fimo and are designed to be kept. The shoebox is made from our delicious chocolate biscuit cake.

Beauty and the Beast

2011-10-01T23:39:00.000+01:00

A three tier Vanilla Madeira cake topped with Beauty and the Beast. Ordered by a lovely man for his girlfriend's 21st birthday.

Surprise!!!!

2011-10-01T23:35:00.000+01:00

This was an interesting one. I learnt that making surprise birthday cakes can be tricky if you end up talking to the one who is to be surprised. Wasn't my greatest day. Tis funny now.

The cake itself is the building. It is a 12" chocolate biscuit cake and the cars are made from rice crispie treats.

Haven't shown you a cake in a while

2011-10-01T23:28:00.000+01:00

I'm finding it harder to get time to do this. So seriously, big apologies. Turns out it's a lot harder than I thought trying to get a business up and running when you have small children. Very hard indeed. Mo' is busy with her middle one starting in school and, big news this, she is about to start up a new bit of the Perfectionist. BTW, we three kind've run as a Co-Op, we each do our own thing and come together when we need each other. Back to Mo' (or Morrin as we sometimes call her), well she is going to be doing a whole new range with us. Basically Mo will be making pies and cream cakes, cookies and whatever you fancy. Apple pie, pecan pie, buck eye pie (yes, seriously) and lots more beside. Mo will be doing desserts and myself and Bernie will be doing our thing. Should be fun.

Gavan's Surprise Audi

2011-09-11T18:37:00.000+01:00

This is a 12" carved Chocolate Mud Cake. Gavan likes to go a teeny bit over the speed limit so . . . he bumped something, the boot flew open and his life spilled out. Have a feeling though that they may not be his furry handcuffs.

Full House

2011-09-11T18:31:00.000+01:00

Sheila, I was told, loved both the odd vodka and a lot of bingo. This is an 8" chocolate biscuit cake.

White Tree Photography

2011-09-11T14:31:00.000+01:00

I have a couple of favourite websites. One of them is One Fab Day and through them I found My Auld China and White Tea Photography so . . . imagine my delight when I saw they had been the photographers at one of my favourite brides wedding.
Nora was wonderful. She and her sister (and quite a few more mates and mammies) did everything. The day before the wedding, and the day they collected the cakes, they went to a florist and bought every sunflower they had and did the wedding flowers themselves. She was so excited and chilled and it looked like a fabulous wedding.
Wow. Love making cakes. You can see all the photos here and . . . . Nora's dad made the cake stands. A perfectly fabulous day.

Bathtime for Frank

2011-08-29T23:49:00.001+01:00

Chocolate Biscuit Cake bathtub, Piping Gel water and Frank enjoying his pint of Guinness. Made for a family visiting from Wales and it was a huge hit. The figure of Frank is made from Fimo as I wanted the birthday boy to have it to keep.

Thank You

2011-08-18T18:47:00.000+01:00

I recently 'broke' my leg. Only I didn't?! Either way, the cast I was in had to be replaced as I had got it wet. The lovely nurses in the A&E in Beaumont rushed me through and I brought this in to say thank you. Shame the leg wasn't actually broken lol.

The cake itself was a 7" Chocolate Biscuit Cake, covered with fondant and decorated with handmade hydrangea flowers.

Surprise!!!! Brian.

2011-08-18T18:36:00.000+01:00

This is a 10" (stacked) Chocolate Mud Cake (sorry, every time I try and type 'mud' I type 'mude') that has been layered with a luscious chocolate frosting before being covered in fondant.

The 'surprise' is made from modelling paste and everything you see is edible except the Happy Birthday sign.

Champ

2011-08-15T17:31:00.000+01:00

This was made for Eric, a champion kick boxer and Tiquando, who turned 18 recently. It was ordered by his teacher of 14 years!!

The cake(s) were 10" chocolate mud cakes, triple layered with a rich chocolate buttercream. The 'buckle' is made from florist paste which is an icing that dries hard. Everything you see is edible.

Why so expensive?

2011-08-07T21:45:00.000+01:00

It's been an interesting cake week. Some good and a bit of it downright lousy. This post popped up on a blog I follow and I thought it might make interesting

reading. know what you think.

http://amylane.wordpress.com/2011/07/17/why-so-expensive/#comment-2419

Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market

2011-07-28T15:32:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry to say I won't be at the market anymore. A combination of things, mainly due at this time to my having torn ligaments in my ankle and needing to rest it but . . .despite our lovely customers it's just not financially viable for me to be there any more. It's a shame because I have loved doing the market and loved meeting everyone but I can't keep operating at a loss which is what is happening at the moment.

As far as I am aware though, Morrin will be taking it over again in September. As she is a local she won't be incurring all the extra charges I have to think about, petrol for example.

So, I guess its 'so long' for now but I'm sure I'll see you all again.

Niamh

Look what I found

2011-07-20T23:30:00.000+01:00

I'm meant to be checking our new recipes etc. and whilst searching the net for ideas (keep ending up on shoe pages though?) I came across this fantastic product and a really charming video. Check it out.

http://www.mylittlecupcakepop.com/#!contact

It really is worth it. It'll make you smile and everyone needs a smile.

Sunday 24th July - Balbriggan and Malahide. . . . MENU

2011-07-20T09:59:00.002+01:00

On sundays’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Lemonade cupcakes

Another new one, these fresh tasting lemonade cupcakes are divine. Lemon and lime sponge topped with a delicious lemon and lime buttercream.

Cola cupcakes

mo is the cherry cola cupcake queen but she’s in the states right now so . . . here’s my cola cupcake. A delicious, moist light chocolate cupcake topped with a light and fluffy cola frosting and cola bottles.

marbled cupcakes

Now you don’t have to decide if you like chocolate or vanilla – you can have them both at once!! Delicious chocolate and vanilla cupcake topped with an equally delicious chocolate and vanilla buttercream.

The Classic – Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla butter cream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Raspberry and White Chocolate

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and white chocolate. Topped with a swirl of light and fluffy vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Malted cupcakes

These malt flavoured cupcakes (think malteasers) are perfect!! Topped with a crushed malteaser butter cream they are exceedingly tasty, with a pinch of nostalgia

IV Mat Bookclub - the birthday girl's favourite book

2011-07-18T20:29:00.000+01:00

I was asked to make a book for a lovely lady in Malahide. By a lovely lady in Malahide. They are both members of a Book Club and this was the birthday girl's favourite book. The cake itsself is our new recipe Chocolate Cake - incredibly luscious and delicious and it was covered in fondant before being handpainted to look like a well-loved version of the book that inspired the cake

I got a lovely email off the lady who ordered the cake from me:

----- Original Message -----

From: sinead english

To: Niamh Geraghty

Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 11:22 AM

Subject: Rebecca book cake

Niamho,

My Mum was filling me in on her night out and how your cake was received.
Mary the receiver of the cake was overwhelmed and her legs went wobbly with the surprise. She thought
it was a book on first look. She wouldnt cut it so next book club meeting they may want to order
some cake so they can actually get to eat some cake!!!

Well done cake lady!

Sinead Spain

VW Bus for the Wallingtons!

2011-07-18T20:12:00.000+01:00

I love this cake. A 12" Raspberry Ripple cake decorated in a seaside theme and a carved 10" camper van - also in raspberry ripple.

The figures were made by Mandy of The Little Design Company. All in all, this cake was a huge success. I I know because I got the following email off Chris and Jodi.

----- Original Message -----

From: CHRIS WALLINGTON

To: Perfectionist Confectionist

Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 8:15 PM

Subject: Chris and Jodie wedding 4th July

Niamh

Just wanted to drop a quick email to pass on our thanks to you and Bernie – the cake looked fantastic and tasted fabulous! Everyone loved the cake, especially the figurines, and we have got some lovely photos of the cake in all its glory.

Many thanks

Chris and Jodie

July 01 - July 15th 2011

2011-06-27T19:31:00.002+01:00

Just to let everyone know, Bernie is the one you need to contact for the above period. I'm away in the UK so all cake enquiries have to be to Bernie. Her nos. are 0863240014 or 01 8454028

Glory, Glory Man United

2011-06-13T21:17:00.000+01:00

The lovely Duncan who works in Cadburys and supplies us with flakes for our '99' cupcakes needed a cake. A cake for his father in law's birthday. He's a huge United fan so this is what we went with. The cake itself is a ten inch chocolate fudge cake and the image is made of printed icing.

Mac for Emma

2011-06-13T21:01:00.001+01:00

Bernie, one of the other Perfectionists, the one who started out with me, made this fabulous cake for her sister Emma. Emma is another great customer and knows what she wants which makes it fantastic to work with her. So, Bernie made this wonderful cake. It's a ten inch Chocolate Biscuit Cake decorated to look like Emma's dressing table. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, is edible and I think it's absolutely fantastic.

The Wizard of Oz for Dorothy - aged, ssssh, 75

2011-06-13T20:20:00.000+01:00

Our spec. was the Wizard of Oz. We had a great client who knew exactly what she wanted and that really made our job easier as, with a film like this, you could really run away with it. The cakes themselves were a mixture of Tiramisu and Zingy Lemon. Everything is edible except the ribbon on the scroll and the character pictures were printed on icing sheets before being 'framed'.

Summertime

2011-06-08T18:00:00.002+01:00

NSTALLING SUMMER.....
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Oops, better late than never. Menu for Balbriggan and Donabate Markets 27th and 28th May

2011-05-26T18:27:00.001+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

A new one for us, but we think you'll love it (actually we know you'll love it, we just didn't want to seem presumptuous!) Yummy rich brown sugar gives this cake a hint of a caramel flavour. Topped with a sinful brown sugar frosting this is the perfect cake to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee and good conversation.

Mocha

Chocolate + Coffee =Mo's favourite flavour combination! A lovely chocolate espresso cupcake topped with a kiss our classic cream cheese frosting and dusted with Belgium chocolate.

7-Up

A refreshing cake livened up with the lemony lime taste of 7-Up. To further the fun factor, we've topped this moist cake with a crisp lemon cream cheese frosting.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

The Classic – Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla butter cream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Raspberry and White Chocolate

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and white chocolate. Topped with a thin layer of light and fluffy vanilla frosting and fondant.

Malted cupcakes

These malt flavoured cupcakes (think malteasers) are perfect!! Topped with a crushed malteaser butter cream they are exceedingly tasty, with a pinch of nostalgia

Jaffa Orange

It is well established that the combination of orange and chocolate is a delectable union. The rich flavours of chocolate and seasonal ripe oranges (with a terry’s chocolate orange segment on top) make this a winner – at least that’s what my cookbook says.

Tiffany for Norma

2011-05-22T19:02:00.000+01:00

It was my friend's 50th birthday last week and I struggled as to what kind of cake to make her. Then I remembered she loves jewellery so I settled on this. The cake itself is a 7" square Belgian Chocolate Fudge cake . . with Orange oil for a little citrus kick. The bow is made from mexican modelling paste and the lid is made to be lifted off so you can write a message underneath it.

A selection of our communion cakes

2011-05-22T18:52:00.001+01:00

I won't bore you with the ins and outs of all the cakes other than to say they were a mixture of 10" and 8" cakes. Also a mixture of Chocolate Biscuit, Vanilla, Vanilla and Raspberry, Chocolate Fudge and Lemon cakes. Figures cost €20 each to make and are designed to be kept as they are made from Fimo and Sculpey Clay.

The Birkin

2011-05-22T18:51:00.000+01:00

Turns out I hadn't posted it yet. This is a 12" carved chocolate fudge cake for one of our regular clients. We had hoped to do a caricature cake but time wasn't on our side. Instead I came up with this. Everyone was delighted, especially me as I was nervous in case it went wrong. It didn't.

It's not just market menus we're doing these days!

2011-05-22T18:47:00.000+01:00

We've been so busy I haven't had time to come on here and show you all what we've been up to. Yup, the market is taking up a lot of our time. It doesn't make us much more than the cost of our ingredients but it does give us exposure and instant feed back regarding flavours so it's worth it's weight in gold for that alone.

I'm not sure if I've posted the Birkin Bag photos here yet but . . . I had been hoping to make a caricature of Helena and Gary Barlow. The photo we received and then sent on to eat your photo wasn't of good enough quality to get proper detail from so we had to go with plan b. Plan b, by the way, was unknown until two days before the cake was due!!! Eat your photo sent on a proof but it was too late for my cake this time. Huge, huge shame because it's fantastic. If you want something special I suggest you check these people out as I've used them a couple of times before and they ALWAYS deliver. Oh, and you get a hard copy of the edible image to keep for yourself. For ever and ever.

Menu for Balbriggan and Donabate Farmer's Markest - 20th and 21st May 2011

2011-05-18T11:36:00.002+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

Strawberry shortcake

In honour of National Strawberry Month (well it is in the states anyway, and we LOVE to celebrate the cute little fruit whenever possible) let us introduce you to our strawberry shortcake cupcake. A lovely, delicate old fashioned white cake, made with egg whites (hello low cholesterol!) spread with homemade strawberry jam and topped with a strawberry cream cheese frosting. Fingers crossed that June is national strawberry month in ireland!

Red velvet

These are cupcake royalty! A light chocolate cupcake with a devilishly gorgeous red colour. A traditional wedding cake in the American South, these lovelies are topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

The Classic – Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla butter cream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Raspberry and White Chocolate

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and white chocolate. Topped with a thin layer of light and fluffy vanilla frosting and fondant.

Malted cupcakes

These malt flavoured cupcakes (think malteasers) are perfect!! Topped with a crushed malteaser butter cream they are exceedingly tasty, with a pinch of nostalgia

Jaffa Orange

Menu for Balbriggan Market - 13th May 2011

2011-05-11T18:19:00.002+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Raspberry Lemonade

The cupcake is soft and moist with a nice lemony zing. The frosting tastes just like the raspberry lemonade. It's so creamy and refreshing. These cupcakes are fantastic for summer.

Chocolate Chip

Delicious cupcake choc full of chocolate chips!! That’s A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and lemon. Topped with a light and fluffy lemon and raspberry buttercream – that colour comes from fresh raspberries!

hard to say, never mind actually type.

Blackbottom

It’s not the prettiest but it is very, very tasty! Delicious chocolate cake with cheesecake baked into it!!

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

The Classic – Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Peaches and Cream

Mmmm, summer is upon us. A gorgeous, light cupcake with peaches baked into it. Topped with a light cream cheese frosting and even more peaches.

Cherry Cola

Yup, these are indeed made with real Coca Cola! They have to be tasted to be believed, a combination of buttermilk, coke, chocolate and cherries, sounds strange, but boy does it work. A cheeky nod to a taste of your childhood

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow

Beautiful Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect, especially now Mo won’t make snickerdoodles for me (Niamh).

Oh, and a few (very few) raspberry and white chocolate!

Birkin for Helena

2011-05-10T19:00:00.000+01:00

We had hoped to do a caricature cake for Helena but the image wasn't good enough and we ran out of time. Yesterday evening we decided on this cake. It's one I'm definitely going to make again as, while I really like this one, I know I can do better. The cake is a 12" sculpted chocolate fudge cake covered in fondant.

Ciara is One

2011-05-03T20:23:00.000+01:00

A good caker friend showed me how to make these shoes (in a roundabout way) and I have to say I think they're lovely. The cake is a 10" raspberry swirl and I think very pretty and girlie.

A right Royal bash

2011-05-01T00:04:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, 29th April 2011, we got to make cupcakes for a lovely client who lives in Lusk. It was a mad dash to see if I could get the cakes there in time to watch the couple say 'I do'. I did.

A selection of cupcakes. Red Velvet, Raspberry and White Chocolate, Lemon and vanilla. All decorated for the Royal Wedding 2011 with a selection of sugar union flags, sprinkles and hearts. Oh, and a Rose for England. If I had've known Prince William was wearing his Irish Guards uniform I would've included my native emblem. The Shamrock.

Baking with eggs

2011-04-28T12:55:00.000+01:00

I found this wonderful blog which I've been following for months. It was there I found this great thing to do with eggs and cakes. The link and instructions can be found here and you should definitely have a mooch around the site It's fantastic.

This is how we got on today:

Menu for Balbriggan Market - 29th April 2011

2011-04-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Red Velvet

Spring Chocolate Flowers

Our chocolate buttermilk cupcake topped with a happy springtime bloom to get ya in the mood for sunshine

Raspberry and White Chocolate

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and white chocolate. Topped with a light and fluffy vanilla frosting.

Creamsicle

A popular ice cream treat in the States adapted into a cupcake, think ‘supersplit’! A lovely orange cake made with orange soda and topped with a creamy buttercream frosting. Refreshing, light and sooooo summery!

The Classic – Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Lemon Vanilla / Vanilla Lemon?

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake brushed with lemon syrup before having home made lemon curd dolloped on top and THEN topped with a delicious vanilla frosting.

Cherry Cola

Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market/Donabate Market - 22nd April and 23rd

2011-04-20T20:53:00.000+01:00

Okay, so Raspberry and White Chocolate is back. I swore NEVER AGAIN but you've asked and asked. Also, I'm thinking this is Salted Caramel's final outting. Shall let you know or you can let me know what you think. Also, we'll have at least 3 additional flavours for Saturday - Bernie's back from holidays and she's another of the Donabate Bakers.

On Friday and Saturday's Cup cake Menu we have:

Vanilla Fudge

This is our classic Madagascan vanilla bean cupcake topped with a Belgian Chocolate Frosting

Chocolate Raspberry

This is made in honour of Mo’s auntie who gave her the recipe. It is a gorgeous Belgian chocolate and raspberry cupcake topped with Belgian chocolate and raspberry buttercream.

Raspberry and White Chocolate

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and white chocolate. Topped with a light and fluffy vanilla frosting.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

The Classic - Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Lemon Vanilla / Vanilla Lemon?

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake brushed with lemon syrup before having home made lemon curd dolloped on top and THEN topped with a delicious vanilla frosting.

Easter Special – Creme Egg

Again, our delicious chocolate fudge cupcake only this time it’s topped with a marshmallow and buttercream frosting AND there is a mini creme egg cracked open on top.

Cherry Cola

An 80’s classic. Cherry Cola chocolate cake with cherries baked inside It’s also topped with a delicious light and fluffy frosting and has a cherry on top.

Strawberry Shortcake

A fluffy little vanilla cupcake, filled with a fresh strawberry puree and topped with a decadently rich strawberry frosting.

And a surprise!!

I don’t know what it is yet hence the surprise!!!! - Niamh

Whoooohooooooooo

2011-04-20T19:53:00.000+01:00

http://onefabday.com/fun-wedding-cakes-perfectionist-confectionist/

We got a write up/interview published in one of my favourite wedding blogs. It features weddings that aren't always the most traditional but are always, always beautiful.

Am so chuffed I don't mind that my B.F.G's head fell off. Head over and check us and One Fab Day out.

The quietest Perfectionist!!

2011-04-17T11:51:00.002+01:00

I know in our bio it says that the Perfectionist Confectionist was set up by myself and Bernie Lynam. (Morrin came along later) but not many people really know Bernie. She is the Baker! I make cake occasionally but mostly I deal with clients and design cakes. It works for us. Bernie is veeeery quiet So much so that I know I chivvy her along and get us into situations that we don't really need to be in. Seriously!

Over the past number of days I've had vertigo (still have it but I'm sitting down so life is less roller coaster-esque) so yesterday I was meant to be working on a Justin Bieber cake and a cake for a little boy with some fairly intense egg and dairy allergies. Bernie had already made the cake for Bieber so all I had to do was decorate it. But I couldn't decorate it because every time I looked down the world swam. I sent Bernie a text at 1pm yesterday, on her day off, asking if she could take over two cakes which I hadn't even sketched anything. All I had was a notion of Bieber on stage and the crest for the Everton cake for allergy boy.

She came, didn't give out to me and went home and worked until midnight to make two fantastic and fabulous cakes. Everton was tricky because a dairy and egg free cake won't willingly support icing. Bieber was at least baked but only a notion of a design.

The cakes are fabulous! Photos below to prove it so.

Because I am the more public face of the Perfectionist (Mo another loud mouth beside me - it takes two you know) but Bernie is Perfect. Has been since the beginning. It reminds me of the hare and the tortoise story. Without really being aware Bernie has turned into a wonderful cake designer. She'll overtake me one day if she hasn't already.

I just need and want everyone to know that Bernie, although quiet, is there. Making delicious cakes and now designing and creating fabulous cakes.

So, Bernie, my counterfoil, my quiet pal I say THANK YOU for bailing me out (again) yesterday On your day off. Thanks for putting up with me (but you should fight back every now and then) and just thanks for being my friend and a great Perfectionist.

Incidentally, the Latin on the Everton crest means 'Nothing but the Best is Good Enough'. Apt I think.

Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market - 15th April

2011-04-14T14:39:00.002+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Snickerdoodle

Niamh’s favourite. This is a gorgeous cinnamon cupcake topped with a light cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Chocolate Raspberry

This is made in honour of Mo’s auntie who gave her the recipe. It is a gorgeous Belgian chocolate and raspberry cupcake topped with Belgian chocolate and raspberry buttercream.

Zingy Raspberry and Lemon

A traditional summer favourite, a perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and lemon. Topped with a light and fluffy lemon and raspberry buttercream – that colour comes from fresh raspberries!

Chocolate Peppermint

A cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Earl Grey with Lemon

The delicate bergamont flavour of Earl Grey tea will intensify with every bite here. Topped with a delicate, light lemon buttercream frosting..

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

The Classic - Vanilla

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. We added the flake for a summer feel.

Lime and Coconut

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake brushed with a lime syrup before being topped with a lime frosting. Sprinkled with coconut. Another summer favourite.

Peanut Butter

There is nothing to say here other than Peanut Butter rocks.

Fluffernutter

Concpt: concept. Peanut butter cupcake, frosting made with marshmallow Fluff!!! Can’t go wrong really.

R2D2

2011-04-12T21:47:00.000+01:00

One of my favourites. The R2D2 is made out of 3 stacked 6" chocolate fudge cakes. The top one has been shaped to make the top of the robot's head. I love this little droid.

Skin

2011-04-12T21:42:00.001+01:00

A 10" chocolate biscuit cake with the 'skin' tattoo parlour logo. The girl to whom the cake was going is also a HUGE mini egg fan

By the way, the logo on the bottom is the original artwork Aren't the colours fantastic? You can check the tattoo parlour (for that is where the logo came from ) out here

Adidas Football Boot

2011-04-12T21:35:00.000+01:00

This was made as a surprise cake for the dad of Tangled. The cake itself is a carved 10" chocolate fudge cake, triple layered with a chocolate fudge frosting before being covered with fondant. Everything is edible.

Little Big Planet for Oscar

2011-04-12T21:32:00.000+01:00

This is an 8" chocolate fudge cake made for my son Oscar He is a huge fan of Little Big Planet and I'm really glad this wasn't for a client as my geography was hopeless - so Oz told me Either way, he loved the cake and his little sack man.

Declan's Dream Car - Mercedes S300

2011-04-12T21:10:00.000+01:00

I think we've finally cracked making cars. This is a Chocolate Fudge Mercedes S300 for Declan's 40th birthday. Everything in the car is edible except the windscreen That is acetate - but in future I think I have a sugar glass chap I can use.

New York New York

2011-04-12T21:02:00.000+01:00

The shame, I lost my order book and I can't remember the flavour of this cake!!! Either way it was a 10" cake in a New York theme The buildings, Empire State, Chrysler, Statue of Liberty and Flatiron are all handdrawn and handmade from florist paste.

Numero Uno. The twins turned one!

2011-04-12T20:58:00.000+01:00

A fellow cake maker taught me how to make the converse in return for showing her how to model with Sculpey. A fair deal I think as I do love these little shoes. The cake itself is a carved 12" vanilla and the boots are made from fondant.

Menu for Donabate Market - 9th April 2011

2011-04-06T23:03:00.000+01:00

Today we have . . . . . . . .

Cherry Cola

We’re harking back to the 80’s with this one. These little chocolate beauties are made with coke cola and even have marachino cherries baked into them. Topped with a delicious whipped frosting

Red Velvet

A light chocolate cake with a fantastic red colour. It is topped with a delicious white chocolate cream frosting

Raspberry and White chocolate

A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Peppermint

Chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Brown Sugar and Baileys

The vanilla, butter, and brown sugar combination in these little cakes ensures that they are delicious.

Luscious Lemon

Fresh lemon cupcakes made with really plump, juicy lemons for maximum zing topped with a light lemon buttercream and lemon curd.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

Jaffa Orange

Chocolate Orange! Is there really anything else to say here? Belgian Chocolate and delicious orange topped with a light orange frosting.

Cappuccino

We were asked repeatedly for this one so we've decided to see how popular it really is. We're only making 12 so if you want them you've got to let us know!! Either way, it's a small coffee cake topped with coffee buttercream topped with a toasted pecan.

Vanilla

Last week we ran out of these and upset everyone. This is a classic cupcake topped with a vanilla bean frosting and decorated with a flake – just ‘because!

Double Chocolate a.k.a. Belgian Chocolate Fudge

This has the double chocolate hit. A delicious Belgian Chocolate cupcake topped with Belgian chocolate fudge.

Menu for Balbriggan Market - 8th April 2011

2011-04-06T22:47:00.002+01:00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Cherry Cola

We’re harking back to the 80’s with this one. These little chocolate beauties are made with coke cola and even have marachino cherries baked into them. Topped with a delicious whipped frosting

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow

Beautiful Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect, especially now Mo won’t make snickerdoodles for me (Niamh).

Raspberry and White chocolate

A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Peppermint

A cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Vanilla & Lemon

This is a classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a light vanilla bean frosting and Sicilian lemon lemoncurd.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt, trust us it really is delicious.

Jaffa Orange

Chocolate Orange! Is there really anything else to say here? Belgian Chocolate and delicious orange topped with a light orange frosting.

Apple Spice

This is a new one. A spicy apple cupcake with a maple and brown sugar frosting.

Harry's Hamburgers

2011-04-05T23:17:00.000+01:00

My lovely son Harry was born on April 1st, my wee fool, and he has this thing about fast food cakes. Cakes that look like . . hotdogs (last year) so this year I decided to drop these in to his class. The bun is made from vanilla cupcakes and the burger is a chocolate whoopie pie. Lettuce, ketchup and mustard are all made from a vanilla bean icing that has been coloured as required.

Ann Marie and Ernie

2011-04-05T23:10:00.000+01:00

A four tier cake. Starting on the bottom: Chocolate Biscuit, Lemon Madeira, Ginger, Date & Lemon and then topped with a 6" traditional fruit cake. The figures were made out of sculpey and are designed to be kept forever. Oh, and whilst I'm a great cakemaker I am a terrible photographer so apologies for the photos.

I think it's time for some cakes

2011-04-05T23:06:00.000+01:00

I'm a cake maker. Who has been making lots of cakes lately I might add. Just struggling to find time to update blog. But I'm back now. Soon Gwen will be sending me new photos. Her back is at her you see. Right, bear in mind Gwen is my photographer but here's some photos. I make great cakes and take pants photos.

Cupcake Menu for Friday, April 1st at the Fish and Farmer's Market in Balbriggan

2011-03-30T21:28:00.002+01:00

All cupcakes are €2.00 with 6 for €10.00

On today’s Cupcake Menu we have:

Cherry Cola

We’re harking back to the 80’s with this one. These little chocolate beauties are made with coke cola and even have marachino cherries baked into them. Topped with a delicious whipped frosting

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow

Beautiful Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect, especially now Mo won’t make snickerdoodles for me (Niamh).

Raspberry and White chocolate

A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Peppermint

A cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Pink Vanilla

Especially for Mother’s Day. This is a classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with a vanilla bean frosting.

(Un)Salted Caramel

Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped, this time, with Caramel Buttercream, dulce de leche and, should you want, a sprinkle of sea salt , trust us it really is delicious.

Our latest venture

2011-03-30T17:33:00.000+01:00

In a bid to expand our empire (well, raise some funds to actually go on a holiday this year) we've agreed to have a stall at the Donabate Farmer's Market. We'll be there from 10.30 til 3 (ish) every Saturday come rain or shine so I think you should come see us. Especially if it's sunny.
We'll be publishing our menus here as we do with the Balbriggan Market and whilst there will be some favourites at both markets we're going to use the markets now to really test some flavours.
Check out the TTDP website. They're green but not too hippyish and well, I have to say, I really like the idea behind the whole thing. I must right? After all I'm throwing my lot in with 'em.

Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market - 25th March

2011-03-23T18:47:00.001Z

All cupcakes are €2.00 with 6 for €10.00

On Friday's Menu we have:

Razzmatazz: This is made in honour of Mo’s auntie who gave her the recipe. It is a gorgeous chocolate and raspberry cupcake topped with chocolate and raspberry buttercream.

Cookie Dough: A delicious chocolate chip cupcake topped off with a even more delicious chocolate chip cookie dough frosting.

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow: Beautiful Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect for cold mornings.

Raspberry and White chocolate: A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate Peppermint: A cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Apple Spice: This is a new one. A spicy apple cupcake with a maple and brown sugar frosting.

Salted Caramel: Our classic vanilla bean cupcake topped with Caramel Buttercream, drizzled with caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Kerrie turned 21! In style

2011-03-14T20:06:00.000Z

This was a humungous cake!! The bottom tier, 12", is chocolate biscuit. The tier above is a 10" chocolate biscuit and the cupcake is vanilla. It weighed so much and smelled delicious. We were given a picture by our client and asked to put our spin on it. We did and she loved it.

Hippo and Lion

2011-03-14T20:03:00.001Z

I love this cake. 8" chocolate fudge cake made for a wee man, who was sick on the day, who loves both Hippos and Lions. That is all we were asked to make: a hippo and a lion. Everything on the cake is edible, even the pond which is made from piping gel.

New Shoes - this time for Claire

2011-03-14T20:00:00.000Z

These were made for a friend of the Balbriggan Perfectionist. Mo made a 10" chocolate biscuit cake and I made Claire's favourite shoes (of the moment). The shoes are made from gelatine icing and have been decorated with edible gold leaf and sparkles. Everything you see is edible except the ribbon holding the tag.

Menu for Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market - 11th March 2011

2011-03-08T16:07:00.001Z

In a bid to actually get ahead of myself this week I'm putting our menu up early. Not trying to create hype etc. But there are number of cupcakes we are only making 12 of so . . . book your box early and we'll bring them home to you. How cool is that?!

Raspberry & White Chocolate: A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow: Delicious Belgian chocolate cake topped with a delicious marshmallow frosting. Perfect for cold mornings.

Jaffa Orange: Chocolate Orange! Is there really anything else to say here? Belgian Chocolate and delicious orange topped with a light orange frosting.

Green Velvet: A light chocolate cake with a fantastic green colour. It is

topped with a delicious white chocolate cream frosting.

Chocolate Peppermint: A perfect cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Snickerdoodles: These are delicious. A moist, cinnamon-y piece of heaven!! Topped with a delicious, light cream cheese and cinnamon frosting.

Peaches & Cream: We're only making 12 so if you want them you've got to let us know!! These are peach pieces in a delicious vanilla cupcake with a peach and vanilla frosting

Tangled Repunzel Cake

2011-03-04T20:00:00.000Z

I love, love this cake. A 8" chocolate fudge cake, triple layered with chocolate fudge before being covered in fondant. The tower is made from Gelatin Icing and roof is 'clad' with fondant tiles.

Mickey Mouse Club House

2011-03-04T19:57:00.000Z

10" Chocolate Biscuit Cake with a 8" Vanilla Madeira Cake sitting on top. The Madeira has been triple layered with Italian Meringue Buttercream and the entire cake covered with fondant to look like Mickey's Club House. Hot Dog

Fish Cake

2011-03-04T19:53:00.000Z

10" Vanilla Cake that has been triple layered with strawberry buttercream. The fish is made from fondant and the entire thing is edible. I got a bit carried away on the 'arty-ness' of it all. But I do like the colours.

We're been busy

2011-03-04T19:50:00.002Z

So busy in fact I didn't get time to post our market menu (which people were sorry about so . . . sorry people!) and I haven't had time to update photos. So, without further delay here we go!

Balbriggan Fish and Farmer's Market - 25th February

2011-02-24T09:19:00.000Z

Ginger with Lemon and Honey: Gingerbread cupcakes, delicious and spicy, topped with Mo's quirky lemon and honey frosting.

Chocolate Peppermint: A perfect cup of chocolate cake topped with a delicious white chocolate and peppermint frosting.

Snickerdoodles: These are delicious. A moist, cinnamon-y piece of heaven!! Topped with a delicious, light cream cheese and cinnamon frosting.

Raspberry and White chocolate: A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Lemon Meyer: Fresh lemon cupcakes made with really plump, juicy lemons for maximum zing. Topped, and filled no less, with delicious lemon curd before being doused in icing sugar.

Jaffa Orange: Chocolate Orange! Is there really anything else to say here? Belgian Chocolate and delicious orange

topped with a light orange frosting.

Coffee: We're only making 12 so if you want them you've got to let us know!! Either way, it's a small coffee cake topped

with coffee buttercream.

Vanilla: Last week we didn't do these and upset everyone. This is a classic cupcake topped with a vanilla bean frosting.

Chocolate Raspbery: This is this week's wildcard. A chocolate raspberry cup and . . .. well, you tell us.

Super Mario Bros Fairy Cupcakes

2011-02-23T22:24:00.000Z

I love these. I know I say that after nearly every cake I make but I do really love these. They were made for my son's friend and are a light chocolate cake with a fondant top, decorated in the style of Mario Bros.

Ireland Rugby Shirt

2011-02-22T17:53:00.000Z

This was made for Rodrigo who is a huge Ireland fan. The order came in from Spain, which was great. The cake itself is a 10" vanilla madeira and is triple layered with a vanilla buttercream before being covered in two layers of fondant.

Liverpool Shirt

2011-02-22T17:07:00.000Z

This was an incredibly late order, literally the day before. If we had've had more time we would have made a perfect crest but with only 2 hours to make the cake . . . The boy, James, and his mam were delighted. The cake itself is a 10" chocolate fudge cake, triple layered with chocolate fudge frosting before being covered with a double layer of fondant.

Shark!!!!!

2011-02-22T17:05:00.000Z

I love this cake. It was made for a birthday present for a little surfer boy. He screamed when he saw it and I hope that was a good thing.

The cake itself is made up of 2 x 8" vanilla madeira sponge cakes. Each cake was triple layered with vanilla buttercream before being carved into the shark shape. Everything is edible from the sea to the poor soul trying to escape.

Menu for Balbriggan Market - 18th February 2011

2011-02-17T08:53:00.000Z

Hummingbird: Cupcakes filled with bananas, pineapples and pecans, topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. Promise, no Hummingbirds have been harmed in making this cake.

Red Velvet: A light chocolate cake with a fantastic red colour. It is topped with a delicious white chocolate cream frosting.

Snickerdoodles: These are delicious. A moist, cinnamon-y piece of heaven!! Topped with a delicious, light cream cheese and cinnamon frosting.

Raspberry and White chocolate: A perfect combination of fresh, tart raspberries and sweet, creamy white chocolate buttercream.

Lemon Meyer: Fresh lemon cupcakes made with really plump, juicy lemons for maximum zing. Topped, and filled no less, with delicious lemon curd before being doused in icing sugar.

Jaffa Orange: Chocolate Orange! Is there really anything else to say here? Belgian Chocolate and delicious orange

topped with a light orange frosting.

Coffee: This is our wild card this week. We keep getting asked for it so we've decided to see how popular it really is. We're only making 12 so if you want them you've got to let us know!! Either way, it's a small coffee cake topped with coffee buttercream.

Monster eating St. Pope John Paul's Pupil - no less!!

2011-02-12T18:41:00.000Z

Every year myself and Bernie have the honour of making the 'Guess How Many Smarties' cake for our sons school. This year we went with a monster jumping out of a ballpit and capturing one of the students. The cake/monster is a lime Madeira sponge, two of them in fact, covered in a light buttercream before being recovered with green fondant. The boy is made from modelling paste and and the smarties? Well, I can now tell you there were 508 in total.