The baby is already in the oven? what about the shower cake? A baby shower cake can serve many functions at the party. A conversation piece, center piece, and don?t forget about dessert. With a little creativity you can make a cake that will stand out and be remembered. I want to share some pearls with you from my favorite shower cakes.
Pearl #1: Make your own Frosting Transfer.
Once you pick a theme for the baby shower it can be difficult to decide how to make the perfect cake. If you can trace a picture then you?re well on your way to cake perfection. This is what you do: Choose a picture that matches your theme and tape it down to a piece of cardboard. Next, get a piece of wax paper and tape it on top of the picture. Make your butter cream frosting (recipe below) and add all of the colors that you?ll need, in small portions. Start with your outline, using a dark frosting to trace the lines and then let the frosting harden in the freezer for 10 minutes. Make sure that any detail the picture has like eyes, eyebrows etc. are done. Proceed to fill in the other details with your other colors. Once you add the other colors to your picture stick it back into the freezer for another 10 minutes. Take your picture and cover the entire back with white icing pressing down softly. Stick it back into the freezer for an hour. Carefully and quickly, take your picture and flip it onto your cake (carefully pull back the wax paper). Once it is taken out of the freezer you only have seconds to get onto your cake (it melts fast). If it gets too soft, stick it back into the freezer and let it get hard again.
Butter Cream Frosting:
1 C. Crisco
3 Sticks Butter (real butter)
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 lbs. Powdered Sugar, sifted several times (i.e. 5 times)
Cream the butter and shortening well. Next, add the vanilla. Then slowly add the powdered sugar. Mix on 8-10 speed for approximately 5-10 minutes for a smooth consistency. The length of time depends on the weather/atmosphere at your house.
Pearl #2: Pull at the heartstrings with a cute saying.
Some people make a living writing sappy sayings. You can write them too with a little inspiration. Think back to the party theme?and put on your thinking cap. Keep in mind that any term of endearment you would say to the baby himself is a perfect cake saying. Keep it personal, nobody can say it like you can. For examples, here are some personal favorites:
?From now through eternity, mommy?s little gal you?ll be.?
"This labor of love came from above."
For a twin theme:
"Two babes are better than one."
Pearl #3: Keep it simple.
Some people are professional cake decorators?others are good at making the perfect invitation, or making mom feel special. So if making the perfect cake is stressful - RELAX. You?re not alone!
A cute idea that looks like it is here to stay is making baby shower cupcakes. Even talent-acquiring cake bakers can do this, and all for only a few dollars. Go to your local grocery store and choose your favorite cake mix. Bake the cupcakes, ice them, and decorate them as you wish. You could ice them flesh color and draw a cute face on each cupcake with black icing, with a twirl of hair. The baby shower guests will love eating baby face cupcakes.
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