topic Weekend Baking Special 🎃 in Kitchen

Weekend Baking Special 🎃

homedecor1 — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 00:53:29 GMT

I started the "pandemic bakery" as a joke & I'd call my friends and ask them if they'd like to be a "sample tester". Of course, they did.

our staff worked through these trying times & I'd send them a weekly treat.

I also cooked for a few people while the shutdown was in effect.

Then by "word of mouth" people started calling to see if they

could get on "tasting" list. Then I reopened the "post pandemic" (as a joke) bakery and home cooking services and it took off!

This weekend it's: Pumpkin Bars with Fresh Cream Cheese Icing

(I packaged them 6 in a box).

Sold Out🙂🙂. I think the next few weeks will be "fall" desserts. I may make pumpkin rolls. I'll have to see if I have time as I'm catering a "ladies lunch" for 8 this week.

Put a few of these decorated ones in boxes.

Re: Weekend Baking Special 🎃

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 01:12:53 GMT

@homedecor1 ....maybe you can help me out. I want to bake a cake and cut out rounds of the cake with a cookie cutter...a couple of inches thick....stack them and frost. There would be two rounds for each cake. The first issue I can think of is the frosting sticking to what ever I wrap them in.

I am hoping to find individual boxes for each stacked cake, but if the cakes are not wrapped won't they dry out...if you have any suggetions, I'd appreciate it.

and the cake looks good...I'd be happy to be a 'tester'.

Re: Weekend Baking Special 🎃

homedecor1 — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 01:55:21 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@homedecor1 ....maybe you can help me out. I want to bake a cake and cut out rounds of the cake with a cookie cutter...a couple of inches thick....stack them and frost. There would be two rounds for each cake. The first issue I can think of is the frosting sticking to what ever I wrap them in.

I am hoping to find individual boxes for each stacked cake, but if the cakes are not wrapped won't they dry out...if you have any suggetions, I'd appreciate it.

and the cake looks good...I'd be happy to be a 'tester'.

I'm assuming your making a sheet cake to cut "circles" from. Thinner layers. After baking, I'd freeze it to make it easier to cut through and my trick is "warm the cutter". I run under hot water & pat dry before cutting.

After icing layers -- I "crumb coat" my cakes with thin layer of icing and put in freezer (or fridge) on a tray lined with either parchment or waxed paper. I let the crumb coat set because easier to do final frost & decorating.

(Learned this trick from Martha Stewart and works everytime🙂)

Once done I put back in freezer. Once frozen, I wrap individually with parchment. I don't use waxed paper for this. I will use a decorative pick like ones used for appetizers if not putting in box. The recipient will see it when they unwrap & remove.

Another idea maybe to do a ganache. Pouring over cakes -- allow to set and do a pretty design on top.

I have various sizes of cake boxes & cupcake boxes always do this with any dessert I sell singly and they also sell different cake box sizes. Check amazon.

I'd think cupcake boxes would be perfect (can be bought locally at craft stores in baking supplies) for your cakes.

Your cakes sound cute & delicious!

Re: Weekend Baking Special 🎃

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 02:13:20 GMT

@homedecor1 Thanks for the advice...I had not planned on using a sheet cake size, but thinking now after reading your reply... maybe that would be best. My thought was 9 x 13 and use two rounds for each cake.

I have a countertop depth side by side..ugh, I can't get much in the freezer...I'll either have to do a major shift of food in the freezer or try using the refrigerator.

I had not thought of the 'crumb coat'..I'll do that.

I was going to do chocolate cake with chocolate icing and red cake with icing...both will 'stick' to any paper...I like the cupcake box idea...the recipient will have to either eat right away or wrap and freeze once I gift the cakes. My plan was to gift several cakes to each person.

I think it will be best to bake one day and then frost and gift on the same day. I am always worried about things getting stale if I don't give away soon after baking.

Thanks so much.

Re: Weekend Baking Special 🎃

homedecor1 — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 02:47:13 GMT

Personally, I would not use 13x9 as too thick -- just personal choice. I prefer when I do layers to cut them in 1/2 for thinner layers.

Although, I have good slicing knife to cut layers.

This is what thickness you'll achieve using sheet pan.

There are many ideas for mini cakes with layers on various sites. I'm sure you'll figure it out as you go along. I would definitely put in fridge until you gift them. I don't box until right before I give to recipient.

They'll be cute and delicious -- your recipients will be thrilled! Happy Baking🧁🎂