Debbie Brown’s latest book is described in the cover as Gorgeous designs for weddings, anniversaries and other romantic occasions. Interestingly I read some reviews that said they were disappointed the cakes weren’t more wedding-y, more traditional. Frankly if I’m going to be a Wedding Cake book from a decorator who is well known for being a Novelty cake decorator, then I am going to expect a Wedding Cake book with that novelty twist, so for me Debbie certainly did not disappoint.
One great thing about Debbie’s sharing is her website, in which you can see pictures of all the cakes in each book. Now as a visual person, I adore that! It means if the pictures don’t interest me, then I probably won’t buy the book. But should they capture my attention, then I am out the door, or defrosting my credit card to order online! 
One of my favourites is this rose creation I find the idea of this cake very inspiring.
As with many of her books, this one contains templates and nice break downs of objects. There are also mini cake options to do in association with the cake or just if you want mini cake versions! 
So by all means head over to Debbie’s website and check out the cakes, then hop on line or head out to a book shop and pick it up if you are so inspired!
Pictures courtesy of Debbie Brown, click on the cake pictures to go directly to her website.
There are loads of tools out there, cheap and expensive, this new series will hopefully shed light on a variety of equipment. You don’t have to agree with everything I say, it’s totally up to you to decide what is useful for you and what isn’t. If you have any tips or tricks with the tool we discuss, please go ahead and post a comment!
Today’s tool is
Tweezers
As any woman knows there are different types of tweezers! In Cake Decorating it bodes well to have several different types. Pointy ones, flat ones, bendy ones, they all serve a purpose dependant on your needs. They can make a cake decorator’s life much easier for those little things we can’t grab hold of and those nooks and crannies we can’t get our fingers into!
You can use them to do such things as
- Place small items on a cake
- Place small items on the side of a cake
- Pinching the bottom of items on a piece of wire
- Poke holes in models such as eyes
and so on!
The really big bonus is that they don’t have to cost a lot! Always a bonus.
Inspired by my recent Cheap Shop, Cheap Tools, Getting Creative post I popped into Hot Dollar to pick up some ribbon and cupcake wrappers, and there I spied a packet of 4 different tweezers for the grand old price of $2.50.
My favourite ones are the angled ones they really help get into awkward positions with their little angled head.
Remember if you are using them to apply edible pearls or small items like that, the items need to set or you need a very light hand, I don’t have the light hand and have squashed many an item, so that’s my tip to go with this tool!
So go on pick some up today, you never know when you may need them!
Do you use tweezers in decorating? What ones are your favourite?
Cakes & More welcome a new baby to it’s midst. Cake friend Pam’s daughter has given birth to a baby girl. We’ve been waiting on tenderhooks for this baby to come out for a couple of weeks now and finally the timer went off and the baby well and truly done has arrived.
We congratulate new Nanna Pam, this little girl is sure to have lots of lovely cake in her life.
Pam announces: Daughter Jessica and hubby Aaron – proud parents of – RUBY ROSE
Born: 23rd March 2009, Time: 4.55am, Weight: 6lb 9ozs OR 2976gms, Length: 19inches or 48cms.
CONGRATULATIONS!
This recipe comes from the Australian Women’s Weekly, originally shared by a dear cake friend Effie, it has quickly become a very popular recipe amongst the cake friend community. It even spawned a peppermint crisp version. So don’t be scared to experiment! I have also been told that most people increase the amount of cherry ripe as well! 
Cherry Ripe Mud Cake
Est Prep time: 35 minutes
Est Cooking time: 1 & 3/4 hours
Oven Temp: 150C
Serves: 9″ round
Ingredients
250g unsalted butter
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
1 & 2/3 cups coconut milk
200g dark chocolate chopped coarsely
2 cups caster sugar
3/4 cups self raising flour
1 cup plain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 x 85g cherry ripe bars chopped coarsely
Instructions
Preheat oven to 150C and prepare cake tin.
Combine butter, coffee, coconut milk, chocolate and sugar in a large saucepan and stir over heat until butter and chocolate melts and sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature.
Whisk in sifted dry ingredients, followed by eggs and essence.
Stir in chopped Cherry Ripe.
Pour mixture into prepared tin and bake in slow oven for approx 1 & 3/4 hours.
Additional Info/Comments
This cake tastes best if cooked a couple of days in advance.
Have you used this recipe? What did you think? Did you alter anything to make it work for you? Do you have a picture you would like to send me, that we can feature with the recipe? Post a comment or use the Contact page to send me a picture.
This new offering from Cake Maker and Author Debbie Brown is not completely new. It’s a combination of her previous titles Enchanted Cakes and Magical Cakes. So if you don’t have either of them then save yourself some space and get the one volume!
Recipe charts are in the front of the book telling you how much cake you need. Some helpful tips on technique, equipment and materials as well. With helpful templates in the back!
The inner cover reads:
“Enter Debbie Brown’s wonderful and fabulous world of exquisite cake decoratings. From the Snow Queen, the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, to sparkling Pegasus, beautiful sea witch and wise wizard owl – there is an amazing variety from this collection to choose from that will charm children of all ages and help adults to recapture the magic of childhood.”
I do like Debbie’s Books, nice explanatory pictures of cake and figure construction. I really love the breakdown pictures so if you are lazy and don’t like to read instructions, the break down virtually says it all!
It appears that this book is currently only available in Australia as I haven’t been able to find it on the US or UK Amazon or at the Book Depository, so I say Aussies take advantage, for $30 it’s two books in one! Try Dymocks or Border or Seekbooks.com (in the Books page) where it’s currently $26.95.
Reviews | Nicole | March 25, 2009 | 
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