Beki Cook's Cake Blog

Graduation Hat Cookies

2013-05-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, Graduate! These Chocolate Graduation Hat Cookies are the perfect gift for a special grad or a great centerpiece for a graduation party.

What You Need:
Chocolate Roll-Out Cookie Dough (one batch makes about 12-15 hats)
Royal Icing*
Fruit-Flavored Tootsie Rolls or Starburst
Round Cutter (or glass)
Ruler
Small round cutter (I used icing tip #12)

*I added 2 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder to a full recipe of Royal Icing for these. You only need a tiny bit of icing, though. You would be fine to do a half recipe, or you may even consider melting some chocolate or Candy Melts to use as your glue instead of the royal icing.

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Graduation Treat Ideas

2013-05-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, graduation time. If you're looking for some fun ideas for graduation treats, I made a few last year, and I have a couple up my sleeve in the next week or two that I hope to share when I get them done.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Graduation Caps

Peanut Butter Cup Graduation Caps-- on a stick!

Graduation Cap Cake Pops

And lastly, here is a link to the video of me making these with my friends, Karen & Tom, at Fox 9 last year.

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes on Fox 9

2013-05-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

If you have trouble viewing the video above, Click Here to visit the MyFox9.com website to see the video.

I'm super excited and super nervous to take one of my little men on TV with me this morning to make these marshmallow flower cupcakes.

We first made them last year for Teacher Appreciation Day for their preschool teachers.

What You Need:
Cupcakes
Mini-marshmallows (about 20-25 per cupcake)
Icing (any kind will do, even canned icing)
Sugar sprinkles in pretty flowery colors
Sandwich Bags

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Half-Birthday Half-Cake

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, I realize that celebrating my children's half-birthday makes me the embodiment of all that is wrong with parents in America... or whatever.
But it's so fun! I made this half-birthday half-cake after seeing something similar online.

What You Need:
One boxed cake mix or about 5 cups cake batter
8" round cake pan
6" round cake pan
Chocolate Ganache
Buttercream Icing
Icing Colors
Piping Bags and Tip #7

Click Here to Read More>>

Teacher Appreciation Week

2013-05-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Monday starts Teacher Appreciation Week.
Don't forget to do something nice for the amazing teachers in your life. Below you will find my favorite ideas for teachers.

Teacher Appreciation Cookies

Easy A-B-C 1-2-3 Cookies

Apple Cake Pops

Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Crayon & Pencil Cookies

Kid-Friendly Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Cinco de Mayo- Mango Ruffle Cake

2013-05-04T19:00:00.000-05:00

Because I just made some yummy Strawberry-Margarita Cupcakes, and I wanted my boys to share in the cake I made for Cinco de Mayo this year, I opted to go away from margaritas and towards some other Mexican-inspired flavors.

The cake didn't quite turn out as I'd planned, thanks to some silly mistakes on my part, but I think it turned out pretty well, nevertheless.

What You Need:
For the Cake:
1 Box White (or vanilla or yellow) Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup milk
1 cup mango puree*
Optional:
1-2 Tbsp. limeade concentrate
Food Coloring
6" cake pan

For the Icing:
1 cup butter (at room temperature)
1 cup vegetable shortening
1- 2 lb. bag powdered sugar
1/2 cup mango puree*
2 Tbsp. limeade concentrate

*Note: See below for the mango puree instructions. I used frozen mango chunks from the freezer section, defrosted and pureed them.

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Kentucky Derby Cookies

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

... And down the stretch they come...

My Dad asked me to make some cookies for a Kentucky Derby party this weekend.

I didn't do a great job of taking pictures to give you a tutorial, so I'll just share many pictures of the finished products.(Feel free to ask in the comments if you have questions about how I made something.)

I had a lot of inspiration from other cookie/baking websites. The horses I saw on the site Cookie Cowgirl.

I really love the horses. They turned out so well, and, honestly, they weren't that hard. The hair was probably the hardest/ most putsy part. I am trying to decide who else in my life needs horse cookies.

The hats were what my Dad really liked. I based those on some made by Bakerella. They were a little harder than I'd hoped, and I'm nervous that the flowers won't make it to South Carolina in tact, but I am hopeful.

And the Derby 'silks,' I cut out by hand, using an image from the official Derby site.

Lastly, the horseshoes... now, these I just know won't survive shipping, but I had to try. What's a horse without a shoe?

Click the Links Below to See:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Recipe
Royal Icing Recipe
Royal Icing Consistency Tutorial

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Easy Superhero Birthday Cake

2013-04-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

A special friend requested a little 'different' kind of cake for his 6th birthday. He wanted Green Lantern, because Green Lantern is his favorite superhero. BUT he was having a party at a pool, so he wanted Green Lantern... swimming.

I decided to try to make what is called a 'frozen buttercream transfer' to make Green Lantern.
But when I got started, I was certain, just completely sure, it would not work. (I planned a trip to Target to buy the figurine. I was that sure it would be awful.)
So, that is why I don't have a whole lot of pictures of the technique, but I have a few. I will share my lessons, and give you a few links to more complete tutorials by others.
And maybe soon, I will try it again, and do a better tutorial, because it really wasn't as hard as I'd imagined.

Click Here to Read More>>

Polka Dot Cakes Revisited

2013-04-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Remember the Polka Dot Cake?

Photos Courtesy: ScotchBrand.com

Well, as it turns out, I did all of the practice to learn how to make it for a special project.

It is for a website showcasing some pretty cool options for Scotch Tape.

Polka Dot Tape!!

I had a lot of fun watching how the real pros, professional photographers and stylists make pictures look great.

It's a good thing I didn't send them this one!!

Click the Links Below to See:
How To Make a Polka Dot Cake
How to Make a Sprinkle-Sprinkle Cake
Another Polka Dot Cake Idea

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Pretzels! Peanuts! Cookies!

2013-04-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

These cookies got quite a few comments from people who weren't sure they were 'real' when I brought them to an event at a brewery last week.

I have to admit that the pretzels took a little longer than I would have liked, but that's because my free-hand artist abilities are less than those of my six-year-olds.

What You Need:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Dough
or Chocolate Sugar Cookie Dough
Cookie Cutters (Peanut & Pretzel or Heart & Dog Bone)*
Royal Icing
Food Coloring (Brown, Black, Yellow)
Piping Bags and Tips #1, #2

* I did not have Pretzel or Peanut cookie cutters. So, I used a dog bone for the peanuts, and a combination of a heart, round cutter and bee cutter for the pretzel. (I think you could make just a heart and a knife work for them, if you wanted to be less OCD than me.)

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes {Recipe}

2013-04-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

These Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes are just the right combination of tart and sweet. And even though the standard-sized cupcakes look prettier, I think these cupcakes in mini-size are the way to go... just the right icing to cupcake ratio in each bite... plus, then you get to eat more of them with less guilt.

What You Need:
To Make 20-24 Standard Cupcakes (6-8 dozen minis):
For the Lemon Curd:
1-2 Tbsp. Lemon Zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2-4 lemons)
6 egg yolks (reserve the whites for icing and cake)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter (cut into chunks)

For the Cupcakes:
White Cake Mix
2 egg whites + 1 whole egg (reserve the yolks!)
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
1/4-1/2 cup lemon juice (from 2-4 lemons)
2-3 tsp. lemon zest
Optional: 1/4-1/2 cup pureed strawberries (if you add the strawberries, decrease the milk by the same amount)

For the Strawberry Lemonade Icing:
4 egg whites (yolks used in curd)
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cup) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup lemon curd (see above)
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (about 1 cup frozen)

*Grand total, in case you're not keeping track, is:
- 7 eggs
- 5 sticks of butter
- 4-8 lemons

Click Here to Read More>>

Teacher Appreciation Cookies

2013-04-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

There's nothing like treats to make a teacher feel loved and appreciated... especially homemade treats.
(Even though one of my kids' teachers told me early in the year that she didn't eat too many homemade treats. She then revised that, after I brought her a few. Now, she doesn't even wait until the kids leave the classroom before digging in!)

What You Need:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Roll-Out Cookie Recipe
Royal Icing
Coloring (Green, Brown, Black, Red, Blue)
Piping Bags and Icing Tips #1, 2 & 3
A ruler and knife or pizza/pastry cutter
For the stars, I used a star cutter, and this gold sprinkling sugar from Williams-Sonoma.

Click Here to Read More>>

Lemon Curd {Recipe}

2013-04-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

This lemon curd is one of my favorite things. I love it. It's awesome with scones, in pies, as a filling in cakes and cupcakes, and as I recently discovered, in icing!

What You Need:
1-2 Tbsp. lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2-4 lemons)
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter (cut into chunks)
Click Here to Read More>>

Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes {Recipe}

2013-04-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Margaritas. I like mine frozen and blended with strawberries, raspberries, even the occasional mango.

Now, everyone has her own opinion about what a margarita should taste like. So, please note that I give you many "ranges" for the flavors in this recipe. If you like it with less lime and more strawberry, by all means, add more strawberry, and less lime. If you get sick at the taste of tequila, skip it. They'll still be tasty. Make it your taste! (Just try to keep the total amount of liquid about the same.)

What You Need:
For 20-24 Cupakes:
White or Vanilla Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
1/4 cup (half of a stick) melted butter
1 - 1 1/2 cups frozen whole strawberries (divided)*
zest and juice from 1-2 limes
2-3 Tbsp. Tequila

For the Icing:
4 egg whites (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar (not powdered sugar)
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter (at room temperature)
1/3 cup Strawberry puree*
zest and juice of one lime
2-3 Tbsp. Tequila

Optional for decorating:
Pastry bag with Tip 1A (or 2A)
Sparkling sugar sprinkles
Sliced fresh limes
Sliced fresh strawberries

*Note: Defrost the strawberries. Strain about 1/4 cup of the juice. Puree the remaining strawberries and juice. Use 1/2-2/3 cup in the cupcakes, save the remaining 1/3 cup for the icing.

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How To Make a Basket Cake {Video}

2013-03-30T20:55:00.002-05:00

The basket weave is one of those techniques that takes a little bit to learn, but once it 'clicks,' you can whip out a cake like this in 30 minutes flat!

What You Need:
Cake & Icing (I prefer my Decorator's Buttercream Icing for this. But I used Cream Cheese Icing here-- not recommended for beginners because the consistency is harder to get just right.)
Wilton Tip #47 (use two tips if you want alternating colors)
Wilton Tip #21 (for the border)

Click Here to Read More>>

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

2013-03-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

Easter is just a few days away. My one new idea hasn't quite worked out as I'd hoped, so here are a few of my Easter treats from last year if you're looking for something new and homemade to do this week.

Easter Egg Cake Truffles

These are just like cake pops, but you make them with toothpicks, instead of lollipop sticks.

Easter Egg Cookie Pops

There's just something better about when you put anything on a stick.

Click the link to see how to make cookies on a stick.

Easter Cookie Bouquet

These Cookie Pops are perfect to make a bouquet.

Click this link to see how to make a cookie bouquet of your own.

The Simple Easter Egg Cake
An oval pan, some pastel colored icing... it's all you need.

Simple Spring Cupcakes

These might be a little more generically spring than Easter, but they fit the color scheme here.

Click the Links Below to See:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe
Royal Icing Recipe
How To Make Cake Pops
Spring Decorating Ideas

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Spring in Minnesota Cookies

2013-03-20T08:59:00.000-05:00

It's the first day of spring. And here in Minnesota, the high is not even 20-degrees. Instead of tulips and daffodils, we look like a giant snow globe... still.
I'm not too happy about this.

Let me explain, (with cookies) what it's like to experience winter in Minne-snow-ta.

November/December

This is how we feel in November and December. Winter's here. Snow is pretty. The kids love sledding, snowmen. It's all good. We can do this!

January

January comes, usually the coldest time of year, it's dark all of the time. We're growing a bit weary of the cabin fever and the three hours it takes to get dressed to go outside. But it's not too bad. Surely it will be over soon.

February/March/April

And then you have now. March 20. The first day of spring. More than a foot of snow still on the ground. Folks, I'm done! And honestly, when it stretches in to April, the words I use then shouldn't be on a family-friendly website.

To be fair, I grew up in Texas and Missouri. This winter nonsense kills me by about the second flake of snow. I've been here now for six winters. We'll see if I make it to number seven!

Click the Links Below to See:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe
Royal Icing Recipe
Real Spring Decorating Ideas

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

How-To Make a Petal Cake

2013-03-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Learning something new... I decided to try the "petal effect" on the side of a cake. I had a birthday cake to make for our favorite babysitter, and I had carte blanche to do whatever I wanted on it. So, this is what I tried.

This white cake was actually the trial, because I was impatient, again, and the cake fell. So, I decided to just use shorty here to practice.

This was the actual birthday cake. I'm not sure that I don't like the practice one better.
I have to tell you that for how pretty this cake is, it's surprisingly easy to do! It took me less than an hour to decorate this cake!

Click Here to Read More>>

Pi(e) Day 3-14

2013-03-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's Pi(e) Day! March 14th. Like 3.14. Like Pi. Get it? Any excuse for pie is a good one in my book!

Below you will find my collection of pie recipes. Enjoy!

Cherry Pie with Flaky Pie Crust

Lemon Cream Pie

French Silk (Chocolate Cream) Pie

Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

Mini-Apple Hand Pies

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Pot of Gold Cake Pops on Fox 9

2013-03-10T06:10:00.001-05:00

St. Patrick's Day is just one week away. So, I took my Pot of Gold Cake Pops and hit the road. Today, I am visiting Fox 9 with these pops, some of the most popular treats I've ever made (if you go by how many people have visited their original post).

KMSP-TV

If you're new here, welcome!
Here are some links that will help you make these pops:
Pot of Gold Cake Pops
How to Make Cake Pops
How Long Does It Really Take to Make Cake Pops?
Click here to buy the gold ball sprinkles.
(I got the gold sugar sprinkles in-store at my local Williams-Sonoma.)

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Turtle Cheesecake Brownie Bars {Recipe}

2013-03-02T13:24:00.000-06:00

These cheesecake-brownie bars are really chocolatey, really rich, and really good!

What You Need:
Brownie Layer: **Or just use a box mix**
1/2 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup brown sugar
4 oz. chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature (divided)
2/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

Caramel Layer:
1 lb. caramels (unwrapped)
1/3 cup heavy cream
1-1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:
2- 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese (at room temperature)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (at room temperature)
4 oz. melted chocolate (semisweet recommended)

Optional for topping:
1/2 cup additional pecans
Reserve a little caramel sauce
2 oz. additional melted chocolate

*Note: You need parchment paper, as well, to line the pan. These bars are sticky! So, you need to make sure you line the pan well!

Click Here to Read More>>

Chocolate & Vanilla Polka Dot Cake

2013-02-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

I mentioned this cake a little bit when I wrote my post about How-To Make a Polka Dot Cake. But I wanted to be more specific with it, and share the outside as well as the inside, because I think it turned out nicely. (And I have some solutions for the problems that I did have.)

What You Need:
Chocolate Cake Recipe (Either scratch or cake mix works fine.)
Vanilla/White Cake Recipe (scratch or cake mix again, fine.)
Chocolate Buttercream Icing
Vanilla Buttercream Icing
Small Round Cutter (like these)
Decorating bags and a variety of round decorating tips (I used tips # 12, 10, 7, 5 & 3)

Click Here to Read More>>

Special Delivery: Valentine's Day Cookies

2013-02-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

A special order for Valentine's Day. Simple envelopes addressed to the one(s) you love.

To make these, I used the recipes below:
Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Royal Icing

I will warn you that while they are "simple," they don't exactly go fast. It takes some real time to do that much writing and tiny details.

Other Links you may want to check out:
Royal Icing Consistency
How to Color Icing (getting red and black is not easy)

And don't forget, if you shop at Amazon.com through my link, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!

Hearts-Inside Cake... Or Not

2013-02-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

After I had so much fun learning how to make the Polka Dot Cake...

I decided that I wanted to try it with hearts for Valentine's Day. It seemed so simple... and really, the hearts-inside part actually turned out pretty well...

It's just the rest of the execution that failed... miserably.
I'm hoping to give the hearts - or maybe another shape - another chance some time soon. But, if you want to try it yourself... and certainly get better results... let me tell you what worked, and what decidedly did NOT.
Click Here to Read More>>

100 Days of School Cookies

2013-02-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

The 100th day of school means 100 cookies for the class.
That's what we did at our house this weekend, gearing up for the big day.

What You Need:
Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe
or Chocolate Sugar Cookie Recipe
Small round cookie cutter (I used the medium of this set.)
Royal Icing Recipe
FoodWriter or other edible ink markers

*Note: It took me a little more than one batch to get the 100 cookies plus the rectangles for the extra cookies. You may be able to eek out 100 from a single batch, but I recommend at least a 1 1/2 batch of either recipe, just so you have a few for the inevitable mess-ups along the way. (I did not make nearly enough backups, which meant I was a little crabby when they were careless... not enjoyable!)
Click Here to Read More>>