Veena's Art of Cakes

How to make Ruffles and Frills on cakes

2013-05-16T03:17:00.000-04:00

Today's 'Tip Thursday' is about Ruffles and Fills Basics on my Facebook page. While I think that this is enough for most.. some might need a bit more information. So I thought I'd elaborate here on my blog. There is only that much information you can put on a slide!

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe.

2013-05-12T06:09:00.000-04:00

If you are on my Facebook page you probably already saw this video. Not that I forget to post but I do have a lot to still update you on my blog..

Here are some Simple Vanilla Cupakes -

The list of ingredients

and the method

Check out my you tube channel for more videos including some cupcake decorating videos.

Thanks for stopping by.

Three Business Tips for Aspiring Cake Decorators

2013-05-01T01:42:00.005-04:00

This has been a long awaited posts. Many of you keep sending me emails and messages about business questions. While I can answer some I can't do justice to the others, especially because I myself started off only two years ago.

My husband is a business leader with over 20 years of experience, and I can honestly say without his help I would not have made it here. Success is not always making it to the top but by growing every single day one day at a time, one cake at a time. So while I know I'm not up there I feel successful because I do appreciate where I started from and where I am today.

I often get asked what helped me succeed up to now and what tips can I give the new cake decorators, so I requested my husband to put together a post with three business tips for an Aspiring cake decorator. I hope you will find it useful as I have in my business so far.

My husband writes his own blog which speak about Entrepreneurs, leadership and strategic thinking. You can read more on his blog Ziv Azmanov

So, here's my guest post today - by Ziv Azmanov

3 Business Tips for Aspiring Cake Decorators

Tip Thursday - How to avoid grainy Buttercream and Buttercream Consistency.

2013-04-14T00:54:00.001-04:00

Just realized there are many 'Tip Thursdays' that I have on my Facebook page... I still haven't shared with you all..

Here's two on Buttercream..

Thanks for stopping by.

Bold and Beautiful Brush Embroidery

2013-04-08T01:14:00.002-04:00

Today, I want to share with you a lovely Brush embroidery cake.

Bold and Beautiful Brush embroidery. It was for a 30th Birthday cake, The lady loves bright spring colors and maintains a lovely garden.

This is again my Strawberry Jello Cake with Strawberry Mousse, Vanilla Buttercream, Homemade Sugar paste.

I have already made you a tutorial on Brush embroider before - Here's the cake I shard with you before..so it's exactly the same technique just that was white on Burgundy and this is different colors on - you can find it here.. Brush Embroider- lace design.

Hope you like the cake...Thanks for stopping by.

Orange Henna Inspired Cake

2013-04-05T01:34:00.001-04:00

What do you get after three may be four hours of constant piping?

An Orange Henna Inspired Cake and (stiff fingers!!!)

My Orange Chiffon Cake with Orange flavored Buttercream, Orange Flavored home made sugar paste.

I do hope you like it...

Thanks for stopping by.

Buttercream Castle Cake, Tiara Cupcakes and Hand Painted Princess Tiana Cupcakes

2013-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Time for some Sharing.. Have quite a few things I still haven't shared with you on my Blog.. So stay tuned.

Buttercream Castle Cake

This is three tiers of Double Chocolate Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream.

Some Hand Painted - Princess Tiana Cupcakes

and Tiara Cupcakes.
I did take pictures or may be a video on how to make these. Need to check and see if I go that done right. If so, you might just have a tutorial on how I made these babies.

This is the comment I received from the mother Danielle today.
Always makes my day when I get such feedback..

Hi Veena, everything was perfect, and delicious! Everyone really loved the cake and cupcakes. They got really rave reviews from all our friends. Thank you so much!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like them as well.

Easter Cake with Gumpaste Bunnies and Easter Eggs - 2013

2013-04-03T01:58:00.001-04:00

Belated Easter to you all. Sorry have been so busy with Passover and Easter all at the same time. The kids are usually on vacation at this time. I tell you - the kids go on vacation but it's over time for us parents - right?

Ah well, today I want to share with you this lovely Easter Cake I made for the family.

How to make Dark Modelling Chocolae

2013-03-30T03:46:00.002-04:00

Chocolate Wrap Chocolate Cake - Which one do you like better?
The one with only the Chocolate roses or the one with the addition of the strawberries as well.

The cake recipe used here is the variation I shared recently on my 'Tip Thursday' on Facebook.
Basic Chocolate Cake and it's variations - This is the Strawberry Chocolate cake.. Video coming up soon.

I finally made a long requested video -- Modelling Chocolate!
This is the Dark Modeling Chocolate - Will also show you how to make White Modeling Chocolate in another video.
And Show you how to make Chocolate Roses in another video.
And I will also show you how I made that Chocolate Wrap in another video..!

No Music in this one.. So don't complain - Just me blabbling along.
If you have sent me a question or query on modeling chocolate - I probably have answered it here too..

The Recipe as stated in the video is

The amount I showed is
340 grams Dark Chocolate 70%
1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup

or for a smaller quantity try
or 200 grams of Dark Chocolate
1/4 cup Light Corn Syrup.

Method as shown below.

I do hope you find it useful. Happy Easter Eve to you all.

Thanks for stopping by.

Buttercream Ruffle Cake Video Tutorial

2013-03-29T04:59:00.000-04:00

And finally I have had some time to work on my videos. I just uploaded the first of the Buttercream Ruffle Cake. I have some more videos coming up soon so don't forget to subscribe to my you tube channel soon.

This was my Birthday Cake...

Now here's the video on how I made it.. Hope you find it useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Orange and White Wedding Cake with White Rose Tiers

2013-03-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

Today, I want to share with you a Wedding Cake I did this week.
I told you I had an Orange Wedding Cake coming up? This is it.

An orange and white Wedding Cake with White RosesTiers

My Signature Chocolate Creme Cake with Strawberry Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache and homemade Sugar paste.

I do hope yo like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Hand Painted Wedding Cake

2013-03-20T03:30:00.000-04:00

Today I want to share with you my latest creation.

A hand painted wedding cake. Bright Spring colors with a Peony topper.

Two tiers Strawberry Jello Cake with Strawberry flavored Buttercream and Homemade sugar paste.

Hope you like it..

Thanks for stopping by.

Red and White Lace Wedding Cake

2013-03-19T03:14:00.002-04:00

Today I want to share with you this beautiful Red and white Wedding cake.

Have you noticed that all my wedding cakes are only white. And of course mostly round.
I was hoping to get more people try the other colors and other shapes. so now I have the opportunity to make two. Still round but not white white..

I made this one and then I have one more in a few days. That one will be Orange and White..

Two Tiers of Butter Pound Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
and Bottom Tier - Chocolate Pound Cake with Chocolate Ganache.

The bride wanted lace but I did not have any lace molds. And there wasn't enough time to ship it from overseas. So I had to DIY! This is a just embossed fondant that I patterned and gave a lace look.
The flowers are small hand made filler flowers with white roses.

Thanks for stopping by.

Video Tutorial - How to make Gumpaste Easter Bunnies

2013-03-14T01:57:00.001-04:00

Easter is just around the corner and I'm sure you all are planning lots of cute Easter cakes..
I made a picture tutorial last year on how to make Easter Bunnies. Quite a few of you sent request for Video tutorials... see I listen ... not instantly but I do listen.

So yesterday I made a few Easter Bunnies in advance so I could show you how.
Still not planned what cake or design I will make this year. But will deal with that later.

So here's the tutorial

I do hope you find this video useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Ruffle Wedding Cake with David Austin Rose and Peonies

2013-03-13T05:25:00.001-04:00

Today I want to share with you my Latest Ruffle wedding Cake.

Ruffle Wedding Cake with David Austin Rose and Open Peonies.
Bottom - My signature Chocolate Creme cake with Chocolate Ganache
Middle - My signature Vanilla Creme Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Top - Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Jam and Strawberry Buttercream.

Here's a close up of the topper and the peony behind.

Message from the bride - Veena's thank you so much for the lovely cake.. It was perfect. Just the way I visioned it. The ruffles were subtle and not too frilly just as I told you. The orange rose is so amazing. I'm so glad you suggested it and the peonies are more gorgeous than the real peonies. Thank you so much for everything.
The best part was that it tasted so good. While everybody was admiring the lovely cake, I think the moment they tasted it, they started asking who made the cake and your number. It's was a perfect treat after a wonderful celebration.
I have two friend getting married this year. I think they wont' be looking for a cake decorator anymore. You are sure making both their cakes. Thank you so much.

Isn't that the most beautiful complement? Just makes my day..

Upcoming video.... Since I had many request and questions on how I did the ruffle on my previous Dress Inspired wedding cake... You will also be happy to know that I took video of the how-to on this ruffle cake. I will post it the moment I get a chance to put it all together.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hand Painted Cakes

2013-03-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

As promised I want to share with you my Two Hand painted cakes recently.

Did I tell you that I bought a new Air Brush? Well, just recently and I have been so fascinated with it.. I wish I had more to do and more information on what to do with it.

Anyway, i should have used regular fondant for this but I airbrushed it blue.
I loved the shaded blue effect I got from my airbrush but painting on an airbrush cake...bad idea!
As I painted it colors kept blending the airbrushed blue. So my white daisies weren't white anymore.

Anyway, The birthday girl loved daisies, lavender and rose buds so tried my best to paint those. Still have very shaky and unsure hands which I hope will get better with my future attempts.
Over all I must admit I was pleased with my attempt at hand painting.

Here's the other one. This I made before the one above.
This is a gift cake I made for a friend and since I've been so fascinated with hand painting recently I decided to try it out.
She loves roses and Bougainvillea so I choose to do that..
Not my best work but it actually got to two more hand painted orders.. So I guess it was OK. Will sure practice more painting from now on..
This is the Strawberry Jello Cake with Strawberry buttercream (strawberries are now is season) -

Next, I want to share with you my recent Star Burst Cake and video tutorial I made for it.
I still have so many cupcakes I made recently that I haven't shared with you.

Thanks for stopping by.

My Birthday Cake and new Video tutorials.

2013-03-10T01:11:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I posted here. Hope you are all are doing well, I have so much to up date you all on...
I have been mostly updating some of the previous post. I did a new Gift Box cake so updated the old post with the new picture.
I have decided to make videos of some of the recipes starting from the most popular.

But first - here's my birthday cake.

The top part of the ruffle was done by me alone and the bottom with my son's help.
He waned a ruffle cake for me so decided to so it in buttercream instead of fondant.
The bottom of the ruffle are a bit uneven because I was holding his hand while he tried to pipe them.. Quite difficult to keep your hand steady when it's a kids...!
This is my Light and Fluffy Vanilla Cake from the video.. with
Strawberry mousse and Strawberry flavored buttercream

Read more »

Eggless Vanilla Cake.

2013-03-04T00:19:00.000-05:00

I've had quite a few request for Eggless Vanilla Cake recently, To be honest I do not make them so often any more.
I remember making these often in college for my vegetarian friends but not much after that. I know I have three recipes in my book. All these are actually not my own recipes but from friends or their moms.
I'm going to share them with you . I would appreciate if you try them out. Please do come back to me and let me know the out come. I only post recipes on my blog once I have tested it a couple of times.
These I have not made for many many years now, so would truly appreciate your feedback on whether they are still good or need testing.

Read more »

How to make a Start Burst Cake

2013-03-03T03:17:00.001-05:00

Well, I haven't shared with you a fun cake I made recently. It was for a 21st birthday cake..
The girl loves shoes and is very proud of her sexy legs..!
So this is what I came up with...
Love it.. don't you?

and here is the video I just uploaded.

I do hope you find the video useful..

Thanks for stopping by.

Tip Thursday - Royal Icing Basic.

2013-02-28T01:20:00.001-05:00

Here is today's 'Tip Thursday' on my Facebook page.. If you are still not a fan on my Facebook page you are sure missing out on some good shares.

Here's the link - go on and check it out..Don't forget to like and add the page to your favorites so you will see all the shares and be the first to see my cakes..
http://www.facebook.com/veenaartofcakes

Again, based on all the comments and questions I receive from you all about Royal Icing - I thought I'd put together some of the points that I think are very important.
We will discuss this further; specific to cookies and other uses in future tips.
About a year ago, I have shared three different recipes on my blog for RI based on the medium you use and explained in details - See post here.. Royal Icing Recipe

Royal Icing Basics..

Thanks for stopping by.

Tip Thursday - Baking Tips I and Measuring ingredients.

2013-02-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's two more - Tip Thursdays for you.. Have a couple of cakes and cupcakes to share with you this week. I do hope I will find the time.

And

Hope you find then useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tip Thursday - Bulges around cakes

2013-02-24T04:24:00.001-05:00

Sharing another Tip from my 'Tip Thursday" on Facebook. Hope you find it useful.

This tip speaks about the budges around cakes...

Hope you find it useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tip Thursday - Cake Flavor combination, Basic Cake Recipe and Flavor Variations.

2013-02-21T01:49:00.002-05:00

'Tip Thursday' is something I started on my Facebook page, it has become quite popular which many many shares.

However, I have received many messages from those that are either not of Facebook or that would prefer these on my blog.

As much as I want to encourage you to join me on Facebook I do not want you to feel you are missing out because you do not have a Facebook account.

So here's lats week's as well as this week's - 'Tip Thursday'

Posted on 14th Feburary 2012 - Cake Flavor Combinations

Personally I love to try new as well as create new flavors but often not sure which go together.
When I started cake decorating professionally (less then two years ago) I started putting together a list of popular flavors and combinations. Most I got from various online websites. Just so I can try and refer to when customers ask.
I do often get newbies and fans who message inquiring about these too. So I thought I'd share my list with you.
This is just part of the list. The ones marked * are ones I have tried or made- the rest are still new to me too.
I've not mentioned the - very basic ones like Vanilla cake with Vanilla buttercream and such.. everybody knows those..!
Hope this helps.

Posted on 21st February 2013 - Basic Cake Recipe & Flavor Variations I

As promised today’s; ‘ Tip Thursday’ is an extension of last week’s - cake flavors.

As I mentioned before; not every new flavor needs a new recipe.

Well, here’s how I work from a basic recipe to create many new and exciting flavors.

Please note these are my own recipes, started off as a basic sponge cake. Tried and tested over the years by me. Thanks to my mom for teaching me how.

I am happy to share my recipes with you as I have done so far on my blog. All I ask as a ‘self –taught’ cake decorator is that if you do use my recipes or tutorials please be kind enough to acknowledge and recognize my efforts.

Thank you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Ruffle Dress Inspired Wedding Cake

2013-02-19T04:17:00.001-05:00

Today, I want to share with you this lovely four tier wedding cake I made

Two layers of my Signature Vanilla Creme cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Two Layers of my Signature Chocolate Creme Cake with Chocolate Ganache..
Homemade Sugar paste.

Read more »

Ombre Rose Petal Cake Video Tutorial

2013-02-18T03:58:00.001-05:00

Today, I want to share with you this Ombre Rose Petal cake I made.

Chocolate Chiffon Cake with SMBC and homemade sugar paste.
It's a simple design but since some of you requested I did take progress pictures.

Read more »