Graduation Cake!

My sister Meagan is graduating! We had her graduation party and I made the cake! I was happy to do so because first, I love baking, and second, I got a new big cake pan! I used my usual chocolate cake recipe. It turned out great and everyone loved it. Here's some picture enjoy! {Recipe for chocolate cake is in an earlier post}

Congrats Meagan!

Cake Pops!

I tried making cake pops for the first time. They turned out ok, but they don't look the best. I also added to much frosting so they were a little soft. But they still tasted awesome!

What You Will Need:

cake mix

9-by-13 cake pan

large mixing bowl

frosting

large spoon

wax paper

2 baking sheets

48 ounces candy coating

deep, microwave safe bowl

48 paper lollipop sticks

styrofoam block

1st step: Make your cake. {Chocolate recipe I use is in an earlier post}

2nd step: After the cake is cooled, crumble it into a big mixing bowl & add 1 1/2 cup frosting.

3rd step: roll into balls and set on wax paper.

4th step: chill in the refrigerator for several hours or freezer for 15 minutes.

5th step: melt candy coating in microwave safe bowl. I did 30-seconds at a time. stir and then do 30 more seconds until it is completely melted.

6th step: start dipping. take only a few out at a time. If balls were in freezer, transfer to the fridge so they do not freeze.

7th step: Dip about 1/2 inch of stick into melted candy coating and then stick it straight into the cake ball, push it no farther than halfway through. {Picture below}

8th step: holding onto stick, dip the whole cake ball into candy coating. let the extra coating drip off. after all the excess is done dripping place, in styrofoam block. {Picture below}

9th step: repeat with the rest of the cake balls.

Easter Chicks!

These things are so cute! My mom and I made them for easter dinner with our family. We printed out names and used them as name tags. They turned out super cute!

Bake cupcakes {any kind you want} and cool completely. When turned upside-down, each cupcake becomes the body of a chick. Spread buttercream frosting {look below for recipe} on a cupcake to anchor it to the serving plate while you are working. Use a spatula to coat the sides thickly with frosting, and then mound more on top to create a dome shape.

Press toasted shredded coconut {how to on toasting coconut below} into the frosting -- it stands in for fuzzy feathers. Hold the plate at an angle while applying the coconut so the excess falls back into the bowl.

Place eyes (made from snipped black licorice laces) on chicks using tweezers. Use a whole almond for the beak and red licorice {I used Mike n ikes} for the feet and comb; both can be pushed into the frosting by hand.

Buttercream frosting

2 cubes butter, softened at room temp.

2 boxes powdered sugar

dash of salt

2 tsp. vanilla

enough milk to make it spreadable

To toast coconut in the oven, spread shredded coconut in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 300F for about 20 minutes, {or until golden brown} stirring every 5 minutes to make sure that the coconut browns evenly.