Wilton Class 3, and a King Cake

I finished the Wilton Class 3 which was learning some of the flowers and working with cupcakes. I really enjoyed the way these turned out.  This was the first time that I had ever done anything to cupcakes other than just putting icing on them.  The King Cake was a huge hit.  Being from New Orleans, I miss the foods of "home" and with it being Mardi Gras season, I really miss being able to have a king cake at my disposal.  However, since I "AM" in the bakery & pastry chef field I figured that I might as well try to make one myself, and see how it turns out.  I am very happy with the turnout and plan to make this again.  :)

Playing with Cupcakes - Shaggy Mums, Rosettes, drop flowers, and stars toppings

 This was so good!!!! Pretty King Cake

Crystalline Confections - Fudges

I absolutely loved this week.  I enjoy making fudges and I found a new favorite: Pumpkin Fudge.  Not only was it easy to make, but it was so delicious.  Everyone that was able to try it was really amazed at how good it tasted.  I will definitely be making that one again.  :)

 Pumpkin Fudge

 Chocolate Fudge

 Peanut Butter Fudge 

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Marbled Fudge

Penuche - sort of like a praline fudge

 Sample platter

Playing with decorating - pretty stuff

Ok, so I decided to take the Wilton Cake Decorating Class to be able to get some practice with the basics.  So far, even after only two classes I am very impressed with the higher level that I am decorating at.  Here are pictures of items that I made.  The first three were done first class, the next one done at home before the 2nd class, and then one done during the 2nd class.  I can see the improvement that I have made in the process, even though I still need more practice, :)

Chocolates, Aerated Candy, and Fudges - YUM!

This chocolates class is really turning out to be a LOT of fun.  I am really enjoying making these candies.  However, I really have to say that I do not want to do this as a full time chocolatier, lol.  A little here and there would be great, but full time would be way too much candy and chocolate for me.  :) Anyway, here are the newest candy pics.  There are notes with some of the pics below.  Enjoy!!!

Marshmallows

 Pistachio and Almond Nougat

 Nougat that's chocolate dipped

 Pecan Divinity

 Hot Chocolates - these are layers of cinnamon marshmallow, stiff chocolate ganache, a dark chocolate foot, and then enrobed in dark chocolate

 These are sleeping beauties.  They are layers of soft caramel, chocolate nougat, chocolate foot, and then enrobed in dark chocolate.

 OMG, my ultimate favorite: Pumpkin Fudge.  If I could make anything day after day it would be this one.

 Chocolate Fudge

 Peanut Butter Fudge

 Marbled chocolate and peanut butter fudge

 This one is called Penuche - it is sort of a praline type fudge - very good stuff

Sampling platter of the fudges.

Ah - Sourdoughs

I absolutely love sourdough bread.  I not only like to eat it, I love baking it.  Here are the breads we made with sourdoughs.  My favorite was the regular sourdough bread and the sourdough cheese bread. 

Me with the Sourdough Bread

 Sourdough Olive Bread

 A baby loaf of the sourdough cheese bread

 Sourdough cheese bread - a boule

 Sourdough Cheese Bread - batard shape and scored down the length.

 The sliced sourdough bread

 Sourdough bread - batard shaped

 Ah, Sourdoughs