Bronwen Weber 3D Cake Class, Fall 2012

That's right, the NYC Cake Decorators Meetup is  "Marching to the Beat Of Our Own Drum" with  Celebrity Cake Artist, Bronwen Weber, November 3 and 4 2012!

Just in time for the holidays, we will be  sculpting/constructing our very own Three  Dimensional Standing Toy Soldiers complete with  adorable drums. If that's not enough Bronwen has  agreed to put a special twist on the design just for  the NYC Cake Decorators,  so the project we complete  will feature the soldier with one foot in the air, as if  in mid-march...how fab is that?

If you are interested in this class and are not a member of NYC Cake Decorators Meetup, please contact me and I will send you a link with more information about the class, tuition, and how to register.

"Next Great Baker" Casting Call!

TLC's Smash Hit NEXT GREAT BAKER Is At It Again! Are you a natural-born baker or cake artist? Can you make amazing masterpieces, crazy confections or over-the-top cakes? Could you be Season 3's Next Great Baker?

Think you or someone you know has what it takes to out-bake the competition? Then it's GO TIME ... apply for Season 3 NOW! TLC and Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss and Kitchen Boss) are back again, looking to launch the career of another promising baker.

The winner of Season 3 will take home a whopping grand prize of $100,000.00 and an opportunity to work at Carlo's Bakery. But the competition will be fiercer, the weekly challenges more cutthroat and the judging no-holds-barred.

Still think you got what it takes? Download the application here and e-mail it to NGB3Casting@highnoontv.com. Tell your story, and send recent photos of you & your work ASAP!

Casting Call for "Sweet Genius"!

Casting call for Season 3 of "Sweet Genuis" Ron Ben Israel's culinary show on Food Network. Pastry chefs, bakers, and those who have mastered sweets, if you have the personality and culinary chops, email to sweetgeniuscasting@gmail.com: Your name, age, contact info, photo, culinary resume, and paragraph describing yourself.

Good Luck!

Piñata Cookies!

Just in time for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, these colorful  cookies have a sweet surprise inside. Check out how to make them in a cool DIY tutorial on  Geekologie!

Cinco de Mayo Free Cupcake Printables!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  If you are still looking for cool ideas for your cupcakes, why not consider several free printable cupcake topper designs from Love Ceative Blog!

Cupcake Potted Plants

These cupcakes were baked by member Sachiko.

It's spring! The flowers are blooming and early veggies have begun to grow.  These yummy chocolate cupcakes are a great treat to serve at a garden party!

May 2012 Cake of The Month

This gorgeous couture cake was designed by member Marcia. Marcia is relatively new to cake decorating and looks for opportunities to improve her skills and push her creativity.

Sachiko's Micro Edible Cupcake Toppers!

What can be cuter than this micro sugar doggie cupcake topper hand crafted by über talented member Sachiko Winbiel. Look at that sweet expression. Sachiko's attention to detail is amazing!

Sachiko, originally from Japan, graduated from a vegetarian cooking school about four years ago. However, she soon discovered that her passion is playing with sugar, and she excels at creating tiny edible treats.

Sachiko's fun and whimsical creations are addicting.  Visit her business Cupcake Toppers & Towers to view more of her sweet creations and to order.

Paint the Town Pink: Cake Decorating Contest!

This pretty pink mommy to be cake was made by member Iva.

Shrewsbury, New Jersey is painting the town pink and calling all cake designers to enter "Cakewalk" cake decorating contest:

Sunday May 6, 2012

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Borough of Shewsbury Municipal Complex

419 Sycamore Avenue, Pinkbury

The contest is open to amateurs and prizes will be awarded for Most Creative, Most Delicious, and Best Use of Pink. Registration ends on May 2, 2012.  You will need to complete an entry form and mail or drop off to 

Paint the Town Pink - attn: Jennifer Robinson

40 Brady Road

Shrewsbury, NJ 07702

You can also send the completed entry form as a word document to cakewalksignup@gmail.com. You should be able to obtain an official Rules pdf from cakewalksignup@gmail.com as well.

Paint the Town Pink is a community-wide effort to raise awareness of the importance of annual mammography and to encourage women aged 40 and older to have an annual exam.

Free Issue of American Cake Decorating Magazine!

If you've ever been curious about American Cake Decorating Magazine, now is the time to try it for free! American Cake Decorating Magazine is offering one free trial issue for a limited time only. To subscribe. click here.

Baking & Cake Decorating Garage Sale!

These delicious cupcakes were made by member Roseann.

Looking for some cool cake stuff? What better way to get a bargain than to travel up to 107 Oak Hull Road, Ithaca, New York 14850  this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for a great cake decorating garage sale!  There will be tons of baking and cake decorating items from a former wedding cake business: vintage Wilton books, molds, separator plates, figurines, tools and more.  Any questions or directions contact Donna at 607-591-0999.

C.A.G. DOS April 22nd!

This beautiful cake was created by Chef Janet Ben Ami, Hey! Cookie

The Confectionary Arts Guild's first Day of Sharing in 2012 will take place on Sunday, April 22nd. Betty Van Norstrand and Diane Shavkin are scheduled presenters. To register or to obtain additional information, please click here.

Win a Free 3D Sneaker Cake Class!

NYC Cake Decorators will give one lucky reader an opportunity to attend Sweet Grace, Cake Designs upcoming May 20, 2012, 3D Sneaker Cake class for FREE!!!! That's right. Learn how to carve one of 3 cool sneaker cake designs shown in this post with Lisa Rochelle for free.

 All you have to do is comment leaving a tip or hint on how you save time and/or money in your cake decorating and sugar art on this post by 11:59a.m. [EST] Monday, April 30, 2012. Please leave contact information such as an email address, so I can get in contact with you in case you win. The prize is for class tuition only.  

The class location is Haworth, New Jersey which is 15 minutes from the George Washington Bridge and a quick ride from NJ Transit. Arrangements can be made with Lisa directly for pick up if traveling by train. Random.org will select the winner. Good Luck!

......AND THE WINNER IS.........SELINA!!!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who entered the contest.  I read all your tips and hints and got a lot of great ideas that I plan to try out.

Diane's Chocolate Cut Out Out Cookies!

I just love chocolate and was so happy when Diane Shavkin graciously agreed to share her recipe for chocolate cut out cookies. Enjoy! Diane's Chocolate Cutout Cookies 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 1/4 cups white sugar 1 egg (1). Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg. Gradually stir in the sifted ingredients to form a soft dough. Divide dough into 2 pieces, flatten and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours. (2). Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Dough is sticky so be sure to add more flour to the rolling surface as needed. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets. (3). Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

It's A Cookie!

Play and then eat a treat! This is what's in store for the lucky partygoers who play Chinese Checkers on this edible shortbread cookie board.  Candy coated chocolate covered peanuts are used as the "marbles".
For directions on how to make this unique "game", click here.  A template for the board itself can be found here.

Put On Your Easter Bonnet!

This bright and beautiful cake hat was designed by member Crystal. It reminds me of those elegantly flamboyant hats certain ladies wear to church, especially around Easter. I just love Crystal's edible butterflies and calla lilies. Her cake is just as happy and sunny as the weather is today!

Free Printable Cupcake Bunny Toppers at Skip to My Lou

I ♥  Skip to My Lou blog! It's so fun, creative, and packed with great ideas and free printables.  Easter is just around the corner and if you are still stuck for ideas on how to pretty up your delish cupcakes, you need to browse Skip to My Lou.

The sweet little bunny cupcake topper is just one of the neat ideas on the blog.  To download, click here. It's best to print on a good card stock and have plenty of toothpicks.  For further directions go to the website.

Cupcake Competition - Rockland County

If you are artsy and crazy about cupcakes this 2012 cupcake competition is for you!  The deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 2, 2012. For further information and top download the application, click here.