Recipe for Disaster

Earlier this year, my girlfriend was looking around town for a Garbage Truck Cake for her 5 year old son Brayden. Having a difficult time finding a bakery that would accommodate such a request, I volunteered. It wasn't a big deal. I like to bake, I like to be creative, I had all the tools necessary. I could make a Garbage Truck Cake. One Garbage Truck Cake coming up!

Now, since I had come through, and Brayden loved his cake, Jen asked me to fill another order. This time for her daughter, Madelyn. Maddy loves Dora the Explorer. So, one Dora cake- coming up! I love Jen and her kids. This would be my pleasure. One problem- there is always a problem with me, Garth had a meeting for work, that miraculously came up last minute, the night I had planned and set aside to work on this cake.

That left me with 3 rowdy kids and a lot to do. This was quickly spelling out a recipe for disaster.

Here is the actual recipe (for disaster)

Start with the 3 rowdy kids (from before)
Mix in a little Sponge Bob Square Pants, a dash of bribery, and a lot of yelling
Stir in some tears, broken toys, and pouty faces (to taste, of course)
Move on to adding Alvin and the Chipmunks The Movie (for distraction)
Sift in a last minute run to the grocery store, for the butter I forgot on my first trip

Finally, gather your favorite items for a white chocolate buttercream frosting

See mine below-

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup shortening, melted
1 tsp vanilla
Blend first three ingredients

In microwave, melt 2 bags of white chocolate chips and set aside

To butter mixture, add 1 cup of powdered sugar and stir, adding up to 8 cups of sugar.
When all blended, frosting will appear stiff, add melted chocolate and 1/4 cup milk. Continue stirring until desired consistency.

Next, dig through all your baking supplies to find enough containers to hold 8-10 individually colored frostings (to be used at a later time)

In the midst of all your baking, crap, find your frosting colorings. Add color to your containers of frosting, according to the directions, duh.

My directions, so set forth by birthday girl Maddy and Mom, Jen

When your frosting is tinted to your liking, find room among all your leftovers in the fridge to store overnight. To make room, I had to finally throw out the leftover tacos, that no one was going to eat.

My colored frosting, and more leftovers

Now, time to clean up. If your kitchen is like mine, you should see something like this-
Powdered sugar, everywhere, frosting dripped on counter and floor (from Lucy sneaking tastes), and a glass of red wine waiting, on the table, to be enjoyed.

Just when you think you are done, remember, Jen also wanted cupcakes. I love to make cupcakes, they are easier to make, you can whip up a batch at a seconds notice, and who doesn't enjoy a good chocolate cupcake? I know I do. Okay, back to business.

Now, I couldn't just make any old cupcake for my little Maddy. I wanted them to be Dora-rrific! So I decided to scour the pantry for some leftover fondant. I FOUND SOME!!!! Pink, light pink, and orange- perfect!!!


Now, put down your wine, and roll out the fun. I chose to make flowers to go with my girly Dora the Explorer theme. They will sit great, right on top of the chocolate cupcakes I will make with the left over chocolate cake batter, tomorrow night, of course.

Fondant Flowers

Tonight, I am thirsty, now where did my wine go???? Ah, there it is. Goodnight!