Friday, July 3, 2009

Wilton Course 2: Final Cake

wilton2finalcake

This was my final cake for Wilton Course 2. I was so proud of my basketweave and rope, but the entire cake? Not so much. The flowers and birds make it look so umm.. dated? Simple and elegant.. definitely not here. Not suprisingly, I just stared at my cake for the longest time not knowing where to start. It wasn't until my instructor started putting random flowers on for me when I finally got going. She thinks I have commitment issues. I agree.

The part I hate about these courses is all the wastage that comes with it. I can't stand wasting food, but I can't eat the shortening frosting either because the greasy film that's left on the roof of my mouth and plastic tasting qualities grosses me out. Also, it just feels dirty to be eating something that has been played around with that much (piping, scooping it back into the bag and repiping) in the middle of a Michael's store. To minimize waste, I just use a cake mix + water so it doesn't feel nearly as bad as throwing out butter and eggs. Next week I'm starting course 3: fondant and we'll be needing 2 cakes + Wilton fondant. This cake is already in the freezer so no wasting or turning on the hot oven for me! My instructor who found out about my homemade royal icing (and wasn't too pleased about) told me to buy the Wilton fondant, but I'm making my own. The whole class will probably hear about it and it will probably be embarrassing, but honestly, I would rather buy myself a new pan than something that even she says tastes gross.

49 comments:

  1. I think it is cute.
    ya know it just figures that the teacher wants you to use Wilton products. While wilton does make some good products, I would never use there nasty fondant or icing.
    you go and be a rebel..I think it is great!

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  2. I agree, the design is a little dated - but I'm STILL BEYOND IMPRESSED with your skills, girl!! Just know that I'm proud :-)

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  3. Oh, you're funny (not to mention very very talented!) I would say 'retro' or 'vintage' instead...then you could start a vintage bakery next to a vintage clothing store and earn your well-deserved fame!

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  4. Good job on the cake and all the elements. I couldn't agree with you more on the shortening frosting - ugh - just washing everything - tips etc grossed me out too. You could still scrape off all the icing and just eat the cake :). Love the colour flo bird.

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  5. I am stunned , this is a great job that you have done !

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  6. Good job sticking to your guns!! I never understood why everyone is so nuts over fondant... it tastes so nasty!! I'd much rather have a tasty cake then a crazy decorated one... sounds like yours will end up being the best of both worlds once you're all done learning :) Great job!

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  7. It looks like you did a great job!
    I've only tasted fondant once on a cake and didn't really care for it. Seriously, great work!

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  8. Your cake looks really beautiful, cake decorating is something I have always wanted to learn. I'm with you, though, on ingredients. When I make a cake I want it to be all natural, mostly organic, wholesome ingredients...no imitation vanilla, or vegetable shortening!! Good luck with your next class!
    Peace, Stephanie

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  9. i think you did a great job! taking a class like that definitely is not super easy! and is that a tweeter bird i see?

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  10. Good job with the basketweave and rope!! The birds are a nice touch. Can't wait to see your fondant cake!

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  11. Oh! You lucky woman! You get the classes! Hummm... I wish there were such classes around here... I'd love to learn how to make all those flowers and dainty decos...

    This is beautiful, you are turning to be wuite a pro! Love the purple violet, they're soooooo even! WOW! And your pipping skills are amazing (like I said before!) what a steady hand. Bravo!!!

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  12. The cake looks great! You did an awesome job! And I hate shortening too, in fact don't even like buttercream much. Now that you're done decorating, you can always scrape the icing off, and add a whipped cream icing if you wish!

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  13. I see what you mean, but I still think you did a lovely job. The basketweaving really is impressive looking.

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  14. gorgeous job even if it's not your style! props for making your own fondant too. when using generic AP flour, a cheap butter, and sugar, are cake mixes still cheaper? i always wonder about that.

    i used a shortening/butter recipe for a buttercream easily bc it was my first time making buttercream. it's a cinch to make but the film left behind on my bowls is turning me off!

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  15. I think the cake turned out really nice. The basket weave does look great, and I didn't even notice the birds until I read that part. Good to here you're making your own fondant. The teacher is partially to blame if she's telling you the store bought stuff is yucky! Can't wait to see the final results of the next class.

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  16. Even if you were not sure about the finished look: I think it looks great and the skill is obviously super there :D
    Can't wait to see your next cake!

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  17. I think you did a great job! I think these things take a ton of practice. I've always wanted to take the Wilton course but haven't done it...yet.

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  18. It's a twitter cake! Oh, don't worry about it, it's still pretty and you learned new skills :)
    I don't know why even persist with the gross shortening icing. Only kids appreciate it because of the sugar.

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  19. Hm I guess the cake design is a bit dated but you did an amazing job executing it! Mine would definitely not look like that.

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  20. You go girl! While I'm not fond of a bunch of flowers on my cake your flowers are perfext!

    I know when I took those courses I hated using their recipes. DO your thing girl!
    ~ingrid

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  21. Oh my gosh, I took that class, I don't know... 5 years ago and they had that bird, LOL. Sometimes I think Wilton needs to get with the program. (I wonder if they still have that scary clown design for the fondant part.)

    Anyway, your cake looks great! Nice job on your flowers.

    I always use home-made royal too.

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  22. I think your cake looks great! Fondant going to be fun!

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  23. That's just perfect & beautiful in ever way. Well done. Love the balance of colours too. Very elegant & pleasing!!

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  24. That cake looks amazing! Great job decorating it!

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  25. OMG! I am impressed! you have soooooo much talent! that cake is just great great great! Nice job!

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  26. Oh wow, I think your cake looks absolutely amazing! I'm so impressed by your skill. I stink at decorating cakes.

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  27. I think I know what you mean by the dated look, it's a tad I Love Lucy or something with the flowers. However, cakes are supposed to have flowers, it's just the way it is... frosting petals all over the place :) Nice job I must say!

    Yeah you're right, it's been a year at least now. Good for us! It's crazy how time goes by so quick, it makes me have to plan for the future, know what I mean?

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  28. You say dated, I say cool and retro....I can't decorate cakes AT ALL so I am really impressed. Post more from the fondant class!

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  29. I've just spent hours reading through your blog, what an amazing baker you are. I've printed many recipes for me to try, I can't wait! Y x

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  30. Your cake looks super cute. The basket weave turned out very nice. I completed Wilton I and II as well. I was going to start Wilton III but decided to wait a bit. I asked my instructor if I could use marzipan instead and she was OK with that. Unfortunately, that instructor is no longer with Michaels.

    I hope you have a chance to see my very first wedding cake I made a week ago: http://hanaaskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-very-first-wedding-cake.html

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  31. Wow I LOVE those large flowers! GREAT JOB! :D :D

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  32. lol, "even she says tastes gross." the cake looks pretty impressive.

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  33. Great job! I'm actually doing that cake tomorrow night for my Wilton Course 2 final class! I'm a bit unenthusiastic about it as well. And, I also hate wasting all this food, but the frosting is incredibly nasty and I agree that making the cake in the dirty Michael's makes it even less appealing than it already was! Haha! I took course 3 already and although I'm not crazy about the taste of fondant you learn from great skills, not to mention beautiful flowers! Good luck!

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  34. Sounds like an interesting course! Yes, the style might be a little dated, but it takes talent to do what you did, and those skills will definitely translate into a style that suits you more. Great job!

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  35. I don't think it's dated, ok maybe that makes me dated!! LOL I really love this cake ! You did a great job!

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  36. I don't get why you are getting ripped on for homemade royal icing and fondant. Is it because you aren't buying Wilton products??

    Still, wonderful job with the piping and decorations. I'm not great at decorating cakes haha

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  37. I am still impressed with your skill in even doing this class and being successful. What a gorgeous job you did as I could never have the patience to sit there and form flowers. I admire what you have done!

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  38. Wow, I don't know why your instructor doesn't like you to make your own products (other than Michaels doesn't make any money off of that - or do they even sell fondant?). Kudos to you for sticking to your guns. I also think the design is impressive, but I'll admit it is a bit dated.

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  39. Wow - impressive cake and great workmanship! I just finished Wilton's course #1 and am signed up for #2 starting in a few weeks. Your progress/results are impressive and I love the basketweave and borders. The flowers are fun - I think it's a fun "retro" look!

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  40. This is such a gorgoues cake!! congratulations on a job well done :)

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  41. Gosh, so envious of your fun classes. Great job! I totally have let summer get away from me and no big accomplishments like this kind of fun. Yea, don't eat the icing. Marshmallow fondant has to be totally better. So easy to use too. Great for cutouts for cuppycakes.
    AmyRuth

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  42. I just finished my cake in course 2 and did not look nearly as good as yours! I can't believe your teacher is like that. We do so much wrong in our class and she just smiles and corrects us! :-) I can't wait for course 3. I loved your course 3 cake!!!

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  43. I will be doing my final cake for Course 2 this Thursday, yes, over here in Singapore we also learn how to create the same blue bird and the same flowers, so it is a universal thingy, i believe Wilton has not updated their course book and everything remains the same, since the days of old. Btw I hate the sweet icings and buttercream too.

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  44. Wow!!! Its beautiful... You Go Girliiieee.......x

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  45. Beautiful cake. Great job on the basketweave and flowers. I took this course recently and also made my own icing, because it is cheaper and tastes better. I will also make my own fondant for the next course.

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