How to Ice a Cake

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY PRUDENT BABY!!
We can't believe it's been a year. We've had so much fun.
So we thought, what better way to celebrate than... a trip to Mexico without our husbands and kids!
And then our backup plan was...  a DIY on icing a birthday cake! Hmn, doesn't seem like such a worthy replacement for that trip anymore.
Regardless, if you are a mom, baking a cake has come up. And if you are more of the "DIY" type than the "swing-by-the-bakery" type, this little walk-though might come in handy.

And if you are a professional, or just an awesome cake decorator, don't laugh at my skills. I'm definitely just a home baker with a few lessons under my belt. But with these tips, you CAN ice a perfect cake, if you're into that kind of thing.I'm more of a half-perfect kinda gal.

And if you have more tips, or suggestions, praise for my mad-skillz, or birthday wishes for our baby... Prudent Baby, leave a comment here. The superb comment of the week wins that "tacky" gift up there to the left.

Click here for How to Ice a Cake.
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Cucumber Vodka

That's right I said Vodka. Why not? When reader ERIN sent in her Cucumber Popsicle Recipe and suggested a cucumber cocktail, it hit me to make infused vodka. It's super easy and delightfully refreshing for these last days of summer.

Learn How to Make Cucumber Infused Vodka and my Cucumber Mint Cocktail after the jump...

And leave a comment telling us what kind of vodka you'd like to try and you could win the adorable baking cups pictured up there on the left!
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A Trip to the Farm

One of my favorite days during our trip home was a visit to Sweet Berry Farm, a Pick-Your-Own orchard and farm in Middletown, RI. It was just one of those afternoons that I think I will remember forever. Know what I mean? We ate a beautiful casual lunch in their little cafe and then headed out to the fields.

Click here to see more pics and what we made with our bounty!
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Fresh Fruit Pie

This pie was always a favorite for Summer birthdays in my family. We weren't big into cake (I know, crazy.) I love this pie most because you can use whatever fruit is in season and any combination, really. Blueberry is the best but peach is amazing and strawberry is really good too. Blueberry and Peach? I can't even stand how delicious this is. Lucky for us, so much is abundant and inexpensive this time of year. Experiment with any fruit you have on hand! I bet nectarines and raspberries would be so good! The other great part about this pie is that the filling isn't baked.

Click here to get the recipe for Fresh Fruit Pie.

And remember, any comment you leave this week could win you the fantastical Heather Ross double gauze fat quarters up there to the left. What's your favorite Summer dessert?

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It's A...

Long-neglected mothers of boys rejoice! The selfish ladies of Prudent Baby now have personal interest in all things male because... It's a Boy! So get ready for snails and puppy dog tails and... mustaches! To announce Baby Boy Boneau, I've whipped up a few of these super easy mustache lollipops as part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: Sponsored by Bake it Pretty. If, like me, you still can't get enough of the mustache trend, you have to take a peek at the 1st birthday party Jessica from A little Gray threw for her son, Hendrix. Then check out Babble's In Celebration of Baby Boys: The Mustache. I want that wooden teether!

Click here for the crazy simple DIY for these mustache lollipops!
 
And remember, any comment you leave this week could win you a 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth. Tell us a mustache story. My husband has a mustache. I like it.
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No Bake 4th of July: Jelly Bean Pods

Here is a super fast sweet treat for the 4th of July as part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: Sponsored by Bake it Pretty

Click here to get the details on these festive 4th of July Jelly Bean Pods.

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No-Bake 4th of July: Ice Cream Floats

We are working on a few easy-peasy no-bake sweets for The 4th of July as part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: Sponsored by Bake it Pretty

Click here to get the details on these festive 4th of July Ice Cream Floats.

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Evil "Buttercream"/Decorator Icing

A few of you have emailed asking about the perfectly-peaked Buttercream Icing that I used on the cupcakes for Clare's Buggie Birthday. I'm happy to share the recipe but be warned... there is shortening involved. It really is the only way to make icing that defies gravity. But rejoice healthy-types, you may substitute butter in part or in full. Your frosting will just be more melty. You know you're in trouble when the healthy option is butter, just sayin'.

It's all part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats, Sponsored by Bake It Pretty!


Click here to get the Buttercream/Decorator Icing Recipe.

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DIY Sugar Cookie Cone

As I have long suspected, royal icing has serious adhesive power, which is good say, if you want to make 3-D treat sculptures like this Sugar Cookie Cone (or reattach the sole of your shoe with tasty, tasty glue.)

Click here to get the DIY for making a crowd-pleasing Sugar Cookie Cone like these that I made for Clare's Buggie Birthday!

It's all part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats Sponsored by Bake It Pretty!

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Tips for Making Chocolate Mold Candy

Let's kick off Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: sponsored by Bake it Pretty with the lowdown on the little chocolate mold candies that we used to top the cupcakes for Clare's Buggie Birthday. I've heard in the past that some of you have found molded chocolate treats difficult & annoying to make. Here is my process. Maybe you too will decide that that molded chocolate is the cake decorator's secret weapon.

Click here to get the full scoop on making chocolate mold candy.

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