Cheers!

Let's raise our cupcakes to toast yet another wonderful year.  Despite the ups and downs through the year, I call it wonderful because there are more things to be thankful for than before...It's almost a year  of blogging for me now and I want to thank my followers for supporting me on this sweet journey.  I look forward to the new year and hope that it brings success and joy in all our endeavors. 

Coming to the more important question now.  Do I make new year's resolutions?  Not any more.   I cannot seem to make logical resolutions even if my life depended on it and to hope that the illogical ones are kept intact would be a miracle at best.  So, I've changed my philosophy slightly..."be flexible" is my new aim...It will allow me to cater to each situation without breaking any resolution.  How's that for perfection?  Okay, so it's a little cheating, but it's smart cheating.  Cheers!

Mini Ornaments

Ornaments are not just meant to adorn a tree or the body. Sometimes they are meant to bring joy to the tongue and tummy. No, seriously I mean it. We eat with our eyes and nose first and so a treat has to entice our palate with looks and aroma. These tiny delights were designed with just this in mind: rich burgundy, sky blue and little flakes of snow. Here's wishing everyone a very happy holiday season ahead. Cheers!

Traditions

Of all the winter traditions that are around, my favorite one is making a snowman...it brings back memories from my childhood where a negative 36F did nothing to freeze my spirits (northern Canada).  From toboggan rides down steep hills to making 'angels' in the snow, my only worry in life was climbing back up the hill covered in 9 feet of ice and snow.  I consider myself very lucky to have enjoyed a healthy and happy childhood and this holiday season I wanted to do something for those who don't have either.  I didn't know how until my place of work hosted a holiday craft fair.  So I put on my baking gloves and created some red velvet winter delights.  And while spreading the word on La Tangerine Cakes and Treats, I ended up raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which strives to bring hope to the lives of many who cannot go out and make a snowman of their own...

Happiness

Who says you can't have a slice of tangerine cheesecake for breakfast because it is not healthy?  If you think about it, it has all the elements of a balanced breakfast: carbs, protein and fat (flour, sugar, fruit, eggs, dairy and butter). So why is it then, that inspite of the combination, it is not the healthiest item on your plate when you start the day? The answer lies in the word 'balance'.  While all the components are accounted for, the balance is just on the wrong scale.  Hence the overall end product earns its designation as dessert- something to be eaten cautiously unless you are Heidi Klum (I am convinced that this wouldn't affect her gorgeously stunning profile either). 

Extrapolating this process to my life has made me realize that while I may have all the components present to make me happy (family, occupation, hobby and faith) unless I strive the right balance amongst them, I cannot win.  We hear about people who excel in their chosen path and we try to copy their success.  While chasing the super-success stories of people around us we must realize that one can truly excel in only one aspect of life and everything in between is all about BALANCE.  So pick up a spoon, dig into your favorite treat, sit back and think of  what would make you most happy and then choose wisely to bring in that happiness...

Cuddles and Smiles

I met a wonderful lady recently and she told me that sometimes she needs no special reason to celebrate with her family, especially her children.  What a wonderful thought!  She wanted a cake that had elements of a cuddly teddy bear, flowers and funny faces...Tough challenge indeed to put these three in a cohesive theme - on a cake.  My representation of the request is displayed above and you can tell me what you think.  The backdrop of blue butter cream/whipped cream frosting with specs of cream cheese resembled the first snowfall for the season.   The flakes coaslesced into bigger snowflakes at the bottom before melting away on the street (chocolate strings).  The funny faces were captured on color-dyed chocolate buttons all around to spread laughter and cheer.

The cake was a wedding white flavor one with two layers of banana and whipped cream filling.

Streamers and Confetti...

...in dark and white chocolate calls for a celebration; no less. Add a strawberry (made of fondant) dressed in a tuxedo and you have the recipe to celebrate your man on his special day.  While the white chocolate was pure "chocolate", the confetti chocolate curls were made from dark chocolate infused with espresso.  Hiding under the chocolate coat was a red velvet cake layered with cream cheese frosting.  Cheers to a birthday which falls during the party season of the year!

A Puppy Adventure

Why do we have some pre-defined notions in this world? Blue is for boys, pink is for girls; trucks are for boys and dolls are for girls...If you let children choose out of free will, you'd be surprised at how many little boys like pink and Dora and how many little girls will run after a train or a truck.  I do not know what that means about their development, but I see no scientific reason to revolt against the odds.  Our minds have been carved by our parents and the environment around us and so today if we see a woman Nascar driver we say wow and if a man dares to wear a pink shirt, we would rather call it the color 'salmon'.  Funny are the ways of the human world... So what do you bake for a little boy who loves Clifford and Dora characters at the same time?

You set them up on a journey to a puppy adventure.   Dora and Boots meet Clifford the big red puppy in this short feature of vanilla cake with pudding filling and all edible toppers.  

A Sweet Flame

Tiny drops of water make a mighty ocean...Little bites of cakes make a beautiful flame.   Each piece (cupcake) was uniquely decorated and looked lovely on its own, but when they were brought together they created a harmony of colors and symbolized the light of hope, fortune and all things good for the new year to come.  This edible display speaks volumes about an amazing school principal who believes in celebrating people and their various cultures with open arms and a warm heart.  Here's wishing the students, teachers and their families a very happy festival of lights (Diwali).

Rangoli Treats

It is now only a week away from Diwali celebrations in India.  Although the origin of this festival of lights is predominantly religious in nature; it's significance  goes far beyond.  The many facets of this festival include the traditional art of rangoli, the sparkle of fireworks, the endless sweet treats and the numerous oil lamps that adorn the homes symbolizing victory of good over evil (from darkness to light).   

Rangoli or Alpana is an ancient cultural tradition and folk art from India and is an inherent part of the festival. The designs and styles may vary, but the spirit and culture behind it is its diversity and various dimensions that bring together a harmony of colors. Traditionally drawn with colored rice powder or rice flour, it's purpose is to decorate and bring good luck to the doorstep of the home where it sits.  Here's wishing friends and neighbors a very happy new year ahead with these "east meets west" rangoli cupcakes.

Woodsy Delights

Let's celebrate the end of the harvest season with some square dancing...A dance of a combination of delightful tastes and textures that is.  Here are some little bites of individual cheesecake squares coated in chocolate giving the crunch of sweet chocolate, the smoothness of creamy  cheese and the chewiness of the base all in one delightful bite.  A cool treat to take to a dinner party which has all the warmth of wonderful hosts.

Best Friends Forever

A bright new handbag is always a girl's best friend.  But for something a little more rewarding, I think there's none other than a sister.  Sisters are awesome edifices in our lives: they bring out the best and worst in us.  They teach us how to compete in life, how to celebrate victory with a pompous shopping bill and how to perform miserably and know there's temporary solace in a tub of ice cream at 2 o'clock in the night.  You'll find them for the midnight heart to heart chat and also in places you don't want them to be at.  What better gift can you give such a family member on their special day but a purse full of sweetness.  Here's to celebrating a sister's special day with a chocolate cake layered with chocolate ganache.

Warm Drizzle

Fall signals the end of the harvest season and the time to rejoice in festivals galore.  It's a time to be thankful to Mother Earth for her bountiful wealth and to learn from Her that the joy of giving should never become obsolete.  Give from the heart this festival season and spread a little love, laughter and warmth as the rustle of fallen leaves and nip in the air signal harsh weather ahead.  And, when the chill hits, remember to smile with a warm beverage and these dark chocolate truffles.

Kitty Party

"What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice...that's what little girls are made of." The age old nursery rhyme does poetic justice to a simple truth.  Fascinated with princesses, fairies and sometimes (Hello) kitties and puppies, little girls exhibit a certain charm and sweetness that set them apart.  From high-pitched wails to belly laughs and giggles, little girls bring with them beauty, sunshine and endless joy.  After all, it's these little girls that grow up to foster love and warmth in homes all over the world.

A vanilla cake filled with chocolate ganache was Lil' Sara's birthday treat.  May she blossom and grow and "meaow" her way through happy days in times to come.

A Cascade of Love

For those of us fortunate enough to have experienced Grandma's love will know what I am about to pen down here.  It's one of the most amazing experiences in a lifetime that carries through.  The story-times, the special gifts, the warm hugs, the aroma of Grandma's comfort food and the countless blessings are always some of the warmest and most comforting memoirs... 
As a mommy now, I see that time spent with grandma translates to a new set of rules, no self control and mild discipline at best.  Very different perspectives, right? Anything in excess is never good but in milder doses grandma's love teaches kids freedom from structure, how to laugh at imperfections and how to take the time to stop and smell the roses.  No one has more patience than a grandma.  She is here on earth to serve a special purpose: to cascade love all the way!  Happy 80th birthday, Thampu (meaning Grandma)!  
The cake was a simple mellow lemon flavored one with butter-cream frosting and fondant on top. Edible roses were hand carved one by one to honor the love and patience that grandmothers symbolize all over the world.

Fall Colors

Leaves in the Fall come tumbling down; 

scarlet and yellow, orange and brown

They light the woods afire with color 

and prepare the trees for a winter allure. 

Fall is a gorgeous time in many parts of North America and Canada.  It's a time when nature takes a final bow before the curtain-call of cold, white winter. It's also the time when schools start a new session in many parts of the world. My daughter starts a new phase in her life this week (aka Kindergarten). A potluck picnic party was organized to celebrate the start of all things good. Our contribution, this chewy dark chocolate fudge brownie, was drizzled with colored white chocolate to mimic the season around us.  

Here's wishing every student a great year ahead.  May their minds be allowed to explore freely and may their hearts rejoice in the knowledge they gain in the process.

Makeover Queen

If you think having a bad hair day is a non-trivial matter, then either you are a man or a very unusual woman.  There are two things that can cheer up most women: shopping and a great hairdo.  Having a great hairdresser is like winning the lottery.  Their magic can transform an ordinary woman into a stunning lady.  And trust me when I say this ('cause I know): having a great hair day can make one feel like they can conquer almost anything they set out to do. Talk about confidence!  It all starts from the top of your head (and of course a great pair of shoes would complete the picture) to the tip of your toes.  Wishing Laura, a magic maker (a salon manager) a very happy birthday on her special day, this cake was layered with lime flavored whipped icing (inside and out).  A dash of fall colors in purple (acorns), green (leaves) and orange (squash/pumpkin) was used to seal the sweet deal.

Autumn Joy

September brings with it the gift of a new season, the time to rejoice in a bountiful harvest and the promise of celebrating many festivals in the upcoming months.  I took a hint from one of the changing colors around us (from leaves to vegetables) and added it on this birthday cake in the form of orange fondant on white chocolate ganache.  The cake was dark chocolate with two layers of whipped icing.  A light sprinkle of edible gold dust was added on top to wish Joyjit many healthy and happy years ahead!

The Blues...

From raindrops on roses/whiskers on kittens to girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes/snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes , there are so many things to cheer me up when I feel the blues... A favorite tune, a warm hug, a silent smile that says more than words and ultimately small bites of heavenly delight that I call brownie-bites.  When the day is going bad and life throws many twists my way, I have to indulge - not in eating but in creating edible works of art.  It calms my soul and always bring a smile on the lips of the recipients.  And there's no emotion more contagious in this world than a smile...and soon enough I forgo the blues.

Leo...

My hug-gable bear... When you have a little boy who is as hug-gable as your first stuffed bear but just as strong headed as a lion, you have to call him The Leo Bear!  These were red velvet cupcakes topped with a fondant star and teddy bear for Ronak's school friends. 

Peek-a-boy

Ready or not, here I come!  At times I have heard people say that the first-born is special and the ones after that do not receive as much attention.  I doubt that is true for a mother.  Every child a woman bears is more precious to her than her own life.  Such a priceless treasure deserves the very best, be it the first or last.  
This was a baby shower cake for a second born to the Patel family.  He will be just as precious to them and their family/friends as the first one.  Wishing the new baby all the good health, cheer and love in this world, this cake was a vanilla (white) one with blueberry whipped cream filling.  Adorned with completely edible toppers consisting of sugar pearls, sugar curls and a playful baby, I hope both the mother-to-be and new baby were made to feel extra special...

Hau'oli lā hānau

Meaning Happy Birthday in Hawaiian language.  A luau birthday party theme calls for the ocean waves, wet sands, the hula girl, shells, pearls and of course flowers! The beautiful archipelago with the equally beautiful Polynesian ladies and Tahitian pearls is every vacationer's paradise.  From active volcanoes to calming greenery, from sweet guava plantations to fields of luscious pineapples, the islands have something to offer to every visitor.  This was a chocolate cake layered with strawberries and soft cream cheese frosting.  The sand was brown sugar and the waves were painted on the frosting with food color.  A completely edible hula girl was the cake topper!

White Elegance

White is not a color.  Technically, it is composed of seven colors.  Seven very different colors in such perfect harmony that they create a brighter effect than any single one of them could radiate.  Symbolizing peace and all things pristine, it's a color that spells elegance to me.   I have often wished that the people of the world could learn from this synergy and merge their differences into one powerful force to reckon with...
This was a small chocolate cake with whipped icing frosting made for a wonderful sister-in-law.  Here's to wishing her the very best in the years to come.  Happy Birthday Liza!

Choo Choo Fun

There's nothing more joyous to a mother than to see her child smile.  My little boy turns 3 in a few days and this cake brought out the biggest smile I have ever seen from him.  There's a part of childhood that never goes away in each of us.  Why else do we still refer to a train as choo-choo train when we live in the age of bullet trains (aka The Shinkansen in Japan)? Why do all the songs still go "chugga chugga choo choo" when the latest and greatest in this line barely makes a swoosh sound?  We do this not because we are a generation apart, but because we want to share with the new generation all the things fun and lively from our past.   We want to let our minds roll to places where the chugging sound of a train billowing out smoke beckons us to wave bye bye or jump up and down in glee.  May the happy parts of our childhood never perish and may our imaginations always soar new heights...

The above cake was a mellow lemon with whipped icing.  The engine was assembled in layers and then hand carved.  The wheels were everyone's favorite Oreo cookies.   The chimney was an ice cream cone (the smoke added as a cartoon since it was too hot for the intended ice cream to stay in shape).  With a licorice stick to join the compartments and goodies like M&M's to haul, this was built to bring joy and fun to all!
 

Garden Baby

A joyous occasion to celebrate is the expectation of a new baby.  The birth of a new child brings with it the hope of new dreams and new life.  The promise of a brighter future and incredible human potential lies with every child.   The magical cure, a new discovery, a new solution to an existing problem- all hinge on the future of these little ones.  Let's welcome them with warm hearts and open arms.  A white vanilla cake tinted with blue and pink colors was the calling this time.  Topped with lime-flavored cream cheese frosting and all-edible decor  it was designed to bring good wishes to Baby Ralls.

Batik Brownie

 

It is said the we eat with our eyes and nose first.  If something looks or smells good, we are tempted to indulge our third sense- that of taste.  Food can truly be a form of art and a piece of art can be food.  Sounds twisted?  Not if you believe the above photo.  This was a dark chocolate brownie.  The art work was 'dyed' into the batter and baked with the dish creating the historic 'batik' or 'tie and dye' look.  Moist and gooey fudge like consistency of the brownie was balanced with the crunch of crushed pecans to make a simple treat truly gourmet.

Go Women!

I am back after a short hiatus from the baking world.  My time away was spent at two conferences.  The presentations are probably very similar year after year, but what changes is how our brain processes the information with time.  From the naive listener to the more confident presenter, it has been quite a remarkable journey for me.  
The first was a technical conference and the second more of a networking event.  Of all the presentations, the most amazing one was a talk by an Olympic gold medalist.  She is the only woman in the history of the Olympics to have qualified for and competed in 3 distinct sporting events, winning gold in one of them.  Her story outlining her failures and successes have created a lasting impression in my mind.  Her key takeaway message was "ganbare" (a Japanese word) meaning 'don't give up'.  
What has the above cupcakes got to do with all this? They were for the volunteers at the event that brought together the wonderful event and the inspirational speakers.  Lemon and red velvet with vanilla and cream cheese frosting and decorations to celebrate women and their invincible spirit!

Lady in Red

I was starting to think that the heat of the summer was drying up my creative ebb.  Until this order came through.  A birthday cake for a young lady.  A school teacher by profession the cake was to be small enough for a personal feel but special enough to make her see red (her favorite color, I was told).  I figured you couldn't go wrong with either shoes or a handbag when dealing with ladies.  So here it was: a simple lemon cake draped in strawberry fondant with all edible decorations (inclusive of the handle).  Think of cake and "Starburst" candy in one go! Birthday or not, I hope this made her feel special.

Caramel Yogurt

Happy Fourth of July!  Sometimes the best treats on earth are the simplest ones.  This was an individual serving of caramelized yogurt topped with fresh handpicked raspberries and blueberries.  It is sometimes referred to as Indian cheesecake and is made out of yogurt, milk, sugar and caramel (yes, no eggs in this one).  But don't let the name fool you.  The sweet, smooth and velvety texture will transport you to your grandma's kitchen in one bite.  In my mind, a perfect way to end a summer barbecue and enjoy the fireworks!

Red, White and Blue

Let's welcome the celebration of red, white and blue, also known as America's Independence Day on July 4th.  Like any independence day, this day symbolizes freedom and hope.  With freedom and hope comes the courage to dream and believe in your self.  Amazing things have known to happen when people believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.  Let's salute those who protect our freedom in all walks of life...

Here's the cold, sweet delight that will supplement the hot-off-the-grill barbeques and sparkling fireworks to make your Fourth of July extra special.  A classic butter cake sliced in half and topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Petit Fours

A combination of a few walls, a floor and a roof makes a house.  It takes people to turn it into one amazing thing called a HOME.  There really is no place like home.  And a new one always calls for celebrations.  These tiny pieces of cakes called petit fours were made for a housewarming party. 
The name is from the French petit four, meaning "small oven". Petits fours were traditionally made during the cooling process of coal powered, brick ovens in the 18th century. This was due to coal's high burning temperature, relative to wood, and its expense at the time. Wasting the heat produced was not an option.  And what a sweet idea that was...

For Daddy

From fixing our broken toys to mending a broken heart or two...let us thank dads for the strength and protection they bring to our lives.  With the World Cup soccer in the works, what better way to thank him but to bring sweet treats and his game together.  This year's special order consisted of a simple cake with cream cheese frosting and the logo of the World Cup 2010.  Ready, Set...GOAL!

Breakfast Perk

A light drizzle... the feel of the nip in the air outside (despite the month being June)...children sleeping in late...all adds up to the perfect lazy weekend morning.  What better way to enjoy the quiet solace than with some warm banana coffee muffins and a cup of your favorite beverage?  Make a lot, pack some up and it's a perfect breakfast gift to share with some friends as well...

Celebrations...

Congratulations and celebrations, you made me very proud today!  Emilie graduated today from her pre-K class.  Yes, a small achievement but a big milestone.  Today I learnt why graduation is considered to be such a big event in life.  Sure it is an achievement, but it means a lot more than that for the parents of the achiever.  Watching my five year old walk to get her "diploma" gave me a sense of pride and silent joy.  The type that only a soul can cherish and a heart can know.  After all these years, today I realized why my parents had tears in their eyes and a smile on their lips when all I could think of was "thank God" it's over...

The cake was a mellow lemon flavor with cream cheese frosting (both inside and on top).  Edible decorations mimicked things that were part of her life in school: letters, numbers, puzzles, soccer, rainbow and all things bright.

Brownie Favors

Tiny eyes, tiny nose, little fingers and little toes.  These are the cooing delights of a baby.  These mini brownie balls were designed and created to welcome baby during a friend's baby shower.  The brownie balls were drizzled with white chocolate and decorated to mark the special occasion.

Jungle Fun

This order came through while on vacation visiting extended family in Iowa. There was a new addition to the family. My husband's brother/sister-in-law were blessed with their second boy. The company of family members, great food and the activities of a five year old, a four year old, a three year old and a 2 week old all under one roof surprisingly enough was an amazingly fun time. We had summer on our side with warm weather and sending them outdoors was a great refuge when the decibel rose to a certain level inside. My cake adventures were a popular conversation piece and to my disbelief I had a cake order for a birthday party of a 4 year old. I had limited tools at my disposal and time was in short order, so I chose to go with jungle characters which are always a popular theme amongst children. A mellow lemon cake filled with vanilla pudding was the choice. It was topped with cream cheese frosting and sugar-paste animals. There were two things I learnt from this cake: first, cream cheese frosting melts easily in hot weather and does not hold shape well and second, one can always compromise on tools if you stick to the basics of the trade ;)

Polka Dots!

My all time favorite design for summer is polka dots.  Be it a cool cotton dress or a cake.  This was a cake  to say "Thank You" to my family for all that they do for me.  Classic red velvet cake filled with a soft cream cheese frosting and topped with cherry flavored fondant dots made this a very delicious treat. We ended up sharing it with one of our neighbors :)

Birthday Bliss

A birthday is a special day.  When a wedding anniversary falls on the same day, it's extra special.  This cake was a representation of a birthday and wedding anniversary rolled in one.  The white fondant decorations were reminiscent of the wedding day and the colorful icing decorations celebrated another year of life!  Red velvet cake with whipped cream filling completed the whole ensemble. 

Petite Delights

Miniature red velvet cupcakes topped with white chocolate designs are a great way to treat yourself without the guilt.  The rich, smooth velvety texture of the cake combined very well with the crunch of the white chocolate on top.  Go RED!

Cupcake Bonanza!

A Very Happy Mother's Day!  A simple and elegant way to wish all the mothers you know is to treat them to some special cupcakes and flowers.  Here are this year's cups of love decorated in whipped cream and butter cream icing and topped with edible flowers.  I hope the lucky Moms find a quiet time to enjoy the special treats sent by their special friends...

Summer Fruits

The hot summer months are relieved by the bountiful sweet berries and fruits everywhere.  A doubly delicious way to thank teachers who do a marvelous job all year round is to put some 'fruits' on a cake!  This cake was a classic butter golden vanilla cake filled with pistachio flavored pudding made from whipped cream and butter.  The cake was finished off with whipped cream frosting and loaded with a basket full of edible 'fruits'.

May Flowers...

  
April showers bring May flowers...  As the sun starts to peep through the clouds with the promise of warm, sunny days ahead, we welcome the month of May.  May is full of exciting events to look forward to.  Summer vacations, Mother's Day, ice cream trucks... This Mother's Day cake consisted of a rich chocolate cake filled with strawberries and chocolate mousse.  The topping was a whipped cream frosting with edible flowers for decoration.

Spring Hues in Chocolate...

I am soon coming to the realization that chocolate is as versatile as dessert can be.  Here is a beautiful example of how it can be presented in many forms, colors and shapes.  The cups were molded out of white chocolate dyed with food colors (yes, they are completely edible!). The filling was a chocolate mousse consisting of chocolate pudding and whipped cream.   My preferred way of serving this was by pairing a chilled bowl with a very chewy and warm fudge stick.  The warm brownie dipped in the cold and airy mousse created a delectable texture/taste.  Let's celebrate Spring hues in the many moods of chocolate...