If you’re a regular reader, you know how much I love creative cakes with distinct personality.  New ideas, new techniques, new staging… it’s enough to make a girl giddy!  And you probably also know by now that I’m a big fan of Rachael Teufel and her talented team at Intricate Icings Cake Design. Rachael’s designs are consistently gorgeous and today’s feature is yet another example of beauty done right.

Three lovely cakes atop a rustic hutch, surrounded by vintage books, doilies and fabulous details.  Oh, and we can’t forget the incredible bird cage!  Charming hand-painted birds, gorgeous sugar peonies and delicate ruffles come together in this earthy-chic design.  Created for a local magazine and inspired by the beauty of Colorado, this trio of cakes is amazing in every way.  Plain and simple.  Perfectly styled and ready for swooning…. It’s a Vintage Bird Cage Trio.

Rachael of Intricate Icings shares the story behind her design:

“I was asked by a local Magazine “Colorado Brides” to create a Colorado style wedding cake display for a feature about Colorado-izing your wedding cake… (little did I know it would also make the cover. YAY!) They wanted something chic, rustic, slightly vintage and earthy that fit the beauty of Colorado, without screaming Colorado. I love seeing inspiration when designing cakes, so the editors brought over a few old books, a birdcage, a doily, and a wooden fence backdrop. I was instantly drawn to the birdcage and thought it would be a great way to pull in the natural element, so I adorned the cakes with hand-painted birds sitting on a branch. I added a few ruffles and an embossed bow to bring in a touch of chic and a bit of femininity. And well, sugar peonies are all the rage this season, so I had to use a couple of those too.”

More from Rachael of Intricate Icings:

“Overall I love the varying heights and different elements of this display. Cakes can be so much more than just cakes when paired with other accessories, like birdcages, they can become a focal point of any event when done right. There are some cakes that look best on a plain table, but I think cake displays are sometimes left a little bare. I think this display shows how much fun you can have accessorizing your cake table.”

Seriously loving the use of this vintage bird cage!  It’s tall, slender shape makes for a perfect cake stand.  And the open cage door perfectly frames the sweet little birdie.  Such an ingenious way to display a hand-painted bird cake!  The lovely cakes, the charming display, the gorgeous images… it is all spectacular!

A big thank you to Rachael of Intricate Icings for sharing her Vintage Bird Cage Trio with us today!  We are smitten!

VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake : Intricate Icings Cake Design
Photo : Gray Box Studios

Oh how I love sprinkle cakes!  These whimsical cakes are the ultimate treat for the ultimate sprinkle lover!  And I’m pretty positive you’re smitten with them too.  So I must warn you that today’s post might induce some squealing!  Kate Wagner of The Greedy Baker is sharing a fabulous sprinkle cake tutorial!  YES!  Step by step instructions and photos to help you create your very own sprinkle cake.  Kate’s method is super easy and most importantly nice and clean.  Packed with great tips and tricks to save you time and heartache… and spilled sprinkle mayhem!  The end result is one spectacular sprinkle cake!  It’s a DIY Rainbow Sprinkle Cake Tutorial!!

RAINBOW SPRINKLE CAKE
a DIY by Kate Wagner

Supplies:

• Cake
• Buttercream Icing
• Turntable or Lazy Susan
• Angled Spatula
• 2 Cardboard Cake Circles (Ideally the same size as your cake but no less than 1″ smaller and definitely not larger)
• Cake lifter
• Large Shallow Tray
• Approx 1kg Rainbow Sprinkles
• Spoon
• Small Rice Bowl (or similar)

STEP 1: Begin with the cake you wish to cover and place it on a cake circle base.

STEP 2: Creating a nice crisp finish, coat the outsides of the cake with a reasonably thick layer of icing. Only coat the outside making sure to take the icing above the top rim of the cake.

STEP 3: Bring the icing into the center of the cake and remove excess. We are not looking to ice the top of the cake at this stage. Using the cake lifter, lift the cake off the turntable and chill in the freezer for 5 minutes.

STEP 4: While waiting for the cake to chill pour the Rainbow Sprinkles into a large shallow tray.

STEP 5: Remove the cake from the freezer and place the 2nd cake circle on top of the cake.

STEP 6: Using the cake lifter, lift the cake and gently lay on it’s side in the tray Sprinkles. Supporting the cake with your hands on either side, roll until you have an even layer of Sprinkles adhered to the Buttercream.

STEP 7: Place the cake back on the turntable.

STEP 8: Next blob a generous amount of Buttercream on top of the cake.

STEP 9: Smooth evenly with the angled spatula, removing any excess. Chill in the freezer for a further 5 minutes.

STEP 10: Upturn the small bowl and place in the center of the Sprinkle tray.

STEP 11: Remove cake from freezer and place on top of the upturned bowl, being careful to balance the cake correctly.

STEP 12: Spoon a large amount of Sprinkles on top of the cake and smooth around to edges using the angled spatula, pressing gently as you go to make sure they adhere to the Buttercream.

STEP 13: Neaten up any missed areas around the edge using the spoon and spatula as shown.

STEP 14: Admire your finished cake! This fun cake is sure to brighten up any day.

If you are feeling adventurous why not create 2 or more tiers and finish with some bright ribbon and a gumpaste rainbow for a super cheerful effect!

VENDORS & CREDITS
Tutorial : The Greedy Baker

Today’s featured cake is a sophisticated design with great white on white texture, modern lines and subtle gold accents.  Crisp white fondant is perfectly polished, creating an ultra tailored appearance.  Delicate sugar broaches, strings of sugar pearls and diamond-like gems add a touch of luxury to an already refined design.  And then there is the gorgeous chevron.  Thin lines of hand-painted gold chevron!  Oh chevron… you’re a trend worth keeping.  Especially when used so exquisitely.  All topped with a statement-making fantasy flower.  Prepare to swoon over this elegant Golden Chevron Cake, created by Jennifer Bratko, owner of  Beyond Buttercream in San Francisco.

Jennifer of Beyond Buttercream shares the story behind her design:

“I wanted to take 3 display cakes to a bridal show I was participating in.   I had the other 2 cakes designed and done, but I was literally looking at 4 tiers of freshly covered Styrofoam and had no idea what I was going to do.  I was running out of time, so I quickly sketched something out in less then 5 minutes around using some new gem molds I picked up at ICES, committed to it, then got to work.”

More from Jennifer of Beyond Buttercream:

“The theme of this cake is ‘clean’.  Clean lines, clean patterns, and smooth fondant.  I wanted to add some bling but wanted it understated, modern and sophisticated.

The bottom tier’s sugar broaches are from a gem mold that I added an additional layer with a daisy cutter.  After everything was dry I handpainted gold details and added disco dust.  The next tier I handpainted really thin gold chevrons (it’s probably been done, but I haven’t seen it).  Then I was stumped.  Out came my pearl molds that I topped each point off with a small isomalt diamond.   The top tier has large isomalt diamonds with disco dust accents.  The final touch is the flower topper.   I made a fantasy flower but wanted to bring in the broach elements from the bottom tier.  I decided to color the center a lovely mint, which I think is a great subtle way to add color to a cake without overdoing it.  As a finishing touch, I dusted the flower with Touch of Gold Platinum dust.”

I am seriously smitten with this design!  It’s impeccably groomed and oh-so-ladylike.  And as an extra bonus… this classic chic design incorporates several hot trends right now (chevron, broaches and pearls) but would easily stand the test of time.  What’s not to love?!

A special thank you to Jennifer Bratko of  Beyond Buttercream for sharing her Golden Chevron Cake with us today!  It is beyond gorgeous!

VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake : Beyond Buttercream