Well, I decided to be an overachiever when it came to dessert for the Memorial Day barbecue. I guess at this point, it shouldn’t be a big surprise. Don’t get me wrong – I very much considered just grabbing a big tub of ices (good thing I didn’t because someone else brought those) or making a fruit flag but in the end, I chose to make the cake I found on Pinterest (but was originally from Glorious Treats… and that cake was inspired by one made over at 17 and Baking).
I followed her instructions of making two red cakes, one blue cake, and one white cake on Sunday night. (Side note – my KitchenAid mixer is such a life saver when you’re making a cake and it’s very humid and hot out). I then spent Monday morning putting it all together.
The whole process involves a lot of slicing the cakes in half and then stacking. It was a very interesting process and by no means easy for one person (although I’m not sure how having a second person there could help).
Oh, and this is a seriously messy project. I’m not even talking about the baking part and having to clean out pans and spoons – I’m talking about actually assembling the cake. There were crumbs everywhere and a lot of left over cake.
Confession time:
- yes, I did eat some of the left over cake as I was building.
- and yes, that is store-bought frosting. No point in pretending I make my own.
With the cake fully assembled, I waned to start frosting and I hoped that one tub would be enough but it really wasn’t. There were a lot of crumbs everywhere. While it did give the cake a cool effect, you could totally see what was going on underneath. Since no one knew what kind of cake it was, I was hoping to keep it a surprise until it was time for dessert.
The crumbs gave the cake a cool effect (almost like funfetti) so I didn’t entirely mind. If anyone asked, I was planning on telling them I mixed sprinkles in with the icing.
Word to the wise: this is not the kind of cake you want to travel with. On the way to Joe’s aunt’s house, the blue layer started cracking up top. You could see right in there that there was blue and red. I’m pretty sure that the heat played a role in why the cake didn’t fare as well as I had hoped.
Next time: make this cake when we’re the ones throwing the party. At our place. Oh, and make sure there’s AC.
Even with the minor set back of some cracking and the heat, the cake worked! When we sliced into it, it looked just like the American flag. Everyone was excited about it, although I got more compliments on how the cake tasted than how it looked. That’s good, right? I haven’t decided yet.
I shared some photos on instagram for the cake at the end of the day and it was clearly a champ. Sadly, by the time we got home, more of the cake had toppled over and it no longer resembled a flag. I don’t know what it resembled but Joe and I ate it anyway. I will never refuse a cake based on looks. Ever.
What’s the most adventurous baking or cooking project you’ve tackled? Are you in the habit of trying crazy new things all the time? Does anyone else out there eat their cake with a spoon when they can’t find the forks and they just want their cake? Seriously – I can’t be the only one…
Out of curiosity, mainly because I’ve lived somewhere hot and humid since I learned how to cook, what does that do when you’re making a cake? Does it change the chemistry?
I made the cake on Sunday night so it wasn’t too hot (if anything, I had to cook the cakes a minute or two longer than the box said but I’m sure that has more to do with our stove than the weather). The weather definitely affected the cake after it was put together and frosted – the blue tier of the cake started to crack in certain places and the icing dripped down into between the red and blue layers.
It looks great! I would’ve been very impressed as a guest. And I always eat leftovers while I’m doing a layer cake… I usually mix it with a bit of frosting too, hah.
And I had no idea you’re supposed to eat cake with a fork! I prefer forks but I grab whatever’s within reach :)
Some frosting may have made it’s way into the left over cake… :)
Knowing me, I would have given up once I started cutting. I am entirely too impatient, so way to go for making it work! It does look delicious! Does your apartment not have AC? I
I considered stopping because my lines weren’t exactly straight but what would I have done with 4 cakes? (Answer: Eaten them).
We don’t have any AC in our apartment. Last night, we finally broke down and installed one of the window units in our bedroom. I can tolerate heat for a while, but not when I’m trying to sleep! As we move into Summer, we’ll put in another unit, probably in the kitchen.
That cake? Is seriously impressive.
Thanks!
Wow!! It looks fantastic! And I eat cake with whatevers on hand- spoons or forks… I prefer a fork for just cake but usually use a spoon when there is ice cream involved too.
It looks good! I’d call that a success.
It turned out really cute! I definitely would have eaten the leftovers as I went along also ;)
You’re amazing. The end. xoxo
Looks awesome!!!
Most adventurous/stupid baking project I tried was starting chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies at 5:30pm, while trying to get dinner around, and entertain a toddler, and I was 8 months pregnant!!! It was a miracle that they turned out but it took eating 10 off them to calm the stress they caused!!!!!
Great job on the cake! It looks so good! I may have to give something like that a try!
Wow!! I’m totally impressed! You did an awesome job!
im totally impressed and in awe of this one! i love your holiday dessert posts and i sometimes try to copycat you and awe my family, but this one literally takes the cake! impressed.com!
This is amazing! I’m always over ambitious when attacking crafts, haha.
I was actually really excited when I saw that picture on instagram, I think it looks cute!