14: Cakes for Grown-Ups in .NET framework

Creation Code 128B in .NET framework 14: Cakes for Grown-Ups

For the decorations: 4 large chunks pink rock candy (side by side, they should measure 14 inches) 4 large chunks green rock candy (side by side, they should measure 14 inches) 1 clear rock candy stick Deep pink food coloring gel

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Grease and flour the round pans 2 Prepare the cake batters as described in 15 Combine the batters into one

bowl, and mix in pink food coloring gel (as much as is needed for your desired color)

3 Divide the batter into the pans, filling each one about 2 3 full, and bake for 45 minutes,

1 After the cakes have cooled, level them (see 7) Apply a crumb coat (thin layer)

2 Frost the 14-inch layer completely Place the 9-inch layer on top of the 14-inch layer,

toward the back of the cake so that the smaller cake creates what looks like a neckline on the larger layer

3 Frost the smaller layer 4 Nestle the pink and green rock candy jewels end to end against the edge of the smaller

layer, alternating them to form a two-color necklace Leave a small space in the exact center of the candy necklace and at each end (on either side of the small layer)

6 Mix deep pink food coloring gel into 2 cups of frosting 7 Using the #7 tip, pipe dots around the edge of the top layer of cake Pipe dots extending

from both ends of the rock candy necklace, and then pipe dots around the base of the bottom cake layer

The lady of the hour doesn t have to be Gidget, it doesn t have to be summertime, and you don t have to be in Maui to love this cake It s a perfect complement to so many different kinds of theme parties, having been served at beach blanket bingo, luau, surf n sand, tropical, and pool party themes with rousing success The finished cake is shown in Figure 14-1 Tools: 12-x-18-inch cake pan, #11 icing tip, bamboo skewer Preparation time: 30 minutes Baking time: 45 minutes plus 2 hours for cooling Decoration time: 1 hour plus 1 hour for refrigeration Yield: 32 servings

For the cake (recipe follows): 3 batches modified Delicious Yellow Cake batter (see 6) 4 1 2 cups coconut milk, divided into 11 2-cup portions For the frosting: 3 batches modified Buttercream Frosting (see 8) For the decorations: 11 2 cups packed light brown sugar Royal blue food coloring gel 2 plastic palm trees 3 plastic beachgoers 3 plastic surfboards (or 3 pieces of fruit stripe gum cut into a similar shape) 3 hula dancer cupcake toppers 3 toothpicks 3 sugar Tiki masks Birthday candle 4 miniature pretzel sticks 2 gummi fish (preferably clownfish) 1 gummi shark 4 gummi rings (for inner tubes) 1 gummi lobster 3 teaspoons cherry extract 3 cups drained, crushed pineapple, divided into 1-cup portions

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Grease and flour the cake pan 2 Prepare the cake batters as described in 6, but in each batch, substitute 11 2

cups coconut milk for the whole milk, and fold the pineapple into the batter before pouring it into the pan

3 To create the sandy coastline, cover the upper third of the cake (including the sides)

like water Using a large icing spatula, cover the bottom two-thirds of the cake with the frosting Make ridges and swirls to resemble ocean waves

so that they lean in toward each other like a camp fire Be sure to leave enough space above the candle so that the pretzels don t catch fire when you light the birthday candle!

7 Place the gummi fish, shark, and rings in the ocean, and put a lobster on the shoreline 8 Outfit a pastry bag with the #11 tip and 1 2 cup white frosting Pipe a series of wave caps