Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:11:37 -0700WeeblyMon, 05 Mar 2012 23:27:57 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/what-is-success     I'm so amazed and thrown off my square when I hear people state that I'm their idol, their mentor and "when I grow up I want to be like you!"  Really!!??  Promise you I'm just a composed train wreck!!  The one that really gets me is "congratulations on all your success!!  Which always leaves me questioning: What is success!?

     Many people on this planet feel that being successful is a good thing. When they think of succeeding they think of material benefits, they think of happiness, and they think of accomplishment. Certainly, being successful can include all of these things and more. 

     To most, the epitome of being successful is recognition and earning a lot of money.  In fact society and our culture seems to base the whole concept of being "successful" solely on how much money a person earns. Sadly society’s definition is highly faulted and all to often set people up for complete failure.  It tends to focus more so on the flash than it does with substance.  What they fail to see is that many  "financially rich" successful people are very unhappy and unsatisfied in their personal life.  So, I often ask myself "is that what they think of me and is that their definition when they say those things to me?"

     If your answer is yes then I don't care to achieve that type of success at all!!!  I'm a homebody but I assure you I'm not unsatisfied or unhappy.  I don't have a vast amount of material benefits and I surely don't earn or make a lot of money.  Come on!! Really!!??  I'm a struggling entrepreneur in the start up phase of my company!!  It's cake people they are very expensive to make, time consuming and the profit margins aren't nearly what you think or envision.  I'm no where near Cake Boss status where you better not walk into his establishment without being prepared to pay $1,000.  Oh and that's the starting price for his cakes!!   

     See my personal definition of success is being and staying true to myself, achieving things that are meaningful to me without striving to live up to someone's success or settling to someone else's standards or definitions of "success".  My journey and goals were just to be happy and love doing what I do!  Guess what?  I am!!!  I think....wait I KNOW that's what success is all about!!!


]]>Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:13:44 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/i-dont-like-chocolate-cake-but-i-like-red-velvet-cakeEvery time hear this I giggle to myself and after doing such I simply state "a red velvet cake IS a chocolate cake"

A red velvet cake is a popular cake with a dark red (mine is dark red), bright red or red-brown red. It is usually prepared as a layer cake topped with a creamy vanilla icing or most popularly, cream cheese icing. The reddish-brown color of the cake was originally from a reaction of the cocoa powder with an acidic ingredient such as buttermilk (the acid that I use); however red food coloring is often added (use it too!!).

Common ingredients include butter milk, butter, flour, cocoa, and beetroot (yuck!!!) or red food coloring. The amount of cocoa used varies in different recipes(I use lots). Cream Cheese frosting (my favorite on top of red velvet) is most commonly paired with the cake, as well as the traditional butter cream.

James Beard's 1972 reference American Cookery describes three red velvet cakes varying in the amounts of shortening and butter. All use red food coloring, but the reaction of acidic vinegar and buttermilk tends to better reveal the red anthoyanin in the cocoa. Before more alkaline "Dutch Pressed" cocoa was widely available, the red color would have been more pronounced. This natural tinting may have been the source for the name "Red Velvet" as well as "Devil"s Food and similar names for chocolate cakes.

So if you say you don't like chocolate cake yet you LOVE Red velvet cake they are basically the same.   

]]>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:55:17 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/what-is-that-thick-stuff-on-top-of-my-cakeThe smooth, almost flawless icing seen on my custom cakes and traditional wedding cakes is fondant. In its basic form, fondant is made of sugar and water.  Depending on the type of fondant, it can be rolled and draped over a cake or poured over a cake as a liquid. Fondant gives a cake a smooth, professional appearance, keeps cakes moist longer, and provides a distinctive flavor and texture.  In other words, fondant is a THICK chewy form of frosting

There’s 3 types/styles of fondants. Rolled Fondant, Sculpting Fondant and Pourable fondant. It is also edible, but MOST prefer NOT to eat rolled or sculpting fondant.

Rolled Fondant is a similar to a dough where you can roll out, just like sugar cookies. It is  popular for coverings cakes and even used for decorating sugar cookies. Rolled fondant is soft, when dried it becomes harder. It does not stay soft like  marzipan.

Sculpting Fondant is similar to rolled fondant but a bit stiffer. Its like modeling clay where you can sculpt almost anything for dessert decorations.

Pourable Fondant is a thin glaze icing and leaves a shiny coat. It does dry into a bit of a hard surface. You can use pourable fondant to pour on desserts or dip desserts. It leaves a smooth and shiny surface. Pourable Fondant is popular for petit fours. You can also use it to dip cupcakes as a frosting or dip for mini donuts for simple smooth glazed look.

You can buy pre-made fondant. If you don’t have the time or don’t want to deal with the mess. Its convenient because you can buy them already colored, which also save you some time and you can spend more time on decorating. Buying the premade color is convenient when you’re trying to get those dark colors like black. Its hard to get the black color fondant if you are kneading it yourself.

I use Wilton brand pre-made fondant, its pretty easy to work with and convenient to buy because they sell it at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, but I’m personally not fond of the taste. Satin Ice is the best tasting,but  you would have to go to cake supplies store or buy online to find it. I also tried Duff Goldman's (of Charm City Cake) brand but it is very expensive $20 for 2lbs when you can purchase 5lbs of Wilton's and and Satin Ice for about the same price.

There’s a few other brands of fondant brands that I have not tried: Pettinice, Fondarific and Fond-X.  Everyone has different preferences, but the one that works best for me is Wilton's brand.

You can make your own Fondant.  There are many different recipes out there you can try. I’ve read very good reviews of marshmellow fondant but have not tried it myself.

Fondants cakes are awesome looking. Clean, very detailed and a smooth finish. The only limit is your imagination with fondant designs!

]]>Thu, 19 May 2011 20:36:21 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/how-did-you-get-startedEveryone has a story.  You may think your story holds no relevance but to other's it my resonate in ways you never fathom. 
This is what I've come to experience when asked "how did you get started doing cakes?"   Twice this week I've shared "my story" with customers while purchasing cakes.  Today I would like to share that same story with you.

I have been baking since the age of eight. When everyone in the neighborhood was outside playing in the summer I was inside with my grandmother baking due to my server allergies. In the ninth grade, I dropped band and took culinary arts as an elective a class that was only offered to juniors and seniors and excelled in the class.  Ever since then, I have been putting my own uniqueness on cakes, cookies, pastries and breads.

After losing my job as a commercial banker in 2009, I decided to perfect my craft and took cake decorating classes at Michaels Craft Store in Merrillville IN.  There I earned three certificates and was offered an internship to work with the class instructor. After completing a cake that resembles a Facebook Page, requests to make other custom and sculptured cakes were taken and my  skills and creativity were put to the test. In June on 2010 I decided to embark onto a new career and incorporated Angel Cakes, LLC.


So there it is.  My story.  It's my affirmation that dreams can and do come true.  No matter if you work at them or if they divinely ordered.  ]]>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:37:38 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/let-mom-know-you-love-herMother’s Day is filled with love, hugs and kisses; a day to show mom how much you love her.  She has been there with you in all thick and thins and has been your prime strength.  Add joy to your mom's day with a delicious Mother's Day Cakes!!  Browse through our extensive list of flavors and select your mom's favorite to express gratitude for all her love and affection.  We can cover your gift in a dazzling bouquet of candy flowers atop rich butter cremes and add personal messages. She is your best friend, your guide for life, your mentor, your whole world. This Mother's Day, floor her with attractive cake brought to you by Angel Cakes!!!

]]>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:20:13 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/cupcakes-for-grown-ups-custom-made-and-liquor-infusedAngel Cakes is now featuring custom-made liquor-infused cupcakes, creating the perfect after-dinner balance between dessert and cocktails. 

Unlike conventional liquor-infused desserts, where the liquor is added pre-baking (and where both flavor and potency bake out in the oven), Angel Cakes adds the liquor after the cupcakes come from the oven. Once the cupcakes are baked, they are brushed with Cognac, Kahlua or Grand Marnier, and then topped with a boozy butter cream icing. The only hard part is deciding which liquor to flavor the cupcakes with. 

What’s fun about the liquor-infused cupcakes is that they’re the grown-up version of your favorite childhood party dessert.  They also give a more masculine appeal to something that is normally considered very girly.   Orders some for your next  "Grown Up" event.

Cupcakes start at $3.00 each. 
]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:37:14 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/selecting-a-wedding-cake-baker-and-feeswedding-cakeWedding cakes may be ordered from a caterer or from a bakery. Some hotels and restaurants may also be able to provide a wedding cake. However, you will probably be better off ordering your cake from a bakery that specializes in wedding cakes. Ask to see photographs of other wedding cakes your baker has created, and by all means, ask for a tasting! 

Options: When ordering your cake, you will have to decide not only on a flavor, but also on a size, shape and color. Size is determined by the number of guests. You can choose from one large tier to two, three, or more smaller tiers. The cake can be round, square or heart-shaped. The most common flavors are chocolate, carrot, lemon, rum, and "white" cakes. You can be creative by adding a filling to your cake, such as custard, strawberry, or chocolate. You may also want to consider having tiers of different flavors. 

Things To Consider: Price, workmanship, quality, and taste vary considerably from baker to baker. In addition to flavor, size, and cost, consider decoration and spoilage (sugar keeps longer than cream frostings). The cake should be beautifully displayed on its own table decorated with flowers or greenery. Make sure the baker, caterer, or reception site manager can provide you with a pretty cake-cutting knife. If not, you will need to purchase or rent one. 

When determining the size of the cake, don't forget that you'll be saving the top tier for your first anniversary. This top tier should be removed before the cake is cut, wrapped in several layers of plastic wrap or put inside a plastic container, and kept frozen until your anniversary. 

GROOM'S CAKE

The groom's cake is an old southern tradition whereby this cake is cut up and distributed to guests in little white boxes engraved with the bride and groom's names. Today the groom's cake, if offered, is cut and served along with the wedding cake. 

Options: Usually a chocolate cake decorated with fruit. 

CAKE DELIVERY & SET-UP FEE

This is the fee charged by bakers to deliver and set up your wedding cake at the reception site. It usually includes a deposit on the cake pillars and plate which will be refunded upon their return to the baker. 

CAKE-CUTTING FEE

Most reception sites and caterers charge a fee for each slice of cake they cut if the cake is brought in from an outside bakery. This fee will probably shock you. It is simply their way of enticing you to order the cake through them. And unfortunately, many sites and caterers will not allow a member of your party to cut the cake. 

CAKE TOP

The bride's cake is often topped and surrounded with fresh flowers, but traditional cake tops are also very popular. 

Options: Bells, love birds, a bridal couple or replica of two wedding rings are popular choices for cake tops and can be saved as mementos of your wedding day. 

Beware: Some porcelain and other heavier cake tops need to be anchored down into the cake. If you're planning to use a cake top other than flowers, be sure to discuss this with your baker. 

CAKE KNIFE / TOASTING GLASSES

Your cake knife and toasting glasses should compliment your overall setting; these items will bring you happy memories of your wedding day every time you use them. The cake knife is used to cut the cake at the reception. The bride usually cuts the first two slices of the wedding cake with the groom's hand placed over hers. The groom feeds the bride first, then the bride feeds the groom. This tradition makes beautiful wedding photographs. You will need toasting glasses to toast each other after you cut the cake. They are usually decorated with ribbons or flowers and kept near the cake. This tradition also makes beautiful wedding photographs. 

Things To Consider: Consider having your initials and wedding date engraved on your wedding knife as a memento. Consider purchasing crystal or silver toasting glasses as a keepsake of your wedding. Have your florist decorate your knife and toasting glasses with flowers or ribbons. 

QUESTIONS TO ASK BAKERY

. What is the name of the bakery? 
. What is the address of the bakery? 
. What is the name & phone number of my contact person? 
. How many years have you been making wedding cakes? 
. What are your wedding cake specialties? 
. Do you offer free tasting of your wedding cakes? 
. Do you freeze your wedding cakes? 
. How far in advance should I order my cake? 
. Can you make a groom's cake? 
. Do you lend, rent or sell cake knives? 
. What is the cost per serving of my desired cake? 
. What is your cake pillar and plate rental fee, if any? 
. Is this fee refundable upon the return of these items? 
. When must these items be returned? 
. What is your cake delivery and set-up fee? 
. What is your payment policy? 
. What is your cancellation policy? 

]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:59:20 GMThttp://angelcakesonline.weebly.com/caking-it-angel-cakes-blog/why-order-a-custom-cake-when-i-can-get-something-from-my-local-grocery-store-for-cheaper
When you buy a custom cake you’re not just buying a dessert. A custom cake is homemade specially for you and your special event. You can give it to the guest of honor as a unique gift that they will remember forever and it also serves as a beautiful decoration and centerpiece to any event. Your guests will not only be talking for years about how delicious the cake tasted, but also how incredible it looked. A custom cake sets the stage for a memorable event.


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