Wednesday 20 August 2008

Happy Birthday Mary


It was my lovely mother in laws birthday at the weekend and we had a little celebration for her. I volunteered to make a cake which she thought was a lovely surprise. She is normally the one that makes the cakes and as they are so yummy I felt that I had a lot to live up to. I didn't realise it but apparently no one has ever made her a cake before. She has always had cakes that have been bought and she was chuffed to bits to have one made especially for her.

I decided to make a chocolate cake and used a recipe from the Divine Chocolate book. I sandwiched together 2 chocolate cakes with white chocolate ganache and then spread the ganache over the tops and sides of the cake. I melted some dark chocolate with a little butter and when it was cool I spooned it into a piping bag and piped the message onto the top of the cake. I think I need a bit of practice at this. I decided to decorate the outside of the cake with white chocolate curls. These were so easy to make yet look stunning if I do say so myself. I was planning on having a go at making the flowers but sadly I ran out of time. I took a quick trip to my local cake shop and bought the floral decoration instead.

To make the white chocolate curls melt a bar of white chocolate with a knob of butter. Leave it to cool slightly then spread very thinly onto a granite or plastic board. Place the board in the fridge and let the choclate completely set. Then remove from the fridge and place the board on a work surface or table. Draw a sharp fine bladed knife across the chocolate at an angle of 45 degrees. This will create the chocolate curls. If the chocolate breaks off in brittle pieces then it is too cold so leave at room temperature for a few minutes. If teh choclate is sticky and clings to the knife put it back in the fridge for ten minutes and try again.

8 comments:

Anna's kitchen table said...

Ooh, it looks beautiful! Lucky MIL!
:-)

Maria♥ said...

Beautiful cake and I would be chuffed too ;o)

Maria
x

Rosie said...

A beautiful cake how lovely for your M.I.L.

Rosie x

Rhyleysgranny said...

A simply lovely cake Theresa. Just perfect. :)

Teresa said...

Thank you everyone.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely cake Teresa - well done you! xx

Nazarina A said...

Your Mother-in-law will always love you for this beautiful cake. See daughters-in-law rock!!!!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful cake, so perfect :)