Beginners Piping Class

Last Saturday saw the 1st Beginners Piping class of 2013.

Joined by four ladies we spent five hours (it was meant to be four!! but we chatted a bit!!) learning everything you need to know to get started with piping.

Three of the ladies on the class had experience decorating cakes but not piping.  The forth lady had no cake decorating experience at all.  All 4 though left with stunning cakes that should have made them proud.

The class started at 10.30 with a cup of tea and a chat about what people were hoping to gain from the class.  We then got started and cut, filled and crumb coating the cakes.  This is the part of the process that doesn't really get seen once the cake is decorated but is so important as it gives you a good grounding to pipe on to later.

Once covered we moved on to the piping!! After a little bit of a practise on our mats we got started!

Roses!!! I love the fact that we jump in at the deep end!  The roses are simply stunning but are a great way of learning about pressure, direction and consistency of your icing.

It's not always easy though and a little bit of patience is required.  But as a once frustrated piper myself I understand that it's important to take the pressure off and so cups of tea were flowing whilst everyone got to grips with piping the roses.

Once everyone had enough roses for their cake we moved on to the petal design.  I think that everyone was quite surprised by how straightforward the petal design was but how effective it looked.

30 minutes later...and with a few achy hands we added the roses, piped some leaves and stood back to admire the cakes.

They all looked stunning and the great thing was that they also all looked very different even though we had used the same techniques on all of the cakes.

It was a lovely group of students and I hope that they enjoyed themselves.  I certainly did...although my poor feet were aching for hours afterwards as it's certainly not a sit down and relax type of class :D

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Giant Cupcake Class

Friday saw the ever popular giant cupcake class make an appearance for the first time this year.

The 3 students had varying degrees of experience with cake decorating but 2 had never piped before or worked with sugarpaste (be prepared to be amazed at their cakes!!). 

We spent the three hours making the decorations out of sugarpaste, making a chocolate shell to sit the cake in, crumb coating and cutting the cake, piping buttercream swirls and then adding the decorations to the cakes.

Here's what Lynn said after the class "I had the best time ever on Friday. Loved it! I couldn't believe how good my finished cake looked as I am not very creative. Everyone has commented on how amazing it looks and now think I am so talented! Ha."

New dates for this, and all our other classes are being added to the website all of the time but if you can't see a date that suits you please let me know and I will do my best to find another date :D

This cake went home for a birthday cake...doesn't it look fabulous?

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Giant cupcake class

Really enjoyed the giant cupcake class last week. Having never piped before I was amazed and delighted at my finished cake. An Enjoyable and relaxing three hours. This class has inspired me to bake more. I am going to bake another giant cupcake at home at the weekend. Thank you the cake workshop can't wait for my next class - piped flowers.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day this year meant butterflies in my tummy.  Not though at the expectation of lots of valentines cards (although my 6 year old did make me a super big one!!) but because I was heading down to BBC Radio Cumbria and didn't really know what to expect.

I set off in good time, popping in to the office to pick up the cakes I had made for the occasion and then followed the map that I had duly printed off before I had left.

All was going well until I realised that although the snow had disappeared in my part of Cumbria as I headed down the county it hadn't yet melted.  On top of that I was completely oblivious to the fact that my route was going to take me over the Kirkstone Pass which, although beautiful, involved lots of snow, fog, single file traffic, steep hills, snow ploughs and every possible driving problem you can imagine.

It took me over an hour to get over and I can honestly say that I held my breath the whole time.  Images of having to get out of the car to dig myself out of the snow (in my high heeled boots!!) flashed through my mind on quite a few occasions (especially when I had to move right over to let a snow plough through!) ...but fortunately I made it over...only to get lost due to the directions being slightly less helpful that I had banked on!!

Finally though I found my way to the lovely Smallwood Hotel in Ambleside, battled my way to find some parking and headed in to find out what fate had in store.

Actually it was all pretty relaxed and really quite enjoyable.  Eileen from Cumbria PR was there to greet me and then I was on!! A quite chat about my chosen song and then onto my favourite subject The Cake Workshop.  I can talk and talk about the business but hopefully it sounded ok??? (I haven't been able to bring myself to listen yet!!)

Cakes went down well too so that was a bonus!!

Journey home was also a lot easier as I went a completely different way...so easy!!

Here's me and Fern on the morning whilst the cakes were still intact.  Below that is the picture that the cartoonist Colin Shelborn drew of me...

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and the week goes on...

Still on a high from Mondays cupcake bouquet class I headed to the office on Wednesday with a mammoth list of baking to do.

First of all I needed to bake a lemon and poppyseed cake for a Ruby Wedding Anniversary.  The brief was to keep it simple but special....so here it is

Then I needed to bake some cakes to take with me to BBC Radio Cumbria.  The theme was Valentines Day but I wanted to do something a little different. In the end I decided to make them a cupcake bouquet and a red velvet cake.  Red Velvet isn't the sort of cake I usually make but I'm told it tasted delicious and I was really pleased with the cupcake bouquet as it not only looked good but tasted yummy too.

On top of these I also had boxes of cupcakes to make for Valentines Day which were being collected that afternoon.....

Overall it was a good day.  Lots of icing sugar flying around, too much cake to test and a lot of weighing and measuring but I like days like this.

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And breathe....

Phew last week was a VERY busy week.  Not only was it half term so I had 4 children to entertain it was also busy for cakes, classes and my first every radio appearance!!

Monday started with our first ever cupcake bouquet class.  I have been making cupcake bouquet for a few years but have never thought of running it as a class before.  However after a number of requests I put a class together (you see pester power does work!!) and I worried about it for weeks!! I had decided that we wouldn't just pipe swirls but would pipe buttercream flowers instead.  Would the students be able to do it? Would the bouquets look good? Would they be able to get them home?

These were the questions that literally gave me sleepless nights but last Monday all my worries disappeared when everyone produced absolutely stunning results.  The piping isn't easy but with a few pointers everyone got to grips with it (I can guarantee you won't be able to spot the cupcakes decorated by the lady who had never piped before...because they are so good!) and piped some stunning flowers.

We had a few moments where deep breathes were required and the cups of tea came out whilst everyone took a breather but, as always, it all came together in the end and the results were stunning. 

Following on to the success of the class I've now booked in more dates.  If you think you're not creative enough to decorate cakes then think again and book yourself a place on a class.  No-body thinks they will be able to do it...but you'll surprise yourself, I promise.

Here's some pics to inspire you.....

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Famous Cupcakes

On Thursday I knew I had a busy day ahead but little did I know that my little old cupcakes were about to get their own starring role on the BBC (fortunately they didn't have any lines to learn!!)

I arrived at the office to find that Megan, a local BBC reporter, had seen pictures of my bride and groom cupcakes online and wanted to use them in her report on the votes for Gay Marriage.

She needed 7 men and 1 woman to represent the MP's and although I do have some of these cupcakes on display at the office I didn't have quite enough and so I decided to bake some more.

These cupcakes have to be some of my favourite ones to make for weddings because they look great when all together but also work well as a stand alone cupcake.  I always think that they would make a special wedding favour or gift for guests as they leave.

All set up the cupcakes behaved themselves whilst they awaited Megans arrival.  It was certainly a first for me having a camera and reporter in the office and it was great to be able to watch the report being put together and see the planning and thoughts behind it.

The cakes were actually only on screen for a matter of seconds on the show last Sunday but it was fun for my kids to see and I got to see my office from a totally different perspective (so pleased I had cleared all the equipment away before they arrived!!).

The cupcakes? well I'm trying to keep their 'feet' on the ground and so they are now residing alongside the other non-famous cakes at the office.  They didn't get eaten though...and they live in hope that an agent has seen them and will be calling one day soon.

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Cupcake Bouquet Class

Today I can breathe easy following the success of yesterdays cupcake bouquet class.

I've been wanting to run this class for a long time because the bouquets are stunning and I think that it offered something a little different for the students. It had caused me many sleepless nights though as I wanted the class to be different to all the other cupcake classes and to create something a little bit special.

It's taken a lot of planning though because there are so many ways to make a bouquet and every cake maker you speak to will have a different method. 

In the end I decided to use Living Vases for the bouquets and I was so please that I did because the end results looked so professional especially once they were wrapped up with cellophane.

During the class I decided to make things a little bit more difficult by using piped flower cupcakes rather than just the buttercream swirls. 

I'm a firm believer in everybody taking home something that reflects them rather than me and so all of the students were able to choose their own flower designs and colour scheme (although we all ended up with a pink/purple theme!!)

I thoroughly enjoyed the class though and hope that the students did too. The results they created were amazing, especially considering that one of the students had never piped before and the others had only limited piping experience.

If you think though that you might want to have a go at this, or any other, class then take a look at the website for details.  I am always flexible though with class dates so if you can't see a date or class that suits you then please let me know as I can always add a new date.

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A day out with friends

Although we regularly run scheduled classes our cupcake decorating classes are also a favourite with groups of friends, hen parties and work colleagues.

For groups of up to 9 people we can accommodate the class at our office at Warwick Mill.  However for larger groups we are happy to travel to your venue...and will come equipped with all the cakes, equipment and icing you will need.

Over the years we have had some fantastic groups coming to visit us.  Our first ever group booking in 2009 was a group of friends from Bedford (not forgetting we were then based in Milton Keynes so it wasn't too far away!!).  They came out to test drive our classes for us and had a great few hours.  We heard that after the class their coffee mornings were never the same again as they all got rather competitive with their cupcakes!!

Since then we've welcomed a friends reunion (with friends driving from all over the country to meet up at a class), a family group (mum, dad, gran, boyfriend and uncle and aunt!! - this was our most competitive group booking with them bringing a trophy along to be awarded to the best cupcakes!! The boyfriend won!!), hen parties (some even decorating the cakes to be used on the big day!!) and corporate groups (including the bosses!!).

The great thing about these classes is that you are learning something but they are so relaxed you can't help but have fun.

We offer great rates for group bookings of 6 or more and so if you think you would like to come along please contact us and we can check our availability for you.  Please note that weekends tend to book up in advance and so if you have a special date in mind the sooner we pencil you in the better!!

Here's some of our previous groups all happy in the knowledge that they get to go home and eat cake!!

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Get started with piping....

Piping is a cake decorating skill that is gaining more popularity after many years being side lined by sugarpaste decorations and coverings.

Being able to pipe is a fabulous skill to have and it all starts with getting comfortable with holding a piping bag and being introduced to some of the multiple nozzles that are available.

This class, as noted in a previous post, was a new class for us in 2012.  When I first put this class together I wasn't sure if perhaps I was asking too much of students who hadn't done much, or any, piping before.  I can honestly say though that I have been amazed at the quality of the cakes leaving the class and it has confirmed my belief that with a few hints and tips anyone can decorate a cake that they should be truly proud of.

So far this has proven to be the most popular larger cake class that we run.  The class itself is just 4 hours long and it is quite a full-on four hours but if you take a look at some of the cakes that have been produced on the classes then you will see that the hard work is worth it.

This class tends to run each month and so take a look at our online calendar for details of the next class. 

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5 a day

Have you had your five a day?? Fruit and veg that is?

If not then you might be interested in our new range of fruit and vegetable cakes.  I've always loved making cakes and it's important to me that they taste good aswell as look good. 

The fruit and veg cake range though is a particular love because people often pull faces when I tell them that it's a courgette cake or has banana in it.  BUT once they try them they realise just how delicious they are.

This year I am delighted to get the opportunity to bake even more fruit and vegetable cakes and have already waved off some cakes to be tested at the fabulous Filling Station Cafe in Keswick (I've heard good reviews so I'm hoping that this will be a long running relationship....I bake..they eat :o) ) but I'm also getting orders from people wanting something a little different for a special occassion.

If you're looking for something a little different for a special weekend treat, a birthday cake or would like to find out about our trade prices then please do get in touch.

Our cakes include

Carrot cake
Banana Cake
Banana Muffins
Chocolate Beetroot Cake
Courgette Cake
Chocolate Courgette Cake
Lemon and PoppySeed Cake
Ginger Cake (ok not strictly speaking fruit or veg but it's my favourite!!)
Apple and cinnamon Cake

The range is always growing though and we're always happy to try out new ideas.

The biggest problem with these cakes though is that even writing about them makes me hungry.  BUT make yourself feel better by remembering their fruit or veg content and treat yourself to an extra large slice...yum

Lemon and Poppyseed cake

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Bring a friend...

I've noticed that people like to come in pairs on their first visit to the classes.  Over the years we've had lots of mother and daughter groups, sisters and friends coming along.  We even get the occassional couple coming along infact only last weekend I enjoyed the company of a local couple who had booked on for their valentines treat.

For this reason I have decided to offer a 'buy one get one half price' deal on our Cupcake Basics classes running during March.  It's a great excuse to treat your mum this mothers day, encourage a friend to join you or just to persuade your partner that they might actually enjoy a hobby that they can take home and eat!! (that was the deal on Saturday - he got to go home and eat them in front of the rugby!!)

To take advantage of this offer simply book yourself a place online at www.thecakeworkshop.com and then email us to let us know you would like to book a second place and we will make the arrangements with you.

As a final note though I will say that you don't need to bring a friend with you as we're very friendly :) and many people have met new friends by coming on our classes as all of our classes are designed to be fun...we don't believe in pressure...it's meant to be an enjoyable experience.

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Hello Cupcake!!

Our novelty cupcake class has been a popular choice with adults and children alike.

During the 3 hour class we take a look at creating many characters including the infamous cookie monster.

Working with both sugarpaste and buttercream we will create some fabulously fun and bright designs.

Many students arrive at the class saying that they aren't creative and won't be able to come up with any ideas.   But as you get started you will find that your imagination will start to flow and you will be amazed at the ideas you can come up with.  Here's some photos from previous classes to start your imaginative juices flowing;

In the past we have also run this class for an animal loving hen party and also childrens birthday parties!!

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Time to get baking

My passion for cake decorating doesn't end with the classes I also love to bake myself.

In December I was asked to make a replica of a kit car that for a 30th birthday party.  Previously I had stuck religiously to round and square cakes but have recently started to find a love for cake carving so I took on the challenge.

After baking a square chocolate mud cake I got started cutting and shaping to create a cake that looked, I hope, just like the photos she had provided me with.  I'm told that the birthday boy was delighted and the cake survived a car journey to Preston (they didn't tell me it was going to travel and I'm very pleased as otherwise I would never have slept!!)

I have my new airbrush and so I made the car white and then sprayed it this rather gorgeous yellow colour. 

In December I was asked to make a camera cake for an 18th birthday.  The cake was a last minute order after their previous plans had fallen through.  This cake was an absolute labour of love and I have to say I enjoyed every second of making it.

The canon camera was a prized possession of their son and so I wanted to make sure I did it justice.  The camera was made from a chocolate mud cake and it sat on a 10" madeira cake.  This cake had another journey to make to Kendal...not quite as far but again I worried about it until I knew it had arrived safely!

Here's the cake in action at the birthday party!

If you would like to order a cake from us then please do get in touch.
We have cakes on our website that are available to order but we also make bespoke cakes.

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Let me introduce you to "Cupcake Basics"

The first class that was ever written and run by us back in 2009 was the Cupcake Basics Class.  Over the years we have tweaked it slightly but it still runs along the same successful format as it did right at the beginning.

This has always proven to be our most popular class.  Maybe it's because it's a great introduction to cake decorating without the pressure of getting just one cake perfect...maybe it's because it's a fun, no pressure class (lots of laughter!!) or it may just be that you get to take home 12 very delicious cakes to eat for your tea!! 

During the 3 hour lesson we go right back to basics so the class is suitable for all levels of cake decorator.  Even if you have only ever eaten a cupcake before that's enough experience to get you on to the course!!  Everyone is welcome and everyone will leave with a box of cakes that will wow your friends and family.

No box of cupcakes is ever the same and there is often a lot of oohing and aahing over each others creations.  It never fails to amaze me that even though each student is given the same tools, icing and colours everyone always produces a unique box of cakes.  I also love to see people who come in to our classroom absolutely convinced that they won't be able to do it delighted when they see what they have achieved.

If you're thinking of coming along to a class but are a little bit nervous about getting started then I would always suggest this class as a good starting point.  We cover all the basics of which icing is which and even get to grips with some piping.  Full details of our classes are available on our website but you're always welcome to contact me (Vicki) to have a chat about which class would suit you best.

To give you some inspiration though here are some photos from past classes.  Don't forget that many of these students had never decorated a cake or cupcake before....and that makes them even more amazing!!

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