Are you looking for a fun, unique, and very personalized gift for your loved one this Valentines Day?
I think I have something that just might give your special someone a good idea of just how deeply you love them.
How about a personalized crossword puzzle written on a cookie nestling inside a delicious chocolate cake "box"?
I had seen bakerella do a Valentines Heart box a couple years ago and been dying to try something like it ever since!!
I started out with the idea of doing a personalized crosswords puzzle. I went to this site to help me get all the info. plugged in, then I made a rough sketch of how I wanted it to look on the cookie.
And then, because I know how very easy it is to make a mistake on a cookie and be heartbroken for days and days and maybe even shed a few tears in the process, I decided to do these on fondant.
That way if I made a mistake I could easily start over without have to bake and frost and new cookie!
(when done, just add some frosting or icing to the cookie and place the fondant on top)
Two things:
This looks really boring to me.
Who wants to eat cookies covered in fondant?
So! It was then pretty obvious that I needed to make the cake "box" for the cookies to be presented in.
I also wanted to make the crossword puzzle more fitting for the theme of Valentines Day.
So! Color in 27 million squares with red and pink glaze frosting? Check.
Create a box made out of chocolate pound cake (for stability) covered in red fondant? Check.
Wait impatiently for loved one to come home so you can tear into this sucker? Absolutely.
For writing you can either place some royal icing or glaze icing into a piping bag (or plastic baggie, some bakers swear by this method I promise!) and instruct the recipient to cut off the smallest tip to begin writing. Or you can provide them with a pen that writes with edible ink, easily available at your local grocery store!
Of course, you can make the puzzle as tame or as wild as you would like. ;)
Just be sure to give it to someone you love!
***
For those that requested to see that this was in fact, a cake, here is a picture from today.
And yes, it was good! :)
*****
Be sure to check this out on TidyMom's I'm Lovin It! (seriously awesome links over there, and a contest!)
and Amy Atlas's blog!
Darling! So cute. And you must be one of the most patient people I know. Wow.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | Jan 18, 2011 at 07:36 AM
A real labour of love!
Posted by: MrsCurrie | Jan 18, 2011 at 07:44 AM
Amanda, this is just gorgeous. What a wonderful and fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Tracy | Jan 18, 2011 at 08:06 AM
I LOVE this!!
I've wanted to do a box of chocolates cake ever since seeing Bakerella's too...no inspiration has hit yet, but maybe it will.
This is such a cute and well thought out cake...you are so talented, girl!!
Happy Tuesday!!
p.s. Will you be my Valentine? I'm thinking if we are Valentines, you will make me tons of awesome treats ;)
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Jan 18, 2011 at 08:15 AM
You amaze me. I could never have the patience.
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Jan 18, 2011 at 09:01 AM
this is sooo original!
Im loving it!
I will repost it if you dont mind :)
Posted by: carmen | Jan 18, 2011 at 09:10 AM
Love this! I did Bingo boards for a friends birthday party http://flourandsugarthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/08/birthday-wishes.html I think game card cookies are a huge hit! Love this idea!!! Your stuff is so awesome!
Posted by: Linzy | Jan 18, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Fantastic! This is so cute, Amanda.
Posted by: Shaina | Jan 18, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Girl, you are crazy!!! This is wonderful, but I certainly wouldn't want to do multiples! Hee hee. Hugs to you ;)
Posted by: susan | Jan 18, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I LOVE these!!! Just one question though...can you share the words you used in the puzzle???
Posted by: Juli G | Jan 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM
SO making this for my grandfather (he's a crossword nut). Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
Posted by: Desiree | Jan 18, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Seriously, can you spare some creativity juices? Wow, Amanda, you have out done yourself. These are not only beautiful, but so creative!!!
Posted by: naomi | Jan 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Oh my goodness... These cookies are incredible!! I just love them.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Jan 18, 2011 at 12:00 PM
so unique! I love it! How did it taste? :)
Posted by: megan @ whatmegansmaking | Jan 18, 2011 at 12:23 PM
This is so cute! Love it!
Posted by: Brian @ A Thought For Food | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:01 PM
What a great idea! Box is soooo cool. Looks really real.
Posted by: Jennifer | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:14 PM
So cute!! Would love to be your valentine lol :)
Posted by: Rachel @ Baked by Rachel | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Simply amazing! My mouth dropped open at this one; it is incredible!!!
Posted by: Mary C. | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:30 PM
So much fun. And super WOW!!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Too Pretty to eat! I want to thank you for your buttercream recipe. I used it on my Strawberries and Sprinkles cake, and sited your site as well. Turned out great! Thank you again!
Posted by: Ashley E | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:42 PM
wow. As threatened, I had to post a link on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com because wow. That's all I have to say. Wow.
Posted by: meaghan (the decorated cookie) | Jan 18, 2011 at 01:51 PM
So stinkin cute. I would be in the loony bin if I tried to make those. The detail is perfect! Oh how I admire you so Amanda!
Posted by: Wenderly | Jan 18, 2011 at 02:47 PM
SO incredibly adorable and creative! I'm just smitten!
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | Jan 18, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Amanda, my daughter and I are in awe! How do you do this with little pumpkins running all over. Amazing.
Posted by: Strawberry CAKE | Jan 18, 2011 at 06:25 PM
So inspiring - off to start baking!
Posted by: Lucy Lean | Jan 18, 2011 at 07:35 PM
These are truly amazing Amanda! Let's face it all I would want to do is dive into that cake too. The level of work you do is amazing & so precise!! xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Jan 18, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Wow! That is so creative. Who would not love to receive such a lovely and personal gift? Another amazing Amanda creation!
Posted by: Amy's blah, blah, blog | Jan 18, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Hi. Great project!
I wanted to alert you to what I assume to be an unauthorized use of your photo and content:
http://eastwestbakery.com/valentines-day-cookies-and-cake/
It looks like they are taking photos and content off sites like Foodbuzz and others. Of course - as is common with such ripoff sites - the content is crudely translated and comments are closed. I had a site rip off a story from my humor blog, and all attempts to contact the owners were in vain.
I hate to be the bearer of crappy news, but there it is.
On another note, your cookies and cake are supremely awesome, and I bow down to your creativity and patience!
Posted by: Sexy Vegan Mama/The Gonzo Mama | Jan 19, 2011 at 12:24 AM
heavy, heavy, HEAVY . . . sigh . . . i'm requesting talent like yours in my next life . . .
Posted by: SMITH BITES | Jan 19, 2011 at 09:55 AM
as someone who's addicted, and i mean ADDICTED, to doing crossword puzzles, this may be my favorite creation of yours yet.
Posted by: grace | Jan 20, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Un progetto meraviglioso, brava Amanda ^_* passare da te รจ sempre un piacere!
Buona giornata
Sonia
Posted by: sunflowers8 | Jan 20, 2011 at 06:43 AM
wow...it looks like a lot of work! what a pretty cake!
Posted by: Tiffany | Jan 20, 2011 at 11:42 AM
WOW! These are awesome! Holy smokes you have so much patience =o)
Posted by: Erin @ Making Memories | Jan 21, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Ok, I'm going to ask something I'm sure no one else has asked because they're trying to be polite, but... ARE YOU HUMAN? These are flipping AMAZING!
Posted by: Jess | Jan 21, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Amanda you're awesome and you have an insane amount of patience to complete that design, but I'm a little heartbroken that you don't like fondant covered cookies! They are one of my biggest sellers, so of course I love them, but give fondant a chance! <3
Posted by: Maree from SWEETER THAN SUGAR | Jan 22, 2011 at 08:41 AM
I would so love to make those cookies and that cake box! I could try but I know it would never come out that beautiful. You did a wonderful job!
Posted by: Sherry Greek | Jan 23, 2011 at 07:39 PM
Are you kidding me? You are so darn creative - seriously. Amazing, Amanda!
Posted by: Kristen | Jan 23, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Amazing! Love it!!
Posted by: Amy @ Living Locurto | Jan 24, 2011 at 08:50 AM
This is absolutely amazing.
Posted by: Damaris | Jan 24, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Frk. Overballe | Jan 25, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I love this. How creative and fabulous. I'm giving Godiva Chocolates, 12 dozen red roses from our local florist and Jovanna Collections Charmed fine jewelry to my wife for Valentine's Day. Perhaps a custom creative strawberry shortcake letter is due to day "I love you".
Posted by: Wes | Jan 27, 2011 at 01:33 PM
how wonderful! i made a valentine's crossword card last year, but this looks much tastier.
Posted by: Craftiness Now | Jan 28, 2011 at 08:56 AM
This is amazing! Wish I had the courage to try it.
Posted by: Kelly @ BakingSweetTreats | Feb 01, 2011 at 09:36 AM
I just found your blog, and I have to say, you are insanely talented. You're scary talented! Love all of these cute ideas you have!
Posted by: Erin | Feb 05, 2011 at 01:54 PM
SO CREATIVE!!!
Posted by: carine | Mar 25, 2011 at 07:53 AM