Tutorial for this cake Here!
***
My extremely talented and creative and artistic grandma (she even has her own facebook page, how cute is that?) has been an artist using various mediums for more years then I have been alive.
She has sorta been on a watercolor kick in the last few years, and I am SO glad she is. Her talent with watercolor is truly awesome!
A few years ago she gifted me with this:
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers, so this piece is so special to me!
As I gazed at it the other day... it hit me. I gotta make this a cake!
Seriously. Who thinks like that???
So I made this.
I am not inventing the wheel here. Is that how the saying goes? Or should I say, "I am not re-inventing the wheel here?" Ugh. Lets just blame pregnancy brain.
Anyway... I see that the fabulous Glory has made hydrangea cuppies and that lots of bakers make cakes with hydrangea's on them all the time.
So this is just my take on it! :)
Although I love the periwinkle and cool tones the best, I really wanted to capture the color scheme that my grandma created in her art.
And then, because I am determined to FORCE Spring into my life, I made the inside the most spring like flavor I could imagine.
Lemon.
Seriously, I don't even like lemon cake.
Or, at least I didn't think I did!
This is a white cake (recipe here) with lemon curd filling and lemon frosting covered in buttercream crumb coat and buttercream hydrangea's.
Lemon Frosting ( both recipes adapted from allrecipes.com)
2 cups confectioner's sugar
In large bowl beat confectioner's sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and lemon juice until smooth.
Add milk as needed, combine until ingredients are fully incorporated and light and fluffy.
Lemon Curd Filling
In medium saucepan, mix together lemon juice and cornstarch until smooth.
Add butter and sugar and bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for one minute. In small bowl use a whisk to beat egg yolks until smooth. Add in a small amount of the hot lemon mixture to the egg yolks. (this is tempering the eggs) Now pour the egg mixture back into the sauce pan, whisking rapidly until fully combined.
Reduce heat to low and stir constantly until reach desired thickness. Don't let it come to a boil again! (takes about five minutes)
Refrigerate for at least two hours.
Make sure its cool before adding to cake. Its a good idea to make this ahead of time so your cake assembly can be easier!
I made my favorite buttercream frosting for the flowers, and I used the entire amount! So even though the recipe is for a large quantity, I used it all.
I just separated it into three bowls then added pink, light purple, and dark purple to each bowl respectively.
This cake is truly delicious. Moist. Full of different flavors and taste bud tingling sensations.
Can you just imagine it at a bridal shower or even as miniature centerpieces at a wedding???
This post was getting kinda long so I decided not to included the tutorial for the cake. If that is something of interest, just let me know. I didnt know if it was pretty self explanatory or not. :)
*****
I posted an update on the cookie donations... thanks again for all you have done!
*****
And this was an unexpected and totally amazing and humbling and (seriously, they made a preggers lady cry!) wonderful surprise!! I woke up to a virtual baby shower this morning!! I am just blown away!! I LOVE these amazing and talented and beautiful and sweet ladies... I hope you will too... this is the most beautiful shower I have EVER seen!!! You must stop by and see the creative and gorgeous things these fantastic ladies have created... just WOW!!!!
Thank you so much to these amazing women!!
Virtual Shower Menu
Drinks
Add a Pinch – i am baby Shower Punch
TidyMom – Ducky Bath Blue Punch
Savory Bites
Dine and Dish – Stuffed Mushrooms
GoodLife Eats – Cucumber Sandwich Recipe
My Baking Addiction – Crab Rangoons
Simple Bites – Spring Crudité, Buttermilk-Black Pepper Dip
Desserts
A Farmgirl’s Dabbles – {i am baby} cakes
Bake at 350 – Baby on Board Cookies
Bakers Royale – Baby Shower Cupcakes
Bluebonnets and Brownies – Mini Fruit Pizzas
Confessions of a Cookbook Queen – Homemade Butter Mints
Food for My Family – Baby Shower Macarons
Gourmande in the Kitchen – Chocolate Blueberry Truffles
My Kitchen Addiction – Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
She Wears Many Hats – “B” is for Boy – Itty Bitty Baby Cupcakes
Smith Bites – Strawberries with Brown Sugar Dip
What’s Cooking with Kids – Hamentashen cookies
Last But Not Least
Wenderly – Baby Cards
Please post a tutorial! What kind of tip did you use? I love your blog so much!
Posted by: Amy Nguyen | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:32 AM
This cake is beautiful, so creative! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy :)
Posted by: Anne @ Baking Me | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Your Hydrangea cake was breathtaking. I simply adore it. I am just as happy as can be that you are getting ever so close to cuddling that new little precious baby. What a joyful event for you and your family. New babies are the BEST! Congrats.
Posted by: Gwendolyn | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:36 AM
My favorite flowers you are really amazing Amanda. Bless you
Hydrangea in our summer garden. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowaidafl/sets/72157624817034156/
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:37 AM
BEAUTIFUL CAKE!! You never cease to amaze me with your creativity, even 1 week before giving birth! Congrats :)
Posted by: Erica | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Aww, so sweet! And well deserved :) Happy Virtual Baby Shower!
I love your beautiful cake, as well, and it really does capture the essence of your Grandma's painting!
Posted by: Julie @ Willow Bird Baking | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM
cake looks gorgeous,..
Posted by: notyet100 | Mar 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM
I'd love a tutorial! So beautiful. I love it.
Posted by: Tara | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Just when I think that you cannot top the previous idea you come up with a gem. The hydrangea cale is a beauty. Can't wait to make it. Many thanks for making me look so talented. I could not do it without you. Feel good,
Posted by: Dottie | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:10 AM
would love to see the tutorial on this cake - beautiful!
Posted by: Hana | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:23 AM
I love hydrangeas too! That painting is just gorgeous, and so is that cake. I'd love to see a tutorial, Amanda. I have no idea how you did that with buttercream. It was so much fun doing a virtual shower for you!
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Congratulations once more on the new arrival. Big loves and hugs to you, girl. I'm so glad you liked your virtual baby shower. We all think you are amazing!
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS cake! I love the colors.
Posted by: naomi | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:48 AM
I was just wondering what tip and technique was used for the flowers on the cake. Its beautiful!
Posted by: Harris | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM
What a BEAUTIFUL cake. Can you please send me a slice? lol I might want to preserve it though - too pretty to eat. And congrats again! I hope you're having a wonderful virtual baby shower :)
Posted by: Rachel @ Baked by Rachel | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:52 AM
BEAUTIFUL cake! Congrats to you! Sending my best to you and your family!
Posted by: Maria | Mar 21, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Hi Amanda,
I've been following your blog for a little while, and I'm just done meeting all of your baby shower guests. I feel like I'm crashing your party :) Just wanted to say congrats on the shower, wish you a speedy delivery and a healthy baby boy. You have wonderfully creative and talented friends! Enjoy your party!
Posted by: Bourbonnatrix | Mar 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM
I don't even know where to start!! Ok, first things first!! Wishing you great happiness and joy on the imminent arrival of your new little boy!!!!
Secondly - even on my BEST day, I could not pull off a cake like that and I am not even pregnant! The cake is absolutely gorgeous and would be perfect for a baby or wedding shower!
Finally, what a beautiful watercolor of hydrangeas and what a treasure from your Grandmother!!
Can't wait to "meet" the newest little baker!!!
Posted by: Nancy@acommunaltable | Mar 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM
This cake is SO stunning! You are amazing... Just amazing. But, it should also be mentioned that you're not supposed to bring something to your *own* shower, silly girl. :) You should relax!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Mar 21, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Amanda, Honestly, when does you genius stop? I thought the ribbon cake was the most stunning peice of work I had ever seen. You trumped yourself!! This cake is STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING! You are so gifted! Congrats and Best Wishes on the new addition!
Posted by: Twyla | Mar 21, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Congrats on Baby #4!!! Hydrangeas are my favorite too and this cake is blowing my mind. I love it! And I am so glad Spring is here. I'm sure I will go into lemon overload. This cake would be perfect for Mother's Day!! I love everything you do and again, Congratulations!!
Posted by: Shannon | Mar 21, 2011 at 12:58 PM
This is such a pretty cake! The dome shape works nicely to show off all of the beautiful flowers! Thank you very much for the sweet link to me as well, my hydrangea cupcakes are one of my favorite projects of all time!
Posted by: Glory/ Glorious Treats | Mar 21, 2011 at 01:02 PM
This is awesome. I may be somewhat of a newbie to the whole cake decorating area, so a tutorial would be WONDERFUL!!
Posted by: Kristin H | Mar 21, 2011 at 01:03 PM
You truly are an amazing and inspirational artist. I love all your ideas and only hope to one day become as successful as you are. God bless your new bundle of joy and the rest of your little family.
With Love,
Amber
Posted by: Amber | Mar 21, 2011 at 01:11 PM
You are AMAZING, your cake is absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy your baby shower, Amanda, and I've got to say that it's so much fun for me to hop from blog to blog and be a small part of it!
God Bless you and your family.
Posted by: RosieP | Mar 21, 2011 at 01:14 PM
I would love to know how you shaped the petals-this cake is GORGEOUS! :)
Posted by: TheresaSea | Mar 21, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Hi Amanda,
Just a big happy hearty congratulations on the very near pending birth of your baby boy!!! xoxo
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie Hale | Mar 21, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Absolutely beautiful creations! An art! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Perfect Party Ideas | Mar 21, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Absolutely fantabulous...no that's not a real word but it fits...FAN TAB ULOUS!
Posted by: cherylene | Mar 21, 2011 at 03:03 PM
This cake is absolutely stunning! And I think I would like the lemon flavor too. I hope spring comes soon. Seeing snow this morning did not help.
Posted by: Erika Beth, the Messy Chef | Mar 21, 2011 at 03:33 PM
The virtual baby shower is an amazing array of incredibly beautiful and delicious ideas!! WOW! I am so happy to be able to be a part of it through your blog!! How lucky is that?
Posted by: cecilia | Mar 21, 2011 at 03:33 PM
That is an absolutely beautiful cake.
PLEASE share a tutorial!
Posted by: Rachel | Mar 21, 2011 at 03:58 PM
I would personally love to see a tutorial - I am constantly amazed. Thank you again for sharing! It is absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: Christine | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Beautiful cake and it sounds quite tasty! Amazing!
Posted by: thedabble | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Yes, tutorial please! I want to try making that for my daughter's birthday which is in a week and a half. It looks amazing!
Posted by: Amanda | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:35 PM
very nice
Posted by: atikur | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Tutorial please! This is so beautiful!!!
Posted by: Amy Nguyen | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:47 PM
Awesome!! Congratulations!!! Take it easy now, will ya?!
Posted by: Jazzmin | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Gorgeous and huge congratulations. I love all your designs!! xo
Posted by: Rachie | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Beautiful! I would like to see a tutorial. Also, what tip did you use for the flowers?
Posted by: gina | Mar 21, 2011 at 04:59 PM
tutorial!! please! i have got to make this beautiful cake!
Posted by: Ohheart.blogspot.com | Mar 21, 2011 at 05:07 PM
This is just amazingly beautiful! Congratulations on your baby! ^^
Posted by: Kat | Mar 21, 2011 at 05:08 PM
I'd love to see a tutorial! This cake is simply stunning! You're so lovely to share it with us!
D x
Posted by: Danielle | Mar 21, 2011 at 05:24 PM
That is simply stunning! Congrats
Posted by: Melissa@EyesBigger | Mar 21, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Love these!!!
http://lovecupcakesandjesus.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Megan | Mar 21, 2011 at 05:44 PM
As always, a beautiful cake. Congratulations on your imminent birth :)
Posted by: Esi | Mar 21, 2011 at 06:36 PM
I love this cake! And congratulations on baby #4 and your exciting virtual baby shower! I too would love a tutorial on this cake as well. I think it would then become my 2nd "go-to" cake to make for special people - my first being the rose cake that everyone loved thanks to you! Congratulations again on the impending arrival and I would love a tutorial on the flowers and was wondering did you make two white cakes? Thanks.
Lorraine Russo-Harty
Posted by: Lorraine | Mar 21, 2011 at 06:38 PM
please include tutorial on how to make flowers!
Posted by: j | Mar 21, 2011 at 06:39 PM
Hope your elective surgery is complication free!
Posted by: oh | Mar 21, 2011 at 06:40 PM
This cake is GORGEOUS!!!! what tip did you use to make these flowers? And congratulations!!
Posted by: Laura | Mar 21, 2011 at 07:09 PM
please post the tutorial!!! I love this cake! thank you!
Posted by: Micky | Mar 21, 2011 at 07:31 PM