Tutorial for this cake Here!
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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
Oh my goodness, the painting is beautiful, and I love you made a cake inspired by it. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Andrea Meyers | Mar 24, 2011 at 07:14 AM
Beautiful!!
Posted by: Shea | Mar 24, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Saw this on The Kitchn (my brownies were part of the same post). So beautiful. Great work!
Posted by: Abbie | Mar 24, 2011 at 01:29 PM
I'd love to know what tip you used to create the flowers!
Posted by: Karen | Mar 24, 2011 at 06:45 PM
I was browsing your blog and my 5 year old saw your lovely cake and gasped, "That cake is so beautiful!" I happen to agree. It looks tasty and gorgeous.
Posted by: angie | Mar 25, 2011 at 08:30 PM
I've got hydrangeas on my blog right now! You should bring your cake over.
So you've given us the recipes, but I really need you to show me how to make the petals. I'm doing cupakes for my nieces wedding show - and I want to do blue and white. Can you help me here by doing a how to?
Posted by: bluecottonmemory | Mar 25, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Girl you're nothing short of amazing with your beautiful talent! Love it!!
Posted by: Courtney | Mar 27, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Nice idea ;)
Posted by: Veronicapequeno | Mar 31, 2011 at 12:00 AM
just popped over from lidy's blog. so beautiful! talent definitely runs in your family!
enjoy
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | Mar 31, 2011 at 12:48 PM
I LOVE this cake, and it sounds so yummy. Won't you please post a tutorial on frosting it when you have a minute (when will that be, with the new baby?) Anyhoo, have a wonderful day and thanks so much!
Posted by: Holly | Apr 06, 2011 at 06:49 AM
I FOUND SO MANY INTERESTING STUFF INSIDE YOUR BLOG.
KEEP UP THE GOOD FUNCTION.
GO ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nike Shox Dream | Apr 15, 2011 at 02:08 AM
Back again...looking at the lemon frosting...now I'm itching to see the blue version, hint hint....
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Apr 16, 2011 at 10:44 AM
My only question would be did you make the flowers on the cake, or did you make them then add them to the cake?
Posted by: Katie | Apr 18, 2011 at 10:31 AM
That cake is seriously gorgeous. I can't even imagine the time it took, GAD-ZOOKS!!! I'm so impressed. Sometimes I make rice krispy treats---LOL!!!
Posted by: Mindy@whiskibusiness.com | Apr 19, 2011 at 09:38 PM
Beautiful! Tutorial, pwetty pwease?
Posted by: Anne | Apr 21, 2011 at 10:39 PM
HI!
I think this cake is amazing. Would you mind sending me the tutorial on how to make this cake/hydreanea? I am a begininger at all of this and your designs are amazing!!!
-Jess!
Posted by: JEssS | Apr 28, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I would also LOVE to see a tutorial - it is stunning! Best wishes to you - and thank you for sharing your talents!
Posted by: Ansley | Apr 29, 2011 at 12:18 AM
I have caroused the internet for a tutorial to help create anything similar to this...and nothing! Would love tips from you! of course, I tried roses...they didn't work for me, but I need practice! :)
Posted by: Amanda | May 02, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Please please tell me how to make these stunning hydrangeas - they are a touch of absolute class!!
Posted by: Lesmarie | May 03, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Did you pipe the flowers directly onto the cake?
Posted by: Amanda | May 03, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I made this for my mom's birthday and everyone LOVED it! I used the buttercream recipe linked too. It's the first icing I've made with shortening and I must say I love love LOVE it! It is officially approved by all of my nieces. Thank you for posting and congrats on your baby!
Posted by: Liisa | May 25, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Never seen Hydrangeas my whole life. I am very glad that I could look at it as your cake toppers. This is a truly cool post.
Posted by: | May 28, 2011 at 09:22 AM
your cakes are simply stunning! i am soon going to try to make the rose cake, for my friend's birthday! i can't wait, it looks like fun making blooming buttercreamroses!
this cake here is amazing! i'd be so interested in making it! could you please please please post the tutorial for it!
thank you so much!
Posted by: Randa | Jun 10, 2011 at 05:02 AM
What kind of cake pan did you use for the cake? I love the shape! I'm going to try to make this for my mom's birthday, she loves hydrangeas! :)
Posted by: Kelly | Jun 10, 2011 at 09:08 AM
I am using these flowers for my wedding and I would love to have this cake as a shower cake!!
Posted by: Dawn0880 | Jun 14, 2011 at 01:52 PM
i am so totally obsessed with this cake! you are amazing! thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: martypants | Jun 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Hi, this is absolutely gorgeous -- the cake and the watercolor! I just pinned the watercolor at Pinterest! http://pinterest.com/pin/43847068/
Posted by: mocookbooksetc@mac.com | Jun 18, 2011 at 06:21 PM
just wanted to tell you that you inspire me! i loved your hydrangea cake so much that i made it in cupcake form:
http://i-heart-baking.blogspot.com/2011/05/hydrangea-cupcakes-lemon-cupcakes-with.html
and i also made your heart "surprise" cake for my hubby's birthday, except filled with chocolate mousse instead of cake!
http://i-heart-baking.blogspot.com/2011/05/rainbow-sprinkles-birthday-cake-for.html
thank you so much!!!
Posted by: michele | Jun 22, 2011 at 10:04 AM
what tip do you use for the hydrangea?
Posted by: stephanie | Jul 26, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Id love to know how you create the flowers they just look so great:) love the recipe too:)
Posted by: Jessica Hernandez | Aug 02, 2011 at 02:06 AM
Hi Amanda,
I am about to make the Hydrangea cake. What size pans do you suggest? I was planning on using an 8 inch and 1/2 ball pan, but it looks like you trimmed the top layer. Look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks in advance
Posted by: Dottie Lewis | Aug 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
I'd love a tutorial on the hydrangeas! They are the flowers for my wedding next year and this cake would be amazing to make for the day!
Posted by: Femke | Oct 09, 2011 at 11:09 AM