Those cookies were the only thing that made shopping trips tolerable for my mother when I was young. The promise of just one of those delectable cookies was enough to exhilarate my senses and make me... well... behave.
Its funny how sugar still triggers that emotional response in me today!
Anywho... here are some over the top, crazy, supposed to make your heart happy rainbows.
All of those rainbows are pure sugar highs... courtesy of my favorite buttercream recipe of all time.
Since this is a St. Patrick's Day cake I actually made hundreds of gold coins for the base of the rainbows. I just made my homemade sprinkles, only bigger. But since I made them bigger they were taking forever to dry and I got impatient.
Hence, fluffy frosting clouds.
Next year I will plan better.
I mean, I probably wont, but I can pretend.
And then, because it seems to be physically impossible for me to make a cake without a surprise inside, I decided to add a shamrock.
Seriously... I made so many impulsive choices on this cake! I dont know what I was thinking.
Like instead of a bright green jolly shamrock, mine is really, really dark. I thought it would be a fun to make Nigella's Guiness chocolate cake (beer... St. Patrick's Day... it seemed like a good idea) and then just add a little bit of green so it wouldn't be IN YOUR FACE green.
Like with this St. Patty's Day cake.
I will show you what I mean.
Its dark.
And mostly resembles a shamrock.
At least it tastes fantastic!! (white cake recipe here)
This was one TOUGH cake. I really dont think a tutorial is possible because I need a full year to forget how much work it was.
Sorta like having a baby. Which I will be doing in 17 days. (scheduled C-Section)
TMI for a baking blog???
Sorry. :)
This cake makes me happy! The shamrock is incredible! And I can't imagine how much work it was, you crazy pregnant lady! Amazing, as always. Enjoy these last days of your pregnancy...so exciting :)
Posted by: Stephanie Meyer (Fresh Tart) | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:02 AM
It's totally a shamrock! And YOU rock. We're counting down the days with you until iambaby arrives. Hang in there!
Posted by: Aimee @ Simple Bites | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:03 AM
My daughter would lose her mind over that cake. By the way, I just made that Guinness cake for my husbands birthday a few weeks back and it is so good. I'll be making Guinness ice cream this weekend...yum!
Posted by: Heather S. | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:06 AM
This is the cutest cake ever! I just still can't imagine doing the work on these cakes. You are SO talented. Would never, ever have the patience!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:07 AM
Honestly, you amaze me!
Posted by: Cynthia | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:08 AM
UNBELIEVABLE!!! you never cease to amaze me Amanda!!! just beautiful!!
a magical surprise!
Posted by: TidyMom | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:08 AM
wow sooo neat!
Posted by: Paula | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:23 AM
This is just so awesome! And early congrats too!
Posted by: cara @ the boys made me do it | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:36 AM
WOWWWWW!!! I mean WWWOOOOWWWWW !!!
I was thinking and thinking and thinking about doing something similar and finaly gave up because I didn't know how to make the samrocks. Your cake is great and it looks great as a samrock inside too. And the outside... Is so colourful and beautiful !!!
The only idea I had at last is to make some kind of leprechaun hat cake, inside and outside.
http://tartasconmagia.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/tarta-sombrero-de-duende-irlandes-leprechaun-hat-cake/
It is in spanish, but I think photos are enough some times.
I must thank you and thank you and THANK YOU again for your great blog and tutorials. It is because of you that I have this "puzzle cake" fever. I can't think of another thing. ;-)
XOXO
Posted by: morgana | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:41 AM
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can't take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It's a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:42 AM
WOW!!! Amanda you are amazing and so creative, loving you blog and gorgeous posts. Wish you a safe and healthy delivery. God bless
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Wow! That looks like a LOT of work - but well worth the effort!! Another great blog post Amanda : )
Posted by: Jennifer @ The Hudson Cakery | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Sooooo adorable! I love the rainbows - so bright and happy.
Posted by: Katie | GoodLife Eats | Mar 11, 2011 at 07:59 AM
very cute, i love the shamrock in the middle
Posted by: Amandas-events.blogspot.com | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Absolutely amazing! It's so beautiful, Amanda!!!
I don't know how you come up with these things... Wow!
Posted by: Kaitlin | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:17 AM
wow!! its awesome!!
good luck with the c section!
Posted by: tina | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:19 AM
Ok I have to figure out how you can ship this cake to me!! My Mom's birthday is St. Patrick's Day and she would love this!! Great job.
Posted by: Anna | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:35 AM
No TMI here.I'm happy for you! Great cake. I was telling a friend about your blog and said "She's good enough, she could make a cake with shamrock in it!" Low and behold 2 DAYS LATER you go and do just that. You are simple amazing!
Posted by: Hayley Rodgers | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:35 AM
LOVEIN that cake girlie! Totally reminds me of the rainbow shirt that I LIVED in during the early 80's (I think it was the early 80's).
Can't believe you've only got 17 days to go! I'm SO excited for you!!
Posted by: Wenderly | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Wow! I can just imagine how much work it was to make that shamrock! You are one seriously talented baker :-)
Posted by: Kelly @ JAX does design | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:44 AM
This cake is over the rainbow and beyond- awesome Amanda!! xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:51 AM
You are so darn talented. The rainbows had me inspired...and then I saw that shamrock. Wow!
Posted by: Cookin' Canuck | Mar 11, 2011 at 08:59 AM
That is one pretty impressive cake! I cant even imagine how you did that.
Posted by: megan | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:04 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! As much as I adore the inside, I have to say that the rainbows are my favorite part. SO bright and pretty!!
Like you :)
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:07 AM
I LOVE it! SO colorful on the outside, and brilliant on the inside :) Awesome job
Posted by: Renee | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:25 AM
OMG!!!! I LOVE this cake!I say this everytime but i think this is my favorite,well besides the rose cake. :O)
Posted by: colleen | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Your talent and imagination astound me! Great job, again! The shamrock center is incredible, and I love the bright, cheery rainbows around the outside!
Posted by: Darla @ Bakingdom | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:30 AM
you rock!
this cake is awesome & truly looks like tons of work…but, a labor of love!
Posted by: linda | Mar 11, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Beautiful cake; it's just so full of color! Love!
Posted by: Tracy | Mar 11, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Truth be told after making the heart cake myself and knowing how much work that was, I'm pretty sure you are crazy for trying this! I'm SUPER impressed!
Posted by: Jenny @ Bakography | Mar 11, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Fantastic looking cake!! When will they invent taste-o-vision?!
Congrats on the upcoming baby! Mine turns 11 months next week.
Posted by: Jennifer Day | Mar 11, 2011 at 10:46 AM
really a super fun cake! OH 17 days looking forward to your new SWEET arrival :)
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Mar 11, 2011 at 10:51 AM
You astound me! This cake was awesome on the exterior and then you put that shamrock inside...I've read your tutorial on how you've done that on other cakes and I still am not brave enough to try it. Don't ever question yourself as you did earlier about naming your blog *i am baker* You Amanda, most surely are!
Posted by: Paula | Mar 11, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Absolutely not TMI! I've been wondering when you were due.
What a cute, cute cake!! I'm not sure if I want to tackle the inside, but the I'm pretty sure I can try the outside. Getting colors right is my hardest challenge in decorating.
Posted by: Georgia | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Love the cake. . .as always so creative! The shamrock is awesome! And 17 DAYS-REALLY?! Are you nervous?!!!
Posted by: naomi | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Eu adoro suas criações! simplesmente maravilhosas!
Posted by: ANA | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:21 AM
That is one awesome cake! I wish you would share some tips on how to make the two cakes come together!!
Posted by: RainyDayCottage | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM
you HAD to have painted that shamrock on AFTER cutting the cake. but i know you didn't. omg.
Posted by: AUTUMN | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:55 AM
NOT TMI! You are so inspiring in every way! Thank you so much for the fun and beautiful blogs.
Posted by: Amber wick | Mar 11, 2011 at 12:09 PM
This cake looks amazing! I top my hat to you for making such a difficult cake when you are so close to giving birth. I remember when I was that far along and all I wanted to do was complain about how big I was!
Posted by: Stephanie | Mar 11, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Such an awesome cake! You're amazing! Happy soon to be baby day!
Posted by: Dacia | Mar 11, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Holy Guacamole! I was already impressed and then I scrolled down. I can't believe the Shamrock in the middle. Don't even mention that the color is too dark, ANYONE would be completely blown away!!
Posted by: snippets of thyme | Mar 11, 2011 at 02:41 PM
AMAZING! I want to taste that! :p
Posted by: Linn | Mar 11, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Wow, awesome work.
Absolutely impressive.
Wishing you s lovely weekend ♥
Posted by: Ana Powell | Mar 11, 2011 at 03:38 PM
I LOVE IT. Wow!!
Posted by: Jenny | Mar 11, 2011 at 03:39 PM
Amazing as usual. I so want to make this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Christine | Mar 11, 2011 at 03:50 PM
that's soooo cool! I need to start thinking like that! awesome!!!
Posted by: chelsea perry | Mar 11, 2011 at 04:05 PM
It is very cool. Love it. I want to taste your cakes and cookies. I wish you lived in my city, or across the street and was one of those neighbors who would call me over when you needed someone to taste test your baking goodies. What? A girl can dream.
Posted by: cherylene | Mar 11, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Wow, that is SO cool! Gorgeous cake. :)
Posted by: sara | Mar 11, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Only 17 days before baby? Oh my gosh! I am so thrilled for you! God bless you and your family Amanda. May you have a wonderful birth-day for you and your brand new baby boy. Oh, your cake is really cool too but it's nothing compared to your pending production! Sending you love and best wishes!
Posted by: Renee (Kudos Kitchen) | Mar 11, 2011 at 05:30 PM