Monkey Cake

My 3 year old is a monkey... okay, not literally, but almost! He loves all things monkey and I knew that he just HAD to have a monkey birthday theme! I found the CUTEST birthday set at celebrate express called mod monkey, and I just had to have it! I put polka dots (with paper plates) all over my walls, and used every stuffed monkey we had to help decorate. It was by far one of my cutest parties that I've had! And of course my son loved his 'monkey cake'!

Football Cake

For my son's 11th birthday, it was all about football!!! I wanted to make him a football shaped cake, but he wanted the field- complete with players and everything! Thankfully I was able to find the cake toppers (along with some other really cute football decorations) at oriental trading company. I used his initials for the center logo, and as an added touch we even wrote the last names of his guests on the backs of the player jerseys and let them take their guys home. All the boys were really impressed with the cake, and wished their moms were as cool as me! (Just kidding :-))

Power Ranger Cake

When my son told me he wanted a power ranger birthday party, I was very worried about what type of cake I would make (you know, their expectations of me are so high!!). I finally decided on this mask- it was the same one that was on his partyware. The little 5 year olds all thought it was pretty cool- and that's all that matters right :-)?

Nemo Cake

This is a Nemo cake I made for my son's birthday that he was celebrating with a friend. It was an icecream cake, which always poses unique challenges, but it was fun to make!

Twin Cakes

I made these birthday cakes for a set of twins I know who were having their first birthday. Their mom wanted them to each have a personal sized cake that they could really 'dig into!'

Another cake!

It seems like I'm usually making cakes for children, but occasionally there is an opportunity to make one for a friend of mine! For my friend Laura's 30th birthday (on VERY short notice) I tried to think of something simple but elegant! I figured chocolate is always a safe bet! I like the contrast of the white against the chocolate. Enjoy!

Oh heavenly day....

These chocolate lava cakes were TO DIE FOR! I can't even tell you how amazingly good these were. I served them to a group of friends at a bunko night and we all sat around and mmm'd and ahhhh'd about them! My little kids liked them equally well. This recipe is definitely a keeper and very impressive! Much easier than you would think too!

6 TBL margarine spread

3 squares bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate

1/2 C. sugar

6 TBL flour

pinch of salt

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

powdered sugar (for dusting)

Grease 4 custard cups and set aside. Microwave margarine and chocolate for 45 seconds or until chocolate is melted: stir until smooth. Beat in granulated sugar, flour and salt until blended. Beat in eggs, yolks and vanilla. Spoon into prepared cups. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to bake.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange ramekins on baking sheet. Bake 13 minutes or until edges are firm, but centers are still slightly soft (DO NOT OVERBAKE). Cool 5 minutes. Unmold onto plates and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with ice cream immediately! Get ready to make a second batch.... Mmmmmmm!

*recipe comes from "100 Best Chocolate Recipes"