Cake Classes

I am starting to teach cake classes out of my home in West Jordan. I am starting with a "beginner" class, and will add more advanced classes shortly, such as a rolled fondant class. The advanced classes will require that you take the beginner courses first. These are hands on classes!

The beginner class will be a 2 part class. The first class will teach you about professional cake pans and basics of baking a cake. You will then learn how to make chocolate mousse and learn how to layer and fill a cake. Then we will talk about cupcakes and you will learn how to fill cupcakes with chocolate mousse, and learn how to make American buttercream. You will get to fill with mousse and decorate 6 cupcakes to take home that night.

In the second class I will bring out the cake that you layered in the first class, and I will teach you how to make Italian buttercream. You will then learn how to frost a cake using a decorating turntable. You will learn some easy, fun, basic decorating ideas. You will get to take home your finished cake that night.

The beginner class (both parts) cost: $50

My first session will be Tuesday April 5th (part 1), and Tuesday April 12th (part 2). Both of these start at 7 p.m.

I also have a Saturday session on April 23rd (part 1), and April 30th (part 2). Both of these start at 9 a.m.

Class is available for ages 16 and up, and no children or babies please.

I only have 5 spots available for each session. You would need to be able to attend both consecutive classes. I will have all the supplies you need for the class - just bring an apron!

Feel free to call or email me with any questions, and please forward information on to anyone you know that would be interested. If you would like a special session and have a group of 5 people that can do that specific session, I am more than happy to accomodate your requested date, and make it a private session.

Please leave me a comment with your email address if you're interested and I will contact you.

If I have enough interest for classes in Phoenix, I would consider going down there :)

Wow!

I have had such an amazing response to my cake decorating classes! It has been so much fun getting ladies together and "creating" together.

Due to the cost of materials, my "Basics" cake decorating classes are now $75. This is a two part class. Each class is two hours long. In the first class you get to take home 6 decorated cupcakes, and in the second class you get to take home your 8" decorated cake.

You will learn how to bake in a professional pan, make chocolate mousse, and layer and fill a cake with mousse. You will also learn how to make yummy cupcake frosting and delicious cake frosting.

You will leave this class having the knowledge, and feeling confident that you can go home and be successful at making cakes for all the special occasions in your family.

Be sure to check us out at the Utah Kids Club Ladies Only Pamper Party on May 14th! We will be running a "Show Special" on our Basics class for those attending the party!

June Classes - book now!

Here are the june classes. Book now, they fill up fast!

*June Special: Book a $75 June Basics class and receive a cupcake kit FREE! ($15 value)

You must take a "Basics" class before you can take an advanced class. You can email me to sign up or with any questions at dawnscakeclasses@hotmail.com.

In the Basics class you will need to attend both sessions. You will learn how to make chocolate mousse, layer it in a cake and fill cupcakes with it. You will get to take home 6 cupcakes from the first class and an 8" frosted cake from the second class.

In the Rolled fondant you will learn how to make it and decorate a cake with it.

In the Chocolate class you will learn how to make ganache (shiny chocolate frosting), decorate a cake with it, make chocolate dipped strawberries, and chocolate truffles.

Following are the dates and times available:

Basics Class: Mon/Tues June 13/14 from 2-4 p.m. $75

Basics Class: Wed/Fri June 15/17 from 10 a.m.-noon $75

Basics Class: Mon/Tues June 20/22 from 2-4 p.m. $75

Rolled Fondant Class: Wed June 15 from 10 a.m.-noon $40

Chocolate Class: Wed June 22 from 10 a.m.-noon $40

Oh, dear. What have they done?

If you need a good laugh, check out this blog: cake wrecks

I was up way too late last night checking out the "professional" cake disasters. These are people that get paid to make cakes, not just your everyday home baker. Many of them are grocery store cakes, but cakes that are sold nonetheless.

I hope I never have a cake that hits that blog!

Amazing Deal on Gift Certificates!

To kick off the Christmas season, I'm offering a great deal on Gift Certificates. Order any gift certificate over $25, and I'll add an extra $25 to the value! Or I can put the extra $25 on a separate one and you can keep it for yourself.

- One certificate can be used per person.

- Can buy additional as gifts.

- Expire 1 year from date of purchase.

- May be used towards classes and/or cake decorating supplies.

- Can be used towards custom cake orders valued at $75 or more.

Email me at dawnscakeclasses@hotmail.com to buy yours today!

Basics class - $60

Chocolate class & Rolled Fondant Class - $40 each

Easy Cake Decorating Ideas class - $25

Check out our Facebook Page

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Well, yesterday was Jeff's birthday. We had fun celebrating dual holidays. I would show you a photo of the cake, but it wasn't that great. In fact, I hardly even wanted to bring it out with guests over!

I came down with the stomach flu on Friday and Saturday (while I was supposed to be making a spectacular cake!). So what came out was a pretty pathetic looking Easter egg cake, but it tasted great anyway. It was sad because it will be another 228 years before he has another Easter birthday.

And we also had to cancel our fabulous fancy dinner Friday night because I felt so yucky! Oh well, maybe this weekend.

I won't gush about my husband here - that's what personal cards are for. But I will say this, my husband is hilarious - he constantly cracks me up. He is one that you have to get to know before you see that side of him. Just get him around his mom and sisters, I've never seen him laugh harder! Even things he does, without trying crack me up. Take his work badge for instance. Each employee gets to bring in their own photo to put on their badge. If you look closely at Jeff, you can see one of Bella's hairbows by the side of his face. It cracks me up that it is the photo he chose to put on it!

Happy Birthday honey - you're the best!

The festivities

I woke up to this on my porch:


I have NO idea who did this, but have would just like to say "THANKS" to Chantelle and Crystal. I don't know why I'm thanking them, for telling everyone how OLD I am!

And then at lunchtime my door rang and it was my sweet husband holding balloons, and a cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes".

Yummy! We enjoyed it after dinner last night. Jeff even bought ding dongs for the kids so I could eat more of the cake! I loved having it for breakfast this morning as well!


He also brought me flowers, with Lilies in it. I LOVE the smell of lilies in the house! I enjoyed a great lunch out with some friends, and loved all the sweet messages from each of you! Thanks for thinking of me!

Reed Turns 2!

My baby turns into a little boy today!

He kicked off his 2nd year with a bang last night and dislocated his elbow. Otherwise known as "nursemaid elbow", I took him over to the urgent care about 7:00, paid only $15, and we were home by 8:00. Thankfully, it didn't cost much, or take much time. But it was sad to see him coddle his little arm and hear him say "hurt mama" over and over again. He didn't cry though, he is very tough and generally gets a bonk and walks it off. This time he kept wincing and pulling on his fingers, and that's how I knew it really hurt.We had his party this weekend, and had lots of fun with Grandma, Aunt Jane & Uncle Aaron, and lots of cousins. We were happy that Reed's college cousins Katie, Ben and Shelly could join as well!

It was a Curious George theme, and since we tend to have a perpetual wind in our neighborhood, we had everyone bring kites. We had "Curious George flies a kite", and "Curious George goes camping" and had a tent set up. We had bubbles and sidewalk chalk to keep the children entertained as well. There was coloring table where each child had a Curious George coloring book just for them. We had a fun game of "Pin the tail on the donkey", Curious George style involving a butterfly, and feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings.No party is complete without beating a poor pinata beyond recognition of course. Reed had become quite good friends with "George" during the week, as the pinata sat in my closet. He'd walk in and say "Hi George" periodically throughout the day. I think he was quite confused with the poor thing came crashing down in 2 pieces!

In lieu of a fancy cake, I did something different and more simple. We had frozen chocolate banana pops. I did a small cake for Reed to blow out the candles, but due to the terrific "kite flying" wind, we couldn't get the candles lit! Oh well, we'll light them tonight and sing again!He opened his presents and got a GeoTrax train station, and lots of tracks. He loves it! He has played with it non-stop, and loves the remote control to make the train go.

What I love most about Reed at this age:
He always has a little toy in his hand, typically, a car or a motorcycle.

That anytime he has a ball in his hand, it HAS to be thrown
(this can also be frustrating though when in a grocery store, or the ball is a golf ball at Grandpa's head!)

He still loves to give me hugs and kisses!
I love you Reed! Happy Birthday little boy!

Scrumptious!

My sister DeLyn gave me the new "Martha Stewart's Cookies" cookbook for my birthday. I am literally drooling while reading it! The photos make you want to take a bite out of the page!

I have always loved making cookies. I don't know what it is about them, but I love it. My mom still can't believe how fast I can crank out a batch, and she prefers making a cake. I don't think they are that much hassle and prefer them over cake anyday.

I tried one recipe while in Phoenix with my friend Debi. The NE Plus Ultra Cookies {basically a chocolate chip cookie}. They were tasty, but won't replace my current choc. chip cookie recipe {which by the way I just posted on my recipe blog}.

We are having a big family dinner tonight and I am trying some of these new recipes for dessert. I'm not sure how many I'll try. As Jeff put it - he may come home and have a platter of 6 different cookies on it! We'll see how the children cooperate, to see how many I get cranked out.

I'll post my favorites on my recipe blog. Keep watching for them!

Ones that have caught my eye: Chocolate Malt Sandwiches, Milk-Chocolate Cookies, Sand Tarts (these look like silver dollars and you can make them into ice cream sandwiches), Chocolate Charms, White Chocolate-Chunk Cookies, Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies. and Chocolate Pistachio Cookies {just to name a few!}.

Can you tell I like chocolate? I believe I will be needing some taste testers - Jeff can't ever keep up with my baking, and things get thrown out because I say they're stale. Any volunteers?

Cake decorating class for $20!! ($40 value)

Check out my deal on www.halfpriceutah.com! It is for the class "Easy Cake Decorating Ideas".

This is a great class for anyone that wants to make cute cakes without all the fancy supplies. Learn how to use fresh flowers, candy and even your scrapbook fetish to make fun cakes and cupcakes. If you've already taken my "basics" class, you'll LOVE this class to give you some fresh ideas!

With this class you will decorate 6 cupcakes to take home! It's a great class to take as a mother/daughter, with your sisters or girlfriends. If you have a group that is interested, I can even schedule a class just for your group! (6 people minimum)

"Like" my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawns-Cakes/182351711813225

If you want to be added to my email list, you can email me at dawnscakeclasses@hotmail.com. I send out my monthly schedule and specials.

My September classes for this deal on Half Price Utah are scheduled for Tuesday September 20th at 7 p.m., and Saturday September 17th at 9 a.m. After purchasing your deal, just email me to sign up for the class.

Let them eat Cake!

I thought this photo was so cute of our September birthday girls, Grandma Susan & Bella. It was taken at Red Robin when we went for Susan's birthday celebration. Look at that humongous cake!

Put on a pumpkin face!

We were in the Orem area last night having our Christmas photos taken, and I took advantage by stopping at Krispy Kreme. It is our closest store, and it's been almost a year and a half since I've had one.

So, as I always say, I dream about yummy food. This morning I was so excited to get up (never happens) and eat one of these cuties.The funny thing is that this morning they are featured on Cake Wrecks - I guess not everyone is fortunate enough to have ones that look as good as mine. The cake wrecks version is still in the Halloween spirit, just on the scary side.

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Today is Jeff's Birthday. We always have quite the week of celebrating, because our birthdays are 6 days apart.

If honor of our birthdays, we enjoyed a weekend getaway to Manti. My niece Shelly came to stay with the kids and we left on Friday, and came home Sunday night. It was great. A much needed break. We loved going to a small town, and having that peaceful, slow paced atmosphere. As much as I love living in/near a big city, there's nothing like a small town. We love just driving around from small town to small town, and walking down Main Street and checking out all the little shops.We stayed at the Yardley Inn & Spa, a little bed & breakfast. It was so nice, and the owners were extremely consciencious of the guest, making sure everyone was comfortable and their needs were met.
This is definitely on our list of places we must return to before too very long. It was great to have a conversation with my husband and not hear little people yelling at me for things, or wanting to interject their own conversations.
It was also nice not to have to load/unload kids everywhere we went. I didn't have to pack snacks, carry a diaper bag, push a stroller, put hairbows in little ponytails, or listen to a temper tantrum all weekend! Talk about luxury!
The other thing we loved, and the main reason we picked Manti, was to attend the Temple. I have admired the Manti Temple since I was very young. My sister Dayna had a large picture of it hanging in her room, and I've always thought it was beautiful. Now I know the inside is even more magnificent. It is a definite favorite of ours now, and we can't wait to return again.

So tonight I decided to have a little (tiny crowd) surprise birthday party for Jeff. Coming off of a weekend away, it was quite little, and not as put together as I would have liked it, but it worked out to be a fun time. It was a "sports" theme, so he had a football balloon, and a baseball balloon. I quickly made these cake pops into basketballs and baseballs. My friend picked up these baseball candles (that's what's stuck on top of the cake balls - it's a little hard to figure out why they're double decker!) that went along with the theme perfectly.
And we had a baseball pinata. All the kids took their turn. It had to be in our basement because A) It was snowing outside, B) It was freezing outside, C) Even if it wasn't snowing or freezing outside, we have no tree or deck from which we could hang it from.
And the birthday boy got to take the final swings to break it open. I think he needs to get back on a softball team, check out that form!Happy Birthday Jeff! Thanks for a fabulous weekend, a fun day, and fantastic 10+ years of being together! Love you!

Come sit for a spell

As I've explained, I love Halloween. So when Tip Junkie asked for my decorations (well, not specifically ME by name, but just the same I suppose) for "Talk to me Tuesday", I obliged. Check out many others for some fun ideas on her blog. Click here.

So here are my decorations:

I decorate this area above my stairs for each season. Eggs for Easter, hearts for Valentines, etc. I have an antique entry table that I also decorate for each holiday. Click here for the labels.
I love my big witch as my latest addition to the spooky crew.
Over my window and hooks, are my new halloween garlands.
I also love handmade gifts - Susan made this for me:

And Diana surprised me with this last year - it came with impeccable timing as well:

I fell in love with this polka dot candle at Hobby Lobby (in the girls section), and thought I could dress it up for Halloween. I cut out a piece of scrapbook paper and taped it down to a cake stand. Add a fun bow, and voila!

Happy Halloween! I've got to get back to working on costumes!

A Birthday Bash

We had a big party for the little man. It's so funny how he had no idea that it's all about him! We were joined by Grandma Susan, Aunt Jane, Uncle Aaron and thier crew, and Reed's college cousins Shelly and Katie and their friends.

There was plenty to eat and lots of streamers and balloons. I must be feeling like I need some summer, because the menu was "Arizona Orr Burgers", hot dogs, pasta salad, and fresh fruit. And it was freezing outside (thankfully it didn't snow as was forecasted).

He loved his new toys (and sipper cup!) and seemed to enjoy the party. As always, I wish I could have spent more time on the cake - but oh well!

Thanks to all that attended and the warm wishes of those that couldn't!

Farewell to Summer

To mourn the end of summer (because winter here is eminent and I will need to start taking my antidepressant soon to get through it) we had a fun Friday.

Jeff went in for a few hours in the morning, and then we went to the Rec center around noon. We had a picnic lunch, and went swimming.

I loved how the pool was so warm. It was only 82 degrees outside, and in my book, too cold for swimming.

But the kids had a ball, and unfortunately the outdoor pool closes this weekend.

After naps we went to Bella's new school for "Carnaval". It was a fundraiser for the school and had lots of inflatables, as well as games, a cake walk and a mariachi DJ (could have done without that). Reed thought this dinosaur was pretty neat. Bella's first try at a climbing wall (ever). It took Sofie quite some time (and a fearless friend) to get her to go on the inflatables. It was fun! Summer, we will miss you more than you could ever imagine!