In the enchanted world of cake-baking, I found myself on a grand quest: the creation of a masterpiece for a momentous occasion—no less than a wedding cake. This noble task was bestowed upon me by a friend from my university days, whose sister was about to get married. Having seen my cake creations on social media, the family, with unwavering trust, appointed me as the Baker.
The challenge was monumental, as the couple had arranged not one but two ceremonies, demanding a cake that could stand as a sweet testament to love on two separate occasions. Armed with enthusiasm and a hint of trepidation, I commenced my preparations, presenting the bride-to-be with taster cakes. I have a feeling she was just as nervous as I was but she put her trust in me and so I got the gig. I danced in the kitchen like I had won lottery.
The first cake - I had never baked a tiered cake before, let alone a wedding cake. I was both nervous and excited, this was my chance to prove that I am a baker. My friend talked me through what I needed to buy and Amazon was my go-to for all the kit. Baking was easy, the days of All you have to do is whisk were behind me and I could bake with my eyes closed. But then came the decorating, despite my best efforts, each attempt to smooth out the buttercream resulted in frustrating smudges. Â I almost cried. How could I tell the bride that I could not make the cake. My friend came down to help and we decided do what I can only define as (what we could). It was 1 am and I needed to sleep because I had a 60-mile drive to deliver it.
As I laid in bed, sleep eluded me. The image of the bride in tears haunted my thoughts. That's when I turned to YouTube, seeking guidance from the masters.
Cake Tips – When it is too hot, you put your cake in the freezer for approximately thirty minutes to allow the buttercream to cool, once you take it out, dip you scrapper in warm water and smooth the buttercream out. To transport your cake on a hot day, use an insulated box and it also helps to flash freeze it so it’s more stable. Just make sure you do not do it for too long because your cake might sweat.
Anyway, I worked until 5 am, my cake was a delightful triumph, boasted fluffy layers and perfectly frosted elegance, filling me with a sense of culinary invincibility as I ventured into the realm of the impending sequel. At the venue, the chef approached, inquiring if I was the baker. For a moment, I hesitated, then proudly embraced the title I had earned, even if I was still at the entry level. Behold, my first-ever wedding cake - a delightful triumph and a personal milestone. Take a look at my first ever wedding cake, beautiful and pink :-)Â
The second cake - Ah, remember I said the couple had arranged two ceremonies. I had done this before and I was so sure of myself. They say overconfidence is not really good for anyone but who actually remembers those words when they are in triumph. It was a creation of finesse, meticulously baked and adorned with perfection. At this point I was convinced that I could conquer the wedding cake world with ease. Alas, fate, in the guise of July weather, had different plans. The cake, an unsuspecting victim of a sweltering 50-mile journey in my old car, met its untimely demise as I arrived at the venue.
The wedding hall, akin to a sauna, proved a merciless adversary for my confectionery creation. Within moments, I witnessed the once-proud cake succumb, collapsing like molten lava, and a sinking feeling enveloped me as my hard work crumbled before my eyes. In a desperate bid to salvage the unsalvageable, we sought refuge in the freezer, only to realize that reality had scripted a different fate for this ill-fated cake.
In the midst of my cake-induced crisis, the bride's brothers, armed with sympathetic smiles, approached. They understood the battleground—the room's sweltering conditions had proven too much for the delicate layers and intricate frosting. Their consoling words, a bittersweet melody in the face of defeat, offered solace amid the culinary chaos.
As I embarked on the journey back home, solace found its way into my heart through prayer. Beseeching the cake gods for divine intervention, I hoped against hope that the bride, wrapped in her bridal bliss, would overlook the melted masterpiece or, at the very least, refrain from launching a fit of frosting-fuelled fury.
To my immense surprise and relief, the bride emerged as the epitome of grace. Her sincere thanks acted as a soothing balm to my cake-wounded ego. The lesson learned that day was profound—the room's temperature could be a formidable foe even for the most skilled bakers. Though my cake may not have stood tall, my career emerged unscathed from the meltdown, and the gracious bride imparted a sweet wisdom—that sometimes, the sweetest successes arise from the most unexpected mishaps.
Find what you love and let it free you. VeeNess
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