God is faithful- Hair, makeup, and cake in Augusta, GA

Hey, all!

Yes, I am still here, still doing hair and makeup, and of course: baking.

I have another wedding this weekend after a long weekend of prom do's and the like last weekend. My mother is in town this week, and I am actually going to send my child with her to the zoo in Columbia today (nervous). Despite baking for a cake and cupcakes for 200 for Friday (and then assisting my darling hubs with the photography), a girl still needs to do some hair, and pack not one but TWO households for a move next week (still in Augusta, y'all).

Yes, I know that God has been very generous to me, and although I find his logic confusing at times- I am so grateful. Philippians 1:6 reads that He who started a work in us will be faithful to complete it, and I am leaning in on his promises like never before.

He is faithful!

So, here are some pictures of a wedding I did last month (hair+mu+cake). The cake was lemon with lemon curd and lemon Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

Enjoy!

Airbrush Makeup in Augusta GA

Airbrush Makeup in Augusta GA

Bird Wedding Cake in Augusta GA

Bird Wedding Cake in Augusta GA

Bird Wedding Cake in Augusta GA

Gorgeous. I think, anyhow.

All photos courtesy of Callie Murray Photography.

Love to you all! I'll be back!

Rachel Bee

The cool kids call it "SMBC:" Cake in Augusta, GA

I have been up to a lot lately, which is really nothing new except we are adding 'moving" to our repertoire this month. I am sure we have all been there, but I must say that my house is in a continual state of scramble (and will be for at least the next month).

But outside of moving, I have been baking all sorts of cakes and cupcakes for different events that I realized I haven't ever shared with you, and I suppose now is as good a time as any....

Breakfast at Tiffany's Cupcakes

I made these cuties for a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" themed breakfast at my church.

Fist Birthday Cupcakes

And I made these for a 1st birthday party. They are quite possibly the most precious cakes I have ever made.  Don't you think?

Ruffle Cake

And a ruffled smash cake to go along with them.

I also had a wedding cake, which I will show you next week.  It showed up on the right day, even (for those of you who get that reference).

For special events: events when I know that cakes might be sitting out for a while, I always choose to use Swiss Meringue Buttercream.  Sure, it is a lot of work, but its silkiness and staying-power cannot be reproduced. And the flavor: velvety smooth, and not overpowering next to a well baked cake. It pipes beautifully, and I venture to say that it almost sparkles.

Take some time to make some this week, but don't if you don't have a stand mixer. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be without one.

Refer to my very first blogpost: here for a recipe.  Enjoy, and if I don't see you again, have a lovely Easter.

Rachel Bee

Community Cupcakes; Cake in Augusta, GA

I worked on these for last week, but couldn't get them finished.  So here they are: a week late, and so very quickly as the show is about to start.

Pierce, Annie, Shirley, Chang, Abed, The Dean, Troy, Jeff, and Britta

Yes, they are a bit dorky, and outside of Pierce look nothing like their characters; but it is all I can do to say, "thanks" to whomever is responsible for bringing the show back.  My husband and I relate to so little, but we seem to fit right in at Greendale.

E Pluribus Anus


Rachel Bee

Eat... don't think! Cake in Augusta, GA

It's going to be a long week of baking and wedding hair and makeup, but I thought I would drop in to tell you about something I made last week.

Zebra Cake in Augusta, GA

Yes!  I made this cake (well, with God's help)!  Please don't mind the horrible piping; it always seems like a good idea before I start.

Despite the grandiose exterior, the real treasure of this cake is on the inside.  The young lady who ordered this cake wanted a "Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Filling." Ordinarily I would make a cream cheese frosting, but this time I decided to make a from-scratch no-bake cheesecake filling. And then I filled some cupcakes with it.

Cheesecake filling

Chocolate Cake, Whipped Ganache, and Cheesecake Filling.  Don't think about it too much, just eat.

Cheesecake filling

The tart filling is perfect in this otherwise very sweet cupcake, and there is just enough to enjoy the textural decadence, but not enough to make you regret (if you are prone to such an emotion as I am).

Cheesecake filling

To finish, top them with some crushed chocolate cookies (I had graham crackers), and they become altogether divine.

No-Bake Cheesecake Filling
2 blocks of cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t vanilla extract
juice of one lemon, freshly squeezed

Cream the cream cheese in a bowl until... well, creamy.  Beat in the sweetened condensed milk an mix until smooth, being sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl on occasion.  Add the lemon juice and vanilla extract, and mix until thoroughly incorporated.  Use as desired.

As far as a chocolate cupcake recipe, I used this one.

Enjoy, and have a really, really good day.

Rachel Bee

Hummingbird Cupcakes: Cake in Augusta, GA

Good morning!

It has been a busy couple of weeks in my home, but especially in my kitchen.  Cupcakes, cakes, my first ever cream puffs, and hair and makeup (of course) have all but saturated the landscape of my weeks lately.

I am dropping in today to share with you my very favorite cake recipe: The Hummingbird Cake.

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Pineapple Flowers

Actually, it isn't my recipe at all.  It is actually Rosie's recipe.  She is one of my biggest inspirations, to be sure.

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Pineapple Flowers

Hummingbird Cake is very reminiscent of Carrot Cake, in my opinion.  Pineapple, banana, pecans, and a touch of cinnamon combine to make this cake incredibly moist, flavorful, and fragrant.  Top with Cream Cheese frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and create a rustic and warm treat for what little is left of our winter.

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Pineapple Flowers

But of course, what makes this cupcake a showpiece are the pineapple flowers that I placed on top.  I discovered these while perusing Martha Stewart's site a year ago or more, and I decided to give them a go.  What I discovered is that I really have to like someone to feel an obligation to forge these little beauties, because a toasted pecan works fine for me.

They are a pain in the... train.

But if you are (as I am) a glutton for punishment, grab a few pineapples and slice away!  I place the flowers in muffin tins while they were still warm in order to set them in more of a floral shape.  And they actually do taste really delicious.  I must give an additional warning: you need a very sharp knife for this.  And no fresh scissor wounds on your knuckles.

Just saying.

Love to you all.

Rachel Bee

Happy Valentines Day, and I am not yelling!

Happy Valentines Day, my friends!

I hope you all have a sweetheart as kind, warm, loving, handsome, talented, thoughtful, and extra cute as mine!  If you are instead celebrating Single Awareness Day, please enjoy it!  Don't think of what you would be doing if you were married or dating, but instead think of all the things you can do because you are single!

So many exclamation points!  I am not yelling!

Ah-hem... I know I promised a post more thought out than yesterday's, but truly: this is not that post. I baked three cakes last night, and I need to frost and deliver them this morning.  I frantically dipped these early in the evening, and then I cut the creative process short.  No fancy plate, no ribbon, no explanatory set-up; just cake balls.

Strawberry Champagne Cake Balls

Strawberry Champagne Cake Balls, to be specific.

Strawberry Champagne Cake Balls

And photographic evidence that I am no good at dipping cake balls.

Strawberry Champagne Cake Balls

But this is true: they taste delicious.

Strawberry Champagne Cake Balls

 
And if I told you my 3 1/2 year-old dipped them, you'd think they were perfect.

I would give you a recipe, but I think I am going to save it for when I make the Strawberry Champagne  Cake again.  It was a spectacular cake, to be sure.

Enjoy your day!  God gave you hands to make beautiful things.

Rachel Bee

I'll never be a hand model...

Tomorrow I will have a more serious V-day post, but today I give you...

... evidence that I will never be a hand model.  And a Valentines "Dump-Cake."

I can't really give you a recipe for these, as I made them from leftover chocolate cupcakes, leftover chocolate and coffee frosting (I mixed them together), then I coated them in Girl Scout cookie crumbs that were still in my freezer from last year, and finally filled them with leftover whipped cream from making ganache. I threw it all together and came up with a Valentines Day post, aka Dump-Cakes!

What are you making this Valentine's Day?  I am making quite a few cakes this week, but tomorrow I am making something very sweet for my sweetheart.  It is quite a bit more intentional, and completely devoid of pink hearts.  OK.  Maybe one pink heart.

Have a lovely day, and I'll see you back here tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

Rachel Bee