Saturday 22 December 2012

The Icing on the Christmas Cake

Hello Lovelies, 
just a quick post this evening to share our cake decorating efforts. And boy it was an effort. I had rather grand plans for this cake. Holly leaves with lots of red berries etc. But it turns out cake decorating is very tricksy. 
The natural food colouring  I bought did not give strong colours when mixed with royal icing, and I had to abandon the red altogether ( it turned out a strange dirty pink ....yuck) .
So this is plan B. Green hearts and white Doves. Middle son was a very calming assistant when things were getting stressy .............



At least these plastic fellows are user friendly. They are Mums from my childhood. Poor Robin has just about lost his red breast........


It's far from perfect and I really hope the cake is yummy........think it got a bit over baked , but hopefully the brandy I've been adding over the last month will have helped :0)

Phew after all that I needed a strong cup of tea and a (bought) mince pie.......


Hope your preparations are going to plan.
Jacquie x

21 comments:

  1. It looks lovely! Have a very Merry Christmas, and thank you for all your beautifully inspiring posts! xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks very lovely, and I must admit, I have some canister envy. I see beautiful canisters for sugar, coffee, peeking at the top of the pictures. Wherever did you find those, they are quite lovely. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey! Just wanted to let you know that I made your "sail away" decoration for a holiday gift. Thanks for putting up the tutorial. It was fun to make--especially the sun. You are really talented to pull all of this together. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi jacquie - I have been finding icing colouring leaves a nasty bitter taste these days. I think its probably because its all gone natural!! The green looks very pretty and I love re-using decorations each year. They hold such lovely memories. I make the same recipe my Nanny made since the mid fifties and every time it makes me feel cosy and happy. Lily. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. It looks lovely. I finished icing mine about an hour ago, but I couldn't get the icing smooth like yours so I did a 'snow storm', after all we are in the alps! I also put a father christmas and tree on mine. couldn't get a decent picture, will try tomorrow in the day light.
    Joyeux Noel!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your cake looks perfect, and I love the white doves on the hearts. Re-using Christmas decorations brings back so many happy memories.
    Thank you for your inspirational blog, and your brilliant tutorials.
    To you and your Family, have a wonderful Christmas.
    irene
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think it looks great!!

    I was eyeballing the flowered canisters? in the back?? When I love the vintage plates, bowls etc. When they are broke I turn them into mosaic tiles.

    Brandy??? I use brandy in my fruit cakes. Do you want to share your recipe?

    Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Delightful picture! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
    Groeten, Corry en Heleen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aww I love it. We gave up on Christmas cake a few years ago when mum realised no one actually ate it. But I really fancy icing a 'christmas' cake. Maybe I'll just sneak a vanilla sponge under all that icing ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks beautifully vintagey! By the time people have a hot cuppa in hand the cake won't seem at all dry or overdone, I'm sure it will be much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A lovely cake, hearts with everything for me and the doves are just - well the icing on the cake! Enjoy every mouthful of that cake, it's baked with love and that is the most important ingredient for a special Christmas! Elaine x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your cake is gorgeous and thank goodness for middle sons. I don't have any myself but they sound wonderful. :)
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. well done Jacquie, your cake is lovely. I also still have a couple of robins from the same era! they are treasures indeed. Your house looks lovely, good luck tomorrow evening, it's sounds fun, very brave. Heather x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your cake looks lovely...I'm sure it will be delish :) Wishing you and your family the Happiest of Holidays!
    Smiles, DianeM

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ooh it's lovely Jacquie ... and you've reminded me that I have those storage cannisters stashed away for when I do the long awaited makeover on my kitchen!

    Your home looks very warm and welcoming, and love that you are using your Mum's decorations ... that to me is what Christmas is all about ... mixing the old and the new and it all blending together ...

    Have a fabulous Christmas, and looking forward to catching up soon!

    Claire xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your cake looks lovely. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I take my hat off to you Jacquie for making a Christmas cake, I'm sure it will be delicious and I love the green hearts and white doves, they are unusual which makes them more special I think :o) here's wishing you and your family a very blessed and peaceful Christmas, I look forward to seeing all your clever ideas in 2013. xox Penelope
    ps. Love your Erica Knight doily, I discovered the art of steam ironing a little while ago and it's so much better than the hassle of blockingx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful cake! Looks yumm to me)
    Merry Christmas! Anna

    ReplyDelete
  19. It looks pretty good to me! My Christmas cake was not a total success - my first attempt at royal icing didn't exactly go to plan...but yours looks beautifully festive. x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ola Jacquie, muita paz!
    Desejo a voce e toda sua familia um feliz Natal!!
    Que o amor de jesus abençoe a todos. Beijosss no coração!!

    ReplyDelete

I always love to hear from you , thank you for taking the time to leave a message.