A Whipped Icing Tip!

I would like to note that after a few quick google searches it is MUCH better to use confectioner's sugar than granulated sugar for whipped icing. It turns out MUCH better in terms of consistency and lasts longer while refrigerated. I used the 2c. heavy cream, 1/3c (and a little more for fun!) of confectioner's sugar and a little dash of vanilla extract. At this rate I NEVER want to buy canned icing AGAIN! Plus, as a perk, you can use the left over "icing" to put on top of your strawberry shortcake! Yippee!

Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling & Whipped Icing

About a week ago my cousin and I decided to make a cake for my aunt. I recall her ordering a strawberry-filled vanilla cake (with whipped cream icing) from Harper's Bakery in Hackettstown, NJ usually on her birthday.

I ended up using store bought cake (Pillsbury, of course) as I cannot recall the last time I attempted a vanilla cake from scratch if ever, unfortunately. This was also my first attempt at leveling cake to make a layer cake instead of having both cakes dome on the top. The leveling turned out well and the cake was delicious!

Unfortunately I didn't take any photos of the sliced cake nor did I have enough strawberries to cover the top of the cake. I feel that the cake would've been better with strawberries on the top as well as it seemed a bit dry to me with just the strawberries in the middle. The plus side of the strawberries & whipped icing, however, was that the bottom layer of cake tasted like a delicious strawberry shortcake!

If I could do it all again I'd use fresher strawberries, take photos of the sliced cake, make a lighter cake (from scratch) and make sure the refrigerator is working properly so I don't have to throw away half of the cake! Below are some photos. Enjoy! -Suzie

As a Starter...

As you'd likely guess by discovering this blog, I just finished watching the movie Julie & Julia. I thought the movie was cute and it has inspired me to start a log of my baking including photos and tips along the way. I have been baking since I was 9 and am still discovering things now that I didn't realize years ago but hey - learning is learning, right? Signing off on my first blog. -Suzie