How would you like to attend the New York Cake Convention thanks to the wonderful people at the U.S. Confection Connection? That’s right, I read it correctly, but sadly a contest I am not eligible for because I don’t stay in the US or Canada.
Still, anything with cake decoration, especially a theme based one gets me thinking, and a few mails exchanged with Ivonne where she said… “I really hope you take part, Deeba! Even though it’s for US/Canada residents, we are offering a prize to a participant outside of North America. It’s a cookbook but still … we hope you take part!” … andI continued to dream!
Heck, The Daring Kitchen, in conjunction with the U.S. Confection Connection, is offering one lucky person the chance to attend the New York Cake Convention from January 2 to January 5 on an all-expenses paid trip. You’ve still got time to submit your creation by midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on November 9th. All you Daring Baker kind of people who qualify… go for it!
Cake decorating is a passionate hobby for me. I don’t get it professionally perfect, as I have no professional training, and lack the tools & basic ingredients like whipping cream etc, but I manage to some extent. A comment by Manggy on twitter a while ago on this Chocolate & Strawberry Mascarpone Cake for Pink October, made me do a jig of joy. He said something to the effect of it being my signature style, and then it dawned on me. He was right , (like he always is…LOL)!COOL! I’ve actually developed a signature style over the years without realizing it!
So when I saw the shout out for the competition on Daring Kitchen and Ivonnes blog, Cream Puffs in Venice, I knew what I wanted to do. Even better that the contest was theme based; so much easier to focus. My thought … a fat less sponge with a butter/clarified butter/cream frosting & my signature piping on top. Turned out to be a bit of an uphill drive as piping the buttercream wasn’t as smooth as I wanted, so I had to scrape it off & begin all over again. I finally smoothened the cake out with a light whipped cream cover, left it to set & then piped swirls free-hand.
Mr PAB was kind enough to film it as I had promised Happy Cook I would definitely take a video the next time I attempted the piping. I promised her a lesson in piping, but distances being what they are, this seemed a better idea. I recycle milk bags we get here for piping designs etc. Pardon my green nails but I hastily abandoned making marzipan leaves to get this filmed. My first video…
Simplistic cake decorating is my passion, and I enjoyed doing this. A contest asking you to decorate a cake to represent what the Autumn means to you…Starting with a 9-inch cake as your base, create a visual representation of one of the most colourful, beautiful seasons: Autumn.
Your cake can be homemade or store-bought, but you MUST start with a completely undecorated cake. It can also be a single layer cake or a multi-layer cake, that’s up to you!You can use any medium to decorate your cake (i.e., buttercream, fondant, sugarcraft), however, it must all be edible (no non-edible decorations) and it must all be made by YOU!!! This is my cake on Autumn … a beautiful season, when the leaves beginning to turn beautiful colours, where brightly coloured pumpkins stand out in contrast to pale leaves. Colours that weave dreamy designs, each complimenting the other. My inspiration … Colours of Autumn & Pumpkins. My cake … Cinnamon Buttercream Autumn Cake, with pumpkins made out of home made marzipan!
Topping 200ml low fat cream 1-2 tbsps powdered sugar food colours as required Marzipan for pumpkin patch Home made/from scratch recipe here Method: For the sponge Preheat oven to 190C , reduce to 180C after 10mins of putting the cake in. Grease and line a 9″ spring form cake tin. Sift the flour + baking powder + salt + cornflour + cinnamon powder 3 times. Beat the eggs and sugar well with beater till very thick ribbon falls and holds in place for at least 5 seconds (beat for approx 10mins). Add vanilla extract and beat for 1 min. Gently fold in the sifted flour; mix lightly so that air doesn’t escape. Turn gently into tin and bake for 30-35 mins till done. Once done, remove from tin after 5 mins and leave on rack to cool completely. Cut horizontally into 3 layers. (Mark side with colour to make it easy to stack back later)
Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting/Filling Whip all ingredients until thick and frosting holds peaks. Sandwich & frost cake with cinnamon buttercream. Leave to set in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Topping: Whip the low fat cream & sugar till holds peaks. Colour as desired. Reserve about 2-3 tbsps in a baggie, and lightly frost the cake to give a smooth finish. Garnish with marzipan pumpkins & leaves. Chill well before serving.
♥ Thank you for stopping by ♥
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Just got a mail from the lovely ladies of the Daring Kitchen…
Hi Deeba!!!
Guess what … you’re our winner of the copy of Roland Mesnier’s Basic to Beautiful Cakes! While we’re sorry your entry couldn’t count towards the trip to NYC, your creation was so beautiful you were the hands-down winner among our non-North American entries. Congratulations! Send us your address and we’ll send you a copy of the book!
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
Deeba, this is absolutely gorgeous! Such a shame that you are not eligible to compete. You make it look so easy. And yet I know it takes a steady hand to do what you do.
Deeba, if u didn't tell me that, I wouldn't have known that you have no training on it. Thot u are a professional. 🙂 Your cake looks smashing. Hope you win that trip.
Now I'm even more impressed with your skills after watching how quickly you designed that beautiful cake! You cakes do have a simple elegance, but also a wonderful sophistication! Bravo!
Dear Deeba Im mute!!! absolutely and is so difficult je,je!! I have seen your cake and Im in love!! absolutely, look delicious tasty, nice, delicious and etc. the pictures georgeous, huggsss!! tres belle! gloria
Deeba, this is truly a work of art! All of your cakes are, they are simply gorgeous. I think you should enter, even if it is just for a cookbook, you are sure to win!
Beautiful Deeba! absolutely so…I love the muted green (my fave colour) n the design is simplicity and sophistication in one…I mite just steal the design one day….so lovely…tq 4 sharing :))
It's too bad that you can't win the grand prize but I hope you win the book because you did an amazing job!! The cake is not only beautiful but I do love the sound of that cinnamon buttercream.
Simply beautiful. Your creations make me want to run into the kitchen and start baking. I'll see something (like the last pie) that I want to make for Thanksgiving, then you come up with something else I want to make. What's a girl to bake? 🙂 Why cant veggies do that to me???
Oh Deeba, I am trying to figure out a way to be able to come and spend a week or two with you in Deeba's Magic Kitchen so I can learn how to do this! It is gorgeous and I was stunned watching the great video (BTW love the sanding/hammering side effects 🙂 at how easy you make it look! I so need to try this too, though I'll definitely need a template. And now I want the video on how to make those fantastically gorgeous marzipan pumkins! Please??? Deeba, your cake is fabulous! And I love the flavors, too, most definitely Autumn. You deserve to win!
I am always in complete awe of your beautiful creations! This truly took my breath away – I adore the little marzipan pumpkins and the piping is so elegant. Just gorgeous!
I do love all your gorgeous cake decorations. You certainly do have a signature style. How great is that? I am just terrible with such detail. It's something I certainly need to improve. You have inspired me!
I am so late in comming here this time, was really busy yesterday. Thankyou so much for making the video, i always wanted to make a beautifully decorated cake like this, but me and cake deco don't go well. Wish my hand moved so fast in making decoration like this. My hubby loves sponge cake with vream ( ofcourse i have never made one) I will sure try to make one during the christmas holidays so we all can enjoy them. And a big thnakyou and hegs to you for all the work.
Deba, this looks fantastic;the last time I did free hand piping was probably years ago. Makes me want to decorate cakes too, which I do not do too much nowadays. Very beautifully done, Deeba.
Hi Deba, when I saw the picture on Tastespotting I knew it was your cake because of the signature piping. Yes, you certainly have developed a style of your own of time. And it is such a beautiful cake as well.
this is a beautiful cake! and yes it would be wonderful if you could've attended the convention. you show em yea! 🙂 oh well but at least there'll still be cake on the blog for me to ogle at. i love the cake top. the way you've decorated it reminds me of henna 🙂
Gorgeous Deeba – I was mesmerized watching that video. Although I don't know how you can work with all that noise in the background – I'd go insane. I need absolute silence when baking or taking shots =)
Wonderful and really amazing.This shows your talent and the effort you made to prepare this.Absolutely stunning as usual and always you are an inspiration.Good presentation in video and i really loved and enjoyed it.Thanks for sharing.
your cake looks like an art piece…sooo perfect…and u even don't have access to all the fancy cake decoration stuff easily. OMG I wish if i could only do 10% of that cake dec. i'll be happy for myself….looks so yummyyyy.
Deeba, I simply adore u….U always leave me speechless with ur AMAZING creations and cake decorating!The cake looks fabulous and too good…..Thx for the info on the LONDON blogger meet…..Wish i cud join…..eventhough far from london! By the way, ur pics are too good too…!!! Keep up ur great work…..U r really inspiring…. Hugs, shab..
I make my marzipan with confectioner's sugar and almond powder at a 1:1 ratio and add Amaretto until I achieve the right consistency. My friend tells me it tastes just like Italian marizpan. 😉
Amazing speed at piping ( I used the plastic bags as well! Eqpts. missing, untrained..yet so magnificient!!) Deeba I WISH you win , u deserve every bit of it! Congrats on ur first video n tks for sharing it as well! With ur Birthday around the corner, hope it will be GRANDEST!!!!!!!!
RT @VINDEE 😀 Deeba, CONGRATS on the truly deserving win! Njoi ur new book whenever it reaches you! Tks to Daring Kitchen ladies to hv showered true appreciation for your perseverance! HUGS!
Wow Deeba!! Your creations are always a masterpiece. This one I must say is "the master of all". The colours, the design and everything is so perfect! Hearty Congrats on winning the book! Best Wishes always ~ Sunita
This post gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very awesome one and gives indepth information. kudos for this awesome blog post! Respectfully, Era.
73 Comments
Vivian
Deeba, this is absolutely gorgeous! Such a shame that you are not eligible to compete. You make it look so easy. And yet I know it takes a steady hand to do what you do.
Steph
Deeba, I love your style, not just for cake decorating, but with all your desserts. They're always sophisticated without being overdone.
You make the piping look so easy, but I wouldn't know where to start. Thanks for the vid!
The Cooking Ninja
Deeba, if u didn't tell me that, I wouldn't have known that you have no training on it. Thot u are a professional. 🙂 Your cake looks smashing. Hope you win that trip.
Barbara Bakes
Now I'm even more impressed with your skills after watching how quickly you designed that beautiful cake! You cakes do have a simple elegance, but also a wonderful sophistication! Bravo!
Snooky doodle
wow what a nice cake. delicious. i m sure you ll win .
Tracy @ Sugarcrafter
Gorgeous cake!!
Gloria
Dear Deeba Im mute!!! absolutely and is so difficult je,je!! I have seen your cake and Im in love!! absolutely, look delicious tasty, nice, delicious and etc. the pictures georgeous, huggsss!! tres belle! gloria
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Beautiful post as always and I really enjoyed the vid.
Asha @ FSK
Gorgeous cake!! and the swirls are indeed your signature style! :))
meeso
Wow, it looks so elegant! It's beautiful!
Ramya Kiran
Lovely looking cake. loved the color, design and your clicks. Perfect!
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Wow, you are so talented! That cake is magnificent and I love the beautiful decorations!
Cheers,
Rosa
Susan @ SGCC
Your cake is just gorgeous, Deeba! It is very clear that you are really passionate about this. It shows in every one of your luscious creations!
Amanda
Deeba, this is truly a work of art! All of your cakes are, they are simply gorgeous. I think you should enter, even if it is just for a cookbook, you are sure to win!
zurin
Beautiful Deeba! absolutely so…I love the muted green (my fave colour) n the design is simplicity and sophistication in one…I mite just steal the design one day….so lovely…tq 4 sharing :))
Namratha
Simple and elegant, very nicely done Deeba! I wish you were in the US, definitely competition worthy 😉
The Cooking Photographer
Deeba. I cannot eat this cake. It is so pretty that it should be on display at an art gallery!
I wish you could enter the contest. You would win hands down.
Laura
alice
I love your whimsical piping and your marzipan pieces. Well done!
Federica
questa torta è uno spettacolo!! complimenti!!
Alicia (The Red Deer)
The cake looks fantastic – I love the swirl pattern. I just don't think my hand would be steady enough for it.
Trissa
It's too bad that you can't win the grand prize but I hope you win the book because you did an amazing job!! The cake is not only beautiful but I do love the sound of that cinnamon buttercream.
Megan
Simply beautiful. Your creations make me want to run into the kitchen and start baking. I'll see something (like the last pie) that I want to make for Thanksgiving, then you come up with something else I want to make. What's a girl to bake? 🙂
Why cant veggies do that to me???
Jamie
Oh Deeba, I am trying to figure out a way to be able to come and spend a week or two with you in Deeba's Magic Kitchen so I can learn how to do this! It is gorgeous and I was stunned watching the great video (BTW love the sanding/hammering side effects 🙂 at how easy you make it look! I so need to try this too, though I'll definitely need a template. And now I want the video on how to make those fantastically gorgeous marzipan pumkins! Please??? Deeba, your cake is fabulous! And I love the flavors, too, most definitely Autumn. You deserve to win!
Bethie
Oh Deeba, your cake is so lovely. Feel free to enter it into the contest, just use my name!
Beth
Tangled Noodle
I am always in complete awe of your beautiful creations! This truly took my breath away – I adore the little marzipan pumpkins and the piping is so elegant. Just gorgeous!
Bombay-Bruxelles
Deeba, Great first video! Loved it – and the cake is so beautiful!
Helene
This is gorgeous. That would be so nice if you could participate. I love your video. You did an amazing job.
Your friend Hélène.
lorenabr
This is so great. You have a wonderful cake amazing. It´s pure gourmet art.
lisaiscooking
Such a pretty cake, and I loved seeing your technique on the video! The cinnamon cake sounds delicious too.
Cucinista
Wow! What a great recipe and what cute pumpkins. Welcome Autumn!
Mimi
As always you are an inspiration. Your cake is gorgeous. I loved the video. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Mimi
Johanna
wow that cake is beautiful – I would give it a prize – I especially love your pumpkins – so gorgeous
Julia @Mélanger
I do love all your gorgeous cake decorations. You certainly do have a signature style. How great is that? I am just terrible with such detail. It's something I certainly need to improve. You have inspired me!
Nachiketa
WOW!!!!!
That's Deeba written all over the cake n post…..
Fabulous stuff……
It took you just 3 minutes to decorate it… would have taken me 300….. along with a stencil… LOL….
Great going… 🙂
Happy cook
I am so late in comming here this time, was really busy yesterday.
Thankyou so much for making the video, i always wanted to make a beautifully decorated cake like this, but me and cake deco don't go well.
Wish my hand moved so fast in making decoration like this.
My hubby loves sponge cake with vream ( ofcourse i have never made one)
I will sure try to make one during the christmas holidays so we all can enjoy them.
And a big thnakyou and hegs to you for all the work.
sunita
Deba, this looks fantastic;the last time I did free hand piping was probably years ago. Makes me want to decorate cakes too, which I do not do too much nowadays. Very beautifully done, Deeba.
Jo
Hi Deba, when I saw the picture on Tastespotting I knew it was your cake because of the signature piping. Yes, you certainly have developed a style of your own of time. And it is such a beautiful cake as well.
shaz
Absolutely stunning as usual Deeba! You have such precision in handling the piping bag – hats off to you!
Cristie
Stunning, just beautiful. So glad to have found your blog.
diva
this is a beautiful cake! and yes it would be wonderful if you could've attended the convention. you show em yea! 🙂 oh well but at least there'll still be cake on the blog for me to ogle at. i love the cake top. the way you've decorated it reminds me of henna 🙂
Mowie @ Mowielicious
Gorgeous Deeba – I was mesmerized watching that video. Although I don't know how you can work with all that noise in the background – I'd go insane. I need absolute silence when baking or taking shots =)
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos.
Dragana
Lovely cake, Deeba! I love the video – you make it look super easy! I hope you win the cookbook.
sandhya
Gorgeous cake deeba….u make it look so easy…
giz
The contest should really do itself justice and extend the borders – I mean isn't baking really without borders???
Vrunda
Deeba, it's a beautiful creation. You are very talented. I hope it will fulfil your wish.
Sophie
What a fabulous & georgous looking master piece!!
My grandmother was also a master in making fabulous cakes like this!!
Congrats!! The full filled cake looks stunning!!
Sophie
What a fabulous & georgous looking master piece!!
My grandmother was also a master in making fabulous cakes like this!!
Congrats!! The full filled cake looks stunning!!
cookeaze
Wonderful and really amazing.This shows your talent and the effort you made to prepare this.Absolutely stunning as usual and always you are an inspiration.Good presentation in video and i really loved and enjoyed it.Thanks for sharing.
Gera @ SweetsFoods
An exquisite cake with gorgeous contrast in colors and the decoration is superb!!
You're a sweet master 🙂
Cheers!
Gera
Soma
So Classy and Elegant! You make it look so easy, but I would be struggling with just filling in the cream in the bag. I am speechless Deeba.
Spice
your cake looks like an art piece…sooo perfect…and u even don't have access to all the fancy cake decoration stuff easily. OMG I wish if i could only do 10% of that cake dec. i'll be happy for myself….looks so yummyyyy.
Peggy Bourjaily
Oh! I hope you win that cookbook!! Those pumpkins are darling.
Lauren
Stunning Deeba. Simply gorgeous! Good luck winning the cookbook =D.
Nags
the pumpkins are adorable Deeba. Lovely!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
Deeba, this is as always stunning! I love the swirl detail, the kind of thing I am too nervous to do so I really applaud your cake! 🙂
Arwen from Hoglet K
Your pumpkins are gorgeous! Congratulations on your first video. Good job recycling the milk bags – it's a clever idea.
Shabs..
Deeba, I simply adore u….U always leave me speechless with ur AMAZING creations and cake decorating!The cake looks fabulous and too good…..Thx for the info on the LONDON blogger meet…..Wish i cud join…..eventhough far from london!
By the way, ur pics are too good too…!!!
Keep up ur great work…..U r really inspiring….
Hugs,
shab..
Murasaki Shikibu
Beautiful stuff, Deeba. 🙂
I make my marzipan with confectioner's sugar and almond powder at a 1:1 ratio and add Amaretto until I achieve the right consistency. My friend tells me it tastes just like Italian marizpan. 😉
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
BEAUTIFUL and elegant cake, Deeba!!
Purnima
Amazing speed at piping ( I used the plastic bags as well! Eqpts. missing, untrained..yet so magnificient!!)
Deeba I WISH you win , u deserve every bit of it! Congrats on ur first video n tks for sharing it as well! With ur Birthday around the corner, hope it will be GRANDEST!!!!!!!!
Bren
this is so gorgeous and i love the simplicity in ingredients. it's wonderful. would make a nice top wedding cake! *wink*
The Purple Foodie
YAY Deeba! Congratulations on your first video! You pipe with so much ease! I'd take 10x the time you took…
Michelle
OH Vindee, what a gorgeous cake! Absolutely love the design and so perfect for this time of year too!
AManda
YOu did so beautifully… I am sorry you didnt qualify, you should win it all! 🙂
Thanks for the video… I was so thankful to watch it, I have wanting to try that technique forever!
Blessings!
Amanda
Purnima
RT @VINDEE 😀 Deeba, CONGRATS on the truly deserving win! Njoi ur new book whenever it reaches you! Tks to Daring Kitchen ladies to hv showered true appreciation for your perseverance! HUGS!
Sunita
Wow Deeba!! Your creations are always a masterpiece. This one I must say is "the master of all". The colours, the design and everything is so perfect!
Hearty Congrats on winning the book! Best Wishes always ~ Sunita
Jeanne
Only somebody who is TRULY passionate abotu baking could create that – I would never have the patience, or the flair. Stunning!
Arlette
Hello Deeba
I cannot stop from shouting a big WOOOOWWWWWWWWWWw… Its Gorgeous a true master-piece… I love the frosting and flavours….a true artist ….
Congratulation my friend.
telecommande xbox 360
The frosting and looks of the cake makes me go yum yum! Indeed a fantastic cake! The pattern and decoration makes it look adorable.
nutties420
Hi Deba,
Thank you for this lovely post. Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday and am planning to try this cake. Hope i get an end result like you have.
Era
This post gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very awesome one and gives indepth information. kudos for this awesome blog post! Respectfully, Era.
achat macbook
Woh I love your blog posts, saved to fav! .
Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden
So pretty!