Healthy Treats for my Sweets

I spend a majority of my time in the kitchen baking and my kids spend a majority of their time back and forth watching. Which then leads into ...Mom, can I taste the icing? We like to call it "Quality Control". After all kid's are very honest in their answers, so why not let them taste and tell me if it is good or not.

It's times like these I start to feel a little guilty. Some days when asked.."What did you have for lunch?" the response is "a piece of cake." So ....I have started to incorporate vegetables and fruits into their sweet treats.
Does it make me feel 100% good? No! Just a little less guilty. One recipe that I came across that I would love to share are called "BABY CAKES. My children loved them and have asked for them everyday. They are more like a muffin than a cake. (I have shared this on Facebook so bare with me if you are seeing this AGAIN!!!) Also, making these at home for your kids means you are also getting rid of all of the preservatives and dyes. If you can't pronounce it don't eat it.

2 1/4 cup of all purpose flour                                   
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks ) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/4 cup of honey
1 jar (4 oz.) pumpkins with pears baby food
2 jars (4 oz.) applesuace and apricots baby food.
2 tsps ground cinnamon
1/4 cup of pecans(optional)

1.) heat oven to 350. Line 2 mini muffin pans with paper liners. ( i spray mine with a non-stick cooking spray)

2.) In a bowl mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda-set aside
3.) Beat eggs, butter, sugars, and honey in a large bowl on medium speed until well combined
add baby food and cinnamon: beat until smooth. Fold in pecans. Slowly add flour mixture using a sifter mix until well combined.
4.) Fill paper liners 3/4 of way. Bake at 350 for about 12 min(check it might take longer depending upon oven) Take out and cool.

I substituted the baby food flavors with 1-4 oz. jar of mixed vegetable, 1-4oz. jar of sweet potato and pear, and 1-oz. jar of apricot fruit medley.

They are moist and delicious! Enjoy

Making Cakes and Raising Kid's

So much on my mind this morning. As most of you know I am trying to build a cake business. I have been cake decorating for 12 years and in 2007 when I had my 2nd child I had the opportunity to stay home. The 1st year was a year that just about any mom experiences with a baby and a 3 year old "NO SLEEP"!!! Then after I decided to start making cakes out of my home. A cake here and a cake there. I am now overwhelmed!!!!! But, a very greatful overwhelming feeling. My dilema is balancing my 2 children and working out of my home. There is a lot of guilt and many days where the children's video's are my and their best friends. I know many mom's would  not agree with that...but, what do you do???? There are time's when the days are theirs and cake baking comes at 9 pm. after they go to bed .  Or I am up at 6 putting a cake in the oven. I will admit by that time I am exhausted and not a fun person to be around.(ask my husband of 10 years). My 7 year old actually asked me if I ever sleep??? My response was ..."Why do you ask?" (I will call her Bean) Bean responds with.."because when I go to bed you are awake and when I wake up you are already awake."

They get really upset when I am baking and decorating cakes. Little do they understand this is for them. My husband never get's asked the question "Why do  you have to work all of the time?" HMMMM???  Love them both more than anything in this world. Just trying to walk a tight rope  hoping to  maintain balance in this world of parenting! Happy Friday!!

cakemom: The Beginning

cakemom: The Beginning: "I am very new to this blogging experience. So bare with me and my posts. I am a 34 year old stay at home mom/cake designer. I graduated fro..."

The Beginning

I am very new to this blogging experience. So bare with me and my posts. I am a 34 year old  stay at home mom/cake designer. I graduated from high school over 16 years ago, and didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. There are very few of us who know what we want to do right after high school, and are told we are supposed to go to college for at least 4 years, graduate, and have a wonderful salary paying job. Doesn't always work that way and it's okay!!! I thought I wanted to be a nurse, got started and decided it wasn't for me. (Little did I know I would eventually become a nurse, doctor, teacher, chef, counselor, and many  others-not through documented degrees, but life experiences...story for another time).

I decided I wanted to go to Culinary School and become a chef, only to find out my passion was actually the dessert part of the culinary world. While learning everything there is to know about meat, seafood, poultry, soups, stocks , and sauces , I could only daydream about pastries. After graduating in 1999 with my culinary degree I decided to work in a hotel in the Pastry Dept. I learned so much in the time  that I was there and the hours were grueling. Sometimes 16 hour days, nights, weekends, and holidays. After 3 years I was completely exhausteed and needed a change. I then decided to hit the bakery scene. This is where I found my true love...cake decorating. I think I shocked myself with an artistic ability I never knew I had. So, this is where my story begins about a life full of motherly duties and cake decorating/designing.  Until next time.