A little under 8 years ago, I took a cake decorating class. It was my first foray into domestication after my first child was born. I was determined that as the perfect mom I was sure to be, all of my kids’ cakes would be extra special and decorated by me. Well, to do that, I needed to take a cake decorating class, of course!
Armed with just about every tip and tool and gadget you need to decorate a cake (because, you know… if you are going to pick up a hobby, you must own everything there is to own in association with it, right?) I went to my first class. The class was taught by a lady named Millie. Millie seemed 800 years old and had been decorating wedding cakes and party cakes professionally for 50 years. She was about as sweet as they come.
Cake decorating did not come easy for me. I even struggled with just getting the base frosting on the cake without getting crumbs in the frosting. Millie taught me well though, and I kept plugging through the class, bringing home cakes I wasn’t totally embarrassed to show everyone. Then, the final two classes came about and we set out to learn how to make roses and flowers. Patiently, Millie helped me, guiding me with each stroke of my tip… and with each completed flower, I looked down and would see a head of cabbage. Not a rose, not a flower… a giant head of cabbage. For the life of me, I could NOT master creating frosting flowers. I tried, Millie tried with me, and it just wasn’t happening. The things I were creating could barely even pass as a head of cabbage if I wanted to make some kind of produce related theme cake (and there is such a thing, if you were wondering)!
My cake decorating skills have not improved, at all. I can bake the cake, I can most certainly eat the cake, but I can not decorate the cake past slapping some frosting on and adding sprinkles. My kids don’t seem to mind. Thank goodness I’ve raised them to have low expectations of their mom 😉
Jacob’s 8th birthday was this past week and he asked for wedding cake cupcakes (aka the kind of cake we eat at weddings…white with white frosting). I gladly obliged, pulling out Millie’s recipe which is the best I’ve had. It does use a boxed cake mix but trust me on this one… you will be hard pressed to find a white cake with a better flavor or crumb.
Oh – and the picture above of the wrecked cupcake? You can find the back story on that on my Flickr page!
Millie’s White Wedding Cake
- 2 (18 ounce) boxes white cake mix (Betty Crocker or Pillsbury)
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 2/3 cups water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons real vanilla
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 2 cups sour cream
- 8 large egg whites
Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes, until fully incorporated.
Pour into greased and floured cake pans or cupcake liners, filling each slightly over half full.
Lightly tap cake pans on counter to bring air bubbles to top.
Bake in preheated 325° F oven until cake tests done.
Baking time varies according to the size and depth of pans being used.
(For cupcakes, I bake at 325 for approximately 18 minutes… test with a toothpick to make sure though!)
I used this recipe on Recipezaar for the frosting – yum!
I never took a class… want to, but I fear that I’m decorating challenged it might not improve in spite of a skilled teacher! Sprinkles and other goodies seem to please my boys as well… works for me!
.-= patsy´s last blog ..10 in ’10 – Week 2 =-.
I’m gonna make this one! Sounds fabulicious!
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Cranberry Ginger Bars =-.
I love the back story on the photo! I hate it when my board falls over and I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂 My cake baker friend (hobby, not job) swears by jazzed up box mixes. I have never been good at decorating. One year I baked Logan’s cake and she came over and we decorated it together. Another year I came up with the recipe and how I wanted it decorated and she did it for me because she just loves doing it. All I provided were the ingredients. Anyway, here is my friend’s blog of her cake photos. http://nmcakebaker.blogspot.com/
.-= Katie @ goodLife {eats}´s last blog ..Chicken with Tarragon-Mustard Sauce =-.
Wish I had a Millie around. She sounds like an angel – the best to learn from.
Just the other day at a birthday luncheon for a friend a lady brought a cake that she jazzed up from a box mix too. Instead of eggs used pudding mix – I would never have known. It was good.
Thanks for the sweet story and reminder that being perfect isn’t always the perfect solution.
.-= Amy from She Wears Many Hats´s last blog ..Chicken and Rice is oh so nice. =-.
I love reading your stories! Millie sounds so cute. I think the cupcakes look great. Your kids are lucky to have a Mom like you.
.-= picky cook´s last blog ..home =-.
I took a cake decorating class when I was in college (at Michael’s… not a college elective. Though how cool would that be, like instead of a PE?). But roses and such are not my thing. I think I made one look reasonably like a flower back then but haven’t attempted since. Mostly I stick with easy stars and quasi-shells and serve the cakes to people who do not bake at all so they are always impressed 🙂 (and for the record, some of the best cakes are doctored mixes… I make one strawberry cake that starts with a white cake mix that gets a lot of requests).
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..ten in ‘10: week 1 =-.
You’re one step ahead of me—I once bought all the necessary goodies to make, roll out and cut fondant, but never took the class! I still have dreams though, as pipe as they may be 😉
Happy Belated Birthday Wishes to Jacob!
.-= Sandie (Inn Cuisine)´s last blog ..Embracing Roots (Recipe: The Mansion at Elfindale’s Sweet Potato Pancakes) =-.
Great story! I’m taking the series of Wilton cake decorating courses now (just started the 2nd level), but I’m pretty sure it’s not my forte. I like to call my baked goods “rustic” 🙂 Still, it’s fun, and at least I’m learning how to use the tips for basic piping and stuff. I’m always on the lookout for classic/basic cake recipes to try out. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Amy I.´s last blog ..Pad See Ew =-.
So sweet a story….made me dream when walk the aisle and have loads of kiddies someday,if im in europe or the US,i would love to go those sweet classes too,even if i cant do the flowers too,and if its someone as sweet as Millie having the class and maybe i’ll bump into u too…now that’ll be great!!!!!
.-= sugar plum´s last blog ..RADDISH OF THE FIELDS…….. =-.
I love white cake! Sounds delish!!!
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet´s last blog ..Vanilla Cinnamon Pecan Butter. =-.
Your story makes me laugh! As I also have great visions of being a master cake decorator. I also took classes (during culinary school) have all the tips, even the cake turntable. Every several months I make a few pounds of icing, a couple of layer cakes and go to town. It’s always a fiasco… but I have fun!!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Fish Tacos in Paradise =-.
i’ve always been intimated by cake decoration. it takes me hours to just prepare for it, looking for ideas, getting the tools ready, fully understand the procedures…..cos afterall i didnt make 10 cakes to decorate. i couldnt afford one single failure.
wish one day i would be able to take a class too.
.-= lululu´s last blog ..Coconut Bread with Walnut =-.
Great photo… made me laugh on a cold monday morning!!!
.-= deana´s last blog ..Lobster a la Britannia from Delmonicos =-.
Cake decorating is an art that I have found that I cannot master. The basics I get but anything past that is pretty much a disaster. It takes practice and I want immediate gratification. Nice post!
.-= The Teacher Cooks´s last blog ..Chili in 30 minutes served with Macaroni =-.
Buah ha ha – your story is so funny. I took a cake deocrating class a few months ago, and I was the WORST in the class. There were ladies there who were taking the class for the THIRD time, it still baffles me why, and all they did was usurp us newbies. LOL on the cabbage rose….I barely managed to get the rose right myself.
.-= Ann´s last blog ..Yellow Bell Pepper and Corn Rice =-.
I love this post! I can’t do those flowers either! I really can’t wait to try this cake recipe…how much cake does this make? It sounds like a lot of batter, but I guess that’s perfect for a wedding cake!
.-= shelly (cookies and cups)´s last blog ..Lego Crazy =-.
I’m wondering how many cake pans to prepare. This is a large amount, but I’ll bet it can be cut in half easily. I’m thinking using Yellow Cake Mix and whole eggs would make a killer yellow cake.
It’s all in the delivery — just call them cabbage roses!
.-= Kate @ Savour Fare´s last blog ..A Controversial Classic — Caesar Salad =-.
I can’t for the life of me decorate baked goods. It’s… it’s kind of sad. I love the crashed cupcake shot!
.-= Bob´s last blog ..Pan Seared Steak Sandwich with Horseradish Mustard Pan Sauce =-.
Just in time!! I love it. Our little man is turning 1 in a couple weeks and I need to get crackin on the cake ideas. Thanks for the recipes! Hope all is well.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Fall Salad =-.
I see you’ve got The Pioneer Woman Cooks in your TBR stack, too. I’ve only made one of her recipes and now that we’re on diets, I’m not sure I should make anymore – at least not until we’ve lost a few of the pounds we gained over the holidays!
.-= Les in NE´s last blog ..The Language of Threads =-.
I think I found your blog through the Ten in 10 challenge b/c I was looking at the measly two members from KS. Well, now there’s 3 b/c I joined. I loved this blog–esp your “cabbage” roses. LOL! I still can’t make perfect roses, but I did take two classes and sell decorated cakes from time to time so I must not be that bad. I think the most important part of any dessert is the taste, and it sounds like you’ve got that covered! I absolutely LOVE this recipe and can’t wait to try it out. I mostly use box mixes for my wedding cakes b/c they are easy and dependable, but this sounds really wonderful and semi-homemade (ala Sandra Lee) so better than the mix by itself. Thanks so much for sharing!
.-= Veronica M.´s last blog ..Buttermilk Ranch Dressing =-.
not cabbage – MUMS! How many/sizes of cakes does this make? Cupcakes? Can it be 1/2? From the looks if the ingredients, it looks like it will… just curious!
Thanks for everything you share – I love it all!
Erin
This sounds delicious! I can’t decorate anything, sprinkles is about all I can cope with. Yum, cupcakes!! I so want one now. (these are diet cupcakes, right??? )
.-= Debbi´s last blog ..Carrot Cake Pancakes =-.
LOL at the cupcake! I figured it was a kiddie accident. Who’d have thought the board would fall over? …though mine does that too from time to time…
My only problem with this recipe is that I don’t have cake mix in Belgium. At least not that I’ve found…
.-= Kate at Serendipity´s last blog ..SCALLOP VERRINES =-.
I also took a cake decorating class and while we had great fun making a halloween cake… it is never going to be something I am good at! I just do not have the patience that some people do to make perfect little lines or perfect figurines or whatever… The cupcake looks delicious!
.-= Simone (junglefrog)´s last blog ..Kitchen shoot =-.
I’m totally with you on the cake decorating. Thank heavens for sprinkles!
Loving your photo a day on flickr! Great photographs! And the cake sounds wonderful, but what did you do with all the extra yolks?
.-= Mrs. L´s last blog ..Old and New Cooking Resolutions 2010 =-.
Cake decorating did not come easy for me either! This cake sounds delish!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Roasted Cauliflower Soup =-.
I love how you came back from a “wreck” and shot that gorgeous pic, so creative of you! Now I want some wedding cake cupcakes!
.-= LyB´s last blog ..Two Years!!! (Maple Hazelnut ButterTart Squares) =-.
I was just thinking, “that is a really creative shot of the cupcake”. Sometimes accidental shots are the best ones. Nice save! And really great that the cleanup was so easy.
.-= Nate´s last blog ..Leek and Potato Soup Recipe =-.
Interesting idea to work outside the box with the box mix as a base. As for the decoration, when it comes down to it taste is all that really matters.
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..Porcini Wild Rice =-.
as long as your kids are happy with their cakes and treats, u should be happy 🙂
.-= dani´s last blog ..#70) Dirty Bottoms =-.
Your cupcakes were adorable, but I’m with you on the whole decorating thing. Personally, I don’t have enough patience to decorate cakes or cupcakes. To do it right, I’d need someone like Millie (or Martha) to hover over my shoulder. I do love to bake though … but I’m more of a cookie, quick bread, muffin kind of gal.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..New Grant Brings Fruit & Vegetable Gardens to Schoolyards! =-.
My baby turns one next week (YIKES!!) and I’m going to attempt to make her cake. And I think I’ll use this recipe!!
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Custard Cream and Ricotta Tart =-.
Kristen, I just made this cake today for a retirement party- FABULOUS! It has fantastic flavor, very moist, terrific crumb, and rises perfectly even. I baked the batter in 2 -13×9 professional cake pans, filling each 2/3rds full. I do believe this will be my new “go to” recipe for white cake! Thanks so much for posting!
This sounds wonderful! I am really wanting to make this using Kamut Khorasan Wheat flour too – awesome!!! Thanks so much 🙂
Oh, my! I so relate! Those roses are impossible! I’d actually be happy with cabbages! Allie wants to take a fondant class- maybe she’ll be better than her mom
xoxo Pattie
.-= Pattie and Allie´s last blog ..Priest Stranglers and a Tiramisu Cheesecake =-.
I just wanted to tell you, I have been SCOURING the internet looking for a wedding cake recipe. The “best” I could find was Betty Crocker’s Silver White cake. I tried my hand at that on Sunday Evening. It baked up white which was what I wanted, but the texture was like cornbread! BLEH!!
So I set out again on a mission, and today I stumbled across your blog. I attempted Millie’s recipe this evening, and it was EVERYTHING a wedding cake is meant to be!!!! I am beside myself. Overcome with joy. The gates of cake heaven have opened up and trumpets arE….trumpeting….I think you get my point. Thank you SO much for sharing!!!!
Amazing recipe
great site you have here.
when you get a chance come check us out we the fastest growing social network for cake decorators.
I have been reading your posts for the last couple of hours, and it all has been really informative and well written. I did want to let you know that for some reason this post doesn’t seem to function in Internet Explorer. On a side note, I was wondering if you desired to swap blogroll links? I hope to hear from you soon!
Cake decorating is an art that takes a lot of practice. It can be very relaxing 🙂 Thank you for your tips.
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