Remember I briefly mentioned about my first birthday cake order? I promised you an update but I forgot. So here it is. I made a strawberry rhubarb mousse cake for Margaret, whom her husband wanted to throw her a surprise birthday party.
I was in my rhubarb obsessed phase few months ago, so the choice of flavor was obvious. I used the Fool Proof Sponge Cake as cake base, and arranged the ripe strawberries around the base layer before pouring the rhubarb mascarpone mousse to cover it. Insteads of using buttercream, I decided to simply use the remaining mousse to cover the whole cake. Strands of rhubarbs are visible on the top and side of the cake.
As I was assembling the cake, I couldn't help scrapping and savoring the leftover mousse with the cake that I levelled off. (hey, I had to taste test it before giving it away!) It was a pleasing combination. The sponge cake was airy and moist, while the rhubarb mousse was refreshing. According to the feedbacks, the party enjoyed the cake! Although OCT had collected more comments, it had been awhile, and all I remembered, was they liked it. The birthday girl certainly did! And that's all that matters .
The second cake, was for Margaret's son. Their birthdays were a month apart. I suggested a banana cake with chocolate buttercream, because Homer- the son which OCT befriended to, love chocolate and was reading a book about Dora baking a banana cake at that time. The only request was to make the cake sweeter. I heard he liked strawberries too, so I used some to decorate the cake.
I used the same banana cake recipe here and covered it with Pierre Herme's chocolate buttercream. Because Homer's birthday was almost the same time as some of his visiting cousins, they decided to celebrate it together. This explains the list of names on the cake.
The photos were taken within a short time before they were packed and delivered, which explained the poor quality. I wish I had rememberd to ask for a photo of the cut cake! :(
I am meeting up with my girl friend in NYC in less than 12 hours, so I better go and pack now. Recipes of the cakes will be up when I am back next week!
Have a good week ahead everyone.
Wow! Those are very creative...especially for a first time cake:-) I would love the recipe for the rhubarb mouse. My mother-in-law loves rhubarb:-)
ReplyDeleteStrawberries and chocolate! Always a winning combination for me :) (I'm quickly starting to like rhubarb too...)
ReplyDeleteWish I could be near enough to order a cake! ;)
Lovely cakes! I like how you decorated the first one a lot. This is something I yet have to master - cake decorating:)Looking forward for the recipes. Have fun with you friend!
ReplyDeleteboth cakes look great. How can i resist two delicious cakes like these.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in NYC Mandy! Both cakes look great, I specially like the 1st one with the rhubarb strands showing, it makes it look really fresh! See you next week!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely, lovely!
ReplyDeleteBoth look delicious! Love your flavor combos you chose!
ReplyDeleteThese are great, your cakes are always my inspirations!
ReplyDeleteStrawberry loves chocolate = )
ReplyDeleteNow I'm licking my screen! Those look awesome...
ReplyDeleteooo.. The lucky ducks to have those cakes as their birthday cakes! I love the sound of strawberry and rhubarb-i'm sure it tastes even better!
ReplyDeleteYour cakes are superb! I wish I could have a piece!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cakes! ANd have fun in New York!
ReplyDeleteI've actually never ever had rhuarb- they look a little too much like dyed for my liking- but both cakes look incredible! Have a great trip to NYC!
ReplyDeleteboth these creations look fantastic. lucky friends :)
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