a Dora the Explorer cake for our Lauren Jane!

Our daughters shared their birthday at Powell's Sweet Shoppe. You can read more about it here and here.

  

When I asked our youngest daughter, Lauren, what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday I wasn't surprised when she excitedly told me "Dora! Dora!" 

And so began my hunt for Dora cake toppers. I found a Dora, Boots, and Swiper figure from an online shop. Luckily, Dora's outfit was pink and orange . . . which went perfectly with the colors that the girls chose for their party.

Because I made a chocolate cake for Charley, I thought I would make Miette's Lemon Debutante cake for Lauren . . . layers of a tender white cake infused with tart lemon syrup, filled with lemon curd, and frosted with silky & light Swiss Meringue Lemon Buttercream. It's my favorite lemon cake recipe, and always a hit with guests.

I dressed Lauren's Lemon Cake with pink flowers and candies similar to the ones seen on Charley's cake, so that even though there were two different themed cakes - there were a few commonalities, bringing the party together. I dressed the bottom of her cake with pink gumballs, and carefully placed pink & orange sixlets here and there.

The kids told me that I had to have grass, so I used green rock candy . . . and dressed each tier with 'grass.' I offset the top tier so that I could set Dora's dear friend Boots nearby.

And did you see Swiper peeking around the corner of the bottom tier? He's a sneaky little guy, who's always up to a mischief.

Our little Lauren LOVED her cake! And we did, too.

Lauren, our petite sprite.

A little love who adores her siblings, and spends most of her days keeping up with them.

She brings so many smiles . . . and much happiness to our lives.

With hugs that feel like sunshine, I feel so blessed every day to have another little girl.

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

I love you.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home 

on Facebook

 

a pink candy cake!

We celebrated our daughters' birthdays at Powell's Sweet Shoppe, so it made sense that Charley (our oldest daughter) asked for a candy themed cake.

 

Charley requested chocolate cake (that's my girl!) . . . and pretty pink candies.

So I made a two-tier chocolate cake, and then frosted it with my favorite cream cheese frosting.

I visited Powell's Sweet Shoppe just before Valentine's Day and was able to find an abundance of pretty pink candies to decorate the cake . . . pink & white swirl marshmallows, pink & white peppermint sticks, sixlets, lollipops, and gumballs.

Although I didn't know how I was going to decorate it, I knew that I wanted to make it over-the-top . . . and that it was! I think this was the most fun I've ever had decorating a cake . . . and best of all, Charley loved it!

This beautiful little girl melts my heart.
She is so loving and caring . . . and has a heart of gold.

I am an incredibly blessed Mommy.  

Happy birthday, sweet girl!

I love you.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home 

on Facebook

polka dot ice cream cake

We celebrated our youngest daughter's 2nd birthday with a polka dot ice cream cake!

This sweet cake was inspired by a Polka Dot Cake seen on Pinterest! 

Although I loved the Polka Dot Cake I saw and admired, I knew that Lauren Jane would enjoy an ice cream cake more, so the wheels started turning . . . How could I make a Polka Dot Ice Cream Cake?!

Here's how . . .

Cookie Crust
3 cups Vanilla Wafer Cookies
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
Using a food processor, blend Vanilla Wafer Cookies until they are fine crumbs. 
Pour into mixing bowl, and then add melted butter. 
Stir until crumbs are moist and combined. 
Pour into a 9-inch Springform pan and mold to the bottom and sides, using your hands.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden. 
Let cool completely before assembling ice cream cake!

Your kitchen will smell simply heavenly 

while baking the Vanilla Wafer Crust!

Don't be surprised if your neighbors make a surprise visit!

On to the ice cream and assembly of the cake!

I chose to use sherbet ice cream for this cake. I thought its pretty colors and light flavors would make for a darling polka dot cake.

Our local market had so many sherbet flavors to choose from! I ultimately decided on Key Lime (mint color) and Mandarin Orange (peach color); and chose Raspberry Sorbet for the polka dots, as I knew that it would be a pretty contrast to the pale sherbet colors.

Step 1. Polka Dots 

Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out small balls while the sorbet is still frozen. 

Use your hands to smooth any rough edges. The heat of your hands will help to make smooth polka dots. 

Place the formed polka dots into an open container, and then place in freezer. 

Be sure they do not touch. Let them freeze until hard, approximately 2 hours.

Step 2. Melt the Sherbets 

Allow the sherbet (or ice cream) containers to sit on your counter top until soft, approximately 1.5 hours. 

You don't want the sherbet (or ice cream) to melt to a liquid state. You want it soft enough to be able to spoon out and mold into your springform pan. 

Step 3. Add Sherbets to springform pan

Using a wide spoon, scoop out your first flavor sherbet and spread into springform pan, about half the height of your cookie crust.

Then nestle the frozen polka dots into, and on top of, the first layer of sherbet (or ice cream).

Now add the 2nd flavor sherbet (or ice cream) on top. The second layer will cover the polka dots. Fill until you reach the top of the cookie crust.

Step 4. Freezer

Place into freezer for 4 - 6 hours, or until frozen.

Step 5. Add a pretty topping!  

Remove the ice cream cake from the springform pan, and place on a pretty plate.  

I chose to make a fresh whipped cream topping for this sherbet ice cream cake, and then sprinkled the top with pastel heart confetti. 

 

Ta Da!

  

Ice cream cakes are simple and fun to make! 

After this tutorial, I hope you don't wait for a special occasion to give one a try!

bon appetit!

For more details on our daughter's birthday party, see here.

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My little lady's 3rd birthday!

My little girl is quite a little lady!

  
She loves pink & lavendar . . . whimsical ladybugs & butterflies . . . hearts & pretty bows . . . flowers . . . and all things shiny!  

Her femininity at such a young age makes being the mom of this little girl so much fun!

She even makes decorating our home ~ whether for a holiday or special occasion ~ or just because ~ a delight! At the young age of 3, she notices and appreciates every detail . . .  and comments with pure excitement. 

So when it came time to planning her 3rd birthday party ~ I was sure to remember all that she adores! 

A unique and special party was planned that started early in the morning with waffles. Yes, we hosted a "Birthday Waffle Breakfast" that included an 18-item topping bar fit for a princess . . . rich syrups, ice cream, fruits, various chocolates, sprinkles galore, and Valentine heart candies. 

Tables were covered in white linens and pink with white polka dot covers. Buckets of pink flowers ~ each holding tall standing beaded hearts ~ centered the tables.  Valentine candies were generously sprinkled about ~ only to add extra fun and splashes of color. A special, hand-made "Happy Birthday" banner was streamed across a tall armoire ~ full of vibrancy and charm. Chairs were generously wrapped with pink tulle ~ and then finished off with big bows. And finally, feminine ivory chargers supported beautiful white plates of which guests were invited to fill with vanilla confetti and/or rich, chocolate waffles. YUM!

~ banner by the Two Savvy Sisters ~

  

~ heart-shaped straws ~

~ Valentine Candy Bar ~

We couldn't end her party without cake!  My extremely talented and dearest friend ~ Alex ~ who finds inspiration from other Cake Artists and then designs &  creates her own cakes ~ made this adorable ladybug and garden-themed cake! She adorned the whimsical two-tiered cake with all those things that my little girl loves . . . . ladybugs, butterflies, caterpillars, snails, and other whimsy critters.  A site to behold, with a most adorable ladybug perched atop ~ my little lady absolutely loved her birthday cake, as seen by her big, beautiful smile every time she saw it!

More fun treats were to be had . . .  Ladybug Cake Pops! I lovingly made these strawberry cake pops with a special surprise tucked inside ~ a maraschino cherry! Dipped in white chocolate and adorned with a petite ladybug and green sprinkles to look like grass ~ these treats were also hit!

Happy 3rd Birthday 

my sweet, little girl!

With Love,

Mommy