Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Lime & Vodka Syrup Russian Doll Cakes

These lovely ladies are my inaugral entry into new baking challenge, Calendar Cakes. It's a monthly challenge hosted by yours truly and Rachel from Dolly Bakes. Each month we'll be giving you a theme based on an event or the season. This month it's Euro 2012, Rachel and I are hosting alternately, so if you want to find out more about this month's challenge then check it out over at Dolly Bakes. Rachel has already made a fab football stadium as her entry too!

So with the theme of Euro 2012 in mind I chose to make a set of Russian Doll cakes as Russia are competing at Euro 2012...in fact they're playing tonight!
This is yet another fabulous cake from the Birthday Cake Book by Fiona Cairns. I've already made Alice's Teapot Cake and a Butterscotch Whisp Cake and all have turned out beautifully...Fiona Cairns has some fabulously inventive ideas!

My favourite is definitely doll number two...she looks much more dainty and serene than the other two who look rather anxious...perhaps they know that they are soon to be eaten!
To make the cakes I made some doll templates out of card and then cut them out of cake. Using a sharp knife they were then carved into something like a Russian Doll. The cakes were then covered in vodka and lime buttercream before being covered in sugarpaste.

Then the decoration is painted on with the paint being made out of a mix of paste food colouring and alcohol. Outline the design in the black first and then fill in with the other colours. Just a note here, the Squires Kitchen colours didn't work at all for this, if you're going to try then I'd recommend using Sugarflair. Alternatively, the book also suggests that you can use edible pens to create the designs.
If you'd like to make a lime and vodka syrup cake you could use a regular sponge or madeira and then add the finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime to the cake mixture. The cake was then brushed with the syrup which was a heated mixture of 30g golden caster sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of vodka and the zest and juice from half a lime. This was heated until the sugar dissolved and then it was brought to the boil before being set aside to cool. Finally, to make the buttercream it is just a regular buttercream recipe with the addition of 1 tablespoon of vodka (or more if you like!) and the zest of half a lime.

I do hope you can join us for some fun with our Calendar Cakes challenge. This month is all about Euro 2012 but your bake could be inspired by any European country taking part...such as Russia or it could be a football bake...or even an anti-football bake or a cake fit for a WAG...you can interpret it however you like! :-)
This is also my second entry into this month's AlphaBakes hosted by Ros at the More Than Occasional Baker and Caroline at Caroline Makes...do check them out as there's always loads of fabulous entries! :-) The challenge this month is to come up with a bake beginning with 'V' or containing a 'V' ingredient...so these Vodka and lime cakes should do the trick.
These dolls don't acutally look much like cakes...and they may be too cute to eat...so perhaps dolls one and three can look a little less anxious...they may have just been granted a reprieve!

30 comments:

  1. Wow I am impressed. They look beautiful. You are very creative.

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  2. Oh wow, they look fabulous - very well done you.

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  3. Ah I used to love russian dolls when I was small! These are so awesome - great idea for both baking challenges too!

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  4. RUssian Dolls are still my favourite - what a stunning cake :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  5. These are JUST amazing Laura! Just amazing.....I love these dolls and your cakes are fabulous!

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  6. I love Russian dolls. These are incredibly pretty. Another brilliant post Laura! Xx

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  7. This is AMAZING!!! I am in Awwwwee with your talent and skills. Wish I could bake and decorate as well like you. I love Russian Dolls. It would be perfect if I could have you bake those beauties for me for my birthday *hint*hint*.. LOL.. I am a new fan of your work.. Feel free to follow me back too if you like.. Have a wonderful week ahead Laura!! Huggs, Jo

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  8. These dolls are so cute. The way that you decorated them is perfect.

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  9. My goodness, I have just discovered your blog! From wedding cakes and viennese swirls, to tea parties and Russian doll cakes - you are truely talented! Happy to follow!

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  10. These are amazing! I've actually got that book, and some Russian doll cookie cutters from Lakeland so will definitely have to bookmark this recipe!

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  11. Wow wow wow!!!! These are AMAZING!! very inspired to try out my Russian doll cookie cutters when I get home now!!

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  12. These are really amazing and unique! They look so wonderful it would be hard to actually bring myself to eat them-I would want to display them for awhile first. This is an exceptional post showcasing your talent-well done!

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  13. Wow! So cute & what an amazing doll cakes! Very unique indeed! Well done! :)

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  14. omg these are out of this world!!! Thanks for entering these to AlphaBakes - a great entry. How long did it take you to make these? I've yet to make anything from this book and am always slightly nervous when picking my random recipe book in case it's this one!

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  15. Wow, these are so amazing. You did a great job with them... I didn't realize from the first image they were cakes. Well done.

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  16. These are Masterpieces! Excellent work!

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  17. I looked at the first picture and thought no way I know you are amazing but the detail are they cake or an ornament and they were cake!!!! Amazed :)

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  18. Wow! This is so impressive! I'm speechless seeing your masterpieces!

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  19. These are the coolest things ever!!! I had the actual little dolls that looked like that when I was a child. I remember playing with them all the time, I thought they were the best. :)

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  20. These are simply stunning.
    I now have Kate Bush's Babooshka running through my head :0)

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  21. What can I say, that hasn't been said already? A work of art!

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