creative cakes.........

Manchester has just been host to an amazing cake and baking show. I booked 2 tickets for an afternoon at the show and went with Laura - we had such a good time, we both love baking and it was like entering an Aladdin's Cave.

We had to show lots of restraint as if funds had permitted we would  have bought from every stand. As it was we both probably spent more than we had budgeted for.

Lots of the stands had little demonstration areas, we saw some amazing examples of sugar paste work. The demonstrators were so helpful and explained lots of different techniques, giving us oodles of tips and ideas. Unfortunately this did involve buying a large number of products!

Laura bought me some pots of sugar paste in lovely vintage shades, which I have been experimenting with. I bought an amazing little rolling pin that you roll over sugar paste and it leaves a lovely raised flower pattern. The sugar paste can then be used to decorate cupcakes, or even sandwich cakes.

I've got four lovely pots - it's like adult play dough...................amazing stuff

I had a play yesterday, I'm so pleased with the results....................

my cupcakes look quite professional.....................

We were also tempted to buy some silicone moulds, my favourite is a button mould. The mould makes about 20 buttons in three different sizes. To make the buttons I bought some different coloured chocolate melts. I was amazed at the effect they look just adorable.

lovely colours...................

my first ever handmade chocolate buttons - I adore them......................

The show also had a number of cake making competitions, the cakes were absolutely fantastic - such talented bakers in the North!

A number of cooking demonstrations were also running throughout the day, but unfortunately we didn't manage to get tickets for one, but actually I'm not sure we would have had enough time to see everything, maybe next time we should go for the day.

We had such a fun time and I have had the opportunity to try out some of my new products as Barbara had commissioned me to bake a birthday cake and cupcakes for her grandaughter, Esmee's 2nd birthday.

mini button cupcakes..................

chocolate button birthday cake................yummy

I was really pleased with the finished cakes, but I am quite exhausted now, I've had such a busy few days.

Talk soon x

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