Cindi - HappyMamatoThree wrote:
>> Help me! Every time I've made a cake, it's come out dry. I need to
>> make this the highlight of the evening. Please. Please. I've got
>> to do this right.
>
> This sounds like an excellent gift. But I would probably have chosen
> to tell her that she has some great ideas and you will try to use as
> many of them as you can in making the cake, but it won't be exactly
> what she is asking for because you may not have the supplies. A great
> trick for enhancing a boxed cake mix is to add the pudding like
> everyone else has already said. I would think a simple buttercream
> frosting would be easiest, or go with creamcheese for a little
> different flavor. Either use the frosting for the filling between
> layers or use a fruity filling, strawberry jam, raspberry preserves,
> maybe a white chocolate frosting with pink tint would be more up her
> alley if she loves chocolate.
>
> How about a 9X13 for the base and two 8" or 9" rounds offset to one
> side of the 9X13 so you can write on the 9X13 just beside the stacked
> rounds.
>
> If you want something a little fancier for the top of the rounds, make
> another smaller cake in a 6" diameter pyrex bowl. The cake baked in
> the bowl will give a dome effect on top of the two rounds. Adds
> effect without costing anything for tools or decorations.
>
> And if she wants ribbons and bows, how about bulk ribbon from
> Michael's or JoAnne's. Buy the picot ribbon that has the little loops
> along the edge. You can usually catch it for less than a dollar for
> 10 yards, and often on sale 2 for a dollar. It will cut down on
> expense for bags, tips, icing, and still be perfectly suitable for a
> birthday party. Might want to do something glittery in the piping
> along the edges of the cake and for the words. the "glittery" sugar
> crystals are really cheap and can be used alone or stirred into
> frosting. You can add silk or fresh flowers to the cake, or beads
> (mardi gras beads are everywhere on clearance right now in the party
> and decorating store). If she loves that teenage princess thing, a
> 99cent tiara and strings of beads and ribbon would be just the
> ticket.
>
> Man that got long. Cakes are one of those things I love to do. Hope
> you have fun.
>
> Cindi
>

I think a white chocolate icing with a tinge of red food coloring would be
wonderful! I love all your suggestions. (Psssst - come on over, I may
need your help!) <g>

kili