Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Summer Treats Class at Shermay's: Layer Cakes, Cupcakes & Ice Creams

I'll be teaching a Summer Treats demo class at Shermay's Cooking School on 12 July 2008 (Saturday), 13 July 2008 (Sunday), 26 July 2008 (Saturday) and 27 July 2008 (Sunday) - the July schedule has all the necessary booking details. For all inquiries, please call the school at +65 6479 8442 or email shermaycs@yahoo.com.sg


The class covers layer cakes, cupcakes and ice creams. This post features the layer cake and cupcakes; I will put up a separate post shortly with details about the ice creams, and another with details about the flavour variations and bonus recipes included in the recipe pack.


LAYER CAKES


Few things embody the pleasures of baking like a lavish layer cake. Tall and grand in appearance, yet ultimately a tribute to homespun comforts, this head-turner of a cake graces the table like no other. It is beautiful even with the most minimal of decorative flourishes. Possibly, it is most beautiful when least fussed with, such is the perfection of its simplicity - moist, tender layers of cake, seams of flavourful fillings and lashings of lush frosting coming together to create a whole that's truly greater than the sum of its parts.


The class will cover all the essential techniques you'll need to know to level, split, fill and frost layer cakes, as well as tips on how to ensure good results every time.

Coconut Heaven
Classic Coconut Cake layers are filled and frosted with a Luxurious Coconut Buttercream, then finished with a blizzard of shredded coconut. The fabulous depth of flavour comes from using coconut cream in both the cake batter as well as the buttercream.


And in the event you want to produce something with all the savours but in a hurry, I've also included instructions on how to bake this versatile batter as cupcakes.
CUPCAKES

Lemon Grove Cupcakes
A zingy treat that I like to think of as sunshine in a pleated paper case, this cupcake packs a wonderfully tart punch thanks to the addition of fresh lemon juice, aromatic lemon zest, pure lemon extract and candied lemon peel. The batter is enriched with sour cream, which enhances the citrus tang as well as contributes to the velvety texture.

The topping, a Whipped White Chocolate & Lemon Ganache using Valrhona Ivoire 35%, is both delicious and very easy to make.

It is also a real joy to handle, and the ideal texture for piping - tinted a golden yellow, it makes for a rather fetching sunflower design.

I'll put up details on the ice cream component of the class soon. The menu features 2 quick "No Churning Required!" ice creams (Lemon Ice Cream and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Ice Cream) as well as a classic custard-based affair (Peppermint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream).

In addition, the recipe pack includes some bonus recipes and ideas for easy variations, including a pineapple filling flavoured with lime, dark rum & Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean to put an island cocktail spin on the classic coconut layer cake - a PiƱa Colada Cake! There's also a Rose Water Glaze and a Rich Lemon & Lime Curd - extra topping and filling ideas for transforming the lemon cupcakes and getting the most mileage out of the recipe. I won't be demonstrating these extra recipes during class so will be elaborating on them shortly as well.

17 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The sunflower cupcakes are looking stunning.

I am having a huge craving for cake now :).

4:56 pm, June 11, 2008  
Blogger RuthWells said...

Is there any way for those of us who don't live in Singapore to get in on the fun? Do you sell or otherwise make available your recipes? The white chocolate lemon ganache sounds fantastic.

10:15 pm, June 11, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow.. The sunflowers are beautiful. I can't wait for the class to start. =)

12:41 am, June 12, 2008  
Blogger Veron said...

the sunflower cupcakes are indeed adorable!!! And I love the rich look of your layer cake.

9:35 am, June 12, 2008  
Blogger Venus ~ Vi said...

Theses sunflower cupcakes are just to cute to be eaten!

10:31 am, June 12, 2008  
Blogger Y said...

Gorgeous pictures. Especially the sunflowers :) Flavour-wise, I like the sound of the lemon ones, maybe with a bit of chamomile.

7:29 pm, June 12, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Joycelyn - so happy to read another beautiful post of yours, what a lovely summer treat that is! I don't think I can choose the elegant coconut cake or the super cute sunflower cupcake - they all look/sound too irresistible. Enjoy the classes, looking forward to another update. take care. kxxx

9:47 pm, June 12, 2008  
Blogger Honeyed Hashette said...

absolutely beautiful. really.

1:22 am, June 13, 2008  
Blogger tangobaby said...

These are the most beautiful desserts ever! You are so talented!

6:32 am, June 13, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Jocelyn, a fabulous post as always - i'm so excited when a new one appears! It's obvious you take a lot of pride in your beautiful creations.

Would you mind emailing me where you brought the bud vase in the lemon grove cupcake picture? They'd be perfect for my wedding. jboekhout@hotmail.com

4:11 pm, June 13, 2008  
Blogger Natalie, aka "Sheltie Girl" said...

Simply beautiful cake and cupcakes. Good luck with your classes.

Natalie @ Gluten A Go go

1:59 pm, June 15, 2008  
Blogger Dewi said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Found your web site when I was visiting Keiko (Norldjus). What a beautiful pictures you have here. I wish I can take the classes too. Cheers!

11:03 pm, June 16, 2008  
Blogger Ann said...

I wish I could take one of your classes, but since I live on the other side of the world - it is not to be. I adore making a layer cake - such a sense of accomplishment. So decadent.

6:50 am, June 18, 2008  
Blogger Sweet Bird said...

Very beautiful work. I love the focus on simplicity for the layer cakes. I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye on your site.

2:30 am, June 30, 2008  
Blogger skoraq cooks said...

As usual everything looks absolutely stunning.

4:22 pm, June 30, 2008  
Blogger galleryfang said...

beautiful. Love your sunflower cupcakes

1:19 pm, August 07, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Jocelyn,

Was wondering when will you give your next cupcakes/cakes sessions? Would like to participate, do you have a private email that we can keep in touch with?

Thanks!

6:15 pm, September 12, 2008  

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