Easter Flower Box Cake 2013

Mom asked me to make an Easter cake and maybe some cupcakes since a lot of people were coming over for Easter dinner.  She gave me a magazine picture of a cute flower box cake that she wanted.  This is my version.  I had a lot of fun with it.

My ingredient table.  I like to make sure I have everything I need before I get started so I do not have that "panic moment" when I realize I am missing an ingredient in the middle of making a batter and need to rush to the store and buy it.  I used an 8" brownie pan and an 8" glass dish.  They are both 8" x 8" squares.  It should work.

Basic Vanilla Cake

• 3 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 sticks (1 and ½ cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• Mix dry ingredients all together, then add butter and mix until it is a fine crumble. Beat eggs into milk and vanilla, then pour into dry ingredients and mix. Bake 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 4 Tbs butter, softened at room temperature
• 6 cups of powdered sugar
• Zest of one orange
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 Tbs sour cream

Now to apply the Wafer Cookies to make the cake look more like a flower box.

I thought the top was not "springy" enough so I added some grass.

Now to making the cupcakes.

Chocolate Cupcakes

• Bowl #1
• 1 cup flour
• ¾ cup + 2 Tbs sugar
• ¼ cup dark chocolate cocoa powder / chopped baking chocolate
• 1 and ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• Bowl #2
• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 eggs
• ¾ cup pre-made chocolate pudding
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• Mix together wet and dry ingredients.  Fold in
• ¾ cup chocolate chips
• Bake 350 degrees for 18+ minutes.

I threw on yellow chocolate butterflies to contrast with the purple flowers. I also make a few "Tulip" cake pops to add some height to the finished product.

ButterCream Frosting

• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup butter – melted
• 1 tsp vanilla or other flavorings
• 2 Tbs heavy cream, milk, or water – Mix with beater
• 1 Tbs Meringue Powder
• 4 cups powdered sugar – Mix with a beater 1 cup at a time.
• Add more heavy cream or powdered sugar for the right consistency you want

Now that I have all my components for a perfect Easter dessert:  Flower Box Assemble!

Then I thought, looking at the grass, it was still a bit boring so I added some frosting flowers.

Fun with frosting flowers.  I decided to carry on with the purple, yellow, and white color scheme that I started with the cupcakes.

I have a complete flower box cake that I am satisfied with.

With cake pop tulips.

And yellow butterfly with purple and white flower cupcakes so it kind of looks like a garden.  An abstract edible garden.

On to the family Easter party.  Mom did some decorating.  I was greeted with a basket full of Easter eggs on the front porch.

She also added some of Grandma's bunnies to the living room.

Then I walked into the kitchen and found more bunnies.  A whole village of bunnies.  Who knew Grandma had so many bunnies.

Here are some awkward family party photos for your enjoyment.

A Normal Rockwell Family Easter.

I love my family.