CHEATS CAKE POPS

Cake Pops are fun, and little kids love them, and whilst they are impressive to look at, for those who have tried making their own delicious balls of cakey goodness, they will tell you they're time consuming, fiddly little buggers (have you seen the cute ones Love Cake by Lauren Cahill makes!?)

So if you don't have a professional cake baker & creator on hand here are a couple of great short cuts that will see you whip up a plate of pops and wow your guests in no time at all!

RECIPE /
makes 24

1 x supermarket brand unfilled sponge (or plain chocolate cake for chocolate pops)
1 x can of Betty Crocker (or similar) pre made vanilla icing
1 x packet of white chocolate melts (white is great as it can be coloured to whatever your heart desires)
24 x cake pop sticks (available at most craft stores or $2 variety type stores)
Sprinkles or other edible embellishments

1. In a large bowl crumble the sponge with a fork until it resembles bread crumbs
2. Add the icing, a tablespoon at a time and combine well until the mix can be rolled into balls
3. Roll a tablespoon of mix into a ball and pop onto a tray lined with baking paper
4. Once you have made enough, pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes
5. Melt the chocolate according to packet instructions, add colouring should you desire
6. Take a pop stick and insert into the cake pop about half way down
7. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate so it is fully immersed and lift straight back up so the excess can run off. Place back onto the baking tray and immediately add sprinkles or whatever decoration you like before the chocolate sets
8. Repeat for all the cake pops
9. Allow the chocolate to set hard before serving.

We've also popped some Cake Pop decorating inspiration over on our Pinterest baking page for you.

Merry Christmas :)

TIPS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS DAY TABLE

We love to 'tablescape' and it can be an inexpensive way to impress your guests. We put together two different ways of presenting your table and sweet treats with Christmas decorations and props we already had and intentionally limited buying anything new.

We used flowers from the garden to add a fresh element to the table (and they are free!) and popped our baked goodies on plates and in dishes of varying height (TIP - using different heights adds a feeling of abundance to the table) We added a Christmas cookbook for height too, and scattered various decorations for added texture.

TIP - if you keep the colour scheme to two or three similar colours it helps keep everything looking 'pulled together'

Another way of presenting your desserts to your guests is on a bookshelf. As strange as it sounds, it's a lovely way to show off all your time in the kitchen baking away.
Here we decorated the bookshelf using some pom pom string (available at any craft store) and used the same decorations scattered, and the same dishes and stands.

Presenting a dessert table doesn't have to cost a fortune, just remember to use different height dishes and platters, add some fresh flowers, keep colours to two or three, and think outside the box about where (and on what) in your home to present your display.

Merry Christmas!

GENEVIEVE TURNS ONE

Genevieve is a little girl with a colourful zest for life so a sprinkles and confetti theme was chosen to celebrate her first Birthday.

FOOD / 
Guests enjoyed a dessert buffet of white chocolate and fresh raspberry mud cake, chocolate italian buttercream cake, lemon and coconut cake pops from Love Cake by Lauren Cahill, along with white chocolate crackles, cupcakes, popcorn and candy.

Fresh Cranberry punch and Spa Water was readily available to combat the heat of one of Sydney's hottest spring days. The drinks stand was a former TV cabinet, repurposed by Becky from Mei & May for the big day.

SUPPLIERS / 
All printables: Green Apple Paperie
Cakes and cake pops: Love Cake by Lauren Cahill
Props, styling & photography: Mei & May

Happy First Birthday Darling Vivi xx

A MEXICAN FIESTA!

A Mexican blouse became the inspiration for the theme for Lily's 2nd Birthday Party. A Mexican Fiesta garden party was in order!

STYLE / 

A children's tressel table was set for a mexican themed lunch, the centrepieces were limited edition Andy Warhol tomato soup cans filled with an array of colourful flowers. A place setting was set for each child using bamboo boats and wooden cutlery, ready and waiting for the kiddie friendly burritos and corn on the cob. Orange juice was served in individual milk bottles with paper straws.

THE SWEETS /
The Dessert Buffet featured a homemade chocolate pinata cake, a small choice of candy, homemade fruit jellies, as well as cake pops and macarons by Love Cake by Lauren Cahill. Mexican bunting, paper fans and an abundance of crepe paper completed the festive look.

SUPPLIERS /
Invitation: Lacey Fields
Mexican bunting and fabric: Etsy
Paper straws: Ann Kay Design
Pinata and milk bottles: The Reject Shop
Cake pops and macarons: Love Cake
Children's table and chair hire: Oliver Party Hire
Styling, Props & Photography: Mei & May Party Providores