That's right folks, I've finally reached triple figures! I'm still baking, eating, photographing and talking about cake.
When I baked the sponges for my sister-in-law's birthday cake last weekend they rose magnificently, so magnificently that I had to do a fair bit of trimming to make them level, which left me with a lot of cake crumbs. I also had some left over chocolate icing, so in my determination to not waste such tasty left overs I created some cake balls!
I blitzed the cake crumbs in a food processor and stirred in chocolate buttercream icing until the mixture formed a consistency which could be shaped into little balls. I laid the balls on a baking sheet and set them in the fridge for about half an hour. Once they had hardened I melted some white and milk chocolate in two bowls for dipping the balls into.
I must admit now that I have a new found appreciation for people who make cake pops (which I think are made much the same way). How they manage to coat the balls evenly in chocolate I have no idea! I initially tried to dip them on a fork, which didn't work as they just fell off, so I ended up using my fingers. My cake balls looked a bit sad and messy so I decided to disguise this by rolling them in cake sprinkles. My theory is that all cakes look prettier with sprinkles.
My cake balls still looked a bit messy and uneven, but I like to think of it as part of their overall charm. The main thing is that they tasted amazing. They're small but pack a powerful punch of chocolate. I fear these are quite deadly to waistlines.
I must admit now that I have a new found appreciation for people who make cake pops (which I think are made much the same way). How they manage to coat the balls evenly in chocolate I have no idea! I initially tried to dip them on a fork, which didn't work as they just fell off, so I ended up using my fingers. My cake balls looked a bit sad and messy so I decided to disguise this by rolling them in cake sprinkles. My theory is that all cakes look prettier with sprinkles.
My cake balls still looked a bit messy and uneven, but I like to think of it as part of their overall charm. The main thing is that they tasted amazing. They're small but pack a powerful punch of chocolate. I fear these are quite deadly to waistlines.
I think cake balls would make really cute gifts. I would certainly make them again as it was a great way to use up scraps and I got to use tiny cake cases. However I am loathed to bake a cake only to crumble it for cake pops or balls. Perhaps it's fun to HULK SMASH cakes, but to me it feels like cake murder. What are your opinions on cake pops/balls and cake destroying?
I also want to say hello to the new followers I've noticed over the last week and a massive thank you for all the wonderful compliments on my last post. You're a lovely bunch!