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Create designer cakes from home

Posted at 1:55 PM, Apr 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-11 16:00:55-04

Courtney Rich, from Cake by Courtney,  is a self-taught baker and cake decorator. She taught Brooke and Britt the water color method, and how to execute it effectively with buttercream.

Create a beautiful water color cake: 

  • Apply small lines of butter cream randomly around the cake. Courtney recommends using 3 different shades of a color so you get a nice ombre look.
  • After covering the majority of the cake, use your palette at a 45 degree angle smoothing the cake. Make sure to scrape off excess frosting in between rounds.
  • You can add more frosting to fill in air bubbles or open spaces.

Salted Caramel Frosting (recipe source: Tikkido.com)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 lbs. confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Mix sugar, water, and corn syrup in a small saucepan.
  2. Bring the water and sugar mixture to boil over medium heat, but DO NOT STIR. (Stirring encourages crystallization). Let the mixture cook until it caramelizes into a golden brown color (as seen in the photo above). It happens quickly, so keep an eye on it.
  3. Remove the caramelized sugar syrup from the heat and slowly mix in the cream. Pour in just a tiny bit at a time, especially at the beginning, and mix to combine. You can start adding more and more as you go along.
  4. Mix in salt, lemon juice or vinegar and vanilla. Stir to combine.
  5. Set the caramel sauce to the side and let cool completely before making the frosting.
  6. Once the caramel sauce is cooled completely, combine the softened butter, confectioners' sugar and caramel together in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. If the icing seems too stiff, ad a bit of milk or cream - just a little at a time until it reaches a smooth, spreading consistency of your liking.

Try out more of her amazing recipes by clicking here or visiting her Instagram account: @CakeByCourtney