Fondant cake how-to videos

I posted a series of three how-to videos showing how I baked my last fondant cake:

More fondant cakes

First fondant cake

I made this cake for Mother's Day.

Cake:
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Dark-Chocolate-Cake-2496

Buttercream frosting:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Vanilla-Buttercream-Frosting-From-Sprinkles-Cupcakes-222188

Fondant:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm


The cake recipe made two thin (1" to 1.5") round 9" diameter cakes. I cut the top off one cake to flatten it, then covered it with frosting. I put the second cake on top, then trimmed the two cakes and spread frosting over the whole thing. I could have used a little more frosting than was made with the above recipes. Although the 1 cup of butter is scary. Maybe I will try to spread a thinner layer between the cakes next time.

The fondant takes a little time to knead, but it is very elastic, and I didn't have much trouble rolling it out, and smoothing it on the cake.

The ribbon, flowers, and leaves are all colored fondant. I made some fondant lettering for Mother's Day, but my handwriting is so terrible, that I was sure the cake would look better without it. I guess the most elegant cakes do not have any lettering on them anyway.

I used a thick mixture of powdered sugar and water to glue the fondant decorations in place.

Chicken pot pie

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Delicious-Chicken-Pot-Pie-10744

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Homemade-Pie-Crust-13619

Creamy chicken and penne

Saute 1 chopped onion in olive oil until almost translucent

Add one (or two) cubed chicken breasts.
Cook until chicken is done.

Add:
3/4c dry sun-dried tomatoes
1c cream
1/2c chicken broth
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt, pepper

Cook 5 minutes

Cook 1 pound penne, and add 4 cups of broccoli for the last few minutes of boiling.

Drain the pasta and broccoli, then toss with the chicken mixture.

Irish Soda Bread

http://www.recipezaar.com/Irish-Rosies-Irish-Soda-Bread-20616

I made a half recipe in a 9x5 loaf pan:

Shrimp Portebello

A friend recently shared his recipe for Shrimp Portebello (which has no mushrooms), and I made it for the first time tonight. It is absolutely delicious!