Picture it: you’re on your couch, flipping between Cake Boss and Cake Wars. Suddenly, it occurs to you: you can do this. You can make a cake. You’ll be the cake boss, victor of the cake wars. And you’ll win the admiration of your friends at Becky’s next potluck party. After all, it looks so easy: why not try to make a simple layered cake?
If you’re like me, this situation may lead to learning a lesson — or lessons! — the hard way. While reality shows like these make baking look “easy as cake,” in reality, it’s no cake walk. So, in the interest of sparing you from pain and sorrow, here’s what I learned when my attempt to become cake boss became the boss of me.
Size… It Matters
Remember that episode when someone made an Eiffel Tower cake that looked more like the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Well, now I know why. One way that a layered cake can turn into a disaster is the size of each layer. When making a layered cake, you want to measure out each layer evenly to ensure that one won’t be thicker than the others. When a layer is too thick, it adds extra weight to the cake. Then, the cake is more likely to crumble all over your freshly cleaned countertop when you add another layer.
Temperature and Patience
My mother always said that patience is a virtue — and baking has taught me it’s one virtue that I don’t have. Apparently, layered cakes can also fall apart if the layers are not cooled. After removing the layers from the oven, you want to let them cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. After the layers have cooled, carefully flip them onto a cooling rack or a flat pan in the freezer. This allows the layers to continue to cool. If the layers aren’t cooled enough, they’re very tender and likely to fall apart in the process of adding the layers, as I learned from experience.
Level the Playing Field
Once the layers have cooled, you’d think it’d be time to build the cake by putting the layers on top of each other. But this is approximately 100% wrong. Instead, you need to make sure the layers are all level and flat. Using a knife, carefully carve the top of each layer so that it’s as flat as possible. If the layers aren’t flat, the lopsided cake will eventually crumble, falling apart and onto your nice Pier 1 runner rug. And not even icing can save the day for an unleveled cake. While using icing in between each layer may seem to even it out, your cake may still crumble.
Heading to a Pot Luck? DON’T Take the Cake!
Real talk: layer cakes take a lot of time and a lot of patience. I started out expecting a masterpiece but ended up with a candidate for a Cake Fails listicle. After losing my own personal Cake War, I felt the full agony of my flour-covered defeat. I couldn’t even face the thought of facing a freezer full of perfectly layered cakes at my local bakery.
Luckily, Market Table offers a solution to my dessert dilemma: Edolyn’s Homemade Pies. Made with care from a family recipe, these single-serving beauties take the cake when it comes to fast, delicious and, most importantly, no-fail desserts. Pick up some Pecan, Lemon Chess, and Sweet Potato pies to impress your guests at your next gathering. Pro-Tip: you can even say you made them yourself. Market Table won’t tell. So if at cake you don’t succeed, try Market Table for Edolyn’s pies!
As the weather changes to cooler temperatures, that means snuggling up and enjoying more delicious treats. It means filling your home with the delicious smells of pumpkin and cinnamon. These five delicious autumn dessert recipes are perfect for the whole family!
Picture from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a56465/caramel-apple-bombs-recipe/
Caramel Apple Bombs
Caramel apples are a classic for the Fall season, and these caramel apple bombs will satisfy any caramel apple craving. By stuffing biscuits with a homemade apple filling and caramel candy, you get the rich yet tart flavor of caramel apples but with a doughy — and delicious! — twist.
Cinnamon Apple Cake
This recipe adds an elegant twist to the classic apple spice cake. The spiraling apples on top make the cake look difficult, but this cake really is as easy as — well, a piece of cake. You’re sure to have everyone in awe with this effortless yet elegant treat.
Picture from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a56478/pumpkin-cobbler-recipe/
Pumpkin Cobbler
Pumpkin pie takes lots of time, energy and is so last year. Save your energy and get with the times with this delicious pumpkin cobbler. Enjoy this treat with some vanilla ice cream. Your family is sure to fight for that last scoop of cobbler.
Picture from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55851/pumpkin-pie-egg-rolls-recipe/
Pumpkin Pie Egg Rolls
This recipe adds the pumpkin spice twist to the classic fan-favorite egg roll. This 30-minute treat makes for a great dessert after treating yourself some Chinese food for dinner.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
‘Tis the {pumpkin spice} season. Chocolate chip cookies are great, but during the Fall season, it’s time to spice things up. These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are sure to be a hit at your Fall festival or for your kid’s class Halloween party.
As soon as the leaves start to change, your taste buds will be begging for those Fall flavors. These recipes will satisfy that pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon fix that you’ve been craving since last November.
Summer coming to an end. That means it’ll soon be time to send the kids back to school. Celebrate the end of summer with a neighborhood back-to-school party and showcase these five recipes that every kid — and parent! — is sure to enjoy.
Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Who needs those frozen corn dogs from the store when you can make these delicious corn dog muffins at home? This easy and homemade alternative recipe for regular corn dogs makes for a great snack any day.
Pencil push up pops from http://www.bakerella.com/pencil-pushers/
Pencil Pushers
These school-themed dessert treats are sure to be a hit for guests of all ages. Using cake push pop containers, you can create your own tasty pencil-shaped cake pops. These treats make for a cute and delicious decoration for the party.
Stuffed pizza cupcakes from http://www.pennywisecook.com/stuffed-pizza-cupcakes/
Stuffed Pizza Cupcakes
Pizza is an all-time for most people. These stuffed pizza cupcakes are guaranteed to be the life of your back-to-school party. Made with pizza dough, sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings, everyone is bound to love these.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These fluffy ham and cheese pinwheels make for a great party snack and the perfect lunch to pack for the first day of school. With a sauce made of mustard, mayo and horseradish, these pinwheels will become a classic dinner favorite for the whole family.
Decorated cookie pop from http://www.the36thavenue.com/back-to-school-apple-pops/
Oreo Cookie Apple Pops
The whole neighborhood will be raving about these tasty treats made from double-stuffed Oreos, candy melts and fondant. These Oreo pops make a great treat for the party and for a sweet snack in the lunchbox.
With these tasty recipes, there’s no need for the end of summer to be a time of mourning for the kids. Your back-to-school party will have the whole neighborhood excited for school to start.
Greek food established its popularity long ago. Due to its healthy nature and flavorful taste, Greek food is a genre that many are sure to love.
Typical Ingredients
Greek food is considered a healthy cuisine because of its typical ingredients. Many Greek dishes center around a type of lean meat or fish. You’ll commonly find pork, lamb, mussels and shrimp mixed with spices and herbs in different types of Greek recipes. You’ll also often find feta, the national cheese of Greece, in Greek dishes. Feta cheese can also only be produced in Greece, so it’s always 100% Greek. Beans are also another healthy ingredient found in Greek dishes. Because of the fertile wet soil in northern Greece, beans are popular for gardening and for cooking.
Typical Dishes
One of the most common Greek dishes is Moussaka. This widely-recognized casserole consists of eggplants and potatoes layered with a spiced meat filling then topped with a creamy sauce. A popular Greek soup found on the menus of most Greek restaurants is Chicken Soup Avgolemono. This creamy soup typically serves as the first course for Greek holiday celebrations. A popular appetizer that can also be used as a condiment is Tzatziki. This yogurt-based cucumber dip is the perfect dip for grilled meat, veggies or pita bread.
Typical Desserts
Baklava, a classic and popular dessert, consists of flaky phyllo dough layered with a cinnamon-spiced nut filling. Another delicious dessert consisting of flaky phyllo dough is Galaktoboureko. This custard pie is covered with a lemon and orange infused syrup. Shortbread cookies, known as Kourabiethes, are a classic at Greek family celebrations. These light yet rich-in-flavor cookies melt right in your mouth.
Greek cuisine is one that the whole family is sure to love. With the various ingredients used, there is something out there that will satisfy every member of the family.
Tired of rotating the same dishes over and over again for dinner each week? Try out one, or all, of these five recipes. They’re sure to spice up dinner time for the summer.
Lemon Caper Chicken
This tasty recipe consists of zesty lemon, an array of spices and capers that all work together to flavor the chicken breasts. With a prep time of 15 minutes and only nine minutes to cook, this dinner for three will be ready in no time.
Mango-BBQ fish tacos from http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/mango-barbecue-fish-tacos/
Mango-Barbecue Fish Tacos
Looking for a recipe that adds some sweetness to your summer? This fish taco recipe combines the flavors of fruit and barbecue sauce to create a sweet and savory fish taco dinner for four.
Fresh Herb Tuna Salad
Summer means days full of activities and adventures. With this quick and easy recipe, dinner for two will be ready in about 15 minutes. With herbs and curry powder, your tuna salad is sure to have that summer kick it needs.
Chicken Cobb Salad
From start to finish, this easy and healthy recipe only takes 30 minutes. With a rotisserie chicken, your salad is sure to be just as delicious and easy as it would be if you were dining out.
Ham florentine soup from http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/pork/ham-florentine-soup/
Ham Florentine Soup
Are you a lover of greens in your dinner? This healthy soup combines your favorite greens along with ham and other veggies to give you a creamy and delicious soup that the whole family’s sure to love.
Next time you’re in a hurry or are looking for a quick dinner after a long day, give one of these dishes a try. Don’t feel like cooking? Let Market Table do the cooking for you! Stop by for our fully prepared meals, like our fresh Sesame Chicken Salad or our low-carb, family-friendly Chicken Enchilada Casserole. They’re sure to give your summer the kick of flavor it needs.
Typical Dishes
Typical Desserts
