Tips on How to Save on Your Wedding

We were recently featured on a TV segment on "How to say 'I DO' to a budget wedding" on CTV.


We gave a few tips on how you can save on your wedding cake without sacrificing quality!

Other Vancouver business give tips on how to save on flowers, rings, etc.


View the video here:

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120531/bc_steele_weddings_120531/20120531/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome#commentSection

Cupcake Throwdown 2012

On February 16th Vancouver had its 3rd annual Cupcake Throwdown to benefit the H.A.V.E . held at Chapel Arts.

This was our 3rd year participating. Like the past years, this year did not disappoint!

This year was much bigger then previous years, as a result I was so busy I only managed to snap a few quick pictures with my phone. Some participants arrived a bit late, and so I was not able to get a shot of everyones cupcakes. Still, lots of creative cupcakes to share...

WARNING! Cupcake overload ahead!

First off, our vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcake. This cupcake is a spiced up chocolate cake with a chilli and spice ganache filling, topped with cream cheese icing. My inspiration for the decoration was a day of the dead theme, with sugar skulls and roses.

Here is a picture I took before we left the bakery:

Next, Organic Lives and their "living" german chocolate cupcake

One of our favourite bakers, C&C Cakery and their white russian flavoured cupcake. Got to try this one, its was delicious!

Chocolate cupcakes with coconut custard:

Chocolate cupcakes with rosemary salted caramel, nice twist on a favourite:

The rise and shine cupcake:

DOMO! Chocolate chai cupcake with chocolate chai avocado frosting. Wish I could have tried that one.

Peanut butter cupcakes with salted caramel "monkey butter" icing

Cocoa Dreamcakes:

Mini Southern Hogs:

Tiramisu cupcakes with Lemon:

Chocolate Ganache Clouds:

Fairy Cakes and their Chai Carrot cupcakes:

S'more Cupcakes!:

Chocolate Peanut butter cupcakes:

Hungry for more? Check out our blog posts for 1st and 2nd year Cupcake Throwndown's!

Say Yes to the Dress, and Cupcakes!

Today, Randy Fenoli of "Say Yes to the Dress" was at Isabelle's Bridal helping brides find the wedding dress of their dreams. We were there too, with cupcakes! We were so excited to be a part of this fun and exciting event.

The team at Isabelle's Bridal is amazing, I personally bought my own wedding dress from Isabelle's earlier this year, and had such a great experience. Now add Randy's expertise, what more could you ask for?

For cupcakes we had a "Say Yes to the Dress" theme. So we incorporated details you would find on your dress such as bows, lace, buttons, and pearls into our cupcake design.

Our favourite wedding blogger Vancity Bride was there, giving updates through out the day. Check out her blog for tons of pictures.

The Wedding Belles were also at Isabelle's, check out their You Tube channel to see the segment.

2012 Engagement Sale!

Exciting news!

I personally became engaged over the Christmas holiday's. I'm just so excited and bursting with joy, I wanted to do something for all the other bride to be's!

So, Le Gateau Bake Shop is having a special offer to all the recently engaged couples looking for wedding cakes (or cupcakes!). For the month of January, book your FREE tasting and receive %15 off your order! We are calling it the engagement sale- please mention this when you book your appointment.

To book your consultation email us at Tanya@LeGateauBakeShop.com

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Its cookie swap time of year! As I was preparing for this year's Christmas baking and cookie swap, I came across this recipe I had made the year before.

The combination of chocolate and chilli has always been one of my favourites. Whenever I see a new recipe featuring the two, I have to try it (check out our previous post on Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcakes). I came across this Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies from no other than queen cookie swap bee herself Martha Stewart.

These cookies were really simple to make. They reminded me of my favourite gingersnap recipe because of the sugar coating and cracked surface that lets you know the cookies are done baking.

*Tip* I always use a cookie scoop, it really speeds up the process when you have 6 dozen cookies to make for a cookie swap, plus it ensures even sizing.

Also- I LOVE spice, so I kicked up the amount of spice in this recipe, and I added into the cookie dough mix instead of the sugar coating like the recipe suggests. Also I used ground cayenne instead of chilli powder. If you are not into spice, you can omit it all together and have a tasty chocolate and cinnamon spice cookie.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon chile powder (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down side of bowl. Add eggs and beat to combine. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat until combined.
2. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and chile powder (if using). Using heaping tablespoons, form balls of dough and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place, about 3 inches apart, on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies are set in center and begin to crack, about 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cookies cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Happy Baking!

Angry Birds Cake!

This cake was created for my brother in law, Dan. I wanted to surprise him with a cake for his birthday, and when I asked my sister if she had any idea's she immediately replied "ANGRY BIRDS!!". I was really excited, i've been dying for someone to request one!

The was chocolate cake with chocolate ganache filling. All decorations are from fondant.

Close up of King Pig:

Dan was thrilled, it was really an exciting birthday surprise. He's still calling it the best cake EVER.

Thanks to cake central for all the inspiration for this design.

Cake Love PT. 1

18 months of planning, all worth every minute. Cake Love 2011 was beyond a huge success, and I am so proud of what the members of the Vancouver Cake Society Jennifer Shaw, April Bellia, Mark Tagulao, Erlinda Jalandoon and myself pulled off.

Cake Love 2011 was a three day cake decorating conference in Vancouver B.C., featuring hand on classes from 15 of the best sugar artists and cake designers from around the world, including Norman Davis and Zane Beg, Ruth Rickey, Anne Heap, Susan Carberry, Becky Rink, Pat Jacoby, Jacqueline Butler, Lauren Kitchens, and Canadian Lisa Bujega, just to name a few.

Classes ranged from life like gumpaste flowers, folk art painting, and edible jewelery to the whimsical topsy turvy cake and muppetized figures.

Lisa Bujega's "tea for two" class creation

Norm and Zane's Purse Ladies Purse cake class creation

Creation's from Lauren Kitchen's creature sculpting 101 and 301.

The there was also a cake display room that featured work from the conference attendee's. This room was open to the public.

A couple of my favourite submissions.

There was also a live cake challenge at the banquet, where attendee's created amazing cakes with little tools and supplies:

I myself was lucky enough to take part in a few classes. Stay tuned for my next post that features what I learned with Anne Heap of Pink Cake Box.