Sunday 30 March 2008

DB 1: Brave, Courageous and... Daring!


I'd been wanting to join the Daring Bakers for a long time before this month, but somehow I'd never got up the nerve. I think perhaps it was the name; 'daring' made me think of pirates, or ninjas, and as much as I may aspire to be a ninja pirate (or a pirate ninja?) I wasn't sure if I was cut out for it.

When I finally decided to go for it, I was pretty relieved to learn that my first DB challenge was going to be a cake. I may not be the most daring of Daring Bakers, but I'm alright at cake.



I was so petrified of doing something wrong and being cast from the DB fold forever (do they have hitmen? I fondly imagine them having some sort of secret service at their beck and call) that this cake did take about a decade to make, and I kept having to take breaks to hyperventilate and frantically email Pixie, but all in all I think I was pretty successful.

That said; this cake was far more effort than I'd usually put in, and while it looked impressive (my mum said it looked like a wedding cake), I actually prefer normal sponge and regular, non-classy buttercream to the Swiss buttercream used here. So it was a good experience, but I think I'm sticking with my Gran's tried-and-true cake recipe ^__^.


Thanks Morven for hosting, and the recipe is in Dorie Greenspan's Baking From My Home To Yours.


Also; sorry for posting this late - I was in Bath visiting my sister, without an internet connection. Fail. Looks like the DB secret service will be on my trail anyway...




24 comments:

Deborah said...

Your cake is beautiful! Great job on your first challenge!

Shelby said...

You cake looks lovely!

test it comm said...

Your cake looks really good!

Rachel@fairycakeheaven said...

Well done on your first challenge it was mine too, your cake looks fantastic!

Jessy and her dog Winnie said...

Your cake looks great! I wish i could have a slice : )

Carolyn said...

Wow this looks delicious and I love the photograph

RecipeGirl said...

Very, Very nice job on your cake, and first DB challenge! I'm a newbie too, and I was also a bit relieved that it was only cake for the first challenge!!

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks amazing! Welcome to the Daring Bakers (it was my first challenge too!)

Pixie said...

Hey sweetie, wondered where you were! (used to live in Bath btw-hope you had a nice time) Next time, you can likely change things to your liking and feel somewhat less pressured.

Your cake looks stunning, well done on your first challenge!

oh and can you send me in the direction of your grandmother's frosting?

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Spectacular result, Indigo - in a good way! Well done!

Maria♥ said...

Indigo now this is perfection in a cake!! Beautiful ;o)

Maria
x

Rosie said...

Stunning Indigo!! What beautiful photo's too. Well done on your first challenge :)

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

they are pretty strict, aren't they? but now i feel like i have a gang. what is more threatening than a virtual gang of amateur bakers?

and good looking cake - so even and perfect.

LyB said...

I have never made buttercream frosting, nor am I even sure I've ever tasted it. But, if I ever had a chance to get a piece of that cake you made, I would take it and run! It looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

I think you've done a great job, sweetie! Don't worry, should the hitmen be on their way to you, just whip up a batch of those brownie-icecream powerpack combo to knock em off their feet!

Angel said...

Your mom is right, it does look as pretty as a wedding cake! Welcome to the club... and don't worry we save the hitmen for db haters, not participators =P

Anonymous said...

I've been wanting to join to DB for a while too, but I'm not brave enough yet. Plus I'm a little overloaded with homeworks!
The cake looks delicious. Your mom is right. It looks like a wedding cake.
* By the way, I meme you on my blog. You don't have to answer it though... it's just if you have a little time :D

Gretchen Noelle said...

Looks like a delicious cake to me - nothing like the pirates eat! Wonderful job on your first DB challenge! Welcome!

eatme_delicious said...

Ooo your cake looks great! Love the raspberries on it. I really disliked buttercream until I discovered delicious Swiss buttercream!

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful cake! Good job...and late is okay by me.

Sheltie Girl said...

You did a wonderful job on your cake. Congratulations on finishing your first challenge. Welcome to the Daring Bakers!

Natalie @ Gluten a Go Go

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steph- whisk/spoon said...

"non-classy buttercream"..hehe. well, looks-wise anyway, i think you are safe from the DB hitmen! yay for a great first challenge!

Cakelaw said...

Congrats on becoming a DB - your cake looks perfect.