Kati's first Fondant Cake

Some of you know, Kati has become quite the little baker in the last couple of years. She bakes mostly cakes for us, and a lot of our neighbors. The funny thing is - she doesn't eat cake herself - she just likes to bake them. She has always done an amazing job, and we routinely have neighbors/friends call us looking for her to bake them a cake. We even have neighbors across the street, who have been known to come over at 9pm with a cake/frosting in hand - and they just smile at Kati.

Recently, Kati and I started watching Cake Boss on TLC. It is a great show!! She has always watched cooking/baking shows on Food Network (her and Bryan bond over this). She decided she wanted to try using Fondant - which is the icing that you see on the "really smooth" cakes. I don't know how else to describe it, it's used on almost all wedding cakes. So, she found a recipe for marshmallow fondant and decided to try it. Last night she decided to dive right in and try it. It was interesting to watch! Kati has become a perfectionist.....and I mean a serious one. I was a little concerned that she would get angry when it didn't go right, as the first time rarely ever does. It was a mess - I would love to show you pictures of how messy it really was - but she wouldn't let me take pictures. Let's just put it this way - she had to spread Crisco all over our kitchen counters....if that helps. I came to the living room and watched a movie (or tried to at least) while she worked. Her best friend, Krystal, was here, as was her friend Zach. I told Zach he had better avoid her and the kitchen like the plague - but he was brave/stupid and stayed in there watching. He got to see first hand her Type A personality/OCD/Perfectionist - at work. He sat in amazement, often laughing at her, which does not help at all!! Krystal can deal with it, although it's funny to listen to, they will bicker like little kids. As Kati worked on coloring the fondant (it obviously starts out white) - Krystal worked on crafting decorations for the top of the cake out of the fondant.

After awhile, I couldn't wait any longer, so I went to look. I was AMAZED! She did such an awesome job!! I still can't believe this is her 1st time doing this. It looks so good. Krystal made 2 animal heads to represent her and Kati (an elephant and a bunny...I'm not sure which represents which girl) - and she also wrote the words on the cake. After it was done, Kati decided to add the polka dots - and let me tell you without exaggeration - it took her no less than 30 minutes to get them all just right. She was a little agitated that the cake is somewhat lopsided (cake fault...not icing) - and the dots are not the exact same size - but she was tired enough to deal with it.





We haven't cut it yet - I don't think any of us want to. It is a chocolate fudge cake. I'm sure it will be yummy!!

And in honor of the best friends - here are a myriad of pictures of Kati and Krystal. They have been best friends for a few years now, since Krystal moved to Providence. I think that was in the 7th grade - and they will now be entering the 10th grade. Krystal has truly become a part of our family, often joining us at family gatherings, and on holidays. She is a special young lady, who I know will be in our lives for a very long time. She and Kati couldn't be luckier to have found each other. Their friendship and bond is very familiar to me - it reminds me of Michelle and I. I pray they always have what we have always had!!