Jessi's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and since she loves to help me in the kitchen, we decided to have a baking party. Actually, I did all the baking before the party ever began. The kids got to do the best parts--decorate and eat. We invited 12 kids to our crazy backyard bash, and it turned out to be lots of fun. We had some darling apron invitations thanks to my friend Kezia, and I also used her cookie recipe, which you can find here. She told me they'd be good and she was right--they were delicious! Check out the recipe and make some. You won't be sorry. Here are some highlights of all the fun:
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| We had 2 stations: cupcakes and cookies. I made about 100 mini cupcakes and another 100 cookies. We had way too many, but I didn't want to run out. Besides, this way they got to decorate to their heart's content. We had every color of frosting and a huge assortment of sprinkles so they could all add just the right touch to their creations. |
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| I made cake plates for everyone out of ice cream dishes and glass plates. Just tip the sundae dish upside down, glue the plate to the base of the sundae dish, and...voila!...instant mini cake plate. The kids loved them! I had planned on them decorating the cookies and cupcakes before putting them on the plate, but they insisted they needed to decorate everything while they were on the plate. Just about drove me nuts, but whatever makes them happy... |
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Here's Jessi trying to decide what to decorate next...oh, the possibilities!
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After the decorating, we paused long enough to open presents.
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Then it was back to decorating for some of the kids, while others took a trampoline break. Ali was supposed to be my party helper, but notice she did more decorating than helping. Actually, it turned out I didn't need much help once the party began because the kids were so engrossed in their decorating.
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Here's Jessi's birthday cake. We didn't eat it at the party, though. I hadn't planned on the kids eating almost everything they decorated. I'm pretty sure that I didn't want any sick kids even if the party was in my backyard. Note the rolled fondant on the cake--my first attempt thanks to Davis who insisted I channel my inner Cake Boss. I must say it was lots of fun to make. I used a homemade buttercream fondant recipe that was delicious and easy to use!
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| I also made aprons for all the girls (and boy) to take home as well. Along with the aprons, I sent the kids home with whatever was left on their cake plates and an apology to the moms for the sugar high. |
Oh, the things we do for our kids! Happy birthday Jessi. I love you.
