It is with great pleasure that I announce that I will be hosting Aspiring Bakers’ 18th Baking Event. The theme for this month will be Layered Cakes!! Aspiring Bakers is a monthly baking event meant to encourage and ASPIRE bakers to bake according to a new theme each month.
I suggested a layered cake theme, because what is life without cakes? I don’t believe I would be able to survive in a cakeless world! If you think back to your favourite celebrations, chances are many of them have involved candles flickering over beautiful cakes. Be it birthdays, Christmases, weddings, convocations or other milestones we celebrate in life, cakes are significant and often central to most of these events.
In my case, when I look back on these events, the first thing that comes to my mind would be the cakes I baked! I thought to myself; what could be more lovely than a cake? It would be a home-made cake baked with LOVE! That is, to me, the icing on the cake (literally).
With that in mind, this month’s theme is to make frosted layered cakes! Red Velvet, Black Forest and Tuxedo cakes are some popular examples, but new creations are certainly welcome! Some examples of cake layers include jaconde, chiffon, sponge, butter cakes, dacquoise, mousse cakes, cheesecakes, ice-cream cakes, chiffon, etc.
Here are some rules for joining this event!
What are we looking for
- Cake has to be at least 3 layers. No maximum. Sorry no traditional kue lapis this month!
- Cake exterior has to be at least partially frosted or decorated – Frosting examples include but are not limited to ganache, buttercream, whipped cream, jelly etc.
- You can choose to frost just the top, just the sides, or the entire cake if you wish.
- If you do decide not to frost and instead to decorate your cake, make sure there are no bare spots! An example for decorating the top would be Tiramisu which has cocoa powder sifted on the top. For the sides, an example would be lady fingers or kit-kat bars surrounding the entire cake.
Please feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment if you have any questions!
Who can join?
- Everyone! (if you do not own a blog, just send me a photo and recipe of your cake)
How to join?
Step 1 :
Make a layered cake, in the month of April 2012.
Step 2 :
Post it on your blog between 01 April 2012 and30 April 2012.
Your post must include the recipe or link to the original recipe. If you are using a recipe from a book, please include the title of the book. This is only good blogging etiquette! 🙂
Any entries that are posted outside the date range will not be accepted.
Any entries that do not include a recipe or link to the original recipe will not be accepted too.
Step 3 :
Please mention that you are submitting your post to Aspiring Bakers #18: Layers of Love (April 2012) hosted by Sam of Sweet Samsations and provide a link back to this post HERE.
Entries will not be accepted if the above is not included.
Step 4 :
Email to samsumarli@gmail.com in the following format:
Your name (or pseudonym):
Name of your blog: (not URL. For example, mine is Sweet Samsations. I’ve been getting a lot of URLs! lol)
Name of your cake:
URL of your post:
URL of your photo (one photo per entry):
(alternatively, you can attach your photo in your email, preferably less than 500kb and .jpg format)
Please use “Aspiring Bakers #18” as your email subject. You may submit more than 1 entry.
The roundup will be posted on 01 May 2012.
I greatly look forward to all your delicious and creative recipes!!
***
If you are interested to find out what’s on the previous Aspiring Bakers #17: March Macaron Madness! (Mar 2012) entries, hosted by Alan of Travelling Foodies, see the roundup HERE.
Cheers!!!
Sweet Samsations 
Hi Samantha! Thanks for hosting the event! Just need to clarify one thing though. The “minimum requirement” of three layers refer only to the cake layers or does it include collectively any layers of mousse, buttercream or ganache which are used to interlace the cake layers as well? Thanks!
Hello Samantha these photo shots of your cakes are just too dangerous. I am now craving something with lots of creamy yummy layers. I would love to join but have to have midterm Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture exams this month and I really need to crack those books. Have fun with the baking round up. Take Care, BAM
Great question Alan! The layers are “cake layers” and does include mousse layers but in general not ganache, buttercream or whipped cream. I’d like to think of the latter three as frostings instead of a “cake layers”. Good rule of thumb is that if you could eat it by itself, it’s a cake layer. Eg: Cheesecake, mousse cake, sponge cake, pound cake, biscuits, ice cream cake, cookie cake etc etc. Although I am aware that some people do eat buttercream by itself (true story!), I think most people consider it a frosting for spreading on their cake layers.
For example: http://www.raleys.com/images/imagescontent/1099399.jpg is definitely a 2-layered cake. I would hardly consider the middle frosting as a layer.
http://thumbs.ifood.tv/files/images/food/american-chocolate-layer-cake-01.jpg would be 3 layers!
Hope that helps! Thanks!
hahaa.. Thanks Bam! No worries!! Best of luck on your midterm! Sounds intense! But I’m sure you’ll do well 😉 Take care too!
Hi,
U’ll be getting 2 cakes from me 🙂
1 doesn’t qualify because the filling is whipped ganache, with 2 layers of cake 😦
If not i’ll have 3 cakes.
Wait… so Tiramisu, with 2 layers of sponge and 2 layers of cheese filling, does that count as 4??
I am not a baker, but this sounds like a lot of fun. I cannot wait to see all the creations.
Your cake photos are so lovely, my favorite is the opera cake.
Hi Samantha, thanks for hosting this month’s Aspiring Bakers! I’m really excited to bake some mini layer cakes! Can’t wait to see what others are going to bake as well!
HI Samantha, thanks for the clarification. Does the exterior have to be frosted? I have some entremets up my mind but the exterior is not gonna be frosted though… here’s something which I’d made in the past to let you have an idea of what I mean.
http://travellingfoodies.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/sadaharu-aokis-valencia-a-feeble-attempt/
I am not into decorating cakes but let see what I can do for this month theme. Another tough one for me 🙂
Hi Sam, love your new blog look by the way! I will try to see if I can do layered cakes this month, and I will let you know. Great idea!
Hmm… I hope I didn’t leave duplicate comment. but I love your new blog look by the way 🙂 And I will try to see if can whip up layered cakes this month to be submitted to your fun event. Great idea!
Hi Wendy, thank you for your support!! Yes! The Tiramisu definitely qualifies! There are a lot of Tiramisu cakes that don’t even include a sponge layer so the cheese filling would be a cake layer! 🙂
Awww!! I really want to see that whipped ganache one though! Sounds really divine!! 😦
Thanks Norma! Opera cakes are gorgeous classics!
Thank you for supporting AB Jasline!! I look forward to seeing your pretty layer cakes!! I trust they will taste and look as great as they sound to me now! 🙂
I still don’t get what all the action around red velvet cake is…non-the-less, your cake is very decadent looking.
Hi Alan! Your cake here is a thing of beauty! It’s nowhere near a “feeble attempt”. To answer your question, as long as either the top or sides are frosted, then it qualifies!
ok , then now I have 3.
the one with whipped ganache will be on this friday. If that one counts, i’ll give you 4 entries.
First entry will be posted today
Hi Samantha, nice knowing you from AB event 🙂
Thks for hosting this month’s theme
I’ll definitely support you, even though I’m a sucker in frosting and cake deco LOL
Another challenge for me this month, thats whats I like about this event, to always come out of my comfort zone 🙂
Have questions though…
Is layered cake without filling accepted? eg. Indonesian kueh lapis?
Or something like those layered cakes with only jam spread in between.. are these counted?
Another question…is decorating the sides of the cake has to use frosting only? If I want to use, let’s say wafer/cookies crumbs/jimmies/chocolate sticks – arranged at the sides of the cake…is this allowed?
Thks so much and have a great week 🙂
Hi Gertrude! haha.. I see what you mean! Decorating can take some time! I probably don’t get any motivation in decorating whatsoever when I’m making a cake for myself. However, when baking for others, your inspiration and drive automatically kicks in!! And the best part is when you present your cake to the lucky person, and see a big smile on their face! That’s when you know that all your effort was worth the time! And yes! Your decoration is not restricted only to frosting! Please feel free to use your imagination! 🙂
Hi Yudith!!! Thank you! I am definitely looking forward to your cake!! Looking and pretty cakes is probably a secret fetish of mine! LOL. Can’t wait to see yours! I bet they’ll turn out superb!
Hi Eva, thanks! Although it’s true that Red Velvets are a little overrated, I have to say that they are still one of my favourites! I know that they are merely chocolate cakes with a lot of red dye and buttermilk, but there’s just something about the red and white symbolism which builds magic around the cake! It’s probably the cream cheese filling / frosting too! I guess I’ll be on this bandwagon for a while!
Hi Alice! The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for supporting this month’s theme! I’m definitely looking forward to your cakes!! Your blog has nothing but incredibly mouth-watering dishes that makes me miss home so much!
hmmm.. We will leave lapis out for this month’s theme. Since traditional lapis does not have frosting / decorations to it. In this theme, we would like to see more frostings in our cakes!
As for your decorations, your cake does not have to be only plain frosting! You can definitely feel free to add on decorations on top of the frosting, like graham crumbs, chocolate plaques, or shredded coconut, to name a few examples.
My interest has already been piqued by your descriptions! I definitely can’t wait to see your entries!!
Have a great week too!!
I’m gonna say it again, what a GORGEOUS cake Wendy! Everything about it is perfect! I’m thoroughly impressed!! Keep them coming!! 😀
Hi Samantha, Love this month AB’s theme as I love mousse cake. very much:)
Great to know you too! 🙂
Hello Ann! That’s awesome! I’m glad I’m able to get to know you AND your delicious kitchen too! Definitely looking forward to the goodies you will be bringing to the table!
Look at you being fancy with your themes! I can hardly keep up with just making what my tummy wants:]
Great idea! Ill try my best to make one, if time permits 🙂
oh Sam, I am so going to try and take part in this before we head overseas 🙂
Oh that’s great!! Excited to see some delicious cakes from you! 🙂
Oh, look at all that deliciousness! I may have to join in on the cake fun!
I’m forwarding you some blog love. Come take a peek!
Your photos are amazing of all the layer cakes! And then I started scrolling back through your other posts… frick! I am so hungry now, and all of your baking is absolutely beautiful. I love that you even posted a recipe for croissants. Most people are so scared by them, but your recipe is super! Well done 🙂
Truth be told I’m pretty bad with listening to what my tummy wants too! Although I probably bake 5 times more than the average person, I only cook about once a week! Yes, it’s rather shameful but oh wells. lol. The right word to describe me would be… dangerously obsessed. haha
Hi Samantha, my first time coming over here. Thanks for hosting the AB for this month!
Most definitely Raymund! Bet you’re going to make a fine looking one with the prettiest pictures!
Yeah, why not? 🙂 I will be waiting for your cakes Sandra! hehe.. Thanks for the award too! I feel so honoured and loved – blog loved 😀
hahaha.. Thank you thank you!!! To be honest, if someone requested of me to make croissants again, I’m not sure how willingly I would oblige! Thinking back to the gruelling time I spent making them just makes me shiverrrr… brrr…. lol.. Thanks Deb! 🙂
Hi Ah Tze and welcome! Please make yourself comfortable here! I see lots of pretty cakes from your blog!! You must be quite the expert at cake frosting and decorating! 🙂
Hi Sam, i’m Petra, would like to clarify…if the cake have only have 2 flavour but bake in 3 layer , will it be consider as 3 layer? example as below
http://petsleepingpig.blogspot.com/search/label/%E7%8C%AB%E7%83%98%E7%84%99~Steamed%20Cakes
Hi, Samantha. What an interesting theme, something unique this month. I will try to use own creativity to make this.
Thanks for hosting. Nice to meet you too
From,
Hankerie
http://hankerie.blogspot.com
Layered cakes are my favorite thing to bake! Totally taking part in this.
Hi Petra! Yes. Most definitely! Any three layers! Any flavour! 🙂 Keep in mind they do need to be frosted though! Top or sides or both! What a cute blog you have Petra! Looking forward to your creations! 🙂
Nice to meet you too! I’ve seen a lot of your creativity and I know this is definitely up your alley! Can’t wait!
Oh perfect!! That’s awesome to hear Joanne! You have a whole recipe index of wonderful looking cakes on your blog. Glad to be seeing more!
Beautiful pictures Sammie…I look forward to the cakes…
Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks for hosting such a fun event 🙂
I’m not a baker but can’t wait to see what happens! I love to eat desserts and maybe I’ll get super inspired 🙂
thanks! i will submit my post before end of april! hehehe! thank you for hosting this AB….really admire you all….ur blog so nice….
I am already excited by reading all the comments here.
May I know is something like pandan layer cake qualified? The layer is made up of sponge cake and agar-agar/jelly.
Example: http://angelcookbakelove.blogspot.com/2012/03/yam-layer-cake-french-sponge-cake.html
Can the frosting be the agar-agar/jelly or mousse?
Hi Angel! Yes, that pandan layer cake qualifies! That would be a 3 layer cake! You may use agar-agar to frost. mmm.. as for mousse… You could frost with mousse if you like! I just saw a lot of mousse frosting recipes when I googled it. Like this http://littlebluehen.com/?p=3482
By the way, is that LISA ONO on your blog?! Omg! I love her!! I only listen to her songs when I bake! haha.. I am already in love with your blog 😀
Thanks for sharing my excitement Juliana!! I am definitely looking forward to the round up at the end of this month!
You know I’m not a baker (or I should say “beginner”), so I won’t join this time, but someday I will. Count me in that time. However I love drooling for sweets, so looking forward to the event! 😉
haha.. aww! Baking is so much fun though! hehe.. One day you’ll cave and get hooked onto baking!! like me… lol
Wow this is definitely a cake filled with love components 😀
One day I will definitely try it!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
haha.. Alright Nami!! Fair enough! Thanks for your moral support and sweet comment though! 🙂
For sure! Looking forward! 🙂
Just entered my hazelnut tiramisu recipe – what a great challenge! 🙂
Hi Samantha,
This event sounds too exciting! I am trying to think of a cake I could bake which has 3 layers. Wow. I will try and work on something special for this event. Hope I can come up with it.
Your cakes look decadent and absolutely divine!!! You really are a gifted baker.
I am excited about this. Lemme find you a Sugar Dish 🙂
Absolutely!! I can’t wait to see it! 🙂
Thank you for your support and comment Asmita! You’re even sweeter than my cakes! 🙂
Great job on your beautiful cake!! I LOVE Tiramisus!
Wow, Sam! You are one talented baker! So glad to be stumbling here. Thanks for dropping into my blog 🙂
Thanks Kiran! Of course! hehe.. Hope you like my new “renovated” my look! 😀
Hi sam,
I’ve emailed details of my post for this event yesterday. I’m wondering if you’ve received the email because on my side, there’s no indication that the email hs already been sent although I’ve ‘send’ twice! I really don’t want to miss this month challenge. Thanks.
Faeez
Hi Faeez, thanks for notifying me. No I did not get any email. Don’t think it went through. Try sending me again samsumarli@gmail.com . If you still encounter any problems with emails you could leave the details in the comment section here 🙂
Hi Sam,
I made a triple choc cheesecake, does it qualify for this theme? However the top is jus choc ganache.. So perhaps it wldnt be considered as 3 layers min??
Thks:)
Hi Mimi! Thanks for your question. Is your triple chocolate cheesecake also triple layered? If it is you can definitely submit it! 😀 But if you were referring to a regular cheesecake consisting of – Crust, Cheesecake, thin layer of Ganache on the top, then I believe many would consider that to be only one-layer 🙂
Oopsie… Yes, the crust, the cheese filling & the choc ganache… Kekeke…:-p
Okok, den I supposed it’s really 1 layer… Hee…:))
Thks Sam. Let me see if there’s other cake that I can try baking by end of Apr, else, gonna miss this mth challenge:-p
Definitely Mimi!! I would really love to see a cake from you! I bet it would be wildly spectacular! 🙂