Treasure Chest Cake

Thursday, 23 June 2016

Zali has been baking up a storm in the last few weeks, in fact we often come home to the smell of something delicious in the oven and the kitchen not too messy. It's been really great - we've had donuts, cinnamon scrolls, cakes.. more donuts.. yum.

Anyway - she was keen to do a cake with me for Jamie, so after enquiring with Denny (who gave us free choice) we decided to do a treasure chest, something I haven't done as a full cake before - the closest I've come was a mini-one on top of Jett's pirate cake back in 2010. 

Due to there being lots of other things to do on Saturday, I didn't get Jamie's cake into the oven until after 8pm on Saturday night. While it was baking I coloured the brown icing and made the chocolate ganache and watched Naked Dating. Time well spent I'm sure you'll agree.

The next morning I was up early to do the shaping and the initial covering. Ideally the cake would be frozen at this stage - it's so much easier to carve and cover, but I just had to cope with it crumbling all over the place - I figured family would be much more forigiving of any wonkiness anyway (as opposed to commercial customers for which I'd be a lot more precise - and allow a lot more time too!).

The next stage was to make the wood look like wood, by scoring it with a knife - then Zali and I painted on the wood grain (which was caramel brown food colouring). The end result was really satisfying.   

Both Zali and Jett then got onto painting the oreo biscuits gold (I couldn't find chocolate money in the supermarket on Saturday and I recon these turned out better anyway),  while I quickly got the black bits onto the outside of the chest - again, if it was a commercial cake I'd be doing a lot more measuring and it would all be a lot neater - still the overall effect was quite rustic which was nice too.

With the lid on, it was a matter of cramming in the treasure and making the paper scroll/map. Zali had great fun doing this although she was too nervous to do the lettering so I did that part.  

  

With some dessicated coconut 'sand' we were done! Laree actually got a good photo of the entire chest on her phone (above right)- I've stolen it off Facebook - thanks Laree!

Jamie was pretty happy with the end result. Zali and I had fun. Wins all around.
2016summary
Christmassy Photos Friday, 30 December 2016
Noosa - Day 5 Thursday, 15 December 2016
Noosa - Day 4 Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Noosa - Day 3 Monday, 12 December 2016
Noosa - Day 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Noosa - Day 1 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Being Bothered Pays Off. Sunday, 11 December 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane part 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Paver Project Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane Wednesday, 23 November 2016
The end of an era Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Snowvember Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Tramp-a-bag Monday, 31 October 2016
Mt Wellington Monday, 31 October 2016
Online Only Challenge Monday, 31 October 2016
3 Capes Monday, 10 October 2016
Packing Regrets Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Fantasy Amazing Race Tuesday, 4 October 2016
Before and After then After that #37 Monday, 3 October 2016
Before and After #36 Zali's Room Take 2 Monday, 3 October 2016
That's DR McComb to you.. Friday, 26 August 2016
'Mrs', 'Miss', or 'Dammed feminist'? Sunday, 14 August 2016
Who is really paying for the bake sale? Friday, 12 August 2016
Running Sunday, 31 July 2016
The Kettering Incident and Why I am the Smartest in the Room Friday, 29 July 2016
Before and After Sneak Peak Tuesday, 26 July 2016
Vacuum Cleaner Update Tuesday, 26 July 2016
How not to go to the movies Tuesday, 12 July 2016
How Not to Sell Vacuum Cleaners Monday, 11 July 2016
Melbourne Mini Break Monday, 27 June 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Thursday, 23 June 2016
Treasure Chest Cake Thursday, 23 June 2016
Shark House! Saturday, 11 June 2016
Before and After #35 - CD Tower to Mirror Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Maths - it could happen to you. Thursday, 19 May 2016
Power Tools Tuesday, 17 May 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Friday, 22 April 2016
Sheffield Rail Trail & Derby Thursday, 21 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #34 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #31 & #32 & #33 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #29 & #30 Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Creatures of Habit Thursday, 7 April 2016
Let me count the ways.. Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Canberra 2016 Friday, 25 March 2016
Un armed.. Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Full day of activities Sunday, 13 March 2016
Dumped Saturday, 12 March 2016
Double Tromble Friday, 11 March 2016
Million Dollar Lane Wednesday, 9 March 2016
2nd International MFSC Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Tip Run Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Blackberry Season Thursday, 3 March 2016
Packed Lunches Wednesday, 2 March 2016
so yeah.. Sunday, 28 February 2016
Cradle Mountain Run Curse Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Last Pictures Tuesday, 9 February 2016
All the kids Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Overland Track - Day 7 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 6 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 5 Sunday, 24 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 4 Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 3 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 2 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 1 Monday, 18 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 0 Sunday, 17 January 2016
Slow Progress Thursday, 14 January 2016
Pakning på, opp og stå, ut og gå Monday, 11 January 2016