Baked

For her birthday LP got a "Girl Gourmet: Cake Bakery" set. Promoted by Duff of Ace of Cakes it is a baking set for children 4 and up that involves fondant and fancy cake decorating tools. Almost on a daily basis since her birthday LP has been asking...begging...imploring to make a cake. Never mind that I tried to convince her to bake a real cake with me using the fruit we harvested this weekend - she wanted to use her fancy new kit.

Yesterday I relented and got everything ready while LP and AK were at day care. I put batteries in the stand (which we ended up not needing because that would have required patience and a steady hand), bought a new can of non-stick spray and laid out all of the key components.

After washing their hands the girls got to work.

• Step 1: Mix cake mix with water measured in the "big end" of the spoon. Try to get as much batter in the bowl as possible and try not to lick the spoon 15 times - there is not a lot of mix.
• Step 2: Pour/push batter into mold. Don't be discouraged that the batter barely fills the mold, it will rise.
• Step 3: Put the covered mold in the microwave and clean up the extra water or powdered mix any helpers may have inadvertently spilled on the floor while you wait.
• Step 4: Read the instructions carefully and mix fondant powder with water measured from the "small end" of the spoon. If you use the big end of the spoon by mistake plan on adding lots and lots of confectioners sugar until it starts to look more like fondant. Then add another spoonful.
• Step 5: Roll out fondant. I am guessing this works if your sous chefs are not 4 and 2 and if you actually used the right amount of water.
• Step 6: Get the fondant on the cake. Due to mistake during step number 4, you may just end up putting the fondant on the cake like frosting.
• Step 7: Decorate and eat.

• Step 8: Accept that the cake was even smaller than a cupcake. Go out and pick the first ripe berries from your raspberry bush instead.

• Step 9: HIDE THE GIRL GOURMET SET.