Strawberry Creme Fingers

Last night I took my little daughter on a mummy-daughter date. We went shopping and had a baby chino and mini strawberry macarons together. My husband had set a meeting point for 8pm, and while heading there after our little girlie outing, I happened across a cute kitchen store that had these lovely omelet fry-pans with a non stick finish in a variety of colours. I couldn't resist, and bought a red one for my husband, knowing he would love it. Plus, his sunday omelets are to die for, and that was to be encouraged. We've been meaning to buy new fry-pans for a while and it just hasn't happened until now. I knew he'd appreciate it.
I saw him at a distance, waiting at the agreed upon spot. As I drew nearer I noticed he had a red no stick omelet fry-pan in his hand. My son ran up to me and said "Mummy! Look what we bought for you!"
Great minds think alike, right? Even the same colour!
The women at the store had a good old cackle when I took my purchase back to the store. They couldn't believe it! And I have a shiny new red fry pan.
It sort of reminded me of the idea that people and their pets begin to look alike after a long time of being together. My husband and I now think it unison. Or something like that.
Onto more exciting things, today we have Strawberry Creme Fingers for your viewing pleasure. I've been testing out my new softbox for the first time, as well as shooting in manual mode for the first time where food is concerned, and I'm rather happy with the whole combination. For the first time I have not had to edit my photos! (maybe I should have for a few, but hey, practice makes perfect.)
These elegant little fingers are perfect for a hasty, no bake afternoon tea for when you're thinking you have nothing to serve guests. I had these left over savoiardi fingers up in the cupboard after making a tirimisu. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, so I created a strawberry filling to wedge them together, and topped them with a berry (I only had some rather wizened looking frozen berries, of course fresh ones would look infinitely better) You can purchase these firm sponge fingers crusted in sugar crystals in the specialty section of most grocery stores, and last almost forever in an airtight container until you're ready to fill them. You can also use any flavoured jam in the filling, and any berries to garnish. Decadent!

 STRAWBERRY CREME FINGERS (A Lick the Spoon Original)

1 tbsp. butter, melted
2 tbsp. strawberry jam
1 tbsp. heavy/thickened cream
1 cup icing sugar
30 saviovardi sponge fingers
1 tbsp extra icing sugar to dust
15 fresh berries to garnish

Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the jam, cream and a little of the icing sugar to the butter. Stir, gradually adding the remaining icing sugar. Beat on high with an electric beater or mixer until thick, smooth and creamy. Fit a piping bag with a small star nozzle, and spoon the filling into the bag. Pipe lines of this mixture along the centre of half of the sponge fingers. Place the uniced sponge fingers on top of the iced ones to form pairs. On one end of each pair, pipe a small star, and top with a fresh berry. Dust with the extra icing sugar before serving, if desired.

Makes 15

Step by step photos:

Brisbane Cake Expo 2014

Last Sunday I went with a few friends to check out the first ever cake exhibition in Brisbane, expecting to see nothing but the best. We were not disappointed, as the finest and most talented cakies out there had put on a show. I was in such a hurry to immerse myself in cakes and fondant that I unfortunately forgot to put the memory card in my Canon. Sad, sad me became one of the masses, holding my dodgy phone cam up to snap cakes from afar. On coming home and showing some of the gloriously grainy pictures of amazing cakes to friends, it shocked me how some people viewed the artistic talent. While I am simply floored by the intricacy and creativity of these marvels on display, it appears not everyone thought they were that amazing...they spoke of taste over appearance. Maybe the old phrase "it's what's on the inside that counts" rings true even in the professional cake world?
So-it got me thinking-where do we cross a boundary with art and food?  Is there such a thing as too much art in food, to the point that we lose sight of what it actually is-cake? Some cakes, I admit, did look too heavily donned in fondant for the designs sake, to actually taste good (without of course, peeling it off as most people do anyway.)

But-who eats the cake anyway? Isn't it really just the obligatory centre piece at a party these days? It may as well look amazing as be edible!
I like to think of the two combined. The deliciously adorned cake. It adds a certain excitement, a focal point at a party. Of course though, when the percentages of fondant out weigh the percentage of cake, perhaps that is when we ought to call it art and not cake. What's your opinion?
Anyway, I am here to share my grainy photos and to tell you what seems to be the trend at the moment in the world of cakes. Here's what was making waves:

Sequins-edible sequins (usually gold)
Rice paper creations-rice paper cut and formed into roses etc.
Edible lace-sugar veil continues to make elegant waves!
Nude/naked cakes-I spotted only a few of these but know they're new on the cake scene
Metallics- lots of gold and silver, either as highlights or more solid splashes (tiers, sequins, glitter, use of edible gold leaf for a really shiny finish)

Nude/naked two tier cake with fresh lisianthus.

Cut out discs of peach coloured rice paper form these stunning edible roses. They are apparently affixed together only with spots of water.  Such a pretty delicate decoration.

Pretty purple floral cake pops and ornate cake stands for sale.

Cupcake towers are still very popular.

 Over-sized fondant flower on a plain two tier cake, and the other cake with a combination of watercolour sponging, gold metallic edible paint and fondnat flowers

 Some of the amazing creations in the competition. I was surprised that these were all fondant covered cakes! There were no chocolate paneled cakes, iced cakes or naked cakes to be seen.

 Alice in Wonderland tea party cake which stood over a metre tall.

Disney Frozen movie cake with giant glittering snowflake on top

 One of my favourites. It was so elegantly and simply decorated, while being quite unique. Three white tiers with giant pink and white cabbage roses made of rice paper, paired beautifully with fondant succulents! What a delight. Loved the cake board too, such an elegant finish.

 Gold sequined tiers alternating with light grey tiers, with intricate detail to each sequin. It also features a floral garland with splashes of lace. I think these flowers were also made with rice paper.

 Two tier cherry cake featuring printed  rice paper discs and ribbon.

 Pastels, bows, ribbons,lace, roses and pearls..so elegant!

 Quite amazing use of suspension here with this paint tin and brush cake. Love the wood look cake board.

Another Disney Frozen cake.

 Monster's Inc. and Toy Story cake

Little girl with balloons cake. I loved how unique this cake was. Not sure what the balloons were made of but I would say it's some sort of sugar blowing decoration (like glass blowing)

 Bridal cupcake towers featuring fresh flowers, fondant flowers lace and elegant floral pastel decorations.

 

Pretty pastel cupcakes

 I'm kind of obsessed with these cupcake towers.

 Suspended milk jug cake with strawberries, custard and mice. Awesome wood look cake board.

Black, white and gold makes for a glitzy and glam wedding or birthday cake

 I love this rustic three tiered naked cake with jam filling and fresh flowers! I want to sink my teeth right into it.

 Bling cake with ruffles and sequins and sparkled

Shiny metallic gold cake tier made with edible gold leaf, featuring black, gold and white peonies and ruffles.