eat: cake!

i love to bake. i love the real, simple ingredients, and knowing whats in what i'm eating. i love to mix and measure. and love to share what i make! 

in preparation for a special somebody's bridal shower (you know who you are!), i've been doing some testing. the result of this test was taken to matt's family dinner - and was a success! i think i've found my go-to icing recipe. 

swiss meringue buttercream.

recipe via steph via martha 

2-1/4 cups of white sugar

5 large egg whites

4 sticks of unsalted butter (1 pound) cubed

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

1. Place sugar and egg whites in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and egg whites are hot to the touch, about 3 minutes.  
2. Transfer bowl to mixer stand. (i used my hand mixer) Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until mixture has cooled completely and formed stiff and glossy peaks, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the butter, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated after each addition. Don't worry if the buttercream appears curdled after all the butter has been added; it will become smooth again with continued beating. Add vanilla, and beat just until combined.
4. Switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on the lowest speed to eliminate any air pockets, about 5 minutes. 

 after my eggs and sugar had been cooked and whipped! look at those peaks :)

don't be surprised by the amount of butter - its a lot. 
thanks matt for cubing. and thanks also for those pyrex mixing bowls...still one of my favorite gifts!

my cake! (inside is dark chocolate cake - find it here )

detail of the icing - i finally used my wilton decorator squirt gun mom got me for my birthday in march.


thanks again to steph for the simply delicious recipe. i would have been too overwhelmed by the thought of meringue to even try this one!