Hold On! Can you believe that it is almost time for the kids to go back to school? Where has the summer gone? We had the opportunity to go to some fun cake related events this summer. I taught a zebra print fondant purse class in Louisianna for their Day of Sharing and we went to the ICES Convention in Orlando and then the Capital Confectioners just hosted a great Day of Sharing. All of these events were great opportunities to connect with long-time cake friends and make new ones!

We have been busy at the store putting out Halloween items - yes, Halloween! We have been getting in some new items that we saw in the vendor area at ICES and we have gotten some fun new cookie cutters (my favorites).

We are working on the details for the 5th Annual That Takes the Cake, Capital Confectioners Cake and Sugar Art Show and Competition. Mark your calendar for February 28 and March 1, 2009. See below for some of the preliminary details...

We are very excited to announce a series of classes taught by Susie Rasmussen. You may have seen her demonstration at the Day of Sharing last week. Well, she is going to teach an airbrush class and several buttercream piping classes here at the store. She is a fun and amazing instructor with a wealth of information and decorating ideas and tips that she readily shares during her classes. Look below for details. Be sure to sign-up for these classes soon - I am sure that they will fill quickly!

I have attached a recipe sheet for Ice Cream Sandwiches. What is better on a hot day - and we have had a few of those hot days. The sheet includes a recipe to make your own ice cream, a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies and instructions to put it all together. There is even a variation idea to make chocolate peppermint ice cream sandwiches. Enjoy!

Our new class schedule is listed here and online. We have some fun new classes coming up including an icing class to compliment the baking class, a pie class, another wedding cake class, seasonal cookie classes and more!

I know it won't happen overnight - but with the start of school - that means cooler weather can't be too far away! Enjoy the end of the summer. We look forward to seeing you in the store sometime soon. We will be closed Monday September 1st for Labor Day. I have included a coupon that you can use when you come into the store!

Jennifer

High Ratio Shortening to make your icing smoother and creamier

New Nielsen- Massey flavors to add interest to your cakes, cookies and icings

And new royal icing decorations to liven-up your decorating

We have lots of new things in the store - these are just some of my new favorites!

The 5th Annual Capital Confectioner's Cake and Sugar Art Show and Competition is planned for the weekend of February 28th and March 1st, 2009. Mark your calendar - this will be the best show yet. An amazing line-up of demonstrators is planned including - Debbie Brown, Alisa Strauss, Bronwen Weber, Roland and Marsha Winbeckler, Jacquy Pfeiffer, Nicholas Lodge and more!

The Show will include the divisional decorating competition, onsite competitions (like mini Food Network Challenges), hands-on classes (new this year), informal demonstrations, vendors and so much more! This year we are expanding the decorating competition to include a Showcake Competition. Each year a theme will be announced and decorators will bring their amazing creations that represent the theme. Each Showcake entry will be displayed on an individual table that will be decorated by the entrant to enhance their cake entry. This will be a fun addition to the competition. Start thinking about your entry now - the theme for 2009 is MUSIC! More details, registration forms and rules will be available online after September 15th.

Each newsletter we will put in some of the pictures of cakes that Kristie has done lately. Who doesn't like to look at pictures of cakes? This might give you some ideas for your cakes to decorate, or ideas for ordering a cake. If you want to order a cake, you can email Kristie at [email protected] We only take-on so many cakes per week, and we usually max- out, so place your order as early as possible - at least two weeks in advance of your event. Enjoy looking at the cakes - there are some great ones! Click here for more information about our cakes.

Susie Rasmussen is a great cake decorator and we are so excited that she is coming here to share her knowledge in a series of classes scheduled in October. Susie teaches cake decorating professionally - she teaches in store decorators in grocery stores and other bakeries. Wow, does she have decorating tips and tricks to share!

Susies classes:
Roses, Roses, Roses - learn to finally make an icing rose and other types of roses
Fall Figure and Flower Piping - learn techniques for great Halloween, Thanksgiving, fall and Christmas cakes
Airbrush - learn the basics of using an airbrush with hands-on practice of the techniques
Buttercream Flowers
- go way beyond roses and learn to make a variety of flowers andhow to decoratively arrange them on your cakes
December Piping - learn piping techniques and cake decorating ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza holidays.

These classes will fill-up quickly - check your schedules and sign-up soon.

Ice cream and chocolate chip cookies! A hot summer day treat! I have included a recipe for homemade ice cream - I use vanilla bean paste in my ice cream - it gives such a great flavor and I love the specks of vanilla. There is also a recipe for chococolate chip cookies - try this recipe even if you're not making the ice cream sandwiches - it is a really good cookie recipe. I also include an idea for a chocolate cookie peppermint sandwich and even a way to make ice cream sandwiches without even having to turn on your oven! I hope you enjoy this cool summertime treat!

Here are our Upcoming Classes for September. Check the link below for more classes scheduled into the fall.
Wilton Course 1 with Cathy
Thursdays 9/4, 9/11 and 9/18 - 9 am to 12 pm
Cupcakes! with Jennifer
Saturday 9/6 - 9 am to 12 pm
Cupcakes! with Jennifer
Monday 9/8 10 am to 1 pm
Wilton Course 1 with Michelle
Mondays 9/8, 9/15 and 9/22 - 6 pm to 9 pm
Fondant Project with Sallia
Saturday 9/13 - 9 am to 12 pm
Cake Baking with Kristie
Saturday 9/12 - 9 am to 12 pm
Icings! with Kristie
Saturday 9/20 - 2 pm to 5 pm
Wilton Course 1 with Cathy
Tuesdays 9/23, 9/30 and 10/7 - 9 am to 12 pm
Buttercream Project with Sallia
Tuesday 9/23 - 6 pm to 9 pm
Wilton Course 1 with Michelle
Thursdays 9/25, 10/2 and 10/9 - 6 pm to 9 pm
Gumpaste Flowers with Sallia
Saturdays 9/27, 10/11 and 10/18 - 9 am to 12 pm
Wedding Cake Construction with Sallia
Saturdays 9/27, 10/11 and 10/18 - 1 pm to 4 pm

Click the link below to see all of our scheduled classes.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter. Please use the forward link below to send this email to others who you think may enjoy it. As always, we want to hear your feedback...just click on the email address below.