The Fantabulous Chronicles

In our household, the Netflix series ‘Nailed It’ reigns as a beloved favorite. The sheer amusement of witnessing quirky bakers attempt to replicate professional desserts is a constant source of laughter.

Aaron and I often jest that we should consider auditioning for the show, not due to our lackluster baking skills – no, it’s our decorating talents that veer toward the horrendous and occasionally venture into the realm of pure comedy.

One occasion that reliably leaves our friends and family in stitches is our children’s birthdays. Sure, we could easily purchase a beautifully crafted cake from a local baker, but there’s an undeniable charm in striving to recreate a child’s dream cake. You might even call us gluttens for punishment just for embracing the challenge.

Our most recent birthday cake fiasco revolved around a Luigi’s Mansion theme. With vibrant green goo, luscious caramel, and a marble cake, the stage was set for yet another culinary adventure.

Our approach remained true to form. The cake? Absolutely divine. The caramel? Exquisitely gooey and delicious. As for the green goo, I simply concocted a pastry cream and added a few drops of lime green food coloring. Each element was a delectable success, and we eagerly anticipated the moment when we could assemble this towering masterpiece.

We diligently crafted fondant, dipped our King Boo ghost pops, and prepared for the grand assembly. But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn. You see, our family harbors a quirky secret. Aaron and our middle son share a birthday, and Aaron happens to loathe frosting, so he adamantly requested that no frosting be used whatsoever. Our hope was that the other fillings would suffice to hold everything together. Little did we know, we couldn’t have been more wrong!

The fondant lacked the necessary stiffness to withstand the pressure of the gooey caramel and the oozing pastry cream. Consequently, our attempt at a haunted tower ended up resembling a dilapidated structure, if you could call it that, by the time we were through. Oh, and I should mention that my edible markers decided to give up on me, so the King Boo faces were more likely to induce nightmares than smiles!

Nevertheless, our kids adored it, and those who celebrated with us couldn’t help but chuckle as they indulged in the chaotic nature of our cake.

Who knows? Perhaps with persistent practice, we’ll master the art of cake decorating before our children reach adulthood.

Do you have any delightful birthday traditions of your own or perhaps some expert tips and tricks for aspiring home bakers? Let us know in the comments below and if you enjoy a good fail every now and again, please feel free to like and subscribe!