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How-To: Bake a Turkey-Shaped Cake
Bake a Turkey-Shaped Cake
By Cathy Callahan
How about cake instead of pie this Thanksgiving? I don't mind pie but am really more of a cake person. This turkey-shaped cake is a fun way to introduce a cake to the dessert table and is also fun for kids to make for Thanksgiving. And if the "pie people" turn their noses up at it? At least it can also double as decoration for the table.
With the big holiday just around the corner I'm sure many of you are starting to pour over your favorite cookbooks in search of recipes. I really don't own many cookbooks and am an advocate for just having a few really good ones on hand. There's been a lot of talk about classic cookbooks lately. Of course we all love Julia Child's The Way to Cook. The Joy of Cooking has been a staple in kitchens for many generations. On many people's lists of "must haves" are The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, How to Cook Everything, Beard on Food and the list goes on.
But to me an overlooked classic is Baker's Coconut Cut-Up Cakes (1956 edition). Why not have a little fun in the kitchen? It was updated in 1959 and retitled Baker's Coconut Animal Cut-Up Cakes. It was published by Baker's to promote their "Angel Flake Coconut" product. At any given time there are usually a few listed on eBay and there is oftentimes a bidding war to get the older ones. You can sample some pages of the book in charm and poise's Flickr set.
Cut-up cakes are all about the reconfiguration of the standard layer or sheet cake. Following the illustrations, the cake is cut into shapes and arranged to resemble things like boats, bunnies, witches, etc. and then iced, sprinkled with coconut, and decorated with candy; the boat eveb gets Lifesavers for the portholes. And they all have cute names.
I have made the "Ella Elephant," "Fanny the Fish," and "Dear Santa."
I just made the "Gobble-Gobble Gobbler" as a dry run for this Thanksgiving. I tried to follow the recipe as best I could but I have to be honest that a little more explanation would have been helpful. I did have a couple of mishaps and had to approach this project like a small scale construction project. So here I've adapted the original directions in hopes that it will make it a little easier for you. Make sure you wear an apron because it's a very messy, but fun, undertaking.
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Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | 5:00 PM in CRAFT Projects, Food, Holiday projects, Super Crafty Kidz | Discuss (0)
How-To: Homemade Crescent Rolls
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, I'm already starting to drool over all the amazing food that we'll be having. These homemade crescent rolls from Calli of Make it Do look like they would be a mouth-watering addition Read More
Posted by Rachel Hobson | Nov 20, 2009 03:00 PM in Food | Discuss (0)
CRAFT Pattern Podcast: Katalin Möbius Wrap & Wristlet Set
This week's CRAFT Pattern Podcast is the Katalin Möbius Wrap & Wristlet Set by Shannon Okey of knitgrrl, featured in CRAFT: 10. This cozy pair knits up fast and looks best in any multicolored yarn you like. Catch up Read More
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 20, 2009 12:00 PM in CRAFT Patterns, CRAFT Podcast, Fashion, Knitting | Discuss (1)
Martha Stewart's Vegetarian Thanksgiving
Vegetarians need gourmet Thanksgivings too! I personally am thankful for Martha Stewart and this sensational meat-free menu plan. I will never forget the Thanksgiving when my mother made broccoli salad for my vegetarian boyfriend at the time, complete with Read More
Posted by Brookelynn | Nov 20, 2009 11:00 AM in Food, Recipe | Discuss (2)
Knifty Knitter Loom-Along: Alice Wrist Warmers - Let's Get Started!
Well Twi-hards, the time is here. That special day in November when you no longer have to dream of powdery white skin and the smell of blood (and teen angst) in the morning. You can live it, man. Well, Read More
Posted by Vickie Howell | Nov 20, 2009 10:00 AM in CRAFT Projects, Loom-Along, Tools, Weaving, Yarn | Discuss (0)
"See-thru-me" Light Shirt
See-thru-me is a project by Meg Grant that uses LEDs and light sensitive resistors to give the effect of light being passed through the body. When a light is shined on the wearer's back, the LEDs on the front Read More
Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 20, 2009 09:00 AM in Fashion Tech, Soft Circuits | Discuss (2)
Lego For MUJI Paper And Block Sets
These new kits from Lego combine two of my favorite things: Lego and paper crafting. MUJI partners with iconic building-block company Lego on a super fun new concept. Together they're encouraging us to think outside the blocks ... by Read More
Posted by Rachel Hobson | Nov 20, 2009 08:00 AM in Paper Crafts | Discuss (3)
Dale Dougherty's Cheese Talk
CRAFT and MAKE editor and publisher Dale Dougherty gave a talk at Ignite Sebastopol II called "Blessed are the Cheesemakers." Read More
Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 20, 2009 07:00 AM in Food | Discuss (0)
Cathe Holden's Gift Making Guide
Cathe Holden has put together a super useful gift making guide, complete with more than 40 of her DIY projects that are perfect for your holiday gift list. Read More
Posted by Rachel Hobson | Nov 20, 2009 06:00 AM in General, Holiday projects | Discuss (0)
Appliqué Your Way Events with Kayte Terry in SF
Our pal Kayte Terry will be having a couple events in San Francisco to promote her new book, Appliqué Your Way. Check out her upcoming book tour dates online. Next up after San Francisco, is Portland on Nov 23rd. Read More
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 19, 2009 08:00 PM in Books and Magazines, Events | Discuss (0)
San Francisco Bead and Design Show
A couple of days ago, I posted a flashback to Dev Khan's wire-wrap jewelry DIY from CRAFT Volume 03. Pictured above is a collaborative piece by Dev and Sara K. Woll; Dev wraps the rocks and Sara crafts the Read More
Posted by Goli Mohammadi | Nov 19, 2009 05:00 PM in Events | Discuss (0)
Moxie's Schmancy Exclusive
CRAFT pal Moxie has a series of needlefelted monsters exclusively at Schmancy in Seattle. They squeak when you squeeze them, and I want them all. More pictures on Moxie's Flickr. Read More
Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 19, 2009 04:00 PM in Arts & Design, Felting | Discuss (0)
Book Review, Giveaway + Project: The Sewing Bible By Ruth Singer
The Sewing Bible By Ruth Singer If you are a crafter who loves to sew or are just starting out this book, The Sewing Bible: A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques by Ruth Singer must be Read More
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 19, 2009 03:30 PM in Books and Magazines, Contests, Sewing | Discuss (279)
Sunset Painting with Watercolors
The backdrop of Hawaii is overwhelming with inspiration. Colors are everywhere, and in full saturation. The sunsets are the exact reason why I brought my travel art kit. I've never painted in my life, but have been wanting to Read More
Posted by Brookelynn | Nov 19, 2009 02:00 PM in Crafty Travels, Paper Crafts | Discuss (0)
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream By Jennifer Perkins and Chris Boehk Every fall my husband Chris whips up a batch of his world famous pumpkin pie ice cream! This year we served it at a Halloween party and are Read More
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 19, 2009 12:00 PM in CRAFT Projects, Food, Holiday projects, Super Crafty Kidz | Discuss (0)
CRAFT Holiday Gift Guide 2009: For the Foodie
I'm a big fan of homemade food gifts, which in my mind include alcoholic items, condiments, spices, etc. In fact, my mom recently told me that one of her favorite gifts in years past was a jar of Bronzed Read More
Posted by Shawn Connally | Nov 19, 2009 11:00 AM in Food, Gadgets, Holiday Gift Guide 2009, Holiday projects, Homemade | Discuss (1)
How-To: Host a Snowman Making Party
This fun idea for a winter party from The Finer Things is making me yearn to live in a part of the country that actually gets snow! Read More
Posted by Rachel Hobson | Nov 19, 2009 10:00 AM in Holiday projects | Discuss (0)
Pictures from Hack PGH's Soft Circuit Workshop
Check out Matt Mets' pictures from the Hack Pittsburgh soft circuits workshop. I love the variety among the participants, from little girls to hacker dudes. Read More
Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 19, 2009 09:00 AM in Soft Circuits | Discuss (0)
How-To: Giving Tree
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is one of my all-time favorite books. Tali of Growing Up Creative shares an acitivty to do with kids after reading the book. It's a great way for kids to take the lessons Read More
Posted by Rachel Hobson | Nov 19, 2009 08:00 AM in Kids | Discuss (0)
