Maybe I have a screw loose, but I happen to like spiders. It's not that I want one crawling on me or anything, but they fascinate me. And a spider web caught in the sunlight? Amazing. I think of spiders as the "elegant" scary crawling thing that bites.
For this ode to the arachnid cake, I started with some left over chocolate cupcake batter that I baked in two 6 inch pans. But it is the icing that makes this dessert sing - a cooked caramel frosting.
Caramel icing
3 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
pinch of salt
3/4 cup light cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Stir first 4 ingredients together in heavy sauce pan. Stir over low heat till mixture reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer. Pour into a mixer and beat till mixture begins to cool. Note - you really have to scrape down the sides often and well. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat till completely cooled and smooth. This stuff is eyes rolled up in your head good! For my little cake, I cut the recipe in half.
For a little extra fun, I added a layer of semi sweet chocolate chips to the filling. Mmmmmm.
For the decorating, I just used black icing and started in the middle with some doodling. Making circular patterns is the most relaxing thing in the world next to getting a massage. Well, it is for me anyway. I didn't go into a "spider web" pattern till I got to the outer area of the cake.
And the pattern continues down the sides of the cake. I threw in a few plastic bats for good measure.
Love the picture above featuring the first colorful leaves I have seen and a coppertina ninebark in the background. I added the gold dragees on top because I thought they gave an unexpected touch.
Spiders and bats keep the insect population down in a big way - had to throw that in for you spider haters out there (I'm talking to you Isabelle). This concludes my public service message on behalf of the sometimes creepy but always elegant spider. And come on, who didn't LOVE Charlotte?
Charlotte and her cake are weaving their way to
Foodie Friday
Lolly Jane Boutique
My Romantic Home
Chic on a Shoestring
Miz Helen's full plate Thursday
The Charm of Home
Sugar Bananas
No Minimalist Here
Between Naps on the Porch
Nest of Posies Fall Festival
Savvy Southern Style
Crazy for Crust
Sweetology 101
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
StoneGable on the menu Monday
Dittledattle
Wickedly Creative Halloween Party
Cast Party Wednesday
You DO have an enchanted oven AND kitchen. Since I have discovered your blog, I love to come here and see what's up. This is SOME CAKE -- said Charolotte. I agree with your about the spiderweb decorating -- or concentric circles dragged it is fun and relaxing! Great job! Joni
ReplyDeletewow, you did such a great job!
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous cake...and I don't really like cake that much but I would love some of this one! Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic!! Wow. =)
ReplyDeleteOooooh too cool! You should make some smaller ones and sell them....let me know if you do!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Mandy
Wow.never saw something interesting as this.When I only looked at the picture on my blog list I thought it is some art object;) Greta job:)
ReplyDeleteThat turned out great, especially the web on the sides of the cake! The icing does sounds good, I've never tried a cooked one and I'd like to:@)
ReplyDeleteThat web came out fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWOW nice cake! I hate spiders....but LOVE this cake. The web is neat - looks like a ton of work, well executed as always.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, Thanks for your nice comments and visiting my blog, love this cake, the spider web is so cool, you can shop my web store at www.victoriantailor.com, Celeste, The Victorian Tailor
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting my blog. That cake is amazing! Just amazing! I love it and am in awe of the artistry of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! I don't see any way to e-mail you, so I'll let you know here the photo effects are from either pizap.com or picnik.com. Have fun:@)
ReplyDeleteFantastic job on the decorating. The icing sounds delish! Would love to try a slice!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! I love to time things - a little leftover from watching the Original Cheaper by the Dozen I am sure. So of course I wonder how long it took this little spider to spin the black web on the cake. It is fabulous and I love the doodling in the center. I would also like a slice (or two - I can be really wicked when it comes to sweets!)
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I love the spider web. And caramel icing? To die for! I'd love for you to link up to Crazy Sweet Tuesdays sometime!
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible looking cake. Clearly, it must come from an enchanted oven!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a Wow! It jumped out at me in the links. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThis cake is adorable and yes, spiders are fascinating. I think their webs are just intricate works of art.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Cake! Thanks for sharing,Joann
ReplyDeleteFabulous creation! :)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! Your web on the cake looks great! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a cake. You did a great job. Come over and visit us. We have a terrific apple stuffed pork chop recipe to share.
ReplyDeleteI actually like spiders too! So it's a no-brainer that I'm in love with this cake. You did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!
ReplyDeleteJenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
That cake looks too good to eat! Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour cake is truly a work of art! I am amazed at your skills!
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks wonderful! I am sure it tasted amazing too. You are very talented!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Natasha.
Never thought I'd say beautiful and spider in the same sentence, but you pulled it off! Great job! This is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI could hardly wait to see who had brought this very special Spider Cake. This cake is a work of art and I am in awe of your talent. Your talent is a very special gift to all of us. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week end!
ReplyDeleteCome Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Amazing! Thank you for sharing the process. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cake! I love your enchanted oven! I like spiders at Halloween. I just took a picture of a spiderweb with dew all over it too. The detail they spin is amazing, just like your cake! Thank you for linking it up at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your recipe is being featured today on Feature Friday At Lady Behind The Curtain! Please come over a grab a "feature friday" button. ---Sheryl---
ReplyDeletehttp://ladybehindthecurtain.com