In only a handful of days Bossy’s son will turn 21, and when that happens, he’ll be two states away. In compensation, Bossy’s daughter threw him a dinner party this past weekend which featured an ambitious birthday cake conceived by her alone.
Three layers, two cake recipes, homemade fondant, drizzled chocolate, and piped icing required she begin the masterpiece days in advance. First came the preparation of the chocolate and vanilla cakes, the batter poured into both rectangular and circular cake pans to accommodate the final design.
Then the cakes were cut apart and reassembled to form a checkerboard pattern:
Next came the mastering of homemade fondant:
And finally, two days and six pounds of powdered sugar later, the results were something to see:
Bossy can sum up her daughter’s cake experience in this way: She may never bake again but it was worth it.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you share a story with Bossy’s daughter about an ambitious recipe you attempted in your life?
And be sure to check back later today for the most ambitious comments on the web.
Kizz says
August 31, 2010 at 10:20 amDedicated meat eater prepares vegan meal. Oven turns off spontaneously.
Sewmouse says
August 31, 2010 at 10:22 am12 cookbooks to create 1 lasagna recipie. Still using it.
Beth says
August 31, 2010 at 10:27 amCheesecake – $30 worth ingredients,1 pound butter, dozen eggs, collapsed.
Chrissy says
August 31, 2010 at 10:27 amFancy chocolate raspberry cake; resembled bloody hacked by chainsaws cake.
Bonnie says
August 31, 2010 at 10:33 amMartha Stewart 7 layer coconut cake – has nothing on you!!
(what a masterpiece you made! absolutely stunning!)
snowwhite says
August 31, 2010 at 10:35 amAssigned “Pavlova” for recipe club in high-arid-altitude city.
The End.
WebSavvyMom says
August 31, 2010 at 10:38 am–>I only cook easy recipes. Family just said, Thank God!
BOSSY says
August 31, 2010 at 10:39 amBeef Wellington prepared by 6 in narrow kitchen in Mexico.
Meg at the Members Lounge says
August 31, 2010 at 10:42 amYule log. Yeah, you try and roll a cake up.
BT says
August 31, 2010 at 10:44 amjulia child’s beef bourguignon versus quickie simpler beef bourguignon same day.
BTW: Your cake totally rocks.
Debbie says
August 31, 2010 at 10:53 am40+ Cornish pasties, piecrusts galore, thank goodness for double ovens!
Heather says
August 31, 2010 at 11:00 amAlso made fondant, but for cherry cordials. Messy. Beautiful. Yum.
GreatAunt says
August 31, 2010 at 11:01 amPork roast meant to serve first ever in-laws meal. Undercooked.
rockle says
August 31, 2010 at 11:02 amStill haven’t learned to make flaming dessert. Like having eyebrows.
Suzanne says
August 31, 2010 at 11:02 amI have no culinary ambitions, but just gotta say that Bossy’s daughter rocks!
KathyB says
August 31, 2010 at 11:09 amSister reminds me of the pink disaster with cinnamon imperials for decoration.
Thought three tiers would be easy, duh. However, Bossy’s daughter’s cake is marvelous!
Owengirl79 says
August 31, 2010 at 11:12 amEntire Christmas dinner for 9..7 newish in-laws…such nerves!
Owengirl79 says
August 31, 2010 at 11:14 amTiered cake with chocolate roses, leaves, butterflies and a bow.
Stacey Ball says
August 31, 2010 at 11:31 amWedding cake, supposed to feed 50…100 people in line.
Dobes says
August 31, 2010 at 11:36 ambirthday cake with homemade marzipan mice, swiss cheese, and mousetraps. Cat peeking from beneath was planned, but squashed.
bossy's friend amy says
August 31, 2010 at 11:39 amevery meal is ambitious.
Kathy from NJ says
August 31, 2010 at 11:42 amCoquilles St Jacques a la Parisienne – then he proposed.
Dharmamama says
August 31, 2010 at 11:49 am$55 tiramisu with home made ladyfingers. Will buy pre-made now.
To Kiss the Cook says
August 31, 2010 at 11:53 amPesto’s easy. Not when you burn pine nuts three times.
(I love how close the Bossy siblings are. Think I’ll go call my brother.)
Suniverse says
August 31, 2010 at 12:03 pmEight months pregnant made dark chocolate cheesecake for husband’s birthday .
Laraine says
August 31, 2010 at 12:17 pmKilled chicken, plucked, boiled. Hungry, but ouldn’t eat the soup.
Bonnie B. says
August 31, 2010 at 12:26 pmCake MUST cool before frosting. Trust me on this one.
Jean says
August 31, 2010 at 12:35 pmDidn’t let dead bugs in confectioners sugar deter cake making.
Corey James says
August 31, 2010 at 12:58 pmJulia Child’s Beef Bourguingion Bliss. Lot’s o’work, but tasty indeed:
http://www.madtexter.com/2009/09/beef-bourguingnon-bliss_26.html
Lisa says
August 31, 2010 at 1:07 pmIf that isn’t love….I don’t know what is. Though while looking at those pictures my teeth started to hurt. How many young ladies can make fondant? Wow!!
CS says
August 31, 2010 at 1:11 pmCroquembouche: blistered fingers from hot caramel; humid day, squishy collapse. (AWESOME CAKE, Bossy’s daughter).
JIll (BarrioAdjacent) says
August 31, 2010 at 1:15 pmHe put toy army men in salad. I married him.
Jules G. says
August 31, 2010 at 1:16 pmRaspberry Tiramisu: $35 groceries; hours of prep; work of art.
BOSSY says
August 31, 2010 at 1:19 pmMacaroni and cheese the “real” way: not peasant food $.
Christine says
August 31, 2010 at 1:22 pmTie- either hard boiled eggs, or mac and cheese. Seriously.
Bri says
August 31, 2010 at 1:35 pm48 chocolate filled vanilla bean cupcakes. for a 2yr old birthday.
Bri says
August 31, 2010 at 1:40 pmBri would also like to say that next year’s cupcakes will come from Target. And I dont give a rats ass what Mrs. Mother-in-law has to say about it. I’ve learned my lesson to try to impress your babies, not your in-laws.
Mary W says
August 31, 2010 at 1:42 pmMartha Stewart Eggnog. Cheers when we arrive at Christmas party.
Scottsdale Girl says
August 31, 2010 at 1:53 pmI love that cake! And the look on Bossy’s Son’s face in the second picture is tres tres melty. So adorable.
Oh! Beef stroganoff from scratch…it was meh.
Dee says
August 31, 2010 at 1:58 pmCanning = boiling water, Iowa summer 95 degrees 95% humdity no airconditioning
degrees shouldn’t count as a word – couldn’t figure out how to make the symbol
ruth says
August 31, 2010 at 2:14 pmDee degrees = small “o”
So many recipes so many errors. Xmas Cookies 2002 all new recipes all crap.
Rooth
TanyaK says
August 31, 2010 at 2:30 pmFirst casserole took four hours baking in my old oven!
Jenn @ Juggling LIfe says
August 31, 2010 at 2:39 pmFirst dinner party. Kung-pao. Poisoned guests with chili peppers.
Non 10-word bonus comment: The checkerboard was stunning!
La Suzette says
August 31, 2010 at 2:39 pmBrand new Dutch oven – julia child’s beef bourguignon – take shortcuts!
helenel says
August 31, 2010 at 3:20 pmChocolate eclairs for future husband. He ate one. Trashed leftovers.
pvz says
August 31, 2010 at 3:24 pmVery cool cake.
As for my most ambitious recipe? Uh… maybe mixing 3 types of breakfast cereal….
joeinvegas says
August 31, 2010 at 3:49 pmThanksgiving turkey. 2pm what do you mean thaw it first?
Beautiful cake, Happy Birtday!!! (Oh, Bossy, to lose a son to age . . . )
Birdbrain says
August 31, 2010 at 4:11 pmHoly Cannoli shells, steam roller needed to roll dough, bamboo tubes & hot oil!
Kathy from NJ says
August 31, 2010 at 4:21 pmDegree ° = Hold down alt key, type 0 1 7 6 (zero, one, seven, six) Then release the alt key and you will have the degree symbol.
Summer says
August 31, 2010 at 4:51 pmCheesecake brownies – burned the crust, ashamed to take to potluck.
Kathy says
August 31, 2010 at 4:53 pmSwedish meatballs made by Irish American girl – not so good.
patty says
August 31, 2010 at 4:57 pmi love how your children love one another
whirled_peas says
August 31, 2010 at 5:39 pmWrap crackers with bacon and you’ll get nastiness all around. (and I LOVE bacon – was so upset.)
BossysMom says
August 31, 2010 at 5:55 pmBeef Wellington in San Miguel Mexico, Turkey in Medford!
BossysMom says
August 31, 2010 at 6:01 pmWho is the man that put toy soldiers in salad? Love.
ColleenA says
August 31, 2010 at 6:11 pmauthentic French tarte tatin. Boeuf Bourgignon ala Julia Child. Not at the same time. Both were delish.
Nancy says
August 31, 2010 at 7:01 pmbaked alaska yummy, not so yummy when you get burnt alaska
Heather says
August 31, 2010 at 7:27 pm44 different breads. One year. Met a boy. All Good.
Deb says
August 31, 2010 at 7:45 pmHungarian Nut Roll-delicious when done right and expensive recipe
Reeb says
August 31, 2010 at 8:05 pmBoyfriend cooked Greek meal to save money. Cost tons more.
I married him, and he still cooks marvelously. Lucky me.
Kathy says
August 31, 2010 at 8:09 pmPrepared a whole Thanksgiving dinner by myself . . . note to Bossy’s daughter – it’s a whole lot easier when everyone brings a dish and you just do the turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes.
Kirsty says
August 31, 2010 at 8:35 pmTarte au citron, caramelised lemon, had to throw pan out.
Kirsty says
August 31, 2010 at 8:36 pmHomemade bread, sounds great, smells great, feels like reinforced concrete.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
August 31, 2010 at 8:37 pmFirst dinner party. Lasagna for 30 for husband’s 23rd birthday.
Maggie says
August 31, 2010 at 8:38 pmMany ambitious recipe tried – blocked so as to try again
GK in MI says
August 31, 2010 at 8:54 pmBaking contest. Killer recipe. Switched sugar with salt. Judges spitting!
Randy says
August 31, 2010 at 8:55 pmGirl was coming over, so I made a lasagne using basic recipe from Joy of Cooking. And took it up a notch: made the noodles from scratch, made the sauce from scratch (canned tomatoes — it was winter), made mozzarella cheese from scratch (milk, rennet, citric acid), AND made ricotta. Everything made on the same day, which took literally the entire day, but what’s the point in making things “fresh” if they’re not. Turned out awesome. Would I do it again? Yeah, probably.
Randy says
August 31, 2010 at 8:56 pmDamn… I forgot it was Ten Word Tuesday.
Made cheese.
Marjorie of Connecticut says
August 31, 2010 at 9:21 pmCannolis, including shells, from scratch. Tasted great, too much work.
ags345 says
August 31, 2010 at 9:25 pmSpent days planning paella. Scorched and ruined. Depressed for days.
Catherine McP says
August 31, 2010 at 9:26 pmFirst time 50 Asian dumplings took FOREVER, now I’ma wizbang.
Cupcake Murphy says
August 31, 2010 at 10:15 pmPureed pumpkin manicotti sounded easy and delish—almost killed me.
gg says
August 31, 2010 at 10:39 pm#67Randy…impressed and if she didn’t marry you, marry me!
GrandeMocha says
August 31, 2010 at 10:39 pmLeft the paper in the pie shell on Thanksgving.
GrandeMocha says
August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pmFlipped the Ziggy cake over while frosting & landed on floor.
GrandeMocha says
August 31, 2010 at 10:43 pmCream of potato soup tasted like cream of raw onion
GrandeMocha says
August 31, 2010 at 10:45 pmRice crispie treats could have been used as building materials
GrandeMocha says
August 31, 2010 at 10:46 pmRare prime rib from GFS heated up, more my style.
Annie says
August 31, 2010 at 11:11 pmWedding cake for friend … carrot cake … many layers … bazillion pounds …
Lynn says
September 1, 2010 at 12:05 amPlease, Bossy’s daughter, what was the theme of that cake?
Em says
September 1, 2010 at 12:38 amDear Bossy’s Daughter: GREAT cake!!! And Bossy’s Son: Happy Birthday.
(I realize the above is not the 10WT assignment, but it is 10 words.)
Em says
September 1, 2010 at 12:40 amHelp! The website thinks I’ve already said this and I swear I haven’t! (Literally wouldn’t let me comment without adding this paragraph…you may be losing comments, Bossy.)
Dear Bossy’s Daughter: GREAT cake!!! And Bossy’s Son: Happy Birthday.
(I realize the above is not the 10WT assignment, but it is 10 words.)
Em says
September 1, 2010 at 12:41 amOh the shame. I have said it! Well, Mercury is definitely retrograde, as I think we can all see. (But I did have comment posting problems, honest. As, er, we can also see.)
Maggie says
September 1, 2010 at 1:13 amAlso, jealous your son turns 21 – mine not until April
MariaV says
September 1, 2010 at 9:43 amHappy birthday, Bossy’s Son!
kathleen says
September 1, 2010 at 9:45 amMoussakka eggplant potatoes two sauces all day good never again ! awesome cake baby bossy!
Jamie says
September 1, 2010 at 9:49 amAppetizers for dinner – book club. Small kitchen, one oven, DISASTER.
Deedee says
September 1, 2010 at 9:49 amAfter reading comments I’m gonna try Julia Child’s Beef Bourgignon.
º
(on my Mac just ALT 0 makes the degree symbol º) Thanks Kathy from NJ – I love learning new things!
Gretchen says
September 1, 2010 at 11:40 amMIL’s 80th. 17 people here. Got snowed in. Me cooking.
(and I am cheating to add they all stayed for the entire weekend)!
LI Laura says
September 1, 2010 at 12:33 pmRolled meatloaf stuffed with cheese, spinach–tasted awesome, looked disgusting!
Somebody should buy Bossy’s daughter a checkerboard cake pan for Christmas!
Suzi says
September 1, 2010 at 6:07 pmMade 75 chocolate eclairs from scratch for teacher appreciation luncheon. Ambitious and delicious.
Suzi says
September 1, 2010 at 6:08 pmOops, more than 10 words. Sorry.
Annie says
September 1, 2010 at 7:57 pmTurkish grape leaves with a nice side of never-again.
AngAK says
September 1, 2010 at 8:55 pmvanilla frozen yogurt with thick Greek yogurt—way too tart!awful.
Debby says
September 1, 2010 at 9:16 pmCarrot cake, garbage disposal springs leak, peelings and water galore!
Joie says
September 1, 2010 at 10:48 pmAt 16, Julia’s scallops with butter and cheese. Father’s Day.
josh says
September 2, 2010 at 12:12 amI attempt to cook anything, I burn the house down.
Cactus Petunia says
September 2, 2010 at 3:11 amWow! Kudos to Bossy’s daughter for accomplishing such a feat!!!
Dawn in Austin says
September 2, 2010 at 4:34 pmHomemade marshmellows should never be attempted at home!
David says
September 4, 2010 at 12:25 pmFirst: holy crap, that was an ambitious recipe to undertake.
OK, now for the exercise:
Minestrone soup from scratch including the stock. Two day prep.
rebekah says
September 7, 2010 at 1:29 pmPB+squash enchiladas: made once for party. Overwhelmed with requests.
(I posted this once, and it got eaten! Just like the enchiladas!)
Heather says
September 7, 2010 at 2:56 pmPeacan squares – cooked filling too long, rock hard, skipped GNO:(