A Fancied Up Box Cake

I did so do this.  And in doing so, discovered two very important things.  First, box cake is my new favorite friend.  Second, I should always make cake when ill.  I didn’t even enjoy so much as one lick of this delicious buttercream frosting.  My hips are thankful.  But back to the first important thing.

 

Let’s talk box cake.  Eddie rocks box cake.  Eddie Ross has long been my new Martha.  No surprises here as he worked for her.   I fell in love with him on Top Design - he had me at hello with his spin on granny chic and continues to amaze with his fabulous flea finds, gorgeous floral arrangements, STUNNING homes, even more stunning boyfriend, and don’t even get me started on his tablescapes.  Be-Yond.  Also, Eddie is funny, which you don’t necessarily get a flavor for from his blog.  If you aren’t following him on Instagram you are missing out.  How else will you know when he is channeling Joanna Stayton on his way to a fabulous trip on the Vineyard?  So if Eddie tells me that flaming turds are delicious, gonna try me some.  And if Eddie rocks a box cake every now and then, gonna do the same.  I mean, look at these beyond gorgeous monogrammed cakes he did!  Get out right now.

via

 

I don’t consider using a box cake for this ‘cheating’ because I made the frosting.  Which is ironic because we all know that icing/frosting is the true nemesis in my kitchen.  But this frosting is ridiculously easy and delicious.  The recipe comes from an old Country Living recipe and I have used it in many applications.  

I used a yellow cake mix, following the instructions, and used two 6" x 2" round pans.  I cut the domed tops off the cakes with a serrated knife and then cut each cake in half, totaling 4 layers.  But I only ended up using 3 of the layers here.  For the record, the mr. said the cake was very good and moist.  That’s what he said alright.  None the wiser.

Mucho thanks to Style Me Pretty for the original inspiration although I have spent the last 45 minutes trying to find the original link on the SMP site to no avail.  I didn't have time to fancy up the skewers.  I just hand drew a heart and arrow tail on cardstock and attached each one to  an extra large toothpick with my daughter's glue stick. Cinch!

the inspiration cake

the Chez V version

One of these days I will get the hang of perfectly smooth frosting but today was not the day.  I am told the trick involves refrigerating the iced cake and then using a paper towel to smooth but that could be another urban legend.

PS if you're not following me on Instagram, you are missing out too!  Although I should warn you that I am not nearly as interesting or funny as Eddie!

All photos and layouts by mrs. V unless otherwise noted

kisses,  mrs. V