Gelatin-Topped Cake

Using my basic birthday cake recipe, I created a gelatin-topped fruit cake. The cake was made the same way as my other cakes; the only difference is the gelatin topping I made. For this step, I used the following ingredients:

- Knox unflavored gelatin
- Fresh fruits, sliced very thinly
- Apple juice

Prepare the gelatin powder as directed on the box (sprinkle powder over cold juice, then add boiling juice and mix well). After mixing the powder with the juice, I poured the gelatin liquid mixture into an 8" cake pan (use the same size pan as your cake).

Refrigerate just until the mixture begins to solidify (about 20-30 minutes or so). Be very careful to watch the mixture closely and not let it become too firm, otherwise you will not be able to insert fruits into your gelatin.

Once your mixture is a gooey gel consistency, carefully place your sliced fruits inside the gelatin, making sure you push the fruit to the bottom of the pan. When you are satisfied with the design you have created, return the pan to the refrigerator, and allow your gelatin to set until very firm (around 2-3 hours or so).

When your gelatin is firm, take it out of the refrigerator and run a knife along the edges of your pan to loosen the gelatin. VERY carefully start from one end and peel your gelatin away from your pan.

After your gelatin creation is removed from the pan, turn it upside down (so your fruit design is exposed more clearly) and gently place it on top of your cake. You may decorate the rest of your cake as desired, taking care not to puncture or cover your gelatin with any other ingredients.

Voila! That's it!

Fruit Waffle Bowls

This is a really great recipe to get kids (and adults!) to eat more fresh fruit. It makes a beautiful presentation, and it's yummy!

Ingredients

- ice cream waffle bowls
- vanilla or white chocolate flavored instant pudding mix
- milk
- fresh fruits (strawberries, blueberries, grapes, raspberries, sliced kiwis, etc.)

Wash and thoroughly dry your fruits.

Prepare the instant pudding as directed on the box (add milk and whisk).

Put 2-3 spoons of pudding in the bottom of each waffle bowl. Generously top the pudding with lots of fresh fruits.

Serve immediately, as the waffle bowl will start to soften.

Whoppers Chocolate Cake

Based on my basic birthday cake recipe, I made this Whoppers malted milk balls chocolate cake for my nephew's birthday.

The inside was a 2-layer chocolate cake with a banana and whipped cream filling. I covered the outside of the cake with chocolate whipped cream (basic whipped cream with unsweetened cocoa powder), and decorated it with Whoppers around the edges. The top of the cake was decorated with crushed Whoppers, and lastly I drizzled chocolate over the entire cake.