Ruffles'N Roses

Last Saturday after my youngest son's "Raingutter Regatta" with the boy scouts, I had the opportunity to spend some time in my kitchen.  I find it super fun and relaxing (until I break something or bust a piping bag..haha!).  I decided to make a 'box mix' cake so I could play around with a different type of frosting than my usual buttercream.  I found one that uses shortening, which is supposed to hold up better.  There's nothing better than real butter and something about shortening kind of freaks me out.  I decided to give it a try and it totally held up, and it gives it that 'commercial bakery' taste.  I'm still a buttercream kind of girl when it comes to taste though.

This cake turned out super cute, even though by the time I actually got to decorate it I had started to get short on time.  I can't wait to do this again and not be so sloppy.  However, I was still happy with the end result.  The inside layer is a raspberry jam my husband bought from a cute Amish market that's not too far from where we live.  I think next time I'll do an inside layer of chocolate ganache and strawberries.  I know, right?  NOM!

I'd love to hear some other ideas/tips/tricks.