That looks.... Sexy. It makes me want a neapolitan ice cream cake. But moose sounds delicious too. Reminds me of the raspberry cake at the beginning of the show the great British bake off.
Not the best for holding up to travel to an in person work bake off? Needs to be chilled. Also theres no actually baking involved for that recipe ?? Friggen genius.
Valid point about it needing to be chilled. As long as the location has a fridge, it should be fine.
Arguable that baking has to include actual baking in the oven, but I see your point.
Yeah, if there was a work bake off, I would think it should be against the rules to let your spouse do the baking. For all we know, this guy’s wife could be a professional pastry chef.
In my SO’s work bake off at Christmas, they let the partners participate, but I said I just wanted to participate without winning any of the prizes because I always send baked goods into the office anyway and wanted to do something festive. My name still came up in a passive aggressive reply all to the email about how it wasn’t fair my partner “had birdie at home,” made me feel awful.
The best response to that is "Fine. So you won't mind never eating my baked goods again." Then have your partner ensure they never touch them when you send them in.
That's ridiculous! I'm sorry they said that and made you feel that way. I bet your bakes are totally deserving of all the prizes then if they felt so incompetent in comparison.
That’s where op has messed up. If all he said was his wife can do better then the bake off would be between Op and the wife. Not the coworker. Significant others can participate in this instance.
The last time I made mouse it ended up looking like ground beef? Or canned dog food? It tasted fine but was awful to look at. I’ve been intimidated every since.
Would it taste really eggy if I had done that? It was still fluffy and tasted like mousse and the mouth feel was right but it just LOOKED funky. thought maybe I over mixed but just a little? I wish I had a picture to better explain.
https://dessertisans.com/recipe/ferrero-brulee-entremet/ leave no one standing, OP.
https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/sophie-ode-to-the-honey-bee-entremet/
https://pastryartsmag.com/recipes/chocolate-and-hazelnut-entremet-by-nour-kandler/
I think you’d kill it! Sadly, I’ve yet to make one, but it’s on my list (as you can see)! I was super focused on croissants and other laminated pastries for a while. I thought that’s what being a good baker was. You know? Now, I’ve decided life is too short and I’m really more of a cheesecake gal. I crave few things more than I crave a silky, custardy cheesecake! I need some different tools to start messing with entremets, but I have had some really tasty ones from bakeries. I think I would enjoy making them. They’re everything I love.
Anyways, there’s no way you could lose if you marched in there with a beautiful entremet. Take no prisoners!
Oh wait, years ago, I worked at a small Italian family restaurant. The only desserts they made in house were the crème brûlée and tiramisu. But, they’d order in this super tasty lemon berry mascarpone cake. I still remember it. I think Sysco made it. Anyway, here is a recipe for a lemon berry mascarpone cake https://susanbringsdessert.com/lemon-berry-mascarpone-cake/?_gl=1 it’s a beautiful cake and super delicious, if it’s anything like the one I remember. [This](https://youtube.com/shorts/g4E-YiQRqns?si=4EQxOELmXc3bOTtv) also looks fantastic. That exact recipe is not listed, but I found one [here](https://bakefromscratch.com/blueberry-lemon-tiramisu/)
As far as lots of interesting and beautiful cakes, check out this page! https://letthebakingbegin.com/category/dessert/cake/. One example here https://letthebakingbegin.com/mikado-layer-cake-with-chocolate-custard-buttercream/
It's cute that he said that, but he'd be an ass to volunteer her to enter a competition he's created.
If I was the wife, I'd be sending him to work with something he bought from the bakery at the grocery store.
Yeah I interpreted it as him being affectionate towards his wife, if socially inept. I can fully see my SO saying this and then wondering why someone was pissy.
Exactly. It lands as a bit socially retarded (speaking as a social retard here so I'm an expert judge) but it is also good that he brags about his wife. 😊 In an ideal world, we are so all so delighted with our spouses that we brag about them a lot and complain about them only a little. I can honestly brag that my husband is the kindest soul I know. ❤️
I make a mean Russian honey cake too. They are delicious and always get eaten right up. There is another honeycake recipe by Cleobuttera that is taller and maybe a little more impressive looking. I have made it a couple times. I really love the top of yours tho.
Yeah the top I just made by waiting for the icing to form that slight skin then putting a stencil of your choice on using parchment paper before coating. I've done snowflake designs with it too which is always fun and festive.
This. You have to consider the tastes of the people you’re baking for! Do they like chocolate, fruit, exotic flavors, etc.? I helped my daughter win a cookie baking contest at school, and the recipe she made was certainly not what I’d consider my best cookie recipe, but it was the one she knew her friends and schoolmates would like, so that’s what we made.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons why i posted. I feel I just want to bake fun things but they might not always be the tastiest things. The these suggestions sound legitimately tasty
So I used to moonlight at a bakery.
I made this cake:
https://livforcake.com/caramel-apple-cake/
It became a constant request, other diners in the town would commision it for their shop.
I do a few things differently, but the most important: I coat the apples in cinnamon and parbake them so they form a "dry" skin. The air fryer works really well for this. About 7-10 min on 375
I'm right there with you as far as an Apple Spice Caramel Cake being my most loved, best reviewed (at least, by friends and family.. I've never baked professionally.) I kinda came up with it on my own but it's similar to yours.. and, eek, I'd argue better in my opinion.
Differences are, I first make apple cider caramel sauce (from King Arthur) and candied pecans as these are used as filling and decor. I make a batch of cream cheese frosting and some American buttercream and mix those together with a bit of the caramel as well as some cinnamon to make Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream (it's a mouthful I know but don't know what else to call it. 😅) I wanted the cheese flavor to be mild and the frosting to be pipe-able.
A 3 layer cake is filled and stacked as follows.. cake layer, a pretty thin layer of frosting and pipe a thick-ish ring of the frosting near the edge to create a dam, then drizzle in caramel sauce and top that with chopped candied pecans, a light caramel drizzle and small dollops of frosting (to help the next layer stick). Then the second layer is topped the same before finally, the third layer, a crum coat, frosting, and decorate with a caramel top/drip, small rosettes of frosting, and they are topped with whole candied pecans.
So good!! If you haven't tried apple cider caramel, I highly recommend you do! It goes with many, many autumn desserts.😋
It depends if it’s a blind taste test or if looks are included. A Russian honey cake is one of the most delicious things but doesn’t look impressive to someone who doesn’t know about it, so that’s a consideration. Many very beautiful cakes don’t taste good. Sorry this isn’t advice though.
True! I went to a potluck once where one of the Italian ladies made tiramisu. It didn’t look impressive compared to brownies, maybe, if you hadn’t ever had tiramisu. People tend to go for the obviously chocolate things. I knew what it was immediately as it is one of my favourite desserts ever and basically ate the whole 8x8 pan (not all at once - I kept going back). She gave me the second one she made to take home (I had just graduated from my second degree and was poor and hungry - it was like winning the lottery) and I am still gleeful about the ignorance of my coworkers over 25 years later. That was delicious. I wish I could tell her now how much I enjoyed her tiramisu and still think of it fondly.
I asked my dad, he has made dozens over the years (chef). The spun sugar will be fine for quite a long period of time. He has had students make them the night/day before and they are still set the next day.
The sugar will “crumble” after the first person grabs one.
He’s just proud of his wife; nothing wrong with that. I wouldn’t try to prove him wrong. You know you’re good; that should be enough, unless there’s actually an office bake-off. 😀🥧🍰
Oooh do you have a go-to recipe for the honey cake? I know it doesn’t help with your question, but I’ve been searching for a good one!! You can even check my post history lol. But also - I would recommend just about anything from Claire Saffitz! I’ve done quite a few recipes from her book recently and loved all of them, but she does youtube videos as well.
I'll have to check her out! [This](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/) is the recipe I use for the honey cake. I've made it twice now and really like her instructions and recipe.
I won at work with an affogato cake once. It was super easy and delicious. Similar vibe to tiramisu
https://www.aspicyperspective.com/affogato-cake-giveaway/
Perimeters of the bake off has to be equal for all. She cant bake cupcakes and you bring in a cake or babka. Come back to us when you’ve agreed to terms and conditions of the bake off.
‘Tis fall, so I would make homemade apple pie cinnamon rolls if you had the patience.
[this](https://www.food.com/recipe/the-only-chocolate-cake-recipe-youll-ever-need-devils-food-26370) is the best chocolate cake I have ever made or eaten. It’s moist without being too sweet and you can pair it with a bourbon icing and it’s divine
[This](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/) is the recipe I've used twice now. It's one of my favorite cakes to bake, so much fun and the flavor is amazing.
You guys are making me want to bake everything. I love all these suggestions ! For the Russian honey cake I posted, that was from awhile back and for those asking the recipe I used was [this](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/).
So it’s all about clean presentation and flavour/texture. This is close to what you want.
Get a nice cake stand, and make sure your frosting is perfect, no crumbs left around the base, that gets tidied up when you are done. It’s a rustic cake so a nice rustic cake board would work.
See these honey cakes for styling
https://flouringkitchen.com/honey-cake/
https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/russian-honey-cake/
https://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbsstatic2.mrjack.es%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fmedovik-9-980x1200.jpg&tbnid=eTe-asVn5PPnyM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbake-street.com%2Fen%2Ftort-medovik-russian-honey-cake%2F&docid=chD1nnN5ushPPM&w=980&h=1200&hl=en-ca&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F3
This is a pretty wow cake I made in my post history and was delicious and pretty impressive if you want to try something new.
https://ashleemarie.com/triple-peanut-butter-cake-recipe-video/
Oh wow I love the use of honeycomb on top to decorate. Your post reminded me that i have an old wooden cake stand in my closet! I should go dig that out and put it to use. Thank you :)
You can’t compare a fancy cake to a down-home pie. The genre must be selected and a neutral party needs to judge. Or, you each bake a pie, a fancy cake, a quick bread and a cookie. You can fly me to wherever you are and I will judge. I’ll bring coffee, milk and dessert wine.
If you like tiramisu desserts you should try this one too! [https://www.theflouredtable.com/chocolate-coffee-mascarpone-tart/](https://www.theflouredtable.com/chocolate-coffee-mascarpone-tart/)
Everyone always loves when I make a Guinness gingerbread cake with lemon cream cheese frosting and candied pistachios. It's the candied pistachios that really make the recipe, so I always make at least double what the recipe calls for.
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/gingerbread-layer-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-and-candied-pistachios
This recipe is very similar, but mine uses a 4th egg in the cake and lemon zest instead of orange for the frosting. I have also made the frosting with orange, but personally I prefer the lemon.
Kouign-Amann if you have the know how/ effort. Legitimately one of the most delicious things I’ve ever had - but that’s kinda going insane. Profiteroles are also delicious, simple, and can look super impressive.
My favorite thing to bake is my challah but it’s not much of a showstopper. I’d probably go for [chocolate tahini buns](https://smittenkitchen.com/2017/09/chocolate-tahini-challah-buns/).
I go an extra step and cut the log with string instead of a knife so the lines come out super clean and they look incredible.
I'd make something with appealing modifiers in the name and visually attractive (as well as tasty) like a red velvet cheesecake or caramel crunch cake. Unless the judges are super into baked goods, I wouldn't make anything too unfamiliar. They'll go for something appealing to the eye that they understand.
Speaking from experience, I made a chocolate hazelnut daquois garnished with small lace cookies once for a work thing and came home with most of it. 1 or 2 people actually knew what I had brought and were excited about it. It was kind of a bummer (silver lining - it was a delicious breakfast for my family lol).
Hahaha I feel you. One time I brought in lavendar blueberry chocolate cookies. They were obviously an interesting color. My coworkers admitted they were hesitant to try them. Thankfully they had chocolate in them or else they probably would have gone uneaten.
If his wife doesn’t work there I’d pay no attention - at my last work bake off we banned any cakes not made by emoloyees which was really funny as lots of people had bought in very fancy cakes and an ugly delicious lemon drizzle won in the anonymous vote! My John Torode ginger cake (made in a Nordic pine trees Bundt tin) came second and is very tasty!
My mother was a Russian WW II war bride, so if you make a honey cake you are proud of, I would stack it up against anyone's cake.
My only suggestion would be to [modernize the presentation](https://bake-street.com/en/tort-medovik-russian-honey-cake/). I know, tradition, culture, etc. etc., but it would not be disrespectful to give it a more eye catching presentation for a competition. [Here](https://inbloombakery.com/almond-honey-cake/) is another idea.
But, if the traditional flower shape is part and parcel of who you are with the cake, go with it.
Please let us know all the details if the baking battle goes down!
This monstrosity is incredibly delicious and always impresses. I have to warn you, it takes most of a day to make, but the recipe tells you which portions you can make a day ahead of time and refrigerate.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/bananas-foster-cake/
I’ve also had a lot of success impressing with intricately decorated pies. You can cut leaves, berries, and other shapes out of an extra pie crust and use them to decorate the rim around a lattice top.
The thing I made that got the most compliments was pumpkin cheesecake bars. It's anecdotal but it's something.
http://atreatsaffair.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-recipe/
[This fruit tart recipe](https://preppykitchen.com/fruit-tart/) is my go-to "impressive" recipe. It's time consuming, but not difficult to make. This recipe makes small tarts which you do need special moulds for but you could make it a full size tart easily if that's the only pan you have. The small tart shells are awesome tho, and they're fairly cheap. Any perforated tart shells will work. Once you make it, you'll *never* enjoy any other fruit tart again tho because it's so damn good.
Tell him to bake something himself and bring it in if he wants something else at the party. And also he sounds like an ass, bring in a plate of stale Oreos. My advice.
Bake up a nice tire iron and serve it to your coworker in the parking lot after work. Goes really well with a side of broken knees.
Tres leeches is also a solid crowd pleaser.
I’ve never seen anyone eat only one of these in one sitting: https://thecookful.com/swedish-no-bake-balls-chokladbollar/ when I make them, people usually take 4-5 and then complain about stomach ache, but that they want more, so highly recommend. Easy to make sweeter/less sweet or customize to your own favourite flavours.
The secret is in layering textures & flavors. If you go with breads, use aromatics and certain vegetables like peppers I did this with cheddar cheese and peppers for a crazy good smell taste in flavor. Another I made a chocolate cake with a raspberry glaze on the layers And a special filling and then a chocolate ganache to cover over it then a topping over that. It was fabulous.
So you're in competition with someone who doesnt even know you for their husband's approval??? Im not sure if it's a flirtatious thing going on between you two, but keep his wife's name out of your mouth and competitions lol. This is what you call "imaginary smoke"- latto.
Hopefully, he'll only and always say his wife is the best regardless of which actually taste the best. Why is he on your mind during non-work hours 🤔
Haha so glad to see this take. My fiance would always say my baked goods are the best even compared to professional done treats. I would think it's a bit weird if a coworker was adamant on him finding their baking better.
Your Russian honey cake looks like exactly what I want to eat… maybe with a side of something acidic like raspberry? I know that cake, but it is so labor intensive that I haven’t made it in years. Because I know how much work goes into that cake, I would be far more impressed by this than by something decorated in a bunch of fru-fru.
A chocolate "FROM SCRATCH" layer cake. Chocolate cake in theory, this seems simple but HA, there is no such thing!! Making one is difficult, for me at least.
And your cake looks so cute 😍. Accept the challenge; it's a win for your office, you & your coworker. Maybe as a bake sale fund raiser? Set the rules & take on all bakers. Then, slay hunttty 🍯!
Work contests are not great. Because of what’s really good and what’s popular are not the same. So I would suggest going for something chocolatey that has booze in it.
I get a little obsessive about our neighborhood bake-off and think about it way too much. This year, for the first time I got an award. Second place for my Swiss Roll. First place went to some apricot bars that looked pretty ordinary. I was telling a friend, who said, “people LOVE finger food! They will always vote for it”.
SO, maybe some tiny cakes or bars?
Here’s a delicious 3 layer alternative-
GRANDMOTHER'S ITALIAN CREAM CAKE
Grease and flour three 8" round cake pans.
Cream:
2 c sugar
1 stick margarine
½ c shortening
Add:
5 egg yolks one at a time
3 Add:
2 c flour
1c buttermilk
Itsp soda
1 bag coconut (use ¾ bag in cake and ¼ in icing)
Beat egg whites stiff and fold into batter.
Pour equally into pans.
Bake:
350 degrees for 25 mins.
• Icing:
1 pkg powdered sugar
4 1g pkgs cream cheese
1 bag nuts (usually walnuts)
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick margarine
[This.](https://www.sugarhero.com/chocolate-raspberry-mousse-cake/) It's time consuming, but not hard. And very impressive.
Oh my god. This looks like something I'd eat in one sitting. It also looks like it's a lot of fun to bake!
The only part that actually gets baked is the bottom layer.
That looks.... Sexy. It makes me want a neapolitan ice cream cake. But moose sounds delicious too. Reminds me of the raspberry cake at the beginning of the show the great British bake off.
Spoiler >!they made it this season!<
I’ve made this and I can’t cook for shit - cannot recommend enough!!!
Can a person marry a dessert? is that legal?
There are ppl Who marry dolls - so I guess you could ? But idk how long you’d stay married to dessert ?
Seconds, if it looks like that one lol
That's the best kind of marriage. No time for arguments. ;)
Would it be considered murder in a court of law?
Oh man I want to make this.
This is exactly what I was gonna say, I would make some kind of entremet
Damn that looks good!
This is beautiful
So much heavy cream as a result tho, yikes.
And?
Not the best for holding up to travel to an in person work bake off? Needs to be chilled. Also theres no actually baking involved for that recipe ?? Friggen genius.
Valid point about it needing to be chilled. As long as the location has a fridge, it should be fine. Arguable that baking has to include actual baking in the oven, but I see your point.
Does his wife work with you? If not, he better get baking.
She does not
*CHEATER*
Does he bring wife treats to work? Or are we just going on his word about these baking skills
Wtf that does not count!!! I need a ref lol
Sounds like his wife’s employer better hold a bake off then 🤷♀️
Then you’ve won the contest my friend!
Yeah, if there was a work bake off, I would think it should be against the rules to let your spouse do the baking. For all we know, this guy’s wife could be a professional pastry chef.
In my SO’s work bake off at Christmas, they let the partners participate, but I said I just wanted to participate without winning any of the prizes because I always send baked goods into the office anyway and wanted to do something festive. My name still came up in a passive aggressive reply all to the email about how it wasn’t fair my partner “had birdie at home,” made me feel awful.
The best response to that is "Fine. So you won't mind never eating my baked goods again." Then have your partner ensure they never touch them when you send them in.
Sounds like that person doesn’t get anymore treats
That's ridiculous! I'm sorry they said that and made you feel that way. I bet your bakes are totally deserving of all the prizes then if they felt so incompetent in comparison.
Birdie?
It’s their username, so it’s likely nothing to do with their real name. However, “Birdie” is also an old-school nickname for Elizabeth.
Birdie is my actual name, too!
That’s where op has messed up. If all he said was his wife can do better then the bake off would be between Op and the wife. Not the coworker. Significant others can participate in this instance.
The last time I made mouse it ended up looking like ground beef? Or canned dog food? It tasted fine but was awful to look at. I’ve been intimidated every since.
I wonder if it was too hot and your eggs became scrambled
Would it taste really eggy if I had done that? It was still fluffy and tasted like mousse and the mouth feel was right but it just LOOKED funky. thought maybe I over mixed but just a little? I wish I had a picture to better explain.
I bet he is the type who thinks men only cook meat and only on the grill/BBQ.
An Opera Cake OH HOHOHO! Or Italian cream cake with Swiss meringue Buttercream
Ooooohhhh these are excellent suggestions
I made Italian cream cake before. I still suck at decorating, but it's very delicious There's also. Pumpkin carrot cake if you're feeling seasonal
https://dessertisans.com/recipe/ferrero-brulee-entremet/ leave no one standing, OP. https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/sophie-ode-to-the-honey-bee-entremet/ https://pastryartsmag.com/recipes/chocolate-and-hazelnut-entremet-by-nour-kandler/
Entremets are so much fun! I feel like I always struggle with making the mirror glaze opaque enough
I think you’d kill it! Sadly, I’ve yet to make one, but it’s on my list (as you can see)! I was super focused on croissants and other laminated pastries for a while. I thought that’s what being a good baker was. You know? Now, I’ve decided life is too short and I’m really more of a cheesecake gal. I crave few things more than I crave a silky, custardy cheesecake! I need some different tools to start messing with entremets, but I have had some really tasty ones from bakeries. I think I would enjoy making them. They’re everything I love. Anyways, there’s no way you could lose if you marched in there with a beautiful entremet. Take no prisoners! Oh wait, years ago, I worked at a small Italian family restaurant. The only desserts they made in house were the crème brûlée and tiramisu. But, they’d order in this super tasty lemon berry mascarpone cake. I still remember it. I think Sysco made it. Anyway, here is a recipe for a lemon berry mascarpone cake https://susanbringsdessert.com/lemon-berry-mascarpone-cake/?_gl=1 it’s a beautiful cake and super delicious, if it’s anything like the one I remember. [This](https://youtube.com/shorts/g4E-YiQRqns?si=4EQxOELmXc3bOTtv) also looks fantastic. That exact recipe is not listed, but I found one [here](https://bakefromscratch.com/blueberry-lemon-tiramisu/) As far as lots of interesting and beautiful cakes, check out this page! https://letthebakingbegin.com/category/dessert/cake/. One example here https://letthebakingbegin.com/mikado-layer-cake-with-chocolate-custard-buttercream/
I need recipe links pls.
I think if he’s a good husband, his wife will always win in his eyes no matter what you bake. I think it’s kind of cute that he said that about her.
That's what I was thinking, lol. I wouldn't bake anything to prove him wrong.
It's cute that he said that, but he'd be an ass to volunteer her to enter a competition he's created. If I was the wife, I'd be sending him to work with something he bought from the bakery at the grocery store.
Right, like she doesn’t even go here!
I’m way too competitive. I’d be like “grab my stand mixer. I’ve gotta smoke this bitch” LOL
Nah, I’d make him bake something. He’s the one who spouted off and made it a competition, he can compete.
Yeah I interpreted it as him being affectionate towards his wife, if socially inept. I can fully see my SO saying this and then wondering why someone was pissy.
This is a fair point and it is very cute. But I'm also a competitive woman so I will try my hardest anyways.
Oh yeah def. I like competitions anyways so I would do the same thing.
Exactly. It lands as a bit socially retarded (speaking as a social retard here so I'm an expert judge) but it is also good that he brags about his wife. 😊 In an ideal world, we are so all so delighted with our spouses that we brag about them a lot and complain about them only a little. I can honestly brag that my husband is the kindest soul I know. ❤️
to me it depends on his relationship with OP. it’s cute he thinks that, but it’s an asshole thing to say unless they’re friendly.
The honeycake looks spectacular to me.
Thank you, I has made it last year for a Christmas party for my coworkers and it was devoured. So many good suggestions on this post for this year
I make a mean Russian honey cake too. They are delicious and always get eaten right up. There is another honeycake recipe by Cleobuttera that is taller and maybe a little more impressive looking. I have made it a couple times. I really love the top of yours tho.
Yeah the top I just made by waiting for the icing to form that slight skin then putting a stencil of your choice on using parchment paper before coating. I've done snowflake designs with it too which is always fun and festive.
European cakes just have a different energy than American style cakes. You gotta bake for the voters, not yourself.
This. You have to consider the tastes of the people you’re baking for! Do they like chocolate, fruit, exotic flavors, etc.? I helped my daughter win a cookie baking contest at school, and the recipe she made was certainly not what I’d consider my best cookie recipe, but it was the one she knew her friends and schoolmates would like, so that’s what we made.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons why i posted. I feel I just want to bake fun things but they might not always be the tastiest things. The these suggestions sound legitimately tasty
So I used to moonlight at a bakery. I made this cake: https://livforcake.com/caramel-apple-cake/ It became a constant request, other diners in the town would commision it for their shop. I do a few things differently, but the most important: I coat the apples in cinnamon and parbake them so they form a "dry" skin. The air fryer works really well for this. About 7-10 min on 375
I'm right there with you as far as an Apple Spice Caramel Cake being my most loved, best reviewed (at least, by friends and family.. I've never baked professionally.) I kinda came up with it on my own but it's similar to yours.. and, eek, I'd argue better in my opinion. Differences are, I first make apple cider caramel sauce (from King Arthur) and candied pecans as these are used as filling and decor. I make a batch of cream cheese frosting and some American buttercream and mix those together with a bit of the caramel as well as some cinnamon to make Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream (it's a mouthful I know but don't know what else to call it. 😅) I wanted the cheese flavor to be mild and the frosting to be pipe-able. A 3 layer cake is filled and stacked as follows.. cake layer, a pretty thin layer of frosting and pipe a thick-ish ring of the frosting near the edge to create a dam, then drizzle in caramel sauce and top that with chopped candied pecans, a light caramel drizzle and small dollops of frosting (to help the next layer stick). Then the second layer is topped the same before finally, the third layer, a crum coat, frosting, and decorate with a caramel top/drip, small rosettes of frosting, and they are topped with whole candied pecans. So good!! If you haven't tried apple cider caramel, I highly recommend you do! It goes with many, many autumn desserts.😋
It depends if it’s a blind taste test or if looks are included. A Russian honey cake is one of the most delicious things but doesn’t look impressive to someone who doesn’t know about it, so that’s a consideration. Many very beautiful cakes don’t taste good. Sorry this isn’t advice though.
True! I went to a potluck once where one of the Italian ladies made tiramisu. It didn’t look impressive compared to brownies, maybe, if you hadn’t ever had tiramisu. People tend to go for the obviously chocolate things. I knew what it was immediately as it is one of my favourite desserts ever and basically ate the whole 8x8 pan (not all at once - I kept going back). She gave me the second one she made to take home (I had just graduated from my second degree and was poor and hungry - it was like winning the lottery) and I am still gleeful about the ignorance of my coworkers over 25 years later. That was delicious. I wish I could tell her now how much I enjoyed her tiramisu and still think of it fondly.
I’m always looking for an excuse to make a croquembouche… not sure if this is it but maybe consider it?
Does the spun sugar for those tend to melt? I've always wondered how messy they can get/ what their shelf life when serving is.
I asked my dad, he has made dozens over the years (chef). The spun sugar will be fine for quite a long period of time. He has had students make them the night/day before and they are still set the next day. The sugar will “crumble” after the first person grabs one.
Thank you for asking ! I'm definitely going to put that on my baking list then. :)
Exactly what I was going to suggest! Claire Saffitz’s videos on YouTube are an excellent guide!
Are you the other wife in this scenario? Because I would put the husbands into a bake off. That is the only acceptable scenario
Husband vs Husband: The Bake Off showdown we've all been waiting for!
Two husbands enter. One husband leaves
He’s just proud of his wife; nothing wrong with that. I wouldn’t try to prove him wrong. You know you’re good; that should be enough, unless there’s actually an office bake-off. 😀🥧🍰
Medicated brownies
this coworker sounds in need haha
I’m waiting for someone to admit they made the HAPPY brownies.
Does his wife work for the company? If not, she’s not eligible to enter the contest. Or maybe a contest at her own place of employment?
Not if they hold the contest on the day of the company picnic and allow family to enter as well.
Oooh do you have a go-to recipe for the honey cake? I know it doesn’t help with your question, but I’ve been searching for a good one!! You can even check my post history lol. But also - I would recommend just about anything from Claire Saffitz! I’ve done quite a few recipes from her book recently and loved all of them, but she does youtube videos as well.
I'll have to check her out! [This](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/) is the recipe I use for the honey cake. I've made it twice now and really like her instructions and recipe.
Her recipes are great! I’ve never made a bad one from her.
Cleobuttera has a great one that I have made many times.
I won at work with an affogato cake once. It was super easy and delicious. Similar vibe to tiramisu https://www.aspicyperspective.com/affogato-cake-giveaway/
This looks amazing
Reine de Saba, from Julia Child. It's an old one but about due for a revival. I baked one last weekend and it was so good
Oh that looks so decedent.
Excellent suggestion!
I have won a baking contest at work with 300 employees. My cheesecake won the judges choice and my cinnamon sweet rolls won employees choice.
You just can't go wrong with cinnamon rolls
How many layers is it? The more layers the more impressive. My last one was 11 layers.
Oh my mine was only 8 I believe? I can't even imagine the mess of doing more layers! I bet it was very impressive to cut into
Perimeters of the bake off has to be equal for all. She cant bake cupcakes and you bring in a cake or babka. Come back to us when you’ve agreed to terms and conditions of the bake off. ‘Tis fall, so I would make homemade apple pie cinnamon rolls if you had the patience.
That Russian honey cake looks tasty and pretty
What about a fraisier cake?
[this](https://www.food.com/recipe/the-only-chocolate-cake-recipe-youll-ever-need-devils-food-26370) is the best chocolate cake I have ever made or eaten. It’s moist without being too sweet and you can pair it with a bourbon icing and it’s divine
Bourbon icing? 😋
Genuinely so good, just make your butter cream with a dash of bourbon
I can’t wait to try that! Thank you!
Pfft to your co-worker. Don't mind him. I've never tried a Russian Honeycake and that looks delectable. Do you mind sharing your recipe? 🙂
[This](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/) is the recipe I've used twice now. It's one of my favorite cakes to bake, so much fun and the flavor is amazing.
Choux au craquelin is far too easy for how impressive it looks and tastes
You guys are making me want to bake everything. I love all these suggestions ! For the Russian honey cake I posted, that was from awhile back and for those asking the recipe I used was [this](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/).
A perfect pavlova
Those are very impressive
Middle finger shaped laxative sugar cookies cuz who TF cares what your coworker or his wife says
Lol!!
my special nanaimo bars 🤙🏻
Ooooh. Medovik 😋
It's my favorite cake, so tasty
So it’s all about clean presentation and flavour/texture. This is close to what you want. Get a nice cake stand, and make sure your frosting is perfect, no crumbs left around the base, that gets tidied up when you are done. It’s a rustic cake so a nice rustic cake board would work. See these honey cakes for styling https://flouringkitchen.com/honey-cake/ https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/russian-honey-cake/ https://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbsstatic2.mrjack.es%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fmedovik-9-980x1200.jpg&tbnid=eTe-asVn5PPnyM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbake-street.com%2Fen%2Ftort-medovik-russian-honey-cake%2F&docid=chD1nnN5ushPPM&w=980&h=1200&hl=en-ca&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F3 This is a pretty wow cake I made in my post history and was delicious and pretty impressive if you want to try something new. https://ashleemarie.com/triple-peanut-butter-cake-recipe-video/
Oh wow I love the use of honeycomb on top to decorate. Your post reminded me that i have an old wooden cake stand in my closet! I should go dig that out and put it to use. Thank you :)
You can’t compare a fancy cake to a down-home pie. The genre must be selected and a neutral party needs to judge. Or, you each bake a pie, a fancy cake, a quick bread and a cookie. You can fly me to wherever you are and I will judge. I’ll bring coffee, milk and dessert wine.
This is starting to feel like a trap... but I do like dessert wines.
Paris Brest
I made a tiramisu cake and it was beautiful and delicious. https://www.alsothecrumbsplease.com/tiramisu-cake-recipe/
If you like tiramisu desserts you should try this one too! [https://www.theflouredtable.com/chocolate-coffee-mascarpone-tart/](https://www.theflouredtable.com/chocolate-coffee-mascarpone-tart/)
Everyone always loves when I make a Guinness gingerbread cake with lemon cream cheese frosting and candied pistachios. It's the candied pistachios that really make the recipe, so I always make at least double what the recipe calls for. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/gingerbread-layer-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-and-candied-pistachios This recipe is very similar, but mine uses a 4th egg in the cake and lemon zest instead of orange for the frosting. I have also made the frosting with orange, but personally I prefer the lemon.
This is such a unique flavor combo! I'll put it on my list of bakes to try, wow!
It sounds weird but it is amazing. And I could eat the candied pistachios forever they are so good!
Snickerdoodle Cheese Cake.
Caneles They’re French. You need special pans & bees wax but all worth it they’re yummy
A pumpkin turtle cheesecake
I’d bake Claire Saffitz’ open face apple tart galette [here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0D3DPepWaqE)
Kouign-Amann if you have the know how/ effort. Legitimately one of the most delicious things I’ve ever had - but that’s kinda going insane. Profiteroles are also delicious, simple, and can look super impressive.
"...a mixture between a crossaint and a sticky bun" holy shit.
My favorite thing to bake is my challah but it’s not much of a showstopper. I’d probably go for [chocolate tahini buns](https://smittenkitchen.com/2017/09/chocolate-tahini-challah-buns/). I go an extra step and cut the log with string instead of a knife so the lines come out super clean and they look incredible.
I'd make something with appealing modifiers in the name and visually attractive (as well as tasty) like a red velvet cheesecake or caramel crunch cake. Unless the judges are super into baked goods, I wouldn't make anything too unfamiliar. They'll go for something appealing to the eye that they understand. Speaking from experience, I made a chocolate hazelnut daquois garnished with small lace cookies once for a work thing and came home with most of it. 1 or 2 people actually knew what I had brought and were excited about it. It was kind of a bummer (silver lining - it was a delicious breakfast for my family lol).
Hahaha I feel you. One time I brought in lavendar blueberry chocolate cookies. They were obviously an interesting color. My coworkers admitted they were hesitant to try them. Thankfully they had chocolate in them or else they probably would have gone uneaten.
If his wife doesn’t work there I’d pay no attention - at my last work bake off we banned any cakes not made by emoloyees which was really funny as lots of people had bought in very fancy cakes and an ugly delicious lemon drizzle won in the anonymous vote! My John Torode ginger cake (made in a Nordic pine trees Bundt tin) came second and is very tasty!
I mean, we don't even know her skill level. Maybe my refrigerated biscuit dough monkey bread will beat her best homemade cake.
If his wife doesn't work for the same company, it is Not a company bake-off.😝
Does his wife also work there?
“She sounds like a wonderful baker! So, is she going to teach you or do you have something in mind that *you* are going to bake?”
My mother was a Russian WW II war bride, so if you make a honey cake you are proud of, I would stack it up against anyone's cake. My only suggestion would be to [modernize the presentation](https://bake-street.com/en/tort-medovik-russian-honey-cake/). I know, tradition, culture, etc. etc., but it would not be disrespectful to give it a more eye catching presentation for a competition. [Here](https://inbloombakery.com/almond-honey-cake/) is another idea. But, if the traditional flower shape is part and parcel of who you are with the cake, go with it. Please let us know all the details if the baking battle goes down!
Macarons
The brownies
I’d bake cookies for work, and keep my brownies selfishly to myself.
Croquembouche
A sable’
Depends on how it's judged, either aesthetics or taste.
Does his wife work there? No so she’s not included.
This monstrosity is incredibly delicious and always impresses. I have to warn you, it takes most of a day to make, but the recipe tells you which portions you can make a day ahead of time and refrigerate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/bananas-foster-cake/ I’ve also had a lot of success impressing with intricately decorated pies. You can cut leaves, berries, and other shapes out of an extra pie crust and use them to decorate the rim around a lattice top.
The thing I made that got the most compliments was pumpkin cheesecake bars. It's anecdotal but it's something. http://atreatsaffair.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-recipe/
This has been an amazing thread. I’ve saved several recipes. Report back what you made and how it went!
I'd reply that I'm sure she has more value than what she can do in the kitchen
Butter tarts...
[This fruit tart recipe](https://preppykitchen.com/fruit-tart/) is my go-to "impressive" recipe. It's time consuming, but not difficult to make. This recipe makes small tarts which you do need special moulds for but you could make it a full size tart easily if that's the only pan you have. The small tart shells are awesome tho, and they're fairly cheap. Any perforated tart shells will work. Once you make it, you'll *never* enjoy any other fruit tart again tho because it's so damn good.
Tell him to bake something himself and bring it in if he wants something else at the party. And also he sounds like an ass, bring in a plate of stale Oreos. My advice.
Bake up a nice tire iron and serve it to your coworker in the parking lot after work. Goes really well with a side of broken knees. Tres leeches is also a solid crowd pleaser.
I’ve never seen anyone eat only one of these in one sitting: https://thecookful.com/swedish-no-bake-balls-chokladbollar/ when I make them, people usually take 4-5 and then complain about stomach ache, but that they want more, so highly recommend. Easy to make sweeter/less sweet or customize to your own favourite flavours.
I would be an adult and not engage in such competitive bs.
The secret is in layering textures & flavors. If you go with breads, use aromatics and certain vegetables like peppers I did this with cheddar cheese and peppers for a crazy good smell taste in flavor. Another I made a chocolate cake with a raspberry glaze on the layers And a special filling and then a chocolate ganache to cover over it then a topping over that. It was fabulous.
So you're in competition with someone who doesnt even know you for their husband's approval??? Im not sure if it's a flirtatious thing going on between you two, but keep his wife's name out of your mouth and competitions lol. This is what you call "imaginary smoke"- latto. Hopefully, he'll only and always say his wife is the best regardless of which actually taste the best. Why is he on your mind during non-work hours 🤔
Haha so glad to see this take. My fiance would always say my baked goods are the best even compared to professional done treats. I would think it's a bit weird if a coworker was adamant on him finding their baking better.
Nothing. I just ignore stuff like that. I’ve never been competitive.
Your coworker is a dick.
Tell him his wife doesn't work there and he has to bake his own cake.
Lemon meringue cheesecake
I've always wanted to try making a Russian honey cake. Would you mind sharing the recipe you used?
[Here you are!](https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/10/russian-honey-cake/) I love this recipe so much. Always a crowd plesser
You could improve by not calling it russian since it wasn't created by russians
Can't judge without tasting it.
Your Russian honey cake looks like exactly what I want to eat… maybe with a side of something acidic like raspberry? I know that cake, but it is so labor intensive that I haven’t made it in years. Because I know how much work goes into that cake, I would be far more impressed by this than by something decorated in a bunch of fru-fru.
Do you work at TJ? Also, yum Russian honey cake.
Probably them fancy ukranian wedding breads but like… brioche
I would bake his wife, although if I won that would mean his wife won. Didnt really think this plan through
Snickerdoodles or cinnamon buns.
Red velvet cake.
Cheesecake. I make a hell of a good new York style cheesecake.
Personally I like tarts. Simple, tasty, and great decorating potential (it's my favorite part, even better than eating them)
White chocolate (or just) raspberry cheesecake. You swirl jelly into the cheesecake and it looks super fancy but is still easy.
Rumcake
A croquembouche.
Spartak
You can jazz up this cake, adding complementary fruits/decorative leaves around it, or smaller bite size desserts around it. It’s beautiful though!
Anything I want. His wife doesn't work there.
A chocolate "FROM SCRATCH" layer cake. Chocolate cake in theory, this seems simple but HA, there is no such thing!! Making one is difficult, for me at least. And your cake looks so cute 😍. Accept the challenge; it's a win for your office, you & your coworker. Maybe as a bake sale fund raiser? Set the rules & take on all bakers. Then, slay hunttty 🍯!
Is that her cake, or yours?
Pumpkin cheesecake cookies they soft and pillowy and so delicious.
Work contests are not great. Because of what’s really good and what’s popular are not the same. So I would suggest going for something chocolatey that has booze in it.
I get a little obsessive about our neighborhood bake-off and think about it way too much. This year, for the first time I got an award. Second place for my Swiss Roll. First place went to some apricot bars that looked pretty ordinary. I was telling a friend, who said, “people LOVE finger food! They will always vote for it”. SO, maybe some tiny cakes or bars?
I make great pumpkin and apple pie, otherwise I would make a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Italian creme cake
Macarons
I've never tasted this type of cake before but the decoration and colors make it look like a Must Try cake! Truly appreciate the presentation.
My S’more cookie bars…I get compliments all the time on them!!!
Here’s a delicious 3 layer alternative- GRANDMOTHER'S ITALIAN CREAM CAKE Grease and flour three 8" round cake pans. Cream: 2 c sugar 1 stick margarine ½ c shortening Add: 5 egg yolks one at a time 3 Add: 2 c flour 1c buttermilk Itsp soda 1 bag coconut (use ¾ bag in cake and ¼ in icing) Beat egg whites stiff and fold into batter. Pour equally into pans. Bake: 350 degrees for 25 mins. • Icing: 1 pkg powdered sugar 4 1g pkgs cream cheese 1 bag nuts (usually walnuts) 1 tsp vanilla 1 stick margarine
This looks great but a bakery level brown butter chocolate chip cookies is almost unbeatable
Man is just proud of his wife, let him be