Thursday 28 July 2011

Caroline & Trevor - Chateau Elan



Caroline & Trevor were one of our gorgeous couples, that really captured our hearts. They wanted their cake and gifts to truly reflect them, and the beautiful Hunter Valley. We found our inspiration for both these in their stunning yet simplistic invitations.

The understated cake was a simple ivory three tier cake, with a sweet little olive tree at the base. It kept the theme subtle, but helped the couple link the wedding cake to the rest of the tables.




I love these toppers! They were so cute. So personal, not too serious, but not so cutesy as to take away for the refined reception room. It really think that's really what wedding design is all about. Striking that balance between personalisation and keeping with a consistent feel and theme. Today's couples want a wedding that looks classic, elegant, timeless, but yet is relaxed enough for their guests to feel comfortable all evening, show their personal style and reflect their love. 

The gifts for the guests were a last minute addition. After looking at many sweets, Caroline opted for a elegant hand piped version of that olive tree, but incorporating the colour in the bridesmaids and flowers for some of them. The tables were stunning. And I have to hand it to this couple. They designed their entire wedding style themselves, and really pulled it off. It was breathtaking when we walked in the room. Just perfect!




Tuesday 26 July 2011

Couture Cupacke Class - Sunday 21st August 2011

We are pleased to announce the newest class in our Cupcake Courses - Couture Cupcakes



This is a beginners class that will teach a variety of skills, perfect for anyone interested in learning how to make sophisticated, classic, and delicious cupcakes.

In this course, you will learn how to work with buttercream, to produce our perfect soft serve ice-cream swirl, as well as make a delicate ruffle design.



We will also cover cupcakes in Satin Ice fondant, and create lace flowers, sugar pearls, icing bows and work on those fine piping skills by creating swiss dots with royal icing.



This class will again, include the use of all our own tools, meaning there is nothing else to purchase for the class, and we will supply you with one of our cupcake recipes to bake these stunning cupcakes to perfection in your own home. 
First class will commence Sunday 21st August 10am to 2pm. More classes to follow in the coming months, hoping to have one every month, though they may vary from weekday to weekend, and possibly a stint in the vineyards.

Photos by Popcorn Photography

Monday 25 July 2011

And the winner is.....

Thank you to all our wonderful fans for supporting our business over the years. To celebrate our 1000 Facebook likers, we have chosen to do a give away!

One spot in our August 14th Beginners Sculpted Handbag Cake Class, valued at $375.

We are pleased to announce, that after 42 entries, the winner is.....


Hayley Fuda!
Congratulations Hayley, you have a spot in our newest class, 9am to 4pm Sunday 14th August to learn how to carve, cover and decorate a stunning Handbag made from our yummy cakes! So give us a call or email to claim your prize.




Thank you to everyone who commented about why they love our cakes, and why they keep coming back for their sweet treats!!!

Happy Baking!

Friday 22 July 2011

Stephanie & Alexander - Peppers Creek Barrel Room

This was a truly wonderful couple, and indeed family. Stephanie and her mother came to us, with a vision for their reception that was stunning yet comforting. And I think that's really what Peppers Creek Barrel Room is all about. Rustic elegance, warm and inviting, for this winter wedding, yet at the same time an air of sophistication and timelessness that makes each guest feel a little special just setting foot in the room.





A beautiful moment happened right before the bride was set to walk down the aisle. An excited groom burst into the reception room, just to take a final look to see how amazing the room was. He thanked everyone for doing an incredible job, took the time to really savour that moment, and I have to say it spoke volumes of his character. It's such a wonderful experience to see the couple on their wedding day. The excitement in their eyes, the joy in their heart, it just warms you.









When it came to the food, Peppers Creek really outdoes themselves. The range on offer is extraordinary, and all I have ever heard is rave reviews. I know this couple took the food very seriously, especially the cakes and sweets. The cupcakes were all about flavour, warmth, and nature. We wanted to create a tower that made you want to devour them immediately! Lush fruits, chocolate, with just a hint of romantic refinement in those stunning lace cupcake wrappers.





When it came to offering gifts to her guests, this Bride wanted to let her guests to choose their own sweets and treats to take for the road. Keeping with a very New York/ Amy Altas style of clean crisp lines, bridal whites, allowing texture and shape to add deatil and variety to the table. Set on stark white platters, the candy was a mix of traditional sweets, and some imported varieties we ship in from the US. 


We created these gorgeous labels to match the travel-inspired stationary the couple used as part of their wedding. 




Sweets included champagne bubbes, rock candy swizzle sticks and salt water taffy that we imported. We made the marshmallows, macarons, strawberries, coconut ice and many more in store. We believe in making as many items as possible. That way they are free of preservatives, made fresh using local ingredients, and taste incredible. 











Photos courtesy of MMG Photography


Thursday 21 July 2011

Sugar Rush Beginners Sculpted Course 1 - Handbag Cake

After much anticipation, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first Sculpted Cake Course - The Handbag Cake. This will be an intensive 7 hour class, teaching the fundamentals of cake carving, ganaching, icing in Satin Ice, and creating details using modelling chocolate and fondant.


The end result is truly a work of art. The details on this cake are just incredible, and we will teach you everything you need to replicate this cake in our class. Bamboo handle, piped edges, impressions, and cut outs will all be covered in this course. 



Not only will you be able to take home a cake that looks amazing, it will taste amazing. As with all our cakes, this cake has multiple cake and filling layers, making it just delicious! At Sugar Rush, no cake is ever carved from just a solid block of cake. The skill is in creating cakes that stand up to the taste test, not simply eye candy. 


This Beginners Sculpted Course will give you a sound base of skills that will enable you to continue building your cake skills, and enrol in our soon to be released Intermediate and Advanced Courses. Every student who completes our full course will receive a certificate of Graduation and a logo they can use on their advertising/ website to show the education they have gained with us at the Sugar Rush Cake Design School. 

Check out Facebook for course dates. 




Tuesday 19 July 2011

Cupcake Classes, Wine and Cheese - Sugar Rush and Tulloch's Wines



August is just around the corner, and we are fast filling up for our cupcake classes in the beautiful Hunter Valley. Tulloch Wines have graciously allowed us to teach in their beautiful function room, and will even offer a tasty lunch of wine and cheese to all our students.


Tulloch's Wines is one of the oldest wineries in the Hunter, and it's responsible for some of the most sought after wines. We love this vineyard personally, both Jon and I have big favorites in their range, and we thought that better way to spend the day, but eating cupcakes, tasting wines and enjoying a lovely day in the stunning Pokolbin area.

Classes on offer are our ever popular Cupcake Bouquet Class on Sunday 7th August from 12noon - 4pm. At the end of the month, we will return for our beautiful Garden Cupcake Class on Sunday 28th August again from 12noon - 4pm. Classes are both $180 per student, include a wine and cheese tasting, and Tulloch's are even throwing in a $5 off voucher to spend on any of their wines. What more could you ask for?





So email us sugarrush@bigpond.com or call us on (02) 4948 1286 and we will be in touch. Please hurry as this classes will not be on every weekend, they are a special treat offered by both Tullochs and ourselves.

Mon Tresor, Sweet Little Birdy, Nourish Your Soul, and some sweet treats!

A couple of weeks ago we were lucky enough to be a part of a gorgeous photo shoot by Renee Bell Photographer. Not only are the shots beautiful, but it makes me want a cup of that sublime tea by Nourish Your Soul.


I love the colours, the vintage feel, reminds me of tea with my grandma, and my sister's collection of vintage wares all at the same time. 


Jon and I enjoy a cup of tea every night before bed. I know it's such an old married couple thing to do...but there's nothing wrong with that! I love old couples, who sit together on park benches, finish each other's sentences and still look at each other with that sparkle in their eye. Oh, I really am a hopeless romantic. 

So what do we love to have with out tea? That's easy. Right now, it's those sweet but complicated macarons - Ispahan! What a flavour combination. Mind blowing! Raspberry centre, with a lychee and rose ganache....just thinking about it makes me drool, literally!! They are by far the best sweet I've ever had!


But what post about tea and sweets would be complete without our renowned Brownie Bites! These little chocolate morsels create intensive feelings in our customers. Nothing is quite like this little babies! They have been described as "the perfect little chocolate pillow", "heaven" and "the best things ever!!". And even though I make them, I still to this day can't eat just one! They are popable perfection. And what about these gorgeous cups available from Mon Tresor, stand from Sweet Little Birdy.


So if you are after some sweet treats such as these, pop into our store in Mount Hutton and check them out for yourself. 


Images courtesy of Renee Bell Photographer