With Mother's Day fast approaching (tomorrow!), I decided this morning that I had better get started on my petit fours. I had already made all the sugar paste flowers, but it was time to do some baking and decorating. I won't say that this is a simple project, as there are many steps involved, but it's not difficult and the results are more than worth it. If you want to make some, too, here's what you'll need:
- butter pound cake (use your favorite recipe or buy one at the bakery!)
- good quality seedless raspberry or apricot jam (or other flavor of your choice)
- icing
- sugar paste flowers or other decoration
I like to make my own pound cake and icing. I use two wonderful recipes from Karen Porter of Tilly's Cakes. They can be found on Martha Stewart's website. If you are not a big baker, never fear - Sara Lee will do just fine! To begin, bake your pound cake and let it cool completely. Then, trim off any brown crust and cut the cake into approximately 1/2" thin slices. The size and shape of your petit four is completely up to you and you can make them free-hand or use a cookie cutter. I just eye-balled it, so you can see that my 1 1/4" squares are less than perfect. You will need two "shapes" for each petit four (you will be sandwiching the jam between them).
Next, place your jam in a saucepan over low heat and stir until it melts slightly. This will make it easier to spread. Using a small butter knife or offset spatula, spread a thin layer of jam on one half of each petit four pair. Be careful not to go all the way to the edge - this will keep the jam from flowing over the sides when you add the top piece. Add the top piece.
Next, place your finished "sandwiched" cakes on a wire rack set inside a cookie pan that has sides. Prepare your icing and allow it to cool and rest a bit (this will give it some time for the air bubbles to dissipate). If you want to tint it, add a drop or two of gel food coloring. I made mine a VERY pale pink.
Using a pastry brush, gently remove any loose crumbs from the surface of your cakes. Now, carefully pour your icing over the petit fours, making sure to completely cover all the sides. You may have to do two coats. The excess icing will drip down into the cookie pan.
Quickly add a sugar paste flower or two to the top before the icing completely sets up.
Let the petit fours dry and then, using a small metal spatula, transfer them to some parchment paper.
You can use a sharp knife to trim and clean-up any extra icing that has collected around the bottoms.
Here they are all finished and sitting pretty in their paper candy cups...
Now comes my favorite part - the packaging! I decided to just use some simple white candy boxes lined with wax paper.
In keeping with my sugar paste flower color scheme, I added some deeper violet-colored millinery flowers and a ribbon in a pretty shade of fuchsia.
Have a great day!
Jessica
They look stunning and delicious. And the flowers on the boxes are just delightful.
Posted by: bakeandsewblog | May 09, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Wow such a great post. Your petit fours are beautiful and yummy looking.
Happy Mothers Day!
Posted by: Jocelyn | May 09, 2009 at 05:00 PM
WOW! What a wonderful gift.........they are so lovely!
Posted by: Denise | May 09, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Hi Jessica,
This is Laura from Sugar Rose Cottage. I just wanted to say that I love your blog! I stumbled upon a while back, and have hooked ever since! Your ideas are lovely and this idea is wonderful! What a great Mother's Day gift! Please keep the ideas and inspiration coming. Have a fantastic Mother's Day!
Posted by: Laura Reed | May 10, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Jessica, You are something else! I just am always amazed with the things you make.. you sure supply us all with very pretty eye candy. I love stopping by your Blog. Happy Mothers Day.
Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane | May 10, 2009 at 02:36 AM
Thank you for sharing! I think I will try making these to add to the candy table on my wedding :)
Have a lovely Mother's Day!
Posted by: Berlin | May 10, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Beautiful! They look too good to eat {but delicious!} Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day!
Posted by: Alice W. | May 11, 2009 at 12:14 AM
WOW! These are so gorgeous! I just love the way you packaged them too!
Posted by: Michelle Grace | May 11, 2009 at 08:39 AM
How beautiful your little petit fours are - what a great job
Posted by: cathy | May 11, 2009 at 02:16 PM
These are absolutely beautiful!! I wish I was receiving them!! Your talent astounds me!! Have a lovely day.
Posted by: Valarie Kraft | May 11, 2009 at 09:51 PM
So cute cakes, Wish I can try it. Seems so delicious I'm sure mommy gonna love it!
-krisha-
Posted by: philippine cakes | May 12, 2009 at 05:56 AM
Hi Jessica, you cakes are absolutely gorgeous. I am sure anyone who was lucky enough to receive them would truly appreciate all the love that has gone into their creation.
Posted by: Bumble Bee Cottage | May 19, 2009 at 01:57 AM
This is a very detailed recipe that is very helpful...thanks!!! The ending product looks great!
Posted by: Chrystal Smith | April 26, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Hmmm... looks so yummy! I am sure my mom gonna love this. I will try to make something like that this weekend. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
-pia-
Posted by: gift to the Philippines | May 05, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Look so beautiful and adorable for sure my mom will love this. Keep posting!
vee
Posted by: Mother's Day Philippines | May 11, 2010 at 10:35 PM