Extra sweet way to heat up your Valentines Day!

Looking for an extra sweet way to heat up your Valentines Day? Try this delicious Pink Hot Chocolate Recipe! My brother put together this recipe inspired by his wonderful girlfriend (who much like myself, adores everything pink)! How romantic. Here it is- give it a try!

2 cups Pink and White Chocolate Melts 
1/4 of a cup of French vanilla coffee cream
2Tsp butter
1Tsp of cinnamon 
1Tsp of nutmeg 
1/3 cup powdered sugar 
750 ml milk
Marshmallows & whipped cream (optional)

1. Melt butter and chocolate on a double boiler. Stir with whisk until both chocolate and butter are melted in to a smooth mixture.

2. Whisk continuously while adding the French Vanilla Coffee Cream. 

3. Sift the spices and powdered sugar into mixture while continuing to whisk. 

4. In a separate pot heat milk over low heat. 

5. Once milk is hot, equally add chocolate in to mugs & stir in milk.

6. Add marshmallows & whipped cream.


Side note: To add extra froth, blend chocolate mixture with milk in blender.

Enjoy!

Chick Boss Cake's Q & A

How far in advance should I book my cake?
You should book your cake as soon as you know what date you will need it for! We only require a 50% non-refundable deposit upon booking. Once you book your cake & your deposit is received, your date is guaranteed! The sooner the better, as some dates book up quite far in advance.

I tried to book a cake with Chick Boss Cake, and you were booked? 
Unfortunately some dates book up farther in advance than others ( weekends, holidays and wedding season: May through October). As much as we would love to be able to accommodate all orders, quality is our number one priority! It is most important to us that we provide each customer with quality products. If we took too many orders for one day, we feel this would compromise the quality of our products. This is why it is important to book in advance, and place a 50% deposit on your date. We always strive for quality over quantity & feel this is in the best interest of all our customers!

How many cakes can you book in one day?
This depends entirely on the types/sizes of orders we have booked for that day. We can accommodate quite a few cupcake/ cookie orders for one day. However, due to the elaborate nature of our cakes, we can only accommodate so many cake orders for one day! This depends on the designs & sizes of cakes. Our baker determines how many cakes can  be handled for one particular day, the numbers vary.

Are you able to accommodate any last minute orders?
While we recommend you book your cake in advance, we certainly encourage you to inquire if you would like a last minute cake! If we are not booked we would be more than happy to accommodate you! It never hurts to ask.

Why are your cakes so expensive?
Our cakes are priced very competitively for the London & St. Thomas area. The reason why fondant cakes in general are more expensive, is mainly due to the amount of time spent on them. Our fondant cakes are always hand decorated & take hours to perfect & complete. We take the time to focus on the details to ensure your cake turns out spectacular!

I don't like fondant, what would you recommend?
Not everyone likes fondant & that's o.k! At this time we only specialize in making fondant cakes. Fondant allows for an elegant smooth finish on the cakes, as well as it allows for much more creative/fun designs. Fortunately, we still ice the entire cake with butter cream before covering it in fondant, so if you love the look of fondant but not the taste then you can simply peel the fondant off.  Cupcakes also make a great alternative to cake!

Do you offer refunds?
Customer service is highly important to us at Chick Boss Cake! If there is a problem with your order we will do our best to fix it in a timely manner for you. We do not offer refunds at Chick Boss Cake because once you book with us we are reserving that date for you & may not be able to accommodate other orders based on your reservation. Also, once your order is complete & delivered, by then the time & ingredients have already been spent on your order.

I live in London but am planning on taking my cake to an out of town event!
We do not recommend transporting the cake yourself. We offer delivery almost anywhere in Ontario for a reasonable fee. That being said, if you are still planning on travelling with your cake, please take proper precautions. Chick Boss Cake is not responsible for the cake after it has been delivered, and the cake is yours to do whatever you like with.

Why do you not allow pick ups?
The only option we offer is delivery on all orders. We feel this is the best & most convenient method for our customers. This is to ensure your product arrives at your location/event safely. Our delivery fee is very reasonable and we can deliver almost anywhere in Ontario. This is simply in the best interest of both parties. Unfortunately we offer no exceptions.

Why are wedding cakes more expensive?
Some places like to charge extra for wedding cakes. At Chick Boss Cake, our wedding cakes are priced the same as any of our other fondant cakes, after all, a cake is a cake is a cake. Right? Also, wedding cakes can easily seem more expensive than a celebration cake simply based on the amount of servings. For example, our basic cake covered in plain white fondant is $3.50 per serving. So, if you have a birthday party and order a plain white fondant cake that serves 14 people it would be $49.00. Now, if you order the same plain white fondant cake for your wedding that serves 250 people it would be $875.00. Therefore, it is the same price per serving, and the more guests you have, the more cake you will need!

Do you offer cake tastings?
We most certainly offer cake tastings in cupcake form! Our cake & cupcake recipes are the same. Tastings are an important and fun aspect of planning your cake. Our tastings are slightly different than our competitors in the sense that we have made it simple & relaxing, bringing the tasting to your front door! This is how it works: Choose the flavour(s) you would like to try, minimum order is 6 cupcakes per flavour. Then, we will arrange a delivery date (this could also be the date of your stag & doe, bridal shower, bachelorette party etc. so you can allow your wedding party/guests to sample the flavours along with you). This allows you and your fiance/guests to sample the flavours with no obligation or stress. Our cupcakes range from $2.00- $3.50 each depending on the flavours. Simply contact us once you have decided on the flavours & remember, if you have a multiple tiered cake you may have one flavour per tier.

I want to order a special cake for someone but have no idea what I want it to look like!
At Chick Boss Cake we specialize in creating custom cakes for all occasions! Our baker is very creative & she loves to create original designs. Simply provide some colors, themes, pictures or hobbies that the person is interested in and let us do the work! 

I am having a huge party on a budget...Help?

If you are on a tight budget but are still looking for a fun & fabulous cake, you are not out of luck! We would recommend ordering a smaller cake with the design you like & adding our Classic Cupcakes to fulfill the remainder of your servings. Our classic cupcakes are only $2.00 each and can be decorated in the same colours to match your cake! Alternatively, cupcakes alone can make an affordable yet elegant statement at your event and we have a gorgeous cupcake stand we can rent & set up for you!

Do you have questions for us? Contact us and we would be happy to answer them for you! 

Customer Service at Chick Boss Cake!

  We take great pride in our products & customer service here at Chick Boss Cake! We like to make ordering your birthday, wedding or special occasion cake as simple as possible. If you've previously ordered with Chick Boss Cake, then you'll know how simple it is. If you have yet to order (what are you waiting for??) then this is how it works:

 You e-mail us what your looking for: your ideas, pictures, themes, colours, anything and everything you would like to receive out of your cake!

 We will then, provide you with a quote for the particular cake you described or sent a picture of and assist you on sizing the cake according to the size of your party.

 After you have confirmed your order, the next step is to place a 50% (or full amount) deposit in order to confirm your date. Some dates book up quite far in advance & therefore we cannot guarantee your date unless there is a deposit down on that particular date.

 Once we have received your deposit (e-mail money transfer, pay pal, credit card, or in person) your date is guaranteed! By this point we are very excited to be making you a fabulous cake  and are honoured to be a part of your special day!

 The final payment is due upon or before the delivery of the cake. Once you have received your cake, Chick Boss Cake is in no way responsible or liable for the cake in any way, the cake is yours! This is why we only offer the delivery option, most of our cakes are delicate and not as easy to transport as cakes you may have bought from your grocery store. Sometimes customers will have their cake delivered locally and transport it themselves to out of town events. In this case, let us know upon ordering so we can provide proper instruction on transportation! Again, we are happy to give you instructions however, we are only responsible for the cake until it has left our hands!  We do deliver out of town as well & our prices are listed on our website.

Simple as that!

So what happens if you receive your cake and it is missing something you specified in your order? 

 In the rare case that we may over look an important detail of your order ( and I say rare because it has yet to happen, as we are extremely detail oriented) we promise to do whatever it takes to fix it! If an important detail of your order is over looked by us, we assume full responsibility to fix it for you!

 If a customer forgot to include an important detail in their order, we encourage you to let us know ASAP and  we will do our best to accommodate you!

 Unfortunately, if you receive your order and you forgot to include details that were not specified in the confirmation of your "quote" and did not notify us after the fact,  Chick Boss Cake does not assume any responsibility. We make the cake specifically based upon what you ask for & were quoted for.This may sound obvious to most, but you would be surprised! =)

 We pride ourselves on our professionalism & reliability! Relax and don't stress on your special day... Let the boss do the work!!

Order your personalized Father's Day treats today! 

Tie the Knot with Chick Boss Cake

 www.chickbosscake.com/wedding.html

Our wedding page is finally up and running. I am planning on adding more ideas & designs to it between all the birthday cakes & other special orders I've been busy with lately. Turns out, I really enjoy working on wedding cakes & favours! Their simplicity and elegance are a true test of perfectionism.

Often people think wedding cakes are much more difficult to make, however they are really just as difficult as some of the elaborate birthday cakes I do. There is a tad more stress related to wedding orders (for obvious reasons) and most people have a very "specific" idea of what they're looking for. This is why pictures can be so important, whether you find a cake: in a magazine, book, online, etc... Don't forget, I can easily collaborate a couple different designs to create a cake as unique as you are!

For some more unconventional brides, or even traditional brides who are looking for an opportunity to trail away from tradition, the cake is the perfect area of your wedding to let loose and have some fun with! If you've ever seen the show "Cake Walk: Wedding Cake Edition" you'll know what I'm talking about! The brides & grooms on this show generally step out of the box by collaborating both of their interests, or even depict the story of how they met throughout their wedding cake. This is a great idea that your guests will absolutely love &  remember for years after your special date!

The newest & coolest trend right now are wedding cupcakes! What better way to provide your guests with a dessert they will love then to provide a variety of different fabulous flavours?! Cupcakes can easily be designed as elegantly as wedding cakes. We will also come to your venue and set up the cupcake display to ensure it is up to our highest of standards! A lot of brides & grooms still want the "cutting of the cake" tradition, this is still possible with cupcakes by adding a small cake to top off your display! Another great thing about cupcakes is avoiding the "cake cutting fee" with your venue. Most venues will charge anywhere from $1.50 -$3.00 per person for cutting, plating & serving your wedding cake.

We currently do not offer tastings at this time as all of our cakes are custom made to order, however, we would be happy to come out and meet with you to discuss your dream wedding cake in detail. We can recommend fabulous flavour combinations based on you and your fiance's preferences. If you'd like to try some of our flavours, we recommend ordering the flavour in our cupcakes!

If your looking for a generic wedding favour everyone will be able to throughouly enjoy, cookies & boxed cupcakes are the best way to go! Why? well, simply because everyone loves food- so you can't go wrong. I know there are a lot of cool/neat little trinkets you can buy for your guests also, but if you want to give them something they will remember & enjoy edible is the way to go! All favours are elegantly packaged with a "Thank you" note & ribbon to match your colours & theme. Have a combination of cookies (example: bride dress cookie for your ladies & groom suit cookies for your men). 

Weddings are such a big milestone, and we would be honored to be a part of your special day to provide you with the stress free service you deserve!

Booking now for 2012 & 2013, a 50% deposit is required to guarantee your date!

$100.00 Custom Cake Giveaway Contest! Enter Everyday Until March 30th

Contest Rules:

* Winner must live within a 2 hour drive of London, Ontario!

* Facebook updates must be "shared" directly from: www.Facebook.com/chickbosscake

Staying warm on a cold January day

As you wake up to this cold January morning, I thought I'd post some delicious hot chocolate recipes to keep you warm throughout your day. Coffee & tea works just as well, but lets be real... there is something about a warm cup of cocoa that is indescribably comforting on such a bitter day. Try these easy & delicious home made recipes I have collaborated from various sites:

Whipped Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons sweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet baking chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan over low heat until the milk begins to steam. Whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt until dissolved. Stir in the chocolate until melted. Remove saucepan from heat, and allow to cool slightly.
2. Beat the heavy cream in large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the hot chocolate. Serve immediately.

Maple Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking cocoa
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon maple flavouring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 large marshmallows

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir in hot water and butter; bring to a boil. Add the milk, maple flavouring, vanilla and 8 marshmallows. Heat through, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows are melted. Ladle into mugs and top each with a marshmallow.\

Peppermint Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
• 1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 ounces bittersweet (preferably 60% cocoa) chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 4 small candy canes (for garnish)

Directions

Beat 1/2 cup cream and 1 teaspoon sugar in bowl until soft peaks form. Cover; chill. Whisk 1/2 cup cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and milk in medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Whisk in extract. Divide chocolate among mugs. Top with cream and garnish with candy canes.

Banana Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients

• 1 medium banana, about 2 1/2 ounces
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 5 ounces good-quality milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. In a blender combine banana, milk, and cream. Blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds.
2. Strain banana mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until simmering, about 4 minutes.
3. Add chocolate and whisk until completely melted and well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Baileys Irish Cream Hot Chocolate:

Ingredients

300ml of milk

25g of dark chocolate

50ml of Baileys Irish Cream

Directions

1. Boil 300ml of milk
2. Pour half the milk into a jug with 25g of dark chocolate
3. Leave to soften and whisk until smooth
4. Add 50ml of Baileys and the rest of the milk
5. Whisk again
6. Pour in to two heatproof glasses
7. Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch chili powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup boiling water

Directions

1. In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir.

Finally, I'd like to add an easy home made marshmallow recipe from Betty Crocker! This is such a great touch to home made hot chocolate! http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/easy-peppermint-marshmallows/582fc3e4-bad5-40bf-8954-565947232145 

If you have your own amazing hot chocolate recipe please share it in the "comments" section!

Stay Warm!!