Saturday, February 19, 2011

Mardi Gras Cake!

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a fun Mardi Gras cake today. A while ago our friends at CSN offered me a chance to do a review and one of the things I ordered was a Checkerboard Cake Pan.
Since I've never tried to make one before I thought I'd use cake mixes, it takes two. Use a mix with pudding in it, and use whole eggs (makes a thicker batter). Each mix makes approx 4 1/2 cups of batter, so I separated them into three bowls with three cups of batter in each and died them green, purple and yellow using Wilton Icing Colors Gel.
Next you pour the different colors into each section of the pan, one pan at a time. You wash the insert between pans. I'll have to spend some time on-line to see if anyone came up with how much batter each section holds. I was just pouring and hoping for the best...

After they cooled I leveled the top and stacked them on top of each other. 
Added a funky icing and then came the moment of truth...
Not perfect, but...
Not Bad!
This cake is a bit of a labor of love, but the end result is worth it! For a $10 investment in the pan
the possibilities are endless, holidays, baby showers, team colors, etc.
I think I made it crooked when I tried to unclip the insert from the sides of the pan. I'll work on that.
Anyone have any tips for using this pan?
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52 comments:

  1. DaphneFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Very nifty! I've always wondered how those worked. I think your first attempt came out really well. Mardi Gras colors are the perfect choice for this pan.

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  2. shannon i olsonFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    lovely cake! mmmm I have made King cakes, more like bread, but not a pretty Mardi Gras cake

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  3. CatherineFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Such a beautiful cake! Blessings, CAtherine

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  4. SarahFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    What a fun cake! This looks great, Lynn! ~ sarah

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  5. Sherri B.February 19, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    How fun is that! There are all kinds of occasions to make great cakes with these..great find.

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  6. AnnesphamilyFebruary 19, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    You are such a Martha Stewart in the kitchen! I love the Madri Gras cake! Yummy! HPS too!

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  7. Donna@Conghaile CottageFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Wow, that is Quite a cake! I was SO Surprised at the fun colors you used...
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Hugs, Donna

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  8. Donna@Conghaile CottageFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Oh, "AND", I bet it's Delicious too!!!

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  9. DonnieFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    That is a beautiful cake. Very festive.

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  10. www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.comFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Those pans are alot of fun. For my sister's shower, she knew she was having a boy. I did this cake in blue and white so when she cut the cake everyone saw what she was having. I decorated the top of the cake with a pregnant lady and wrote "What's Loretta Having?" on it. Lots of fun!

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  11. annFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Lynn, that looks so cool. I'd love to make a cake like that!

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  12. JacquelineFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    I saw this and said out loud, "Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty!" I guess that means I thought it was very pretty. I love the colors and I love the checkerboard effect. What a fun cake. I am sure it was delish, delish, delish, delish too! (Wow, that was hard to type!)

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  13. ZootsuitmamaFebruary 20, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Wow! Very festive, and I love the icing! Confetti!!

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  14. scrambledhenfruitFebruary 20, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    What a cool cake! Love it! :)

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  15. Edible ArtFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    oh wow, when i scrolled down to see the photo of the sliced cake, i didnt expect the checkered pattern !

    very pretttyyyy (:

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  16. Flavia GalassoFebruary 20, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    I love those colors....I got the same pan .( I bought it during my last travel in USA)...but never used....I have to !!!

    Have a GREAT Sunday, hugs, Flavia

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  17. MaryFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Love your cake! Perfect for Mardi Gras :-)

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  18. An Oasis in the DesertFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    I had to do a bit of catching up on your blog. I've bookmarked the wonderful Blueberry Scone recipe. Can't wait to try it. The newest little pig is so adorable. F F things are so well done -- such bright, clear colors. The Mardi Gras cakes looks divine. Is that what they call a King Cake? Would you believe I lived my first 12 years of life in LA & never went to Mardi Gras? Heck, we never went even close to New Orleans! My parents were strange about that kind of thing. Anyway, the cake looks delicious & it's getting bookmarked, too.
    CAS

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  19. LaFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    I think it looks fabulous....and delicious. I'm planning on making Mardi Gras cupcakes today....cause I'm lazy.

    Next weekend we will celebrate Mardi Gras with jambalaya and king cake.

    I hope you had a wonderful weekend. La

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  20. MarigeneFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Cool cake, Lynn...bet it tastes as good as it looks, too!

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  21. CathyFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Whoa!!! I love that cake and your funky frosting. I bought that pan but haven't used it yet. Now I can't wait.

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  22. Chai ChaiFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Lyn - Thanks for stopping by to comment. I love the smiling pig symbol you left behind! Guinea hens are wonderful if you can take the noise. I bet they would love your multi-colored cake. I could never make anything like it but it sure looks delicious.

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  23. DiannFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    That turned out great. I have never used one of these pans so, no tips from me.

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  24. Johanna GehrleinFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Hi Lynn,
    that looks really happy and so perfect for Mardi gras.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  25. SoutherncookFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    What a cute Mardi Gras cake and so creative.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  26. DeniseFebruary 20, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Wow! I, too, have often wondered whether or not those dividers work. I love gadgets (Thanks for the gadget party, by the way.), so I guess this is moving to the top of my list. The decorating on the outside is great as well. Sets the tone.

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  27. Boho Farm and HomeFebruary 20, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    LOVE this cake! I also love the cake pan...I have always wondered about those and thought they would be cute and after reading your post, I see they are! Thanks for stopping by my little farm!
    xo,
    Caroline

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  28. Confessions of a Plate AddictFebruary 20, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    HI Lynn! How fun is that! Love the Mardi Gras colors! As the Cajuns say...Laissez les bons temps rouler!...hugs...Debbie

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  29. Gypsy HeartFebruary 20, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Beautiful cake! I think you did a wonderful job on it. I'll be thinking about doing one of these for the grands...I know they'd love the colors.

    xo
    Pat

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  30. Sonny GFebruary 20, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    oh I love the checkerboard cake.. what pretty colors too..

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  31. JaneFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I've always wanted a pan like this...
    So cool with all your pretty Mardi Gras colors.
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  32. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to CookFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    What a cool looking cake! I love the Mardi Gras colors!

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  33. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    It looks beautiful, Lynn! I have a checkerboard pan from years ago and I had the same problem with the checks coming out a little wavy unless the batter was very thick. I love the Mardi Gras colors of your cake ...wonderful idea!

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  34. Verde FarmFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Wow-that is too cool. I love this. That is a festive cake. I can imagine all the fun colors you could do for holidays and special events. :)

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  35. AubrieFebruary 20, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    That is one awesome cake! I love the surprise when you cut into it :o) BTW Thanks for visiting my blog. Aubrie @ http://amamab.blogspot.com

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  36. Blue Ridge Altered ArtFebruary 20, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Oh my goodness that is absolutely fabulous. I could jump right in and grab a piece!!! ~~Sherry~~

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  37. MarlisFebruary 20, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Oh so love the cake pan, askew or not!! What a lovely cake this turned out to be. You have certainly made me want it. Thanks for dropping by and leaving your very kind comments. Have a happy week!

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  38. JeanneFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Good morning Lynn, Yes I am finally feeling much better. Thank you for your faithful visits that I appreciate so much. I thought I was able to do more than I could but I am truly on the mend now. It will be two weeks tomorrow and the stitches come out tomorrow. Oh happy day.

    Your beautiful cake is amazing. I am so proud of you. I have never seen a checkerboard pan so no help from me. I don't think anyone could have done a better job. I love the colors you used. The dripping icing just topped it off.

    I just caught a glimpse of your previous post and I am taking a look now.
    Warm hugs, Jeanne

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  39. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Omigosh, that is so cool! I'm thinking I should have a Mardi GRAS party just to give it a try. Now that my mind is working I can think of so many colic combinations that would work for a number of occasions. I'm going to look for a checkerboard pan today. Suggestions?

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  40. DebbieFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    I've always wondered how hard those checkerboard cakes were. Yours looks great to me.

    I'm so lame in the kitchen...

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  41. KathleenFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    I think it came out great!!! I have one of those pans that was my mom's. Never out of the box, must be 40 years old! You did a great job!

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  42. bjFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Are you kidding me? It's about perfect. I think you did a great job on it.
    Aren't our friends at CSN amazing and generous.!
    I have a nice giveaway coming soon.:))
    xoxo bj

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  43. DianeFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Well, how cute is that! Love that cake and the pan is a must have Ÿ

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  44. AngelaFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    THat is super cool! You are right - you could use that for all kinds of things.

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  45. CathyFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    That is a cool cake pan, lot of great ways to use the pan. New follower.

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  46. Tracy F.February 21, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    What fun! And, I know it tastes as good as it looks. I live in the land of Mardi Gras and this sounds much yummier than our traditional King cake.

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  47. BiancaFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Love, love, love it! YUMMY!!!

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  48. DebbiedoosFebruary 22, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    That is the cutest cake I have ever seen! How fun!!~

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  49. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    This cake looks GORGEOUS!! Bravo to all the hardwork and detail your put into this cake- it's just so lovely!

    xx,
    Tammy

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  50. BethFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Your cake looks lovely, Lynn! I plan to make a King Cake but I think yours is more creative and probably tastier too!
    Blessings, Beth

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  51. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Holy cow! I. Am. Amazed!

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  52. TiffaneeFebruary 22, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    WOW! That is so cool and not to mention delicous!

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Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!

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