New Website!!

I wanted to give an update that I have a new WEBSITE now!! This blog will stay up and running as long as possible.  I am noticing that some links won't let you download right away.  If you need to access a file please follow the prompts to ask for permission.  It will automatically send me an email, I'll approve it and then you'll get an email with the file you're able to download.  I am hoping to go through all my old links and update them so you won't have to do that, but it does take time so please follow the prompts until then.  I check my emails regularly so I should get back to you ASAP.  If you need a file quickly the best way to reach me is through Instagram.  While you're there I'd super appreciate some support with a follow!  You can find all my latest links including my LTK, Tik Tok and more HERE!

If you have time to pin, share, mention my blog or Instagram posts, etc. it really does help so much and makes a big difference.  Thank you!!

If you'd like to stay up to date on all things RuthAnne Strong please head on over to ruthannestrong.com, I'll still share all the fun we had over here and hopefully even more!! Recipes, Bake Shop recipes, handouts, church lessons, parties, family updates, traditions and more! Thank you so much for supporting me and my family!

Back to School Decorations

I've been MIA for a while on this cute little blog and I thought I'd jump back in by sharing a few fun new home decor things!  

I have been loving this chalkboard sign!  It's so fun to customize each season, month, whenever really!  I followed cute Cherie on the chalkboard design this month, hung up a little DIY apple banner I made out of felt and some new wreaths on the doors.

I've also been baking up a storm.  This cake was for a "Thank You" to my sweet cousin.  It was a a Reese's lovers dream with chocolate layers, peanut butter chocolate ganache, chopped Reese's in between each layer and topped with chocolate ganache and extra peanut buttercups it was hard to give away! ;)  I'd love for you to follow my baking instagram page @ruthannebakes!

We've been slowly getting new home decor throughout this year and another recent addition are these open shelves I found on Etsy!  I can't find the direct link anymore or even the store, but they've got tons of options if you're in the market.  

Here's the sources for everything on the shelves:  ABC decoration, ceramic crayons and pencil, green apple sign, white cake stand-Target Dollar Spot (all old), mason jar apples, apple block and apple banner-made by me,  chalkboard with ruler frame-can't remember :/ but would be a super easy DIY with THIS chalkboard and wooden rulers!

This was taken before I wrote on the chalkboard on the top right corner.  I am LOVING these chalkboard markers-I even use them at church!

Another adorable shelf thats new is this coat wrack/shelf!  You can find it HERE!  Seriously sweetest people to work with and I've wanted a shelf like this for so long!  Here's whats on top:  ceramic crayons-Target (old), apple block-made by me, crayon vase-made by me but easy DIY!  You can make the crayon vase with the base of a a circle cardboard box, Crayola crayons, hot glue and fake flowers!  

Here was my recent chalkboard/wreath/cake situation previously.  This was a s'mores cake with chocolate cake layers, graham cracker crust, toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream.  Topped with chocolate covered marshmallow bears for my sweet Grandma because she loves them and we were celebrating her birthday!

You can find these dark green wreaths HERE!

I'm loving the new staple decor items in my house that make it fun to decorate and switch up the space whenever i'm feeling it!  Next will be Halloween decor! 

This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Funfetti Cake

There's just something about vanilla cake with sprinkles in it.  Funfetti is a classic around here and I almost love the cake batter of funfetti more than the actual cake. Shh!

A few months ago I made a classic birthday cake which was of course funfetti, for my mom's Activity Day birthday celebration!  We wanted an awesome centerpiece so I made a large 3 tiered cake and I also made cupcakes for easy eating and serving!

If you'd like to read more about my mom's Activity Day Surprise Birthday Party you can go HERE!

I've also used this recipe for a handful of smash cakes I've made recently.  It's perfect so the little ones can get messy but not too messy!  So much better than chocolate in my eyes.

I made Olivia's smash cake recently and had extra cake rounds and buttercream so I decided to make another cake for a friend that had been on my mind.  Luckily it tasted good because boy decorating that thing was a hot mess minute!! I made a time-lapse of the decorating you can find at the bottom of this post.  I learn something new with each cake I make and sometimes I learn specific things over and over again! haha  

I also have a new Youtube channel!! It's not much, but hopefully as I learn it will get a lot better!  I'd love for you to subscribe HERE!  

Funfetti Cake

-1 box Funfetti Cake mix

-3 eggs

-1/3 C. oil

-2 tsp. vanilla 

-1/2 C. milk

-2/3 C. sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare pan with nonstick cooking spray and flour for round cakes or cupcake liners for cupcakes.  Combine all ingredients until smooth.  Fill pans 3/4 full and bake for 16-21 minutes for cupcakes or 20-30 minutes for round cakes depending on pan size.  Let cool on cooling rack.

Vanilla Buttercream

-2 C. unsalted butter, room temperature

-6 C. powdered sugar, sifted

-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

-3 T. heavy cream

-Pinch of salt

Beat the butter for about 3 minutes until it is light and fluffy.  Slowly add the powdered sugar with mixer on low speed. Add remaining ingredients.  Scrape down bowl and beat for another 5 minutes.  Beat out air bubbles with a wooden spoon once finished.

Take 5 Cake and Brownies

This Take 5 Cake is what my dreams are made of.  Chocolate cake, dreamy peanut butter buttercream, caramel, chocolate ganache, a bit of pretzels and chopped Take 5 bars for good measure make this cake over the top delicious!

We followed the recipe at Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, but we did make a few adjustments like using my favorite Peanut Butter Frosting recipe that I'll share below.  

A few things that I hope to remember when I make this cake next time, because there will definitely be a next time!  I did not put the coffee granules in, honestly I'd probably find another chocolate cake recipe I like more-this was good but not great.  I would freeze my cake layers in plastic wrap for even just an hour to help them set and be able to cut a clean slice.  We also put caramel, ganache, pretzels, and chopped Take 5 bars in the middle layer to pack in even more goodness!  I piped the buttercream for a pretty look and I think it worked, I used a Wilton 1M tip and a large round tip-next time I'll also use a open star tip.  I just need to remember to hand mix my frosting for a minute after beating it in the Kitchen Aid and maybe add a dash of milk to make it super smooth.

We made this to celebrate Dallin's birthday with family, but you would have thought it was Olivia's birthday by how excited she got!  She loves blowing out candles and the Happy Birthday song.

People are still raving about this cake and wishing  

we'd make another one and we just made it 1 week ago!  

We had so many leftover ingredients I wanted to use them up and I couldn't get Take 5 brownies off my mind.  I used a box brownie mix and before I baked them I added a handful or so to mini chocolate chips to the top and baked them as directed on the box.  I let them cool down completely and then started layering my ingredients.  

I stored my peanut butter buttercream in the fridge so I let it come to room temperature then I put it in my kitchen aid and fluffed it back up with a paddle attachment.  I layered that on first, then the caramel, pretzel pieces, chopped Take 5 bars, and then the chocolate ganache.  They were truly amazing and it jazzed up a box brownie mix like no other!!  My favorite boxed brownie mix is the Truffle Brownie Mix from Trader Joe's seriously amazing!!  If you use that one you don't even have to put chocolate chips on the top. Find my all time favorite go to peanut butter frosting below!

Peanut Butter Dream Buttercream

1 C. unsalted butter, softened for 30 minutes

1 C. Skippy creamy peanut butter

1 T. vanilla
Pinch of salt

5 C. powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 C. heavy whipping cream
Milk (if needed)

Cream butter in stand mixer.  Once butter is creamy, add peanut butter and mix until creamed together.  Add in vanilla, salt and powdered sugar slowly to combine on low.  Mix heavy cream in on high then use a wooden spoon to beat out air pockets.  Add a tablespoon or more of milk if needed to thin down.

Pumpkin Spice Donut Cake

So wishing I had a piece of this Pumpkin Spice Donut cake right about now.  The most perfect pumpkin pie like cake layers filled with the most dreamy cream cheese frosting, oh and don't forget the cinnamon chip drip or the dusting of cinnamon sugar for good measure.  And we couldn't resist making a batch of cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts to decorate the top too.  If you make this cake I promise you won't regret it!

Dallin had a Fall Bake Off at work a few weeks ago and he was determined to make a cake!  I wanted to try a new cake (I always do!) so we decided to double it so we could have our own to decorate.

There's just something about fresh baked goods that are just so refreshing and beautiful to me.

We made some pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts to decorate on the top and they were so tasty.  We liked them even better over the next few days because the butter and cinnamon/sugar mix really blended with the donut.

So many of Dallin's coworkers said that he didn't decorate the cake, and that his wife did. :) Well here's proof.  Dallin can decorate a cake with the best of them.  He even helped ME smooth out my sides.  Now how romantic is that!?

Ever since we took a few cake classes together it's been a competition in the kitchen with cakes.  So we'd love to hear who's you think is better! haha!

Dallin went for the classic look with a pile of donuts on top.

While I went with a more decorated look with all the bells and whistles. 

I actually seriously loved the cinnamon sugar dusting on the bottom.  It gave the frosting a sweet crunch that I totally loved!

Here's some pieces that we were giving away, still a little frozen but SO delicious!

Here's the recipes we used to make this magic happen:

Pumpkin Cake-Baking with Blondie Check her highlights on IG for the recipe.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened 

2 sticks butter, softened

5-6 C. powdered sugar, sifted

4 tsp. vanilla

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.  

Cinnamon Chip Drip

1 C. cinnamon chips

1/4 C. heavy cream

Combine chips and heavy cream in a bowl and microwave for 30 second increments until smooth.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts-Baking with Blondie recipe found HERE

Cake Decorating Day

As you've probably noticed I have been really into baking and decorating cakes.  I have always thought it would be SO fun to have a kids baking camp where I teach how to bake different things and a cake decorating day would just fit perfectly in the schedule.  

Luckily I have the cutest little nieces and nephews that let me throw little parties and humor me. 

It was so fun, even the set up!  Olivia was biting her fingers in anticipation. :)

I made sure to have:  lots of candy, plenty of buttercream, mini cakes pre chilled, paper plates, icing spatulas, aprons, and of course sprinkles.  I asked the kids what their favorite kind of cake was and they insisted on chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  I made lots of 4 inch cake rounds and used THESE cake pans.

The little bakers did amazing.  

 I started by showing them my tips and techniques then let them take it away.  

Brittany brought some fondant that everyone just loved!

Even though you might say the cakes turned out a bit decorated the kids had so much fun.

Even adorable little Evie got in to it!

She LOVED the sprinkles and putting all her decorations right on the side of the cake.

Brittany made the cutest certificates that I was able to sign and give to each little baker.

Even though Evie doesn't look thrilled in this picture I swear she had fun!

Everyones cake turned out great!

I love how their personalities came out on their cakes.  Adam made a dinosaur cake complete with rocks.  Can you see the dinosaur pushing the fondant rock on the top of his cake?  Genius!

I cut the cake that I decorated for everyone to have a taste and the kids took theirs home to eat with their families later on! 

With the leftover layers of cake I got a little creative!  First I made a Milky Way Cake.

With a perfect caramel drizzle and caramel and Milky Way candy pieces in the center. 

Then I did my favorite a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cake.

I tried the drip method using a spoon and it turned 

out a little thicker then I would've liked but that's ok!

Dallin was laughing so hard at this drip that ran a little too far!  It just goes to show everyone and every cake has it's good side!

This one was by far my favorite.  The chocolate layers with peanut butter frosting, chocolate ganache and peanut butter cup pieces in the middle could not be beat.

Can't wait to have more baking camp days with these cuties!