Icing Shenanigans on Today!
In the September issue of my magazine, Martha Stewart Living, available on newsstands now, there is a wonderful story called “Icing on the Cake.” Many people are intimidated when it comes to icing and this story proves that they shouldn’t be. Our baking experts came up with six classic icings, which are simple and also the best of the best. There is a basic buttercream, a ganache, a cream cheese frosting, a seven-minute frosting, a chocolate frosting, and a white icing. Each one is a perfect combination of substance and style and they all taste as good as they look.
Last week on my regular appearance on The Today Show, I demonstrated four of these icings, but things didn’t go according to plan. We experienced some electrical issues and the standing mixers wouldn’t work. Then, co-hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira became mischievous. Take a look!
1 Last week on Today, I demonstrated four of the six icing recipes from the September issue of Martha Stewart Living.
2 A pre-show discussion of the steps involved
3 Natalie Morales standing by
4 While waiting, I busied myself by icing cupcakes.
5 I tried to show Matt how to make a basic buttercream, but the mixer wouldn't work. Funny thing, the next mixer for the cream cheese frosting wouldn't work either!
6 Good thing we had some cream cheese frosting already made.
7 Natalie and Al look amused.
8 Giving Meredith a lesson about this rich cream cheese icing, which is delicious on carrot cake and zucchini bread.
9 The next demonstration was a simple chocolate ganache, which is melted and drizzled over a cake.
10 Meredith was really having fun!
11 Matt decided to get involved with the buttercream.
12 And finally, I showed Al how easy it is to mix up a basic white icing. We flavored it with cointreau, an orange flavored liqueur.
13 But behind my back, Meredith got naughty with her icing!
14 An icing fight ensued!
15 Meredith actually took cover beneath the table!
16 Rich buttercream is actually a good moisturizer.
17 Such shenanigans!
18
19 White icing atop an angel food cake - also great on pound cake
20 Sleek mahogany ganache over a rich chocolate cake
21 Al approved of the cream cheese icing.
22 Ultra-simple buttercream is the go-to icing for birthday cakes and cupcakes.
23 What could be better than carrot cake with cream cheese icing?
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Video please! I love how you continue with all the madness around you. Also, would you please post your 'Moving to Hallmark' video on YouTube? It's very funny and more people could see it.
Posted by: Sonya | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:49 am
Martha, it looks like the whole gang were having a good time. I notice you didn't have any icing on your nose, though. You seemed to be busy continuing on.
That chocolate cake looks deliciuos. Well, they all do, but what can I say??? CHOCOLATE!!!
I hope you had a great weekend!!
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:59 am
Hello Martha,
oh gosh,, those cream and cakes look sooo good!
Marina
Posted by: marina | August 23rd, 2010 at 1:36 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 23rd, 2010 at 10:48 am
Everything looks so delicious! It is my goal to make great cakes and your recipes and photographs of beautiful cakes always inspires me!
Trina
Posted by: Trina | August 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 am
Hi Martha,
I like the way you kept right on doing your thing while Matt and Meredith played games but I for one know you are a focused person. I found the link to the frostings segment and all of the recipes are further down on the page. They look so good!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38742500/ns/today-foodwine/
~
The Today Show also put up today’s segment with your 50 kitchen tips from the September issue of Living magazine. Great tips too and beautiful issue. I really loved seeing Kevin Sharkey’s finished apartment. http://bit.ly/a8BP5g Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hi Martha, What a delicious blog! Everytime you are on the Today Show, it's so much fun to watch never knowing what will happen with any of those anchor folks! This episode was really funny and I'm still laughing while enjoying these terrific photos! Today's Today Show was a little more serious, but still fun to watch and learn new things. Anxious to see what will happen next! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Proof sugar makes kids of all ages crraaaazzyy...
Posted by: R. | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
those pictures were too funny and great to see!
Posted by: Wendy | August 23rd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Well thank goodness they stopped at the icing and recognized what be lost if the cakes started flying. I hope you gave the cakes to the crew and the bratty little kids that started the icing fight did without.
Martha you are too cool, thanks for showing us how it is done.
Posted by: Margie | August 23rd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Martha, I thought "classic" buttercream is made with butter, eggs and sugar syrup. This is how I make buttercream for my wedding cakes.
I have a wonderful icing I call "light cream icing" that is fresh and not too rich or sweet. It is the favorite with all my clients.
http://www.fleurcakes.com
Posted by: Clayvessel from Pie in the Sky | August 23rd, 2010 at 11:44 pm
HILARIOUS thanks for the laugh !!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | August 24th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
This is funny! I wonder if you have ever done a live TV demonstration of 7-Minute Frosting. I don't think anyone's ever done that! I guess you would have to be nearly through the 7 minutes when the segment started.
Posted by: Chuck | August 24th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Fun, entertaining and educational...why is icing so challenging? go back to these recipes in the Baking Handbook...thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | August 25th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Always a delight and a very positive experience when I visit your MS website. Thank you so much for sharing. Sleep must be a nuisance for you, Martha. You just never stop.
It was fun seeing you check out your gardens and animals. Great exercise for clearing your busy, busy, head I love your barn. Beautiful job!!
CBB
Posted by: CB Ballard | August 25th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Martha,
I have recently started watching your informative and pleasurable show daily.
At 64 I have learned much while raising 3 grandsons (who are always hungry)on my own with a limited income.
Thsnk you,
Annette
Posted by: Annette Chandler | October 11th, 2010 at 4:54 pm