A Very Special Tea Party

**sunshine** · 02-06-2006, 02:01 PM

TABLE:

The table is made of a regular double cake. Place icing in between the layers
to keep them in place and a light coat over the top and sides. Purchase Mazipan
(almond paste) or use the attached recipe and add the food coloring of your
choice, saving a small bit aside for making the cake on the table. Roll out in
a 10 inch circle and trim using either a bowel or pie pan. Loosely lay over the
top of the cake to resemble a table cloth. Using a small line icing tip,
scribble a pattern to resemble the lace on the tablecloth. You should use the
small line tip around the table cloth as well in a bead manner. Take a sandwich
cookie and wrap the uncolored Mazipan around it. Using a small shell tip,
decorate the cookie to resemble a cake. The candles are made by taking bits of
spaghetti noodle (uncooked) and wrap around with the colored Mazipan.
CHAIRS:

Make several cupcakes without the paper wrapping. Roll out the remainder of the
colored Mazipan and cut 6 inch circles to place over the each cupcake in a
flowing fashion. The backs of the chairs are made using Dixie cups. Cut the
bottom off and down one side and cut out a pattern you prefer the tops of your
chairs to be. Lay each top on the rolled out colored Mazipan and trim around
making 2 pieces. Wrap around the front and back of the chair leaving about 1/4
inch of the bottom free. Stick the top of the chair down into each cupcake.
Using the small line tip, decorate the chair to resemble a bead pattern. You
should do the top of the chair and around the skirt.

DOLLS:

Using the a large line tip, squeeze icing the color of your choice into a ball
shape. Continue with a second over the first. Using a medium line tip, use
flesh colored icing to make the legs and arms. For the head, purchase the icing
faces sold in most stores that sale cake decorating items.

TEDDY BEARS:

Use the same method as for the dolls only use the medium line tip to make the
3rd ball over the first 2. Use the small line tip to make the ears in the same
fashion.

CUPS and SAUCERS:

The tea cups and saucers are made from the uncolored Mazipan that is rolled out
and then shaped to resemble their counterparts. The handle and trim is made
using the small line tip.

IDEAS:

For a unique appears place the entire setting over top of a scrap piece of rug
material. Great for tea parties for little girls. Another great idea is to
have all the party members come dressed in their best clothing and the giver of
the party dressed as a maid. You could also dress up to be like Alice in
Wonderland, The Mad Hatter & March Hare etc. and have a very happy UNBIRTHDAY
any day of the year!

MAZIPAN:

3 cups whole almonds, blanched and ground
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
3-4 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves and
mixture begins to boil. Let it boil steadily without stirring
the temperature reaches 230-234 degrees F on a candy
thermometer. Remove from heat and beat until mixture turns
slightly cloudy. Stir in ground almonds, egg whites, and
vanilla. Cook over gentle heat for 2-3 minutes or until mixture
pulls away from sides of pan. Turn mixture onto a surface that
has been sprinkled with some of the powdered sugar. Knead the
mixture until smooth, working in the rest of the powdered sugar.
Pull off pieces and roll into balls or olive-shaped pieces.
Wrap in foil or wax paper and store in airtight container.

For more ideas using Mazipan check out the following sites:

http://msn.directhit.com/fcgi-bin/Di...y&qry+marzipan
http://w3.one.net/~proicer/cakepict/marzipan.htm
http://www.galaxylink.com.hk/~john/f...n/marzipan.htm