RIP Hand Mixer

It must have been karma... I was thinking just the other night, about how many great memories I have had with my hand mixer. Silly as it seems, my little Hamilton Beach Bowl Rest Model has helped me create all of the cakes and cupcakes that have led me to this point. I bought it right before I moved into my first JMU apartment in 2007. If my math serves me correctly, it's mixed over thousands of cupcakes, close to 50 different tiers, and at least 100 batches of buttercream frosting. That's a lot for its tiny motor!


It was Thursday night that the motor stopped, the night before a wedding cake was due. Luckily there's a spare in our apartment here, but if you think that creating 7 tiers of cake with a hand mixer is hard, this "other mixer" sure didn't help. It only has one speed: turbo. Adding confectioners sugar turn after turn for the buttercream was a nightmare. I was covered by the time I stopped. It also makes a very audible screeching noise when it's turned on. It was a recipe for a headache to say the least.


My combination of upcoming cake events, a hefty tax return check, and a childhood dream led me right into the doors of Williams Sonoma this afternoon. I hoped to do some price comparing, a bit of note taking... I never thought I'd come out the proud owner of my very own KitchenAid! It's a "Professional 610 model" in Nickel Pearl, with a bowl lift. You should hear the motor on this thing! The best part is, I got a great deal AND a rebate for a free ice cream maker attachment. Anyone who's interested in coming by this spring/summer for sundaes, just let me know. My hand mixer will certainly be missed, but this is one professional step I am happy I've taken. Bring on the double batches!