Every cake has a story

Now whether the story of the cake is just to satisfy a sweet tooth, or to say Happy Birthday, Congratulations, We're starting a new family, We're having a baby...whatever.  The cake does have a story.  I'm going to share some of  the stories of cakes I've made.  I've often heard people say, "Why are cakes so expensive?  It's just flour, sugar and eggs!"  If only cake were just flour, sugar and eggs, bakeries would go out of business. A cake is a labor of love, a creative outlet.  The cake is the centerpiece of a the celebration.  It says something about the person that it was made for.  When I look back at the pictures of my cakes...they all have a story.  Some are happy, other's make me smile or chuckle, and other's make me just a little sad. 

My First Class Cake

OK, if this cake doesn't make you laugh, there is something wrong with you.  But let me tell you I was so proud of the cake.  I couldn't wait to put the 9-1-1 Mascot (Red E. Fox) on my cake using a piping gel transfer.  Now to all my students pay extra special attention to the crazy uneven zigzag border and the not too smooth icing job.  The story of this cake is all about learning a new set of skills yet still clinging to that which was comfortable (9-1-1).  My co-workers at the 9-1-1 center were the beneficiaries of this fine piece of culinary art. :) 

Have you made a cake with a story?  If so, I hope you'll share.

Cake Susan

Witches Brew

This is a Halloween cake I did for a bake sale. The pans used were the mini wonder mold (aka mini doll pan). I made 4 of the dome shapes, 3 for the witches and 1 for the cauldron. They are iced in buttercream an the hats are half of an oreo, minus the cream filling topped with a cone shaped mound of buttercream. Each doll pick is holding a cookie stick that is inserted into the cauldron. The cauldron is the remaining dome shape with the top cut off and inverted, then I scooped out some of the cake from what used to be the bottom to create the inside. The "brew" is buttercream with various gummy candies (frogs, worms, etc) inside.

In the beginning...

I've always had this facination with cake.  What's not to love?  It's sweet and delicious and the center of almost every celebration.  My Mother was an awesome baker.  She was known for all of  her cooking.  In grade school we used to sell her peanut brittle and fudge on the school bus, and every summer we got the community pool for free (as long as my mom would promise to bring her famous German Chocolate Cake!)  Mom's baking was always delicious.

I was always the one to try and make everything pretty and I always marveled at the bakery cakes with their sugar roses and shell borders.  But never really knew how to go about learning the skills to be able to create a beautiful cake.  In 2001, I saw a flyer for Wilton Cake Decorating classes.  There I met my first cake Mentor and Instructor Rhonda and I was hooked!  I took every class that was offered and still wanted to learn more.  Now I teach those same classes.  I like to share with my students and was asked by one of them to start this blog....Here you go Susan!! :)