Cake Pops

Cake pops are huge these days and can be used for just about any occasion. You can get really fancy like Bakerella does and make figures and symbols and really create some cute cake pops to celebrate whatever you please. 

I made these for a local restaurant in my hometown as a promotion to try and stir up some new business and clientele. Don't you just love that first bite into a cake pop? Just the right amount of cake and sugar!

There's even a Cake Pop Con taking place this year in Philly on November 7-9. For more information on this first ever Cake Pop Conference click here!

Happy Easter (okay, so it's belated)

Easter cupcakes pave the way for all kinds of fun! Just think, the possibilities are almost endless. Bunnies, rabbits, eggs, pretty pastel colors (or even neon's as they are making a statement these days.), grass, baskets, flowers, etc. 

These were made for an Easter party that I attended with my family this past year. I just wanted something simple (cupcakes), yet that would make an impression and bring a smile to everyone's face by going a little further than you average icing topped cupcake (enter: peeps and robin eggs!).

I used a grass tip to make the green icing look like grass and even dyed some coconut green to add even more texture. To complete the peeps, I sporadically placed robin eggs around the cupcakes. Remember what I said about cupcake liners? These were tulip flower liners and they really added a bit more flair. 

Wedding Cakes from Start to Finish

In July 2012 I attended Wedding Cakes from Start to Finish and learned new techniques, trends and styles from an award-winning cake designer, Minette Rushing, producing a one-of-a-kind luxury wedding cake.

Our class constructed a three tiered wedding cake. From crumb coat to fondant and even the delicious fillings in between (I chose Boston Crème and Raspberry fillings for mine).

We also created sugar flowers in the form of hydrangeas, roses and berries using gum paste – painting and coloring with luster dust.

More importantly we reviewed contracts, pricing, marketing and other important facets of a wedding cake consultation including tastings and how to satisfy a bride's wishes and vision.

My pretty pink sugar flower roses made out of gum paste.

I think my experience having previously worked in a floral shop definitely helped me with my color scheme when deciding to stray from the bunch and go for a more purple and blue hydrangea hue. I enjoyed everything about the sugar flower making process. It's such a relaxing and therapeutic activity for me.

My cake before the fun the part: adding all the goodies! Time to pretty it up with large clusters of roses, hydrangea's and berry buds. 

Tada! Ain't she a beauty? Too pretty to eat in my opinion. Although, I did, and it was equally delicious as it was beautiful. 

Minette was a joy to work with! I still keep in touch with her to this day on facebook. The other ladies in our class were so talented and fun as well. We came from all over (Texas, New York, Atlanta, Florida) to attend this class and my only complaint was that it didn't last forever!

If you are ever in the Savannah, Georgia area, I would highly suggest checking out one of Minette's classes!! You are sure to learn something you don't already know and will leave feeling proud and accomplished :)

Rainbow Birthday!

This rainbow cake was made for a good friend of mine for her birthday a few years ago. I took it to work and we cut this baby open to share with all our co-workers. It definitely livened up the day and brought a smile to everyone's face. How can you go wrong with rainbow?! That's right, you can't. 

This was back when I was still on the tip of experimenting in my kitchen with baking. Looking at it now I would have cut a thin layer of the cake off the bottoms to make a more seamless transformation from layer to layer like with the red to orange. Trial and error, live and learn ;)

Pink Zebra Night!

I used to belong to this group of ladies who got together every Wednesday night for something called "Pink Zebra Night." We would watch a couple episodes of Sex in the City, drink wine and catch up on each other's lives. It was a great way to sort of break up the work week and see the girls! Usually everyone would bring a little something to nibble or sip on so of course I had to bring some Pink Zebra Cupcakes to commemorate. 

I'm a big fan of cupcake liners. I think they can really pull together a cupcake theme-wise. These were special ordered for me by another member of our group and I love the way they came out!

Gator on the prowl!

As a graduate of Florida State University, I'm a natural born "Gator-Hater!" I couldn't deny a soon-to-be 5 year old boy (a UF Fan and Gator lover) the chance for a gator cupcake display for his birthday party though!

This display included chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream. Chocolate cookies line the gator's back and banana "runts" were used as this gator's sharp nails. Two big icing covered marshmallows for eyes and this guy is ready to go! Okay, maybe I can like this gator. Just this once ;)

Beach Wedding

These sweet and beautiful treats were done for a dear friend's Beach Wedding. Confetti cupcakes (Brides choice!) with vanilla buttercream topped with gorgeous little gold and yellow sugar roses and sugar crystals.

I was in love with these precious baby cakes. Sometimes I get pretty attached to my creations. This was one of those times!

The cake was done in various layered pastels chosen by the Bride herself! I created an adorable handmade banner to top the Wedding cake as well as Sugar Roses in soft pastels to match the inside of the cake.