Mr. McGregor's Garden: From Scratch Oreo Cookies and Cream Cake

I think my favorite thing about making cakes is the journey. From vague idea to the exact "ah ha!" moment when I can envision the cake in my head is a truly magical process. It can take days, hours, weeks or just moments. I sketch ideas on random pieces of paper, I see my hands press and pull gum paste into shapes as I go on my morning run, I dream of cake. Sometimes I'll think I have a concept completely solidified but I'll see something that catches my eye like an illustrated children's book or a funky bookend on Etsy and my mind is busy again.

Read More

Whale look who's two!

It's been a long time since I've made my little whales and it was so much fun! I forgot just how cute these little whales were. This time around I made them for Konrad who was celebrating his second birthday. His party theme this year was All Things In the Sea and the whales were a perfect fit. You might remember these little guys from a few years ago when I first made them. It was then that I also invented my Sincere Strawberry Cupcakes which I also made for Konrad. I topped all the  cupcakes with a very generous dollop of Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

Read More

Mikey's Monster 1st Birthday

Monsters have invaded my kitchen but don't worry, they don't bite. Instead you get to bite them!  Last year I was asked to make a baby shower cake, cupcakes and cake pops for Mikey's parents, eagerly anticipating Mikey's arrival. Now, a little over a year later , I was asked to help with another big event: Mikey's very first birthday.  It's such an honor!

Read More

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake: Browned Butter Pumpkin Cake with Vanilla Latte Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Doesn't it seem like pumpkin is everywhere? It's as though the clock strikes midnight on October first and all references to summer suddenly shift to pumpkin. Not only are pumpkins literally outside the door of every grocery store in town, they are downright trendy. There's a pumpkin flavored version of just about everything, including beer, Oreos, and even ravioli!

Read More

The Cake That Crossed The Atlantic (Well, almost): Chocolate Espresso Cake

One seemingly normal February day, I received a friendly email and a cake order inquiry from Val, a fellow baker. While this does happen from time to time, this one was rather peculiar because Val was from England! A full 4800+ miles from me! Val explained that her son lived in Seattle and she wanted a surprise birthday cake for her daughter-in-law Abi. I was so excited, I couldn't write Val back fast enough to get more details. After a few emails back and forth, her cake order was finalized and I had my very first transatlantic order!

Read More

Inspiration In The Thread Count: Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Cream Cheese Frosting

Shortly after I completed the Happy Bee Day cake, my client Shauna was so delighted with her order she asked me if I would be interested in helping her with another baby shower. I was immediately interested because baby shower cakes usually offer the most creative challenges and have thus become my favorite type of party cake to make. However when Shauna told me that she wanted something with "...flowers and butterflies in soft pinks and lavenders..." I was a little deflated. So much so that I actually tried to talk her out of it.

Read More

Happy Bee Day: Vanilla Malt-Ball Cake & Homemade Dulce de Leche

Hi everyone! It's been a long, long time since I've make a cake like this one (or blogged in general...my apologies for that). So long, in fact, that I had to read up on some of my techniques for working with fondant. Thank goodness Elisa Strauss wrote a cookbook!

Read More

Juanita's Space-Time ContinuYum Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake & Classic Chocolate Frosting

It has been months since I made this cake but it was a recipe that I really wanted to blog about. For one, it tastes fan-freaking-tastic and I don't even like chocolate cake. But, more importantly, making this cake reminded me of the all the reasons why I enjoy baking, most specifically, the ability to trigger a taste-memory or feeling of nostalgia for the recipient.

Read More

Sam & Tyler's Cherries Jubilee Cake

First let me take a moment to express my deepest, most sincere thanks to everyone for sending me their heartfelt comments and emails. They have meant a great deal to me and I cannot thank you all enough for taking the time to send them. I honestly had no idea that my little blog could mean so much to so many people. So here’s to leaving the past behind me and focusing on what’s to come. So far life has been pretty good!

Read More

Pretty Flower Cupcake Tower: Southern Red Velvet Cake

This year is flying by, hasn't it? It seems like February was just a week ago and here it is almost June. Well in spite of the fact that I seem to be living in a time warp, I have been one busy bee! As you can see, I've been making cupcakes... lots and lots of them, one-hundred and sixy of them to be exact! And not just any cupcakes, but wedding cupcakes. My favorite kind!

Read More

Fire Engine Cake: Vegan Carrot Cake with Chai "Buttercream"

Is it already January 11th? How'd that happen so fast? It feels like the month of December all but evaporated and January is just speeding by too. I know I've been a bit slug about posting and I do apologize for that. I'm going to try to get back to my normal schedule of posting at least once a week.

Read More

"Butternut Miss It" Cake with Buttermilk Icing

How in the world do I find the words to convey how much I absolutely love this cake? There doesn't seem to be enough adjectives to quite describe how lovely it really is! I love this cake so much; I made it FIVE times in one week! And this is coming from someone who really does not like making the same thing more than once. You really butternut miss it!

Read More

Boss Hog Cake: Chocolate Espresso Cake + Chocolate Italian Meringue Buttercream

Last Tuesday night I took a chance and responded to a "cake wanted" ad on Craigslist. Michelle was planning a surprise pig-themed party for her husband who was graduating from the Police Academy and was looking for someone to make a cake for the big event.

Read More

October Spice Cake with Cardamom-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Today is my birthday! And just like every birthday for the last six years, I made a dessert to share with my friends and family. I know it's odd and might even seem a little self-aggrandizing, but it's something I really look forward to doing every year.

Read More

Buster Brown Cupcakes with Delicious Frosting

I'm back from my Grand Canyon rafting trip and can honestly say I had the best time of my life. I learned to camp, row a river raft, and a lot about myself. I even rowed a class 3 rapid! It was a lot of work being on the river, but the simplicity that came from letting go of modern life and truly relaxing made the experience just extraordinary. It didn't hurt that the Canyon is just so incredibly beautiful either. There's so many stories, so many things I want to tell you all about, but I'll save that for another post when I have the photos organized and ready to share. Until then, let's get to back to business, shall we? On to the cupcakes!

Read More

My First Wedding Cake

Yesterday I delivered my very first wedding cake! I made it for my friend and colleague Courtney, who was hosting a big reception at her home for her friends and family. She and her new husband Ralph were married in Tuscany, Italy last month and the reception was a way for them to celebrate with everyone that wasn't able to attend the ceremony abroad.

Read More

Butterfinger Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

I'm not usually a fan of the group dessert thing. I think birthdays and other big events are just too personal. I've always tried to make something special, catered specifically for the person for which I'm celebrating. However I bent this rule when I made this cake for two very lovely brides, Courtney and Amy. Both of these wonderful women work on my team and are getting married within a month of each other. (Congrats to Courtney who just tied the note in Italy a few weeks ago!!)

Read More

Perfect Chocolate Cake with Oreo Frosting

I really wish I could have recorded the moment when my friend arrived to pick up her cake order, because it was one of the most precious memories I'll have for a long time! You see, Stephanie had ordered two cakes to celebrate two birthdays: one for her husband Roger that was decorated with a mountain biking theme, and a second one for their friend Gavin who is a die hard Liverpool Soccer Club fan. Stephanie was trying to keep it a surprise but eventually had to spill the beans.

Read More

Adele's Peppermint Heart Cookies with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

One Christmas season many, many years ago, I was invited to bake cookies with my friend Adele and her family. It was an annual tradition for them, something I found to be completely foreign. The only things I recall my mother ever baking were a lackluster lemon meringue pies at Thanksgiving and drop-biscuits that were super dry and literally tasted the way Bisquick smells. My mom could cook like no body's business, but baking was never her forte.

Read More

Peanut Butter Glazed Chocolate "Crownie" Cupcakes with Whipped Cocoa Fudge Frosting

I spent the last day making power-lifting and ballet themed cupcakes for the same birthday party. Why would someone want both of these? Well, let me explain why.

Read More