Cake Day and the naked wedding cake

As Jesse can tell anyone who's ever asked, 'Cake Day' is a horribly stressful and emotionally straining day. I am notoriously awful. I don't say this lightly. I'm completely stressed out and usually unable to do the simplest of thought processes beyond cake planning. I even forget to eat. Jesse has more than once held a sandwich to my face and reminded me to take a bite, while I grumbled and growled at the inconvenience of food.

All this was before I took a job as a cake decorator. At that time, every cake was overwhelming and I wasn't as in control of my time management. Yes, every cake was easier and I got faster but cakes were few and far between. It's not easy getting better when you don't practice. Now, I decorate a few cakes every week. We like it simple at the bakery so we don't get crazy with fondant or too many details but the cakes always look beautiful. My crumb coating is pretty awesome, if I must say so myself. I've gotten faster and I am much more aware of how much time each step takes.

So 'Cake Day' approached and I began setting myself up for it. And guess what? It was so much easier and stress free. Probably the nicest 'Cake Day' we've ever had.

I say, "we" because it really is a joint effort and Jesse puts up with a lot from me. I can be very mean and unapologetic. It's true. I'm asked simple questions like, 'Are you hungry?' or 'What would you like to eat?' And, all I can do is growl out an irritated retort. Usually something completely unhelpful and unnecessarily short.

'Cake Day' is not necessarily a one day event. I use the term 'Cake Day' to refer to the series of days that are needed to complete a commission. It includes the day of delivery, especially if any set up is required.

This 'Cake Day' was not like the others. I had set myself up very well. I'd made the cakes on my previous day off and froze them. 'Cake Day' officially started Friday night after I got home from work. I came home and made a list of needed groceries then I ran to the store to gather supplies. Saturday would be my big work day.

I expected Saturday to be overwhelming. Surprise! I put off assembly and decorating until the evening because, you know, procrastination. It went smoothly and quickly and before I knew it, the cake was ready to go. Jesse and I talked about it and he pointed out that I had been very nice all day.... I guess that's a good thing...

Sunday was almost as pleasant. There was the added stress of getting to the wedding site on time, and having our dress up clothes ready to go as well. We chose to wear working clothes to the site and for the cake set up, and to bring our party outfits with us and change immediately after setup.

Set up also went crazy smooth. When we arrived I had to search out the bridal party and find someone to direct me. Jesse waited in the car with the ac running with the cakes. As soon as I knew where I was going, I got Jesse and had him help me carry the boxes up to the reception room. We set the cake up and added the flowers and berries. We were joined by another pastry chef who had made the some delicious looking fresh fruit tarts, lemon bars, and s'mores bars. Jesse helped her set up her treats while I finished up on the cake.

 A Victoria sponge inspired cake.
Vanilla butter cake with raspberry jam filling and vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. We added as many berries (strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries) as we could fit on each tier.

After asking for flowers to add to the cake, I watched the mother of the bride literally steal from a few centerpieces because they'd forgotten to retain flowers for the cake. Haha. It worked out perfectly, just a few flowers brought the whole cake together and matched the wedding theme beautifully.

The entire wedding was amazing. The happy couple looked beautiful and so in love.The cake went over very well. I had a few people come up and tell me how delicious it was, which was awesome but I can't help blushing every time that happens.

All in all, this was my favorite cake experience to date. The cake went wonderfully, it came out delicious, and the event was one of the funnest weddings I've been to. And, as much as I love how the cake looked fully assembled, this is my favorite picture of it.

A call, a request, a plan, and a tasting

Not too long ago a friend called me up and asked me to make her wedding cake. I haven't done a wedding cake for a few years. It used to be because I was afraid I'd muck it all up, again. (Though the bride was more than happy with the cake, I was not...) Lately, it's been more along the lines of no one needing one. I've also been very busy with work and the move, and that hasn't left much time for commissions. So, when I received that fateful call, it was with much happiness and excitement I accepted the responsibility and honor.

I am a very low maintenance free-lance contractor. You call me and ask me for something, I will be more than happy to tell you what I can do and for how much. I ask you where and when you need it and we set up a meeting for the trade. That's pretty much my level of involvement with my clients. I prefer emails because then I have something to refer to and I LOVE pictures. Pictures of colors, textures, anything that inspires you. A wedding? A bride? That's a whole 'nother story.

Since a wedding is a very big deal, it requires much more involvement. Communication must be open and available. Another reason emails are so awesome. I may be at work but I am more able to answer an email or a text than a phone call.

My friend sent me some inspiration photos through email and we discussed our options. Her taste ran from the rustically classic or a stained glass inspired design. Fondant was necessary to do the stained glass style and her fiance is not a fan, so that was nixed. Classic, rustic, and beautiful. Done.

After a few back and forths with design, we discussed flavors. Originally she was looking for something interesting, kind of unique. Nothing crazy but something tasty and not quite traditional. Honey, lavender, spices, and mint were all on the table. I told her let's do a cake tasting with 4 flavors. We didn't set up a date at the time because I though it prudent to wait until closer to the big day, give them more time to find things that caught their eyes or taste buds. She didn't think she'd change her mind....

So a couple months go by, and she keeps me updated on her ideas and I follow her pinterest to keep an eye on her taste. About a month before the big day, we set the tasting appointment. The taste profiles we decided on are (clockwise in top photo):

• A Victoria sponge inspired cake: Vanilla butter cake with raspberry jam filling and a cream cheese frosting.

• A cheesecake inspired cake: Graham cracker butter cake with a cheesecake cream cheese frosting.

• A spiced apple cake: Spiced butter cake with a honey buttercream. Fresh apple slices for decoration but if chosen, also to be within the layers of cake. 

• A pink champagne cake: Pink champagne sponge cake with a cream cheese frosting.
 

 Well, there was a paragraph here about 'Cake Day' but for some reason it got deleted.... So yeah. I don't remember what I wrote so I'll just leave this here....

It's been over a year, how about an update?

So what do you do when you fall off the attempted blog bandwagon? You forget about it and move on. Here's to another attempt at updating this thing regularly. I have a computer that works, access to the internet, and a kitchen that I should really make use of.

So... Here it goes again...

Well, except I need to actually cook or bake something. So I guess I should get on that. In the mean time, here's some of the things that have kept me busy:

Mucha Lucha birthday cake. Side project.

 Retirement cake. Side Project.

 Super Mario Bros. birthday cake. Work done for Rising Hearts Bakery.

 Wedding tasting sample cupcakes. Clockwise on round plate: 1)Vanilla Butter Cake, Raspberry Jam, Cream Cheese Frosting, Raspberry Jam Drop. 2) Graham Cracker Cake, Cheesecake Frosting, Fresh Berries. 3) Spiced Butter Cake, Honey Buttercream, Apple Slices with a drizzle of Honey. 4) Pink Champagne Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Pink and White Pearl Sugars. Side Project.

 Cloud Baby Boy Baby Shower. Vanilla and Chocolate Butter Cake, Sky Blue Vanilla Frosting with White frosting clouds. Side Project.

 Under the Sea Birthday Cake. Work for Rising Hearts Bakery.

 Monkey Birthday Cake. Work for Rising Hearts Bakery.

 Portal Themed Birthday Cake. Black Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Comic Book Birthday Cake. Work for Rising Hearts Bakery.