Well hello everyone! As you know I’ve done National Sugar Cookie Day Round Ups for the last three years and thought it was time to give cake it’s day in the sun as well. I’m not all about cookies, I’ve made an odd cake here or there.
Enough about me :) This year, since it’s my first time, I chose who I love about town in the cake world. All of them uber talented and like cookie decorators not all cake decorators work in bakeries. Many work from home or just do it for fun. I was amazed when I sent out my original email that everyone I asked responded. Not all could take part but they all knew who I was and so just with their response made my year! I suspect that you all know these awesome decorators and if you don’t, I’m so glad I can introduce you. I simply took the the questions I asked the cookiers and asked these amazing cakers ;)
Anne Heap - Pink Cake Box
I starting following Anne on Twitter back when I first started the social media thing three years ago and to my surprise she followed back. I asked questions, she answered. It was very cool for someone just starting out. Her cakes are just amazing and her tutorials and blogs are equally amazing. Anne can be found on Facebook, Twitter and at her website. I give you Anne…
When did you start baking? Since the age of six, I've had a love for baking that was first inspired by my mother.
When did you start blogging/FB page? We started our blog back in 2005. Back then blogging about cakes was not as common, but we felt it was a great opportunity to expose our customers to the wide variety of cakes, cupcakes and cookies that we were making on a weekly basis. Since then, we've taken several of our best tutorials & recipes from our blog and moved them to an educational arm called Pink Cake Box University which includes cake decorating classes, tutorials, recipes and reviews of other online classes. (I.e. Craftsy and CakeMasters)
Sometime in the 2008 period we launched our FB page which has become another destination for us to share our creations along with additional tutorials, recipes, and classes.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Both our blog and Facebook page are named after our company - Pink Cake Box. Both these channels our a means of reaching our customers through our Pink Cake Box brand.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Warm chocolate chip cookies right from the oven! I haven't posted a recipe yet for chocolate chip cookies, but some of my favorite recipes are available here.
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? The Cake Blog founded by Carrie Sellman is one of our favorites. She is very supportive of the cake community and great to work with. Marian from Sweetopia (http://sweetopia.net/) also does a fantastic job with her blog.
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Yes I have and I'm all for it!! ;)
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Well she wasn't just a baker- but would have loved to meet Julia Childs!
Kathia Castro – Pink Little Cake
Meet Kathia, another twitter friend! We just started chatting via twitter and then became Facebook friends. I followed along as her cakes amazed me. Kathia is a home baker and blogger and does the occasional cookie too! You can find Kathia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Website.
When did you start baking? 6 years ago, when my oldest daughter was born.
When did you start blogging/FB page? Around December 2018, I notice everyone was blogging and I decided to jump in the wagon and share my cake decorating adventures
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Well, I love pink, cake and all things little. It was the perfect combination for me "Pink Little Cake"
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? A really goof chocolate cookie or pastry.
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Ohh man, this is a hard question, I can't really named one, I like and enjoy reading way to many blogs out there.
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Actually never, this is the first time.
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? I would love to meet Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, I have all of their books and I think their baking knowledge is amazing.
Thank you so much for including me, this was so much fan. Attached is the picture of one of my favorite cakes.
Juanita Koo – SweetThings
I met Juanita two summers ago when I asked her to help me me create a cake for my daughter. She was up to the challenge of creating the non-traditional cake. You can read about it here. Juanita is from my home town of Toronto, Canada and once was on a home improvement show where she got her awesome cake kitchen built in her basement. She’s also a personal trainer and mother to the cutest little girl. I’m proud I can call her friend. Juanita can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and her blog.
When did you start baking? I have always dabbled with baking, but didn't get serious until I enrolled part-time at George Brown College for Cake Decorating in 2006.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started blogging in 2008 - wow 5 years ago! Then over the next year started to Tweet and started a Facebook page.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I picked SweetThings because I could branch out into other sweets, like cake, cupcakes and sweet tables. At one point I was working on a granola bar line.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Tiramisu!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Sharon Wee Creations
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Yes! There is a day for everything - I love it!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? James Roselle of Elle Cakes, and he was just in Toronto and I missed him!
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! My new favorite cake that I made on the weekend!
Jacquee Stephens– I Sugar Coat It!
I virtually met Jacquee this year on Instagram. I started following her amazing talents and felt she needed to be apart of this first round up. She works from her home and can ganache a cake like no person I’ve ever seen! You can find Jacquee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blog.
When did you start baking? A little over two years ago, just out of interest.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I celebrated two years of blogging back in August of this year (2013). My FB page followed a couple months after.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? My original blog name reflected a few of my other interests - reading, fashion and travel. A couple months into blogging, I decided to focus on baking, as it was so new to me. I chose I Sugar Coat It! because as a child, I put a coat of brown sugar on everything I ate. Gross now that I think about it. It's a miracle I wasn't an obese child, and I am proud to say, I have never had a cavity!
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I LOVE bittersweet, dark chocolate - a bar lasts me about a month, as it's best enjoyed a little at a time. I'd be happy with just that for dessert, or anything made from it!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh, this is tough... too many to name just one and does it have to be about food? Hmmm... I just can't choose one, so I'll pass. Is that allowed? :)
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No, I had not!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Again, that's tough...but I will keep it close to home and in the blogging community. I think Paula from Vanilla Bean Baker is one of the sweetest people I've 'met' online and her support and encouragement has been instrumental in keeping me blogging. Even with our age difference, I feel so connected to her and consider her a friend. She is kind and very generous with her knowledge and, of course, very talented. I think she is the type of person, who, once you get an opportunity to hug, releasing her would be difficult. I am probably sounding a little stalker-ish, so I'll stop now - but I simply adore Paula!
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! This isn't my most complex, or best executed cake, but it holds more meaning to me than most. I made it to celebrate two very special birthdays - that of Taylor, who could only be with us for 10 short, but love-filled months and her mama, my friend Jess, who showed us all what it is to truly love, unconditionally. This was all buttercream decorated with cocoa powder using a giraffe stencil. http://www.isugarcoatit.com/2012/07/chocolate-espresso-giraffe-cake.html#.UokdKmTXR4U
Loren Ebert – The Baking Sheet
Loren was one of the first baking pages I stocked regularly when I started blogging. Her ideas for cakes are amazing and the cake she creates are not exceptions, they are the rule. Anytime I would share her work on my FB page she was always so gracious. That’s what I love about all these cakers, they are more than happy to help! Loren can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.
When did you start baking? I started baking when I was 10 years old…coffee cake was my specialty!
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my blog after my son was born (almost 8 years ago). I was on maternity leave and was looking for a hobby so I started documenting my adventures as an amateur baker.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I didn’t spend much time considering my blog/page name. At the time I thought no one would be interested or pay attention. Now I wish I put more thought into it!
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Crème brulee, key lime pie, cannolis
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I have so many favorite cake pages that I love and visit on a regular basis it’s so hard to pick just one! Callicious Cakes, Cakes by Raewyn, Peggy Does Cake, Royal Bakery, Man Bakes Cake, Cuteology, Bliss Pastry, Little Cherry Cake Company, Cakes by Kerrin, Tea Party Cakes, CorrieCakes, Sugar High, Inc., Mimicafe Union @New York
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Yes!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Calli from Callicious Cakes. Calli is a true artist and her cakes are inspirational. On her latest cake she hand-painted a gorgeous replica of the Mona Lisa using cocoa butter!
Corrie Rasmussen – Corrie Cakes
I met Corrie two years ago when I was asked to join a small group of bakers on Facebook. Her sense of humour was something I really enjoyed immediately. Her cakes are a fabulous mix of buttercream with fondant embellishments. What’s best is that she makes the most basic sheet cake look like it took forever and is worth a million bucks. Love this lady! Corrie can be found on Facebook.
When did you start baking? When I was about 12, Way back in the day when Jr High Schools still offered Home Economics classes- I loved having a class all about cooking and sewing. I didn't start decorating cakes or baking on a regular basis until I was 18 and was working at an Albertson's bakery.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page in Oct.2011. Peggy Lee, (Peggy Does Cake) messaged me a few times on Cake Central and encouraged me to start a FB page, we soon got to be good FB friends she's one of my biggest cheerleaders in the cake world, love her to pieces!
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? In my small town there are actually quite a few cake decorators and at parties it's fairly common for people to ask, "Is that a Jackie-cake?" , "Is that a Paula-cake?"...."Is that a Corrie-cake?" So after lots of thought and asking for suggestions and what not, I just decided to go with CorrieCakes, It was simple and to the point and, at the time, there weren't other FB pages or websites with that name so I went with it.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? A pie from Village Inn, of all places! It's called French Silk Pecan Supreme Pie, it's so rich it kind of makes me a little ill after having a slice but that's seriously my favorite desert... and a close second is any generic brand ice cream sandwich- the cheaper and thinner the layer of ice cream (or more like ice milk) is, the better!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? My favorite blog is Baker's Royale, It's mostly just straight up recipes, but presented beautifully, and the recipes have, so far, proven true and consistent in the real world. My Favorite FB page is Welcome to Nightvale 's FB page because I'm a huge fan of that podcast. As far as cake related FB pages, I'm probably like everyone else on the planet- Peggy Does Cake and Royal Bakery are favorites for sure.
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No! I've never heard of it- but it's not surprising there is one, there seems to be a national day for just about anything you can think of anymore!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? I don't know that I could just pick one! Probably Peggy is a #1 choice but I'd love to meet up with all the bakers that worked on the Starry Night cake collaboration last March. There was lots of messaging and joking and getting to know one another during all the planning and preparation of it, I consider them all great "FB Friends" and would love to meet up with each one to give them all a hug!
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! That's a hard choice... I have a lot of favorites for different reasons but my latest favorite would be my Lisa Frankenstein cake I did recently for the Threadcakes contest- I like cakes with a sense of humor :D
Rachel Skvaril – The Fondant Flinger
Meet Rachel! She flings fondant LOL. I stumbled across her Facebook page just over a year ago and was blown away by the amazing cakes she did. Her cake name says it all. She’s super creative and imaginative! You can find Rachel on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.
When did you start baking? I’ve baked pretty much all my life. When I was little, I was always my Mom’s little assistant in the kitchen. She’s an incredible cook and baker.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I think the official start date of Fondant Flinger is May, 2011. I’m definitely still a newbie in the sugar world.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? My mom’s nickname was always the “Queen of Fling”. Since I basically started out with just a package of fondant and a toothpick, flinging things together, I just used her nickname as my inspiration.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Hands down, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. I really can’t be trusted when I know there’s a pint of it in the freezer.
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I LOVE Carrie Sellman’s The Cake Blog. Such great artists featured and even some tutorials. Talk about being blown aways by all the inspiration!
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No, every day in this house is Cake Day so I never thought about there being an official NATIONAL cake day in existence.
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? I really have a long list so its hard to choose just one. Right this very moment, I would say that a lesson from Maggie Austin is VERY high on my Cakey Wish List, a close second would be Ron Ben-Israel.
Peggy Lee – Peggy Does Cake
What can I say here that won’t sound pathetic. I, of course, know who Peggy is and if you don’t, you should. When I sent out my invitations for this blog post and she responded I nearly fainted because she knew who I was. That was a big moment for me :) Peggy is so sweet and what amazes me most, other than that she’s only been doing this for a few years, is that she doesn’t sell her cakes. I know… amazing right????? Her Facebook page is a daily must see and I love it when she has her share days because then I get to see more great decorators share their work too! Peggy can be found on Facebook, her webpage, and Twitter.
When did you start baking? I started baking in January of 2010 and made my first "real" cake (to be seen and eaten by someone besides my husband) on 4/1/2010.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I joined FB later than year, in November of 2010. Three years ago this month!
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I wanted my name to be something people would hear and immediately know what it meant. I'm Peggy. I do cake. So there you have it.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I actually much prefer apple pie over cake. I have a great recipe for my caramel apple pie on my blog that's the bomb.
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I never miss a day of visiting Royal Bakery.
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I have done a feature on my page called "Celebrate the Day," so I'm in tune with all sorts of wacky holidays, including this one.
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Oh there are so many friends I'd love to meet, but I'd have to say Lesley of the aforementioned Royal Bakery. Do I sound like a stalker?
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! I'm attaching 3 cakes, I'll let you pick. The pink princess cake was made about 15 months into decorating and was the first cake I ever was truly happy with and proud of. The Lion King cake was made about 20 months in, and I was happy with it, but it's copyrighted characters, so you may have a problem with using it. I'm a hobby baker and give my cakes away, so copyright isn't an issue for me. The Minnie cake was just made this year and it's a super simple little butter cream cake, but it's my favorite cake of 2013.
Lesley Wright – The Royal Bakery
Lesley is another one of those bakers who can do amazing things with cakes. You look at her cake and you think, wow how does she come up with that? Along with Peggy, Lesley is another cake decorator I stalk on a daily basis. Her creations are just amazing and she’s also at the ready to help if you have any questions. A hero of mine, for sure!!! Lesley can be found on Facebook.
When did you start baking? I started baking in May 2011. Before that, I had decorated a couple of cakes for my son’s birthday, but not with any level of success!
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my Facebook Page shortly after making my first cake. I was learning as I went along - especially as I was English baking American cakes - so wanted to be able to share what I was learning with others who might also be just starting out.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I wanted the name of my business (and therefore my Facebook Page name) to reflect my Britishness. England doesn’t have much of a culinary reputation, so I chose the thing Americans can still get enthusiastic about, and that’s the royal family! I thought the name Royal Bakery conjured up something a little high class, and that’s what I aspired to be!
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? My favorite dessert would always be something fruity, and preferably citrusy. I would choose lemon tart or a marshmallowy pavlova - meringue covered in whipped cream and berries. Although I can always be tempted by something very chocolatey!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I actually read very few blogs and the only ones I can say that I visit with any regularity are Cake Wrecks and the Craftsy blog! I write for Craftsy, so I might be a little bit biased. My favorite Facebook Pages are Peggy Does Cake because, yes, she’s my best friend, but also because she gives out so many tips and recipes and always finds wonderful new cake decorators to share with us. I also visit the Page of Little Cherry Cake Company every week because her work always inspires me. She has such wonderful, original talent!
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I have heard of National Cake Day because I love looking up obscure holidays to help me write my blog posts for Craftsy. I’ve done cake round ups based on World UFO Day, National Junk Food Day, National Donut and Chocolate Ice Cream Day and Golf Day! We have a lot to celebrate!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? The baker I would most like to meet is, naturally, Peggy from Peggy Does Cake. After my husband and my mother, she’s the person I run to tell all my news to, but we’ve never actually met. We have promised to make 2014 When Peggy Met Lesley year, so I’ll let you know how it goes!
Here is my favorite cake:
Rick & Sasha Reichart – cakelava
I first came across cakelava through my constant scouring of Facebook and Twitter for awesome treats! I’d share their cakes and always got a response. Rick’s always so gracious and boy does the man have skills. (Just see cake below). Sasha is the business side of this amazing little business. Now I haven’t met Rick or Sasha but just chatting back and forth with them for this, I love them. So super nice. Have I mentioned they are from Hawaii, just like my hubby! You can find cakelava on Facebook, Twitter, blog, and their website.
When did you start baking? I started in 1991 after I graduated culinary school in Baltimore, MD.
When did you start blogging/FB page? We started the cakelava blog and Facebook page in 2008.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Originally, our blog was called "Musings from Cakeland", and was later changed to "cake 5-0". We changed it to "cake 5-0" as a nod to our making cakes in Hawaii, the 50th State, and a reference to one of flavors, Hawaii Five-O. We had that flavor on the menu before the new Hawaii Five-O show.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? My favorite dessert is cheesecake, and donuts. Any kind will do... I just love that stuff!!!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I love so many Facebook pages, but of course, my favorite is the cakelava page!
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No, but I have heard of National Donut Day!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Michelle Wibowo - Michelle Sugar Art in the UK, and Jane Zubova - Artcake.ru | Unique handmade cakes by Jane Zubova - in Russia.
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake!
Kerrin Dunbar – Cakes by Kerrin
I virtually met Kerrin two years ago when I was making the Rapunzel tower cake for Rowan. Kerrin had made one and I bugged her for how-to’s and advice. She was very supportive and to be honest, couldn’t have done it without her. Her cakes are gravity defying, I mean seriously amazing. (pic attached is crazy). Kerrin can be found on Facebook.
When did you start baking? I've enjoyed baking for as long as I can remember, but I made my first decorated birthday cake completely covered with Wilton tip #16 for my husband's 25th birthday. Classy, right?!
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page a few years ago with the primary purpose of having a central location for family and close friends to see my little hobby. FB has been a great outlet to meet so many others who share my sugar obsession! :)
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? If I had known when I chose the name that it would be one that stuck, I might have spent a little longer on it! Seems kind of pointless to change it now- but who knows- maybe if I open a shop!
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I love tiramisu and homemade cheesecake with fresh berries
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh dear.... I honestly don't know if I can pick a favorite.... I'll try to narrow it down! One of my favorite pages is Sugar High- anything Brenda posts is sure to put a smile on my face. I also love to gawk at anything Jaqueline Butler posts on Petalsweet.
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Honestly can't remember- but guessing no!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? If meeting any baker would also mean watching them in action, it would be Karen Portaleo. There truly are no words to describe what she can do with cake- jaw-dropping, indeed!
My favorite cake: I've done several that rank up there for me but my son's 4th birthday cake is still my favorite. Not the best staged picture because it was taller than anything I use for a backdrop and I didn't dare pick it up and move it!
Melissa Diamond – MyCakeSchool.com
I stumbled across Melissa’s web school after I moved to North Carolina and didn’t think twice about joining to learn all I could without leaving my house. Melissa has such an easy quality and her cakes are just adorable. I haven’t met Melissa even though she’s a fellow NC’er but we have become virtual friends. If you have a question, Melissa will help you in any way she can. Melissa can be found on Facebook, Twitter and her website/blog
When did you start baking? I became interested in baking cakes & really learning how to decorate about 8 years ago when I decided to start a home based cake business.
When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my site and blog about 3 ½ years ago.
Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I chose MyCakeSchool.com because I wanted people to know just from reading the name that our site is a place for cake decorating instruction.
What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Banana Pudding!!
What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I have SO many favorites! I do love Carrie Sellman’s TheCakeBlog.com though, because she does an amazing job of highlighting inspiring cake trends and artists!
Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No, I had no idea!
If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Ron Ben-Israel
Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake!
WOW, what can I say. Aren’t they all amazing????? So go and visit and then come back and look around.
Thanks for looking!
You can find me also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and here at Trilogy Edibles!
As someone who would be considered new to the world of baking/decorating and who does it for fun, I feel very honoured to be included among such a talented bunch! Thank you - I've enjoyed getting to know the other bakers. Happy National Cake Day!!
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing post!!! I completely feel out of place with all this talented cake designers featured here. Thank you so much for including me and liking my work.
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of hugs!!!
What a fabulous round-up and thank you for including me! Happy National Cake Day - make sure you celebrate!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! You have definitely featured some of my favorite bakers, but there's still a few bakers on this list I haven't heard of before. I will be checking them out soon!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Happy Cake Day, Karen! ;0) - What a great job you did on this post, I loved scrolling through everyone's replies & beautiful photos! Thanks so much for inviting me to join in the fun ;0) xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo sweet of you to include me Karen! :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Cake Day to Everyone!!!
This is a fantastic post and a wonderful roundup, Karen! We were happy to be included amongst some of our favorite people! Thank you again!! Today you'll have to put aside those cookies and indulge in a nice big piece of cake! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour questions for the featured bakers were great and this post was wonderful. I'm a big fan of Anne, Kathia, Juanita, Jacquee, Loren and Melissa and admire their imaginative and creative decorating skills so very much. The other fabulous women (and Rick) listed are also extremely talented (and new to me) so thanks so much for highlighted them.
ReplyDeleteJacquee ~ thank you so much for your very sweet and complimentary words. I appreciate them deeply and one day I hope to meet and hug you for quite a long time. You are an amazing lady and not solely because of your fabulous baking/decorating skills.
Wow! What a collection! These cakes and artists are all amazing!
ReplyDelete