Max's iPad cake

My first born turned 8 on Wednesday and for the first time in four years, he didn't request a racetrack cake or some sort of New York Mets themed design. Nope, he's a big boy now and aimed much higher - my all-things-electronic-obsessed sweet boy requested an iPad cake, specifically an iPad2 cake, just like the one I have and rarely let him use.

As usual, photos taken by the world's best cake picture taker (and my husband) Doug Schneider.

Side by side with the real thing (realized after the fact that I should have changed my wall paper so it matched a little better, oh well!)

close up: the Facebook, foursquare, Photo and iPod buttons are my favorite

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, even though the NY area was in the middle of a crazy heat wave and his party was at a local swimming pool (at least 95 degrees in the shade!)  We kept the cake in the refrigerator as long as possible, but even after 5 minutes it started to look a little shiny and melty. But it was a lot of fun to make and I'd love to make another one soon!  The cake was vanilla bean with a layer of melted chocolate and chocolate and vanilla swirl buttercream (another request from the birthday boy). Cake covered in fondant and all the app buttons were hand made from gumpaste.

Happy birthday, sweet boy! I can't wait to find out what you've got in mind for next year's cake!

Update on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 1:52PM by Sara

Thanks to Brand 66 for the mention!

Rebecca's birthday cake mashup

Question: What do you get when you take Anna's cake:

add a bit of Pamela's cake:

and throw in the monkey and stars from Allie's cake?

Answer: Rebecca's birthday cake!

Rebecca is a newly minted 10 year old who designed her very own cake after spending time on my website. The names on the sides of the cake are the party attendees. This was a 10" cake with vanilla bean and chocolate layers, filled with chocolate buttercream. Decorations are handmade using gumpaste and royal icing. 

My 4 year old checking out the cake

New website!

After weeks of procrastination, I finally launched my new website. It's definitely still a work in progress, but I love having the Sara Bakes Cakes site and blog under one roof!

Comments, suggestions, edits would be greatly appreciated (but be gentle, my fragile baking ego might not be able to take it!) I look forward to hearing what you think.

In the meantime, here's my latest cake, for 2-year old Nili who's a giant fan of Abby Cadabby and sprinkles! 12" vanilla bean cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream, handmade gumpaste decorations.

 

Imitation = FLATTERY!!!

I got an email a couple of days ago from a woman who made a terrific swimming pool cake that was inspired by Talia's swimming pool cake I made in July 09. 

I think she nailed it, don't you?  

King Arthur Flour's Secret Ingredient Corner

Found this on The Kitchn - the "Secret Ingredient" corner from the King Arthur Flour web site. I use a lot of these (the flour, vanilla, espresso powder) but definitely want to try some others. Was especially excited to see they have CHEDDAR POWDER!  I bought it once when we were visiting friends in Vermont (at Dakin Farms on Route 7) and have never found it again. It's the purer version of the powdered cheese that comes in mac and cheese boxes. YUM. Will be buying some asap.

Update on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 1:53PM by Sara

Thanks to my fantastic friend Fara (ffF), I'm now the proud owner of 2 bags of cheddar cheese powder. She visited the shop last weekend and brought me back these goodies.

Lucky me!