A Trio of Sweet Birthday Cakes

Swirly Brownie Cheesecake with Fruit Crown

 Every once in a while, I get to make a swirly, fun, delicious cake of my own fanciful design.  This lovely cake is made annually for a sweet young lady in my neighborhood who loves cheesecake.  This cheesecake has a chewy brownie base, whorls of cream cheese icing, and loads of dark chocolate dipped berries on top.  Don't those swirls make you want to lick the frosting?

Angelina Ballerina Birthday Cake

I've been making birthday cakes for little Nicola for the last 3 of her 5 years.  Each year, her mother has a great idea for Nicola's cake.  I've raised 3 sons (alas, no daughters), so I'm lucky to have clients who know just the right character to make their little girls smile.  I decided to make Angelina out of modeling chocolate; isn't she sweet?

Baby Boy's Springtime Birthday Cake with a Banner

If you read Amy Atlas's dessert blog, you know that banners are hot hot hot in the party planning community.  I was so happy to incorporate a sugar banner on this baby boy's cake.  I wanted to celebrate his birthday, and the long awaited spring season, as well. 

When I first started making custom cakes, I'd whip up a drawing, sell the cake based on the drawing.  And then realize; oops; the cake has to look like the sketch...sometimes easier drawn than decorated.  I've learned to think more carefully before getting a client excited about a design that is not technically possible.  

Hope you're enjoying your spring season!

xo, Claudia

A Couture Inspired Birthday Cake

A young lady asked me to create a cake for her 2 girlfriends who are sharing a birthday party.  The young women, both stylists, are feminine, fun, and love chocolate.  The friend requested my Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake with a Raspberry Buttercream filling.  She left the design to me; the most important thing was getting that chocolate cake!

I looked around for a few inspirational images to get me in the fun, feminine, pink mood.  The photo above features an ad for one of my favorite perfumes; Flowerbomb.  What could be more feminine?  I grabbed a few of my handmade sugar flowers; now a vision of the cake was beginning to form. 

I needed some texture on the cake...hmmm, women love Chanel quilted handbags.  The client didn't want the expense of a carved cake; so I wouldn't be creating an exact replica of a handbag....but a few details, such as the quilting, would add a lovely, grown up and tailored effect to a pink cake and keep it from being too young.

Here's the completed cake; sure hope they love it and send a photo or two!

Cheers, Claudia