Itty-Bitty Cake: The Winner!

We were so excited when our mini-wedding cake won first place in Wed's Great Cake-off in its category! This was especially an honor given the number of beautiful wedding cupcakes and small cakes submitted by some really talented decorators.

Creating 'itty-bitty' cakes is more difficult than working on a monster five-tier cake since it is such a small canvas on which to place so many details. Regardless of the work, the outcome gives us a great sense of satisfaction (especially when the work is acknowledged with a win and a happy customer!).

Thanks for letting me brag a little!

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Flowers and Food: Sugar, Silk, or Real?

At our New Jersey bakery we are obsessed with following, if not exceeding, our local health codes especially when it comes to sanitation. Everything used for our cakes is either edible or food safe items (e.g. dowels to support cake tiers, etc....).

I tend to cringe when a client wants to put fresh or silk flowers on a cake. Many fresh flowers are covered in pesticides, some being quite toxic, and most silk flowers are not made with food safe materials.

We always recommend our clients opt for sugarpaste flowers. The first reason for this is we know we are providing a cake that is safe for our clients to consume. The second reason being it is aesthetically pleasing to look at a cake and know everything you see is completely edible!

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

 

Sugarpaste cymbidium orchid

 

A Video for Fashionista Foodies!

Fashion items are certainly 'in vogue' for cakes given the number of requests we receive for these items. We've created a little show of our creations. I hope you enjoy our our Fashionista Runway video!

Piano Birthday Cake

This was an interesting cake to make as we never actually spoke to the client. The design, order, and payment were all completed online as the client lives in Hong Kong. She found our site online and needed a birthday cake for one of the WonderGirls, a musical group, who was scheduled to be in New York City on her birthday.

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

The hardest part about this cake was making the piano entirely edible. I find Google Images to be one of the most helpful tools for me on the internet as I wasn't even sure all the parts of a piano. I was also concerned about the structure holding up so I used Mexican gumpaste which has a long enough working time but still dries quite hard. 

Baby Shower Cake Inspired by the Invitation

One of the best parts of our job at Confectionary Designs is coming up with a design that fits the occasion perfectly! We look for inspiration everywhere by working closely with our clients to understand their needs. One of our clients brought along the invitation she had sent out when she came to us for a consultation and tasting session. All of us knew immediately the cake had to be designed from the tree and bird's nest on the beautiful invitation. Pam carefully drew up a sketch for the client and I loved seeing this cake come to life with the sprawling tree and edible bird and nest.

I hope you enjoy viewing this cake!

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Coach Purse Cake

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We made this carved purse cake for a wonderful lady for a milestone birthday. We've gotten used to carving purses after doing so many of them, but this one was a bit of a challenge as the entire purse is hand-painted using luster dusts and Everclear. I think I was buzzed from breathing in the Everclear by the time I finished painting this one!