Customized Cake: 11 Tips

1. Think Ahead:  When ordering a custom cake there is typically lot of discussion about the details before the order is finalized.   Make sure you place your order well in advance so that the bakery is able to add your order onto their decorating and baking schedule.
2. The Look:  Consider the theme and color scheme of your celebration and look for a design that will compliment it. Pull images and design elements that peak your interest and share them with your Cake Consultant.
3. Your Budget: Plan your budget based on facts.  Pricing for a custom cake is somewhat of a blind item.  Keep in mind that these cakes are very labor intensive to create and cost more than a standard bakery cake. Call the bakeshop in advance to find out the starting price of a similar cake style.  Simple, ornate, 3D vs. 2D vs. edible printouts will all factor into the price of the cake.   Ask for example photos so that you have a good understanding of what you will be getting.  Once you have all the information think about what is important to you and what you realistically want to spend.
4. Share the Information: When placing your order share your budget range with the Cake Consultant.  This will allow the Cake Artist to plan a design based on your budget.  Custom cakes cover a large price range so it’s best to be upfront about what you are looking to spend.  Once you receive your quote you can always add or remove design elements to make it work for your budget.
5. Cake Size: Shaped cakes and decorated cakes need to be somewhat sizeable to achieve the desired look.  If you are not having a large number of guests, plan on giving everyone cake to take home or cut the cake into individual slices, wrap each slice well and freeze it so that you can enjoy one slice at a time in the future.
6. Real vs. Fake: Often people ask if using “fake tiers” will bring down the price, this is not so.  Pricing is based on the design elements and intricacies that need to be executed, therefore fake or real those tiers need to be decorated.
7. Know your Crowd: Consider your guests when selecting the flavor and filling for your cake. Are there any allergies? Nuts? Gluten free? Also, think about the overall crowd, if it is mostly children you may want to select a more basic kid-friendly option like vanilla/vanilla or chocolate/chocolate. If it is a more adult gathering you can be more creative with fillings such as Bourbon Pecan Praline or Guava & Dulce de Leche.
8. Delivery vs. Pick-up: Bakeries charge an additional fee for delivery based on the final destination.  It is best to have your cake delivered so that it arrives without incident.  Cakes can be very heavy and cumbersome.  Picking-up your cake may sound like a way to save money but there is the risk of the cake being damaged in transit.
9. Slice it Right: Cutting the cake can sometimes be intimidating due to the shape.  Ask your bakeshop to suggest the best way to cut your cake based on its design.
10. Eat Well.  Cake, buttercream and fondant taste best when eaten at room temperature.  The larger the cake, the more time it takes to adjust.  If the cake is too cold it may taste a little dry and the buttercream will not be soft.  Cake can be set-up in a temperature-controlled room for several hours without issue.   Heat and humidity begin to affect fondant and buttercream.  Sweating, bubbling and melting may happen if your cake gets too warm.
11. Leftovers: If you have leftover cake you can store it in an airtight container or wrap it well and put it in the refrigerator for several days.  Make sure it is covered well otherwise it may pick-up other smells in the refrigerator.  You can also freeze the cake if wrapped tightly.  Wrapping individual slices will allow you to take out pieces, as you need them.

Monday we delivered a cake for a client’s 40th birthday. The request was for a briefcase cake filled with money. Orlando constructed the bottom of the case out of cake covered in fondant. The hardware on the case was made of fondant and modeling chocolate, hand-painted with gold edible paint. The top of the case was made of Rice Crispy cereal and marshmallow also covered in fondant. On Photo Shop, Orlando created customized $40 bills with a photo of the birthday boy in the center. The bills were printed on edible paper and placed on Rice Crispy cereal stacks that simulated piles of money. The cake was 100% edible. The guests loved the cake. It’s an honor to be a part of such an important celebration.

100% Edible - Briefcase Cake Filled with Customized Money

100% Edible - Briefcase Cake Filled with Customized Edible Money

It’s that magic moment at your child’s 1st birthday when the beautiful themed cake is brought out all aglow and the child’s face lights-up. As the cake slowly approaches, the child reaches out to touch the cake only to be told not to do so. How can your little one get the satisfaction they crave? A Smash Cake.

Birthday Cake & Smash Cake

1st Birthday Cake accompanied by a mini Smash Cake

What is a Smash Cake? While the rest of the party is enjoying their piece of cake, the birthday child is presented with an individual cake to do with, as they will. Utensils are forgone as the child digs right in with both hands, grabbing the cake and shoveling fistfuls of the sweet baked treat into their mouth. Much of the cake and frosting land on the floor, in the child’s hair and on their clothes, its messy business. But, it’s your 1st birthday only once and at some point in life putting your hands in cake is no longer cute or accepted so let your little one enjoy and you can delight in the great photo op.

Wedding Cake is the pinnacle of the marriage celebration.  It signifies the couple sharing a sweet road together and the beautiful experiences they will have throughout life.  Wedding Cake designs are typically chosen to match the theme and color of the wedding and much of the time reflect the brides taste.  But what about the groom?

An old tradition is finding new popularity, The Groom’s Cake.  Here is where the personality and preferences of the groom are displayed.  Cakes in the shape of classic cars, team logos, motorcycles, special hobbies and musical instruments are created in the groom’s favorite flavors.

While the wedding is typically thought of as “The Brides Day”, the Groom’s Cake gives the groom that special moment he deserves and craves.  For single women of the wedding, the Groom’s Cake plays a more important roll; legend has it that if she brings a slice home and sleeps with it under her pillow she will dream of her future husband.

Here are 10 things to consider when planning a cake for your groom:

1. Decide if you will include the groom in the planning of the cake or if it will be a surprise.
2. Give him his moment in the sun and choose a design that is all about him even if its something you are not interested in or you think is silly.
3. Display the cake separately from the wedding cake but put it somewhere everyone can view it.
4. Tradition says the groom’s cake should be smaller then the wedding cake.  Keep in mind that many guests may want to taste both the wedding and groom’s cake so order enough for a small slice to be served to all.
5. Choose a flavor that the groom will love and is different from your wedding cake.
6. Another option is to arrange for the groom’s cake to be sliced and packed-up for guests to take home as part of their wedding favor.  Printing the history and legend of the cake is interesting and fun for guests.
7. If there is too much going on at your wedding you can serve the groom’s cake at the rehearsal dinner.  This works particularly well for more shy, reserved grooms.
8. It is important to set a budget range for your groom’s cake.  Cake prices are determined on the design details.  Carved cakes and 3-D images are more costly then flat cutouts and printed images.
9. When speaking with your cake consultant, give detailed information about what you are looking for, photos of similar cake ideas are helpful. Give detailed information about your wedding plans and what your budget range is.
10. Have fun with this; it’s a great way to show the groom how important he is to you.

Make your event unique with a contemporary twist on the traditional Viennese Table. From elegant to whimsical, homemade to elaborate, Dessert Buffets are a popular way to enhance your event’s personality and style.  Here are some thoughts for planning your Dessert Buffet:

• MAKE IT MATCH: Reflect your color or theme by using special props, decorative linens and display vessels.  Jars filled with assortments of candy, fruit or other colorful items add POP to the table.
• A BIT OF FUN: Include whimsical elements,  cotton candy on decorative sticks, popcorn in individual monogrammed bags, bite sized retro desserts such as whoopie pies, mini cupcakes and rice krispy treats are great ways to add some campy fun to your event.
• FLAVOR FOCUS: If you love chocolate, let your guests indulge in an all chocolate feast.  Chocolate brownies and cookies, chocolate covered fruit, hand-dipped chocolate pretzels and an array of chocolate truffles make the table decadent and delicious.  If variety is your style include standard chocolate and vanilla, then add interest with flavors such as red velvet, spiced ginger, dulce de leche, praline and coffee.
• SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: As guests depart give them a gift they will appreciate and enjoy; decorative packages with an item from the buffet packed inside.  Cupcakes, brownies, cookies and chocolates can be savored the next day or shared with friends.
• MAKE IT A PARTY: A dessert buffet can BE the party.  For a Shower, Kids Birthday or Holiday Party start-off with a few small hors d’oeuvres while guests arrive and mingle,  then unveil the indulgent highlight, serve beverages that compliment the sweets.
• HOW TO GET IT DONE: If your venue can’t create your dessert buffet vision, discuss bringing in an outside specialist.  Some bakeshops will provide the sweets for your venue to set-up and display. Others will supply the decor, props, platters and vessels along with the sweets and baked goods.  Ask the bakeshop or vendor for a written proposal,  so you know what will be included.

What en exciting night we all had at the Wedding Salon Wedding Show, July 20 at Capitale.  Everyone at Butterfly Bakeshop worked hard to create a memorable display that showcased the wedding cakes, shower and grooms cakes and edible favors that we offer.

Our color was orange happy and cheerful.  One cake displayed had a traditional feel with decorative orange bands, white piped swirls and a large orange magnolia.  The other cake was Indian influenced, deep orange and fuschia with gold accents, topped with a golden elephant.  The bridal shower Chanel Bag Cake with chocolate lipstick, perfume and pearls was a hit and the Cigar Box groom’s cake was a show stopper.  Everyone was amazed at how real these cakes looked.  Mini Cakes and Mason Jars filled with Wedding Cake Mix and an attached recipe gave brides-to-be great ideas for their wedding’s edible favors.

A big thank you to John I. for all his help and support.  All in all it was an amazing night!

Pigs Mud Bath Cake

100% Edible

Our daughter turned 8 in April.  With the Passover and Easter holidays as well as her school break, she had to wait three weeks to celebrate her birthday.  This past Saturday with a few friends in tow she exploded with joy, as she was able to eat at a favorite restaurant and of course indulge in an amazing cake.  She loves and collects pigs.  Stuffed pigs, pig t-shirts, piggy banks, pig salt & pepper shakers, you name it, and she has it.  But, her favorite pig, the one that started it all, is the stuffed animal she received from her Great Grandma Ida (my Grandmother) on the day she was born.  She fondly named him “PIG”. This cake reflected her love of pigs, a replica of the beloved toy enjoying what pigs enjoy; a cool mud bath with friends.   As the girls screamed with glee over the cake, I could not help but reflect on how cake is such a big part of all of life’s celebrations and how cake is changing the course of my life.   Now, almost one year after opening our retail doors at the Limelight Marketplace I feel proud that my husband and I, as well as our team, are able to be a part of so many people’s joyous occasions by bringing their cake dreams to life.  Simple or elaborate, small or large I know that the cakes we provide help people mark milestones and happy times by adding a personalized sweet ending to their celebration.  I think that just about any time cake can bring happiness to someone’s day.  I focus back on the giggling girls inspecting the cake, claiming the piece they want to eat.  I realize that cake is enhancing my life and bringing me joy each day in so many ways.

So here we are, December 31, 2010. As I look back on the year it’s crazy to see where we are now verses where we were at this time last year.

In December of 2009 Butterfly Bakeshop’s website was in production. We had no plans on having a brick and mortar location, no wholesale accounts and we were baking in a minuscule kitchen with no staff.

Now, one year later we are baking out of a 1,400 square foot Commercial Kitchen employing a baking staff of 4 and a full time Cake Consultant/Office Manager. Our location at the Limelight Marketplace has been opened for 8 months, selling retail cakes and baked goods as well as taking orders for custom cakes. To operate the Limelight we have a staff of 8. We a have a number of wholesale accounts and several more in the works and we are finalizing Butterfly’s Wedding Cake Program. The website is up and running but now needs an overhaul to reflect the changes we have experienced and better represent who we now have become.

While I have not had enough time to do most of the things I had planned to do, I wanted to take a moment to document where we are now so it is not overlooked and unappreciated. I am excited about what the new year has in store for us and look forward to seeing where we will be on December 31, 2011.

To our family, friends, fans and supporters we wish you a wonderful year filled with happiness, joy and celebrations with lots of delicious cake.

As the excitement grows and we prepare for the Limelight Marketplace to open, many custom cake orders continue to flow in. Cakes with Dora and Friends, Batman, The Backyardigans, Tinkerbelle, Yankees, Knicks, Flowers and Butterflies are all on the menu. Loved by their recipients the original designs and delicious flavor accomplish the goal of making their party extraordinary. Being the non-artistic partner, I am impressed by them all. But the cake that totally blows me away is the Dog Cake created for our daughter’s 7th birthday party held in our kitchen two weeks ago.

Orlando goes all out to create a cake that makes her dream come true. She explains her vision and draws a sketch for him to work from (her fathers daughter). Then, a week before the party Orlando begins to model and mold chocolate, carve cake and lay and paint fondant. The final creation is a work of art. When guests arrive they aren’t even aware that the creation displayed is a 100% edible. The cake brings joy to everyone especially our daughter. Mission Accomplished!

The party was a hit! 30 girls (four lucky boys peppered in the mix), entertained by busy activities of coloring chef hats, cake boxes and aprons. But, the final activity proved to be the most engaging; decorating their own mini cakes. Creative juices were flowing! Buttercream and sprinkles everywhere each child had a vision of what they wanted to achieve and so they did. With fondant butterflies and flowers in hand, there was no limit to what could be designed. Both Orlando and I saw potential Cake Artists in them all.

Before the party began our daughter created a sign that said “Happy Baking” and this party proved that cake is more than a sweet treat to eat, it is filled with possibility and most importantly makes people happy!

Dog made of Chocolate, House made of Cake, 100% edible