Amber's Baby Cake!

Spring is a time of new beginnings and baby cakes. Member Amber Lu created this beautiful confection at a workshop conducted at Sweet Irene's. Amber has been a home baker for ten years and has a passion for sugar art and cake decorating.

Easter Cookies Demo!

Watch how to make these adorable tiny Easter cookie treats at Broadway Panhandler, 65 East 8th Street, New York NY 10003, on Wednesday, April 20th at 3:30 PM. Before you leave, you must check out their cake decorating section. Broadway Panhandler also carries chef jackets, and some "to die for" retro aprons and cake plates.

Lots of Pops!

My BFF Shirley just loaned me her copy of Cake Pops by Bakerella and it didn't disappoint.  Bakerella is truly the original mini-cake maven. I love the idea of a portable little treat, easy instructions, and  designs only limited to your imagination.



Inspired by Bakerella, Clare O'Connell from the United Kingdom started her own booming cake pop business in London, and has recently published, Pop Bakery. Her tiny works of art feature delicately sculptured edible flowers, insects, and animals.

You can get a pretty good deal on both books at Amazon.  If you find a cheaper price, let me know.

Bunny and Lamb Bakery Boxes

I purchased the Wilton® Stand up Bunny and Stand up Lamb Pans years ago and have loved making 3D lamb and bunny cakes for family and friends during Easter. The problem was transporting the cakes. You really had to purchase a mailing box to carry them--not very appetizing.

Kitchen Krafts has come up with these cute cake boxes that are made to fit the the Wilton® 3D Stand Up Bunny and Lamb cakes perfectly! They come 3 boxes to a package and best of all, they are affordable!  Happy Caking!

Member Spotlight: Sachiko's "To Die For" Cupcake Toppers!

Member Sachiko Windbiel's garden themed cupcakes take the cake! Sachiko, originally from Japan, graduated from a vegetarian cooking school three years ago but her true passion is playing with sugar.

Besides turning out delicious and fabulous cupcakes at her shop Mimi Cafe Union, Sachiko also makes exquisite cupcake towers  and toppers to show them off.  You can order cupcake toppers and cupcake towers on her website or her online store at  Etsy.

Cupcake Biz 101

If your dream is to open a cupcake shop in your area do your homework and crunch the numbers before you open shop. According to a recent article on MSN Business on Main,  7 Businesses NOT to Start,  the cupcake shop concept may be over saturated, and therefore difficult to make a profit.

However, there are many who still believe that you can never get enough of a good thing. Think out of the box and consider selling your treats on a truck or bike instead of a traditional brick and mortar shop.

Book Cake Class at Sweet Irene's Saturday!

Join NYC Cake Decorators at Sweet Irene's Custom Cake Shop "Open Book Cake Class" this Saturday. For information and to register, contact Irene Likokas at 718.921.1307.

Taste Buds Summer Baking Camp

Do you have a budding pastry chef? Check out Taste Buds Summer Baking Camp for Kids. Your child will learn the joy of baking and leave creating goodies like a pro!

World's Largest Bake Sale Moments

It's a beautiful day for a bake sale and, while sadly I couldn't make it to the sale today, intrepid member Lynn arrived early to the Sale. There was a Sandra Lee sighting and Emeril sighting but, no Duff.

By the time the doors opened the room was literally packed wall to wall with foodies and cupcake enthusiasts. However, Lynn managed to fight her way to Amy DeGiulio's cupcake table. Amy, owner of Sugar Flower Cake Shop, and friend of NYC Cake Decorators, runs her custom cake business on the principle that fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients make the best tasting cupcakes and wedding cakes in New York City. Amy uses honey cultivated from NYC rooftop apiaries, and organic milk from Milk Thistle Farm in New York. Lynn snapped up  Amy's pomegranate and honey cupcakes--yummy!

Amy is also noted for her sugar flowers, hence the name Sugar Flower Cake Shop. Amy is currently scheduling sugar flower classes in her new shop to share her love of sugarcraft with others.

After saying goodbyes to Amy, Lynn just couldn't decide on which other delicious confections she should try. It was a difficult job, but she was more than up to the challenge.

Alas, Lynn had to leave before she was able to see Duff, but enjoyed the bake sale just the same. Although the event wasn't truly the world's largest bake sale [in size], it certainly had the world's biggest heart with proceeds going to the Food Bank of New York.

Register NOW for Cricut Cake's Online Classroom!

Is your Cricut Cake machine still in the box? Join Cricut Cake online classroom and learn how to make cupcake toppers and embellish your cakes tomorrow and Thursday, March 31, 2011. Best of all, it's FREE! Space is limited, so register now!




If you are still experiencing trouble after you take the online classroom instruction, consider joining member LaTasha Powell as she walks you through the mystery of Cricut Cake at her 3hrs Cricut Cake workshop scheduled for May 15, 2011 in NYC. Bring your Cricut Cake machine to the clinic and gets hands on help! For more information contact Dina at nyccakedecorators@yahoo.com.

Got Sugar Flowers Fever?

Scott Clark Woolley opened the door to the wonderful world of sugar flowers for me. He taught me to get my inspiration directly from nature. For all of you who have caught the "fever" you can indulge this month for free at the Macy's Flower Show (Herald Square, NYC) March 27 - April 10th. Featured gardens this year are the Antebellum Garden, Japanese Garden, Tropical Garden, and my favorite, the Hydrangea Garden. Tours of the Gardens are complimentary and available every half hour between 11am and 4pm at Macy's 35th and Broadway entrance.

Seduced by the beauty of sexy orchids? You can improve your orchid gumpaste work by studying the living plant. From March 5- April 25th visit The Orchid Show: On Broadway at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. Tickets are $20.00 Adults, $18.00 Students/Seniors.

Duff Goldman at Grand Central Tomorrow!

Sandra Lee, Mario Batali, Duff Goldman, Amy DeGiulio, Sugar Flower Cake Shop, and a number of other celebrity guests will host The World's Largest Bake Sale at Grand Central terminal tomorrow to benefit The Food Bank of New York! Be there!

Cake Alchemy at 2011 New York Weddings Event

Meetup members Marisol and Cathy during a workshop with Chef Lauri.

2011 is looking pretty sweet for Chef Lauri Ditunno and crew at  Cake Alchemy.  Lauri is scheduled to  appear at the 2011 New York Weddings Event at the Metropolitan Pavilion, Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 5-8 PM.  Next week NBC's Today show will feature one of Lauri's fabulous cakes. Cake Alchemy has also been featured on several seasons of Amazing Wedding Cakes and Food Network Cake Challenge.

NYC Cake Decorators first Meetup with Lauri was a Cake Tasting and Q&A at her former shop The Cake Atelier in 2007.  Since that time NYC Cake Decorators has held several fabulous workshops with Lauri and her talented staff.  We are looking forward to partnering with Cake Alchemy for more fun workshops this year.

Lauri teaches selected cake and cupcake classes at her shop.  Contact Cake Alchemy for the details.

Chocolate Easter Bunny!

This sweet chocolate bunny created by Andie's Specialty Sweets is just waiting for a home. Purchase a dozen hand made chocolate bunnies at andiesspecialitysweets virtual shop on Etsy or use the design as inspiration for your own sweet confection.

Make Your Own Copper Cookie Cutters!

Ever wanted a speciality cookie cutter design you couldn't find anywhere? Let Roots and Wings Co.'s tutorial show you how.

New! Easter Peeps Cupcake Liners

For the newbie cake decorator or cupcake foodie, Fancy Flours is selling cupcake liners in brilliant spring colors fit for your best Peep cupcake ensemble this Easter.  Fancy Flours also has a neat tutorial on how to create this sweet confection.

Tie-Dye Cookie Tutorial!

Get your tie-dye on and learn how to create this cool cookie design at Sweet Sugar Belle!

Photo AlbumCelebrity cookies and cakesThe perfect treats to spice up any Os

Edible Cookie Art!

Art Gallery Cookies promotes the work of new and established artists with their one-of-a-kind cookies. Each cookie collection is executed by a different artist who receives a commission upon the sale of their sweet collection. The Jazz Collection shown here was painted by The Wall Flower Studio.

Cake Pop Maker at Babycakes!

Riding the wave of cake pop mania, owed to talented and resourceful Bakerella, Babycakes has come up with a neat little gizmo that can bake up a mess of cake pops before you can say "chocolate ganache".

It's Spring!

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. " ~Ruth Stout

Spring is my favorite time of year and tulips are my favorite spring flower.  These breathtaking tulip sugar flowers were created by member Mercedes. Mercedes has been designing cakes for almost three years and learned how to create the gumpaste flowers at a class taught by Juan Arache, Sugar Room.

Nifty Cupcake Baking Cups at Bake it Pretty!

Red Victorian StayBrite Baking Cups sold at "Bake It Pretty" are a new product that is foil lined to ensure that cupcake liners stay vibrant after baking. They are so sturdy that you don't even need a cupcake pan.

Cake Love's Warren Brown's Tips for Success!

Ashley Vicos Stars in "Have Cake, Will Travel" on Food Network!

Ashley Viscos is one of my favorite 3D cake designers and I was so excited to get a call from Ashley today!

The cake buzz is that Ashley will star in Food Network's sweetest show "Have Cake, Will Travel" which will premiere on Tuesday, April 26th at 9 PM.  Sneak Preview on Sunday, April 24th at 10 PM.

The new series will follow Ashley and crew around the country creating jaw-dropping 3D cakes for all occasions.

The show was filmed in New York City but Ashley is back in Atlanta today, preparing for another round of cake jaunts throughout the nation.

However, Ashley hopes to be back in the Tri-State area around April or May, when we hope to meetup over lunch or cocktails. Follow Ashley's adventures on Facebook!

Shop Till You Drop!

Love to shop? Then you will just love creating your own Shopping Bag cake with Chef Janet Ben-Ami and the NYC Cake Decorators Meetup next month. For details, contact Dina at nyccakedecorators@yahoo.com.  Chef Janet will also be sharing her love of 3D cake design at NY Cake and Baking Distributors  and The Front Street Bakery in Rockville Centre!  Contact them directly for details. Happy Caking!

Cake Stackers No Stress Topsy Turvy Cake Construction Kit

Ever stress about whether your tiered cake is doweled sufficiently? Cake Stackers cake stand system takes the stress out of tiered cake construction.




Want to make topsy turvy cakes the old-fashioned way? Check out this Topsy Turvy Cake tutorial at My Sweet and Saucy!

$10,000 Cupcake Challenge!

Your creativity with cupcakery could win you $10,000 in the Jelly Belly $10,000 cupcake challenge. For more details and to enter visit The Jelly Belly $10,000 Cupcake Challenge.

Baby Cupcakes Tutorial!

Perfect for a baby shower, this cute video is one of the free tutorials available at My Cake School.

Posh Box for your Cupcakes!

Show off your cupcakes in style with this little gem of a cupcake box at Bakers Bling Shop on Etsy. Sold in sets of 3 boxes, each box holds up to four cupcakes.

Butch Bakery - Not Yo' Mamma's Cupcakery!

Butch Bakery, NYC, makes manly cupcakes with cool ingredients like beer. The tasty cupcakes appeal to men and the women who love them. The Jackhammer, B-52, and Big Papi cupcakes are not the cupcakes mama used to make.  I want to try a Big Papi--cupcake, that is!

Death by Cupcake! Sweet and Sexy!

Death by Cupcake specializes in whimsical custom made sweets. These vintage pin up girl cupcake toppers are hand cut and painted - no cutters or printers used.  You can purchase these sassy toppers and shop for 97 other items made by Death by Cupcake, at their Etsy virtual storefront.

April 2011 Cake of the Month

This "embroidered"beauty was created by member Elyse. Elyse has been a cake decorator for about 15 years, 10 years as a professional cake designer. She took a break to have two beautiful daughters but plans to go back to making cakes full time in June.

Fat Bubble Tea Straws a Great Tool for Cake Decorating!

Bubble Tea is a tea-infused cold drink you can eat. The "bubbles" in the tea are created from chewy tapioca balls.  You sip the tea with fat bubble tea straws. Bubble Tea shops are popping up in New York City Asian markets and on the lower East Side.

In many cases, Fat Bubble Tea straws can also be used as a substitute for wooden dowels and plastic pillars.  The straws can be cheaper and easier to cut than wooden dowels. They also push into the cake with relative ease. Not in New York City? You can shop for Fat Bubble Tea Straws online.

Tech Meets Art - Use Your iPad for Cake Decorating!

The iPad is a marvelous tool for cake decorators. It can be effectively used as your portfolio, holding photos of your cakes, videos of your venues and/or techniques, testimonials and such.  With a sketch app you can also use the iPad during your client interviews.

Mom Has Sugar Attack and Trashes Cupcake Shop!

These delicious cupcakes were designed by member Annette, Ladybugluggage.

Talk about your sugar withdrawal, a mom went into a rage and trashed a cupcake shop after being told the shop ran out of her favorite cupcake flavor.  Check out the story posted in the Daily Mail.

Fondant 2D China Doll Cake

I came across this neat video on creating a Fondant China Doll Cake.  Really cute, reminds me a little of Tokidoki characters. For your spring parties use cherry blossoms, hydrangea, or peonies.

Bring Home the Baking: Recipe for Success Seminar

View of the kitchen space at Mi Kitchen Es Su Kitchen, Long Island City, New York

The Entrepreneur's Space is a City-sponsored business incubator in Queens to help food-related business start-ups across New York City. It consists of a 24/7 commercial kitchen under the name, Mi Kitchen Es Su Kitchen on the ground floor, and office space on the second floor, which services more than 100 entrepreneurs in establishing and growing successful companies.

The Entrepreneur Space will hold a Recipe for Success Seminar: Starting and Growing Your Food Business from March 22, 2011 through May 31, 2011, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Subjects covered will include:

• Setting Yourself Up for Business
• Marketing for Success
• Managing Your Business Operations
• Information Technology for Small Businesses
• From Home to Commercial Space
• Developing Your Product/Price
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Legal Structures and Issues
• Financing Your Business
• Writing a Business Plan

Tuition is $150.00 for the seminar series.  It is recommended that you register by March 15, 2011. For more information contact 718.263.0546. To arrange a tour of Mi Kitchen Es Su Kitchen call 718.392.0025 x 150.  Good Luck!

Cake Buzz: Cupcakes with Buddy Valestro!

Join Buddy Valestro ("Cake Boss") and his family for a fun afternoon in Hoboken, sampling purple cupcakes for the benefit of the Anita Kaufmann Foundation. Demos, book signings and more! Please wear purple to show your support.

Visit http://cupcakeswithbuddy.charityhappenings.org or call 201-655-0420 for more information or to purchase tickets.  See you there!

Spring Fever Give Away!

Have you caught the fever!!! Spring is almost here and it's time to work on our spring confections or to finally learn how to decorate a cake!

NYC Cake Decorators receives lots of emails and requests to offer workshops for beginner cake decorators.  We are working on some great class ideas and thought it would be great to jumpstart the season by giving away a copy of Wilton Cake Decorating Beginner's Guide to two lucky readers. The booklet is full of great tips and hints--great for the newbie decorator or anyone who wants to freshen and perfect their technique.


All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this post of the most amazing cake you ever saw by Friday, March 25, 2011, 11:59pm EST.

Two lucky winners will be notified by email, so leaving an email address with your comment is a must. Contest is only open to residents in the United States.

Good Luck and Happy Caking!!!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER.  CONGRATULATIONS TO ROSIE AND QUEENS OF SWEET! Enjoy the book!

St. Paddy's Day Cakes

Cake designed by member/instructor Chef Janet Ben-Ami, owner, Hey! Cookie. 

As we enjoy a little luck this holiday, "May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night"
(Irish saying)

March 2011 Cake of the Month

This exquisite cake was designed by member Marcos Pena.  A self-taught cake decorator, Marcos exemplifies how "practice makes perfect"and that passion for sugar art can result in such beautiful creations.