Easter Brunch?

Having an Easter morning brunch? This yummy waffles and syrup cake might just do the trick.  This cake was designed by member Barbra.

Digital Day - Working with a Wacom Tablet

If you were in a creative profession before you got bitten with the cake decorating bug, you probably already know about or own a wacom in one form or another.  The wacom is a device that you attach to your desktop which allows you to draw and "paint" as easily as with a pen or art bush on paper.  A wacom  laptop tablet is a functional laptop. You draw directly on the screen and you have at your fingertips an amazing array of colors and textures.  The wacom tablet is portable like any laptop, so you can draw your amazing cake design before or at your client meeting and then file or email the sketch; write notes (just like you would with pen and paper) and also download a number of multimedia software--so you can carry your digital/video portfolio with you.  The downside is that it's heavier and more expensive than an iPad but if you already have access to one--you can definitely use it to enhance your cake decorating business.

2D Wine Bottle Class Chef Janet Ben-Ami Style!



Chef Janet Ben-Ami and member Shameeka are all smiles as Shameeka shows off her 2D Wine Bottle Cake created in Janet's class last Sunday.

Cake Pops Gift Box!

Don't you love to make cake pops? My problem was how to present them. This cute little cake pop gift box by Kitchen Krafts shows off your cake pops in style. You just insert the sticks into the base which holds 8 cake pops. Two boxes come in a pack and retails for $5.95.

Pink Cake Box Shoebox & High Heel Shoe Cake Tutorial

Cupcake Competition for Bakers and Decorators!

These scrumptious cupcakes were made by member, Christina, owner Wonderfully Made Cakes.

Save the date! Diane Shavkin, cake decorator extraordinaire, cake show judge, and owner of The Magic Touch, is hosting a Cupcake Competition in upstate New York!

When: Saturday, September 17, 2011. 
Where:  St. Joachim's Church's McKinley Hall, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY.

Divisions: (1)  Tasting Competition and (2) Decorative Competition.  Ages 4 and up will be eligible to enter.  There will be pre-registration called, "Attendee Registration" for all those who would like to enter and/or take classes, and General Admission for those who just want to see the show. All funds will go to the First Presbyterian Church for those in need.  The lunch food sales will be conducted by St. Joachim's members.

Information and forms for the "Cupcake Competition for Bakers and Decorators" will be posted in May.  
Any questions or suggestions, please contact Diane Shavkin, Event Coordinator, The Magic Touch.

Make a Lace Mold with "Make Your Own Molds"

Mold making skills are becoming a must for cake designers who want to bling their cakes with cake "jewelry", embellish with isomalt champagne and beer bottles, or drape their cakes with lace or other unique designs.  "Make your own Molds" is a great place to start and I thought you would like to view their tutorial for making lace molds.  They also have a very thorough free video tutorial on making sugar beer bottles using silicone plastique.

Cake & Cupcake Biz Roundtable at Sugar Flower Shop!

This lovely cake ensemble was created by member Cathy, a prop stylist by day and cake designer by night.

Join the NYC Cake Decorators at the Sugar Flower Shop's after work  Cake & Cupcake Biz Roundtable on Thursday, April 21, 2011and learn all you need to know to open a successful cake business in New York City!

Amy, owner Sugar Flower Shop is a successful business owner in NYC. Besides selling her realistic sugarflowers, Amy also sells custom cakes. The Sugar Flower Shop has received much recent buzz, which includes but is not limited to, Weddings, The Knot, WEtv, Brides New York, and Wedding Wire.  Amy is also a recipient of 2010 Brides Choice Award and her sugar designs are featured in the Fall 2010 issue of Martha Stewart's Weddings. The Sugar Flower Shop was featured by the STYLE Network as part of the "Art of Cakes II" wedding cake special. She was also on the Martha Stewart Show, and a culinary presenter at Macy's Flower Show.  The Roundtable class fee is $60.00. For  more information, contact Dina at nyccakedecorators@yahoo.com

Beer Bottle-Ice Bucket Cake Class At The Sugar Flower Shop!

Join the NYC Cake Decorators at The Sugar Flower Shop this May and learn how to make this amazing Beer Bottle/Ice Bucket Cake! For information contact Dina at nyccakedecorators@yahoo.com

Cannoli Tubes: A DIY Cake Corer

A cake corer is an essential tool in the creation of many 3D sculpted cakes. I went on an online search and I couldn't find anyone who sells a cake corer. The plastic corer shown above is discontinued according to Wilton's website.

I've read that you can use a cannolli tubes to core a cake. Anyone try it?  Anyone have any other tips on how to core a cake? Let me know.

Sugar Chef's Purse Cake Tutorial

I came across this two part tutorial from Sugar Chef.  The tutorial highlights part of an actual class, which is different from a lot of tutorials on You Tube. I think there is enough great info for a savvy cake designer to duplicate on their own. Tell me what you think!

Purse Cakes are in very much demand and this type of class is a favorite in NYC Cake Decorators.  Last year we held four different purse cake classes taught by such talented cake designers as Chef Anne Heap, Pink Cake Box, Irene Likokas, Sweet Irene's, and Chef Janet Ben-Ami, Hey! Cookie.

Wilton 3D Lamb Cake Pan Giveaway!

Wilton's 3D Lamb Cake pan giveaway is just in time for the holidays, and it's not to late to enter. Visit
Wilton's Blog and leave a comment by 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. Five cake pans will be given to lucky readers. Wilton also has a neat cake recipe and instructions on how to decorate the cake.
Good Luck!

Digital Days on the Blog! - #1 HTML

So you want to share your passion for cake decorating with the world by setting up your own cake, cookie or cupcake website, or you want to brag about your eating adventures on a blog? A little knowledge of HTML will go a long way to helping our voice stand out among the crowd.

Many free website ready-made templates are rather confining but you can tweak the header and format a little with a basic knowledge of HTML Code . Banners can be found free online (watch out for those pesky pop-ups) or you can make your own banner with a program like Adobe Photoshop. No, you don't have to be a computer whiz to use Adobe Photoshop. I can use it and I am far from being an expert. You can download a free trial and make your banner and other graphic designs - such as "grab buttons"-for your website or blog during the Adobe Photoshop trial period.

If you want a more custom designed website, you can purchase one of the many professional templates online for under $100.00 and with basic knowledge of HTML, create your website and upload onto a server like GoDaddy dot com. No time? Hire a college student to do it for you. Try Pratt, School of Visual Arts, or New York Institute of Technology, or maybe your neighbor's kid down the block. The student can create a custom professional looking website for you for pennies on the dollar, and with basic knowledge of HTML, you can update your website yourself.

Don't know how to decorate but want to blog about it?  If you can't create your own cakes, cupcakes and cookies to display on your foodie blog, you can download totally free license, royalty free photos as a banner, reference, or inspiration, at Morgue File. To use the photos you only need to tweak them a little before you post them online.

Rosa's Sushi Cake!

Continuing with my theme of April Fool's, I wanted to share this fabulous Sushi Cake made by member Rosa. Rosa is a self-taught cake designer. Looks yummy doesn't it?

Bake Sale for Japan Relief

The March 11th earthquake and subsequent tsunami left hundred of thousands of families in Japan in a state of dire need.  April 2, 2011 was a nation-wide bakesale in America for Japan earthquake relief. Families, food bloggers, restaurants, shops big and small, cake and cupcake clubs, baked, bought, and donated for a great cause. If you missed the Big Bakesale yesterday, there are many other ways you can help. Donate to the Red Cross by phone at 1-800-Red Cross (English), 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at Red Cross dot org. NYC Cake Decorators will do our part and send a donation to the American Red Cross this week.

Ice Cream Sundae Cake

Today is the 119th Anniversary of the first documented ice cream sundae.  I saw this confection online and couldn't resist telling you all about it .  This yummy ice cream sundae is really a clever cake created by Dollhouse Cakes.

Wanna Cricut Cake?

Everyday Cricut will giveaway a Cricut Cake Machine this week! The drawing for the winner will take place tomorrow, April 3, 2011,  so don't delay, visit Circut Holiday dot com today!

VanillaBeanBaker's Edible Easter Basket Tutorial!

Just in time for the Easter Bunny, you can make this sweet royal icing Easter Basket with a step-by-step tutorial at Vanilla Bean Baker!

Cupcake Biz Class 4/11

Photo courtesy of member Quinton Bailey, owner My Fluff 'n Stuff.

Join Cupcakes Takes the Cake Meetup on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 6:30pm and learn the ins and out of the competitive cupcake business. The Cupcake Business Class takes place at New Work City, 412 Broadway, Fl 2, New York NY 10013, 212-226-1585. Admission is $50.00 per person.

Digital Days on the Blog!

Starting this Monday, April 4th, be sure to check out my Digital Day post! Digital Days posted twice a month will give news, tips, and hints on how technology can be used in cake, cupcake, and cookie businesses.

Vote Online for America's Cupcake Queen 2011!

Are you crazy about your local cupcake bakery? Now is your chance to give them a shout  and vote for them to win the title of "America's Cupcake Queen 2011". Voting and bragging is done online at WhillyBermudezDotCom, on Facebook.

Katy Perry Inspired Cupcake Dress on Etsy!

Katy Perry recently wore this scrumptious Cupcake Dress while on tour.

Glamtastik is selling a Katy Perry inspired custom Cupcake fabric corset dress on Etsy for  $315.00.

Silver Spoon Bakery Holds Cupcake Contest for Charity!

These cupcakes were designed by member Jeanette.

Silver Spoon Bakery, a bake shop that specializes in traditional and gluten-free treats is holding its first "Caring with Cupcakes" online contest to discover its next best cupcake. Name and design your cupcake flavors and if selected as the winner, Silver Spoon Bakery will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of your special cupcake to your favorite charity and feature your winning cupcake on Facebook!  To enter visit Silver Spoon Bakery website or Facebook page! The winner will be announced on April 30th!

April Fool's Day!

This photo courtesy of cake designer/member Heather.

Look carefully at the photo above. I've looked at it again and again, and if I didn't know it was a cake, I sure would not believe it!  This extraordinary cake was created by new member Heather. Heather is a trained artist, illustrator, and designer who graduated from Parsons School of Design.  She was bitten by the cake decorating bug last year.

What I find so amazing is the attention to detail right down to the embroidery appliques, folds in the "fabric" and the beading. A truly fitting confection for April Fool's Day!