I'm about to make you forget what Mickey Mouse looks like. Impossible, you say? Then WATCH THIS: It's slipping away, isn't it? Is this right? Can you tell? IS THIS REAL LIFE? And finally, here's one from a vintage cake decorating book that proves they just don't make 'em like the … | Continue reading
I love a good hand-piped logo wreck. It says, "YAY TEAM!" without all that pretentious "artistry" and/or "talent." For instance, bakers, you know that maybe three people in the world could recreate this logo in buttercream: You KNOW it. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try! Re … | Continue reading
Much like land wars in Asia and dealing with your in-laws, ordering a cake is all about keeping certain information to yourself. You don't leak state secrets, you don't say you hated last Sunday's casserole, and you never, EVER, tell a baker what size to write the 75: BIG MISTAKE … | Continue reading
Last week someone in a Facebook group I belong to asked a question that made the rest of us sit up and take notice. The question was, "Does my arm look like a turkey leg?" And you guys, it totally did. It turns out this is intentional; Rachel here is dressing up as Thanksgiving D … | Continue reading
Cake Wrecks presents: Famous Wreckerators of the Past! Shakespeare: To b or not to b, that was the question. Ivan Pavlov: I don't know the dog's name, but something here is ringing a bell. Count Dracula: Yes. Yes you do. Pandora: I haven't even opened the box, and I've already lo … | Continue reading
It's Fall, y'all, which means pumpkins, pumpkins, EVERYWHERE: (With Love & Confection) I've never been a huge pumpkin pie fan, but cake? YES, PLEASE. And while orange IS my favorite color, I'm still utterly smitten with these white pumpkins: (By MadHouse Bakes) And get this: the … | Continue reading
Not everyone is fully fluent in text speak and common abbreviations, so let's cut these couples a little slack, mkay? Right after we finish laughing, I mean. (facepalmheaddesk)* *Do Not Attempt Hey, guys! You've just make the most serious vow of either of your lifetimes. OR DID Y … | Continue reading
According to my calendar, minions, this is the week we're supposed to write our letters to Santa. Which makes sense if you think about it; Santa needs time to find or make our stuff (screen-accurate Stay Puft costumes don't just grow on trees), and then our postal system needs ti … | Continue reading
"Hello? Yes, I'd like to order a cake that looks like my husband's Audi. That's right, an Audi. And could you make it a nice coppery brown? Thanks!" [Later that day] Alisha E., don't tell me that's not really what happened, because I choose to believe it is. So there. ***** Thank … | Continue reading
Technically Veterans Day was yesterday here in the U.S., but since a lot of us get today off to celebrate, CELEBRATE WE SHALL. Veterans Day is all about honoring those who have and are serving in our country's military. There are lots of great ways to do this: This is not one of … | Continue reading
It may not be rain on your wedding day, but these cakes are still a little too ironic. [grabbing microphone] HIT IT! It's like loving journalism ... but not kerning! It's a "good job" that needs some learning. It's the winner's cake that SHOULD be burning! And who would have thou … | Continue reading
I don't have a specific theme for you today, unless maybe "cakes that made Jen squee like a little girl" is a theme. Oh, it is? EXCELLENT. (By Scrum Diddly) Whoah. That bottom layer is done in a "billow weave," and this is one of the best examples I've seen. (Here's a tutorial, i … | Continue reading
I know we've all been tempted sometimes, minions, but these people actually did it. UP TOP! ON THE TRAY! IN THE FLAY! Er, flag. She meant flag. But I guess this works. And extra credit to the teacher who did NOT tell her baker where to stick it, but instead handed over a notepad … | Continue reading
And now, as a service to our readers' dieting endeavors: 7 MORE Things That Should Never Be On Cake 7. Anything that looks like a spleen Also, why is the spleen the go-to organ for icky descriptions? You never hear someone say, "Hey, that organesque thing sure looks like a gallbl … | Continue reading
Fall is officially upon us here in Florida, as evidenced by the fact that it's a blustery 78 degrees outside tonight. (Don't worry; I've already broken out the scarves, sweaters, furry boots, and electric blanket, just to be safe.) The other way you can tell it's Fall, though - b … | Continue reading
Katy P.'s father-in-law recently retired after 27 years with the fire department. Naturally, his fellow fire fighters ordered an appropriately decorated cake to celebrate: (You know what my favorite part of this Fire Department Theme cake is? The balloons.) Thanks to Katy for sho … | Continue reading
It's National Common Sense Day, minions, but how "common" is it, really? Hmmm? When your faith in reading comprehension is also (crooked) and (going down). Candice asked them to write Skye with an E. Such a shame the baker didn't have enough room to write out "birthday." OH WAIT … | Continue reading
Confession Time: as much as I love all the Sweets I feature, it's the kids' cakes that thrill me the most. From classic childhood characters: (By Alana Lily Chocolates & Cakes) ...to more modern favorites: (By Sugar Top Cakes) ...to squee-inducing cuteness I just want to snuggle: … | Continue reading
Ann ordered a beach theme cake, and asked the baker to write "Happy Birthday Lorenzo" on the ocean part. She got this: ...which has to be the first time a literal LOL actually pales in comparison to the butchered name of the birthday boy. Seriously, how do you turn "Lorenzo" into … | Continue reading
Happy Halloween, minions! Let’s go out with a bang, shall we? :D Bakeries get a lot of leeway this time of year, since Halloween is supposed to have ugly gross stuff: But there's raspberry jam soaked zombie faces, and then there's... uh... this: Took me a solid minute to figure i … | Continue reading
Barb E. asked for Navy icing: She got it. Cindy M. just wanted the initial "G" for her 14-year-old daughter - but I guess that was TOO simple? Jen and Pete asked the bakery to include paper plates and plastic silverware. Pauline ordered a cake that said, "I hate you for leaving!" … | Continue reading
Sure, Halloween gets all the hype, but did you know TONIGHT is actually the spookiest night of the year? That's right, minions, tonight... is Haunted Refrigerator Night. DUN DUN DUUUUUUN ::scream:: How do you know if your fridge is haunted? EASY. Just peek inside, and if you see … | Continue reading
Sittin' in the morning sun (oops) I like wreckin' 'til the evening comes! Stuffin' some flotsam in. Grab another cake and do it again. Yeah... I'm thinkin' they'll be dockin' my pay. I thought that's what they wanted to say! Oooo -oo -oo -ooo I'm thinkin' they'll be dockin' my pa … | Continue reading
I'm back with more Halloween goodies, spoops and ghouls! I didn't have anything too specific in mind for this week's theme, so I ended up with a boo-tiful mix of everything from Gothic Glam: (Cake Effect Buffalo, New York) ... to bright pastel eye candy. (Wonderfully Whitty Cakes … | Continue reading
Wrecky minion Aryn took this photo October 23rd: OCTOBER 23RD. So this bakery is selling Christmas cakes two major holidays before Christmas. Which would be awesome for pranking that friend who passed out after drinking too much, but otherwise... da heck? And if you think Christm … | Continue reading
It's Bat Appreciation Month, minions, and I'm sure we can all agree: bats of every kind are pretty amazing. Whether they're long and lumpy: Or short and girthy: Whether they have a huge, misshapen head: Or bend juuuust slightly to the right: Yep, bats are the bees knees, no matte … | Continue reading
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Bakery. I am your host, your ghost host. Hey, ghosts of tennis rackets make awesome servers. Ahem. Our tour begins here, in this grocery, where you see pictures of some of our residents in their corruptible, mortal display cases. Pilgrim o … | Continue reading
October is Pizza Month, minions, so this is a great time to go over a few reminders. Ahem hem hem. Bakers, repeat after me. "Pizza crust is not shiny." Bakers repeating en masse: "Pizza crust is not shiny." "Pizza crust is not held aloft by piles of poop." "Pizza crust is not hel … | Continue reading
Ever heard of Stanley Stinkbug? Yeah, me neither. Apparently he's a children's character who looks like this: As far as anthropomorphic bugs go, I guess he's not TOO terrifying. I'd put him somewhere between Heimlich the caterpillar and Hopper the evil grasshopper: Not a bug you' … | Continue reading
Good news, gang: we can officially go all-in on our Halloween celebrating, because it's less than two weeks away! Eeeee! And for those of who've been all-in on Halloween since August: I see you, and I approve. This week I thought I’d focus on one-tier cakes, because a) they’re cu … | Continue reading
[running in] YOU GUYS. I just found my new favorite wedding wreck. It's... LOOKING... at me. And once you see the face, that's all you'll see. The little puffball bowtie! The grumpy frown! The parade of heart butts on the bottom! It's... [wiping eyes]... It's just so beautiful. N … | Continue reading
What's that? You don't have a "moment of frustration" to scream about? ::looks around at all of 2024 like John Travolta lost in a Target:: Really? Nothing? Huh. Well, OK then, here come a few scream-worthy suggestions. They asked for a pink soccer ball cake, like this: But instea … | Continue reading
What do you think, worst proposal ever? I mean, it's misspelled and on a DONUT, for StayPuft's sake. Then again, if they say no, I suppose you could claim it was a joke ("I just meant I'm really cheerful!") and eat the evidence super quick. So hey, silver lining. I can't decide i … | Continue reading
I'm old. I know this because my shoulder hurts right now and I want to tell absolutely everyone about it. Also, I don't like the rap music. So when I hear of some unbearably trying-too-hard celebrity naming their kid Pirate* or Audio Science* or Banjo*, I get offended in a way th … | Continue reading
Right, minions, let's do this one by the numbers. Here's what Michael B. asked for: Aaaaand here's what he got: So something here clearly doesn't add up. And if you thought numbers were hard - which, let's be honest, you did not - imagine the issues a wreckerator might have tryin … | Continue reading
I’m feeling geeky this week so prepare to feast your eyeballs on 10 absolutely stunning Geek Chic wedding cakes. (Happy Occasions Cakes, UK) I love the teal accents with the silhouettes, and the offset tiers are so pretty! Next, another fandom near to my heart: (Sweet Delights Ca … | Continue reading
Minions, today I'm here to talk to you about strategic thinking. But that's boring, so lets call it STRATEGERY instead. You see, thinking ahead and forming a plan are at the very heart of the rough-and-tumble world of cake decorating. Observe: [squinting dramatically] STRATEGERY. … | Continue reading
Thanks to Cherity W. for the education. ***** And from my other blog, Epbot: | Continue reading
Today we celebrate... teddy bears. But not like that. NOT LIKE THAT!! After all, who here didn't have a comforting... cheerful... ...and completely non-creepy bear to snuggle as a kid? "ssssooooooooonnnn." Teddy bears are all about childhood innocence and fun. So hey, this seems … | Continue reading
They asked for a big number 8. They got it. And this one was to be ready by Wednesday: (Think if they'd had 'til Friday they could have used a decorator who WASN'T colorblind?) (Naaaah.) Remember that "Happy Birthday in Chinese" snafu? Well, for this next one they asked a French … | Continue reading
Today I’d like to complain about discuss your edible images, bakers, so first lets zip through the basics. First things first, run spell check. *facepalm* Off to a great start. Next, properly trim your image: ... and place it smoothly on the cake. Smoooooothly. Make sure it's rig … | Continue reading
Happy Fall, y'all! Yep, once it hits October I don't care HOW hot it is outside, it's time for autumn leaves on everything: (Cupcakes & Confetti, New Jersey) ...and big chunky sweaters: (Nana's Home Cakery, California) At least on our pumpkins. :D Seriously, though, can you belie … | Continue reading
I'll be the first to admit that a football helmet is not the easiest thing to draw: It's all round and confusing and stuff. BUT STILL. But still. Really, bakers? REALLY?? If you had no context, tell me you wouldn't think this was a cheese grater: And this was a happy whale: Here' … | Continue reading
Ever feel like bakers are speaking a whole 'nother language? WELL THEY'RE NOT. (Yes, yes, I realize you can't expect bakeries to know other languages. I also realize this is still funny.) I've learned over my years here at CW that if I don't understand a cake design, it's probabl … | Continue reading
Ahh, fall. The time of year that puts a little nip in the air - not to mention our bakeries! :D WHAT. Fall just officially started, but bakers are already WAY ahead of us: You can almost smell it, am I right? The Autumn air, I mean. Oh! And look! A poopkin! Ahh, how I've missed t … | Continue reading
Today I thought it'd be good to go over the five basic;... "punctuation" rules. Bakers, pay attention. Rule #1: Sometimes periods, question marks, and exclamation points are important. And they usually go at the end of the sentence. (But what if it's not mine?) Rule #2: Commas. U … | Continue reading
We all have a slightly irrational fear, right? Maybe it's sharks: or clowns: or - my personal favorite - creepy dolls: I think this is a chocolate Easter Bunny alternative for people who never want to sleep ever again. Creepy dolls freak out a lot of people, including my hubby Jo … | Continue reading
Nearly everyone I know is already in full Halloween mode, and I have to say, I approve. If this year has taught us anything, it's to celebrate the good stuff as much and as often as we can, so bring on the spooky! Still, it does feel a little early for Halloween Sweets, so this w … | Continue reading