Sweet Aniela's

Summer Fun!

2010-08-13T12:34:00.000-04:00

Hi All - Well my friend's neice, Khume, had asked me to make an ice cream cake for her. My initial reaction was "Do I look like Baskin Robbins"! Even though, I love their icecream cake song:-) Against my better judgement I said yes I will try. I just couldn't say no to that face!

I did my research, like I always do when making something new, and found the actual Baskin Robbin's ice cream cake recipe. I just used my own red velvet cake receipt and topped if off with some vanilla fudge ice cream with vanilla ice cream as a frosting. I thought I had this in the bag, until I realized I didn't have enough room in my freezer. Well after I threw out half the things in my freezer, ice cream all over the kitchen and huge fight with my husband, I was able to accomplish this little/huge task. HA! All went well, until we had to transport it to New Jersey. I said to myself...what was I thinking to perform this miracle! LOL! I ran to the store for a cooler and ice and was able to make my own little transportable freezer. It turned out perfect and Khume was thrilled! I'm glad, 'cause I'm not making another:-)

Summer Garden & A Night in Espana!

2010-07-30T12:02:00.015-04:00

I'm so glad this week is over! It has truly been a roller coaster, but I persevered. As I mentioned in my last blog, I was working on these two cakes, both due the same day!! I wouldn't mind if they were small cakes, no sweat! But they were large cakes and detailed. And you know how nervous I get anyway with decorating. So this certainly had me drinking 3 cups of coffee in one day and I'm not a big coffee drinker, yikes!

One cake was made for Dr. Melissa Kanes from Chiropractor for Prevention. It was a "Flamenco Dancing" theme. Well, I didn't do so good with making the dancer out of gum paste. Poor girl was missing a limb, and that can't be good, lol! So I opted for one of those fake 1/2 Barbie dolls that you just stick in the cake, but I was still having trouble making a gum paste dress. I think I was just too overwhelmed and impatient, and for all of you that know me, know what I'm talking about. BUT it was a hit and Melissa cried when she saw it, YAY!

I have to give a big "THANKS" to my girl Brianna, for stepping in and helping me out! She saw my dilemma and her "Project Runway" skills just took over! That 1/2 Barbie was styling and ready to top that cake! So take a look and both of our handy work.

The second cake was for one of the ladies that work where I get treated for physical therapy. She needed a cake for her friend's bridal shower, which was a nice summer theme. Not just any cake, a 2-tiered cake. Folks just like to give me a challenge, lol! So again, we searched for a design and came up with this. And AGAIN, thank you to Bri for helping me out in decorating, it came out lovely.

It was a lot of work and a little stressful, but in the end it was all good. So stay tuned for more to come!

Happy Baking!

Heatwave Can't Stop Us!

2010-07-27T08:54:00.002-04:00

The last couple of weeks have been unbearably hot! I can't think straight, sleep right or eat (well maybe that is a good thing) due to this heat, let alone bake! But that hasn't stopped people from placing orders with me (Thank You to my customers!).

This week I have two large cakes to make and I mistakenly said I can make something that I don't have experience in, gumpaste people! Well I did make a little baby and a giraffe for my girlfriend's baby shower cake and that came out nice. I was surfing the net a few days ago looking for advice, videos, chat rooms about the subject and came across this woman's blog: Extra Icing on the Cake. Her name is Lorraine McKay from London and WOW is she talented! She offers online tutorials on how to make these gumpaste people, can you believe! I was so excited to find something like that.

So I think I'm going to get some 5-hour energy shots, drink a big glass of cold water and go for it! I'm going to attempt to make a little flamenco dancer girl as a topper to a cake.

Stay tuned....

Cupcakes for a Cause!

2010-07-16T09:35:00.009-04:00

A big "Thank You" to all of those that contributed to The Great American Bake sale to help end child hunger. It was a great turnout and alot of goodies too! Thank you to Dr. Melissa Kanes for opening her office to me and for her staff for the tremendous help they gave me in setting up.

It was alot of hard work, but it paid off. Alot of great things to choose from and great support from co-workers, family and friends. Thank you all! Check out the pics from the sale and the new website, http://www.sweetanielas.com/, thanks to my girl Melanie Jarzyniecki, she rocks!

There were the all time favorites flavors to choose from like: Red Velvet and Carrot Cake; Yellow and Double Chocolate Cake

New flavors like: Coconut Almond and Key Lime.

And we can't forget the most popular Cake and Cheesecake pops!

People seemed to enjoy it all!

Many thanks to everyone it was a blast and went to a good cause! Until we bake again!

Bake Sale Thursday, July 15th!

2010-07-12T18:06:00.000-04:00

Hi All,

Well my bake sale is coming up real soon! I'm so tired already I don't know how I'm going to get this done. But somehow I always do! At this point, I'm dreaming about cupcakes every waking minute LOL!

If you are in the area, stop by my good friend's office, Dr. Melissa Kanes, who owns Chiropractic for Prevention. It will be at 127 E 56th Street, (between Park/Lex) 6th floor from 1pm-2pm and 5pm-7pm. There will be lots of goodies and a portion will be donated to the Great American Bake Sale, to help end child hunger.

Hope to see you there!

Cupcake of the Month!

2010-07-01T17:09:00.001-04:00

This month the flavor that everyone has been going crazy for is Key Lime with Whipped Cream! This is the ultimate summer treat! Take a break from the chocolates and vanilla and keep cool this month with a flavor that is sure to please all of your tastebuds!

Leisl's 1st Baby Shower!

2010-05-02T13:10:00.008-04:00

Whew! What a weekend! My dear friend had her first baby shower for her new baby boy. We all wanted to do something special for her, but you know me, biting off more than I can chew or bake in this case! Well, I'm happy to say that it turned out very nice. I had a lot of help and great support. Thank you to Cherry Ann and her family/friends who helped me that day, and for letting me use your kitchen! I couldn't have done it without you.

We pulled an all nighter to get these homemade baby block favors out. The mommy-to-be really wanted these favors so we were trying to make it happen. And we pulled it off, right ladies!!

The baby shower cake was a jungle theme, the same as the shower theme. All I could get done was a baby giraffe and little baby "Junebug" *aka* Thomas Elijah Smith. I tried to get more animals done but time and my poor fingers wouldn't allow me to do it. It was good practice and a great experience. Just another stepping stone to being more creative with cakes. My hat goes off to all you experienced bakers out there, it is truly a gift what you have!

Stay tuned for upcoming cake events! Have a great summer!

Mardi Gras Cake

2010-01-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

I was asked to make a 3-tier cake for a 50th birthday party. I saw the photo they had that they wanted me to imitate from Cakes by May. I took on the project with much ambition. But when I actually started making it, I realized how difficult this project was for one person. My hats go off to all those bakers out there who have a team to work with. It came out pretty good, but I still have a way to go. Thanks to Crystal for having the confidence in me to produce this colorful cake for her.

Football Season Is Here

2009-12-07T22:43:00.001-05:00

Our friend Emmanuel is a big NY Giants fan. So I made a cake for him honoring his love for the game. It's not perfect, but it's a start:-)

New Beginnings!

2009-10-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

Well a lot has been going on since the Revlon Walk. I GOT MARRIED!!!

So I took a little break from baking for a bit, but I'm back up and running!

Revlon Cancer Walk May 2009!

2009-05-04T17:22:00.001-04:00

Hi All! Just wanted to let you know what was up with me. I ran or rather, walked, for the Revlon Woman's Walk this past Saturday and boy was it a lot of fun. I did it last year and it was such a great turnout, not to mention for a great cause, that I chose to do it again this year.

This year, like last year, I had a bake sale to raise money for the walk. What a successful event!!! I'm pleased to say that everyone came out and supported the cause. We raised some much needed donations and I'm so glad that it went well. Hopefully, we can do it again next year:-)

Here are some photos of the goodies that were presented at the bake sale. Thank you to everyone who helped and those that bought. Your donations were very much appreciated!

Blue Mini's!

2009-03-06T08:30:00.003-05:00

Here's my first order of mini cupcakes! I know your like, "So What"!!! But it was a big deal to me because it was my first 100 cupcake order! Wowzer!! My co-worker ordered it for her friend's 40th birthday and I didn't want to mess this up, yikes!

It wasn't as bad as I thought and they were so cute. I was freakin' out about the blue icing because I wanted it to look just right and they came out great! Maybe I'll make some for my own upcoming 40th B-Day! Check out the photos and of the b-day girl!

Stay tuned for more cake adventures with Sweet Aniela's!

New Up & Coming!

2009-02-13T12:43:00.002-05:00

I went from a blast surge of Red Velvet and Carrot cakes to "Coconut Almond" and "Lemon Coconut" flavored cakes! I made them and tested them out to my co-workers. The Lemon Coconut was a flavor one of my co-workers, Brianna, thought up and it was a hit!

My co-worker, Anne, ordered the heart-shaped cake for her fiance for Valentine's Day. They loved it!

Cake Truffles!

There are these cake bites from my favorite baker, Bakerella! She is awesome, if ever you get a chance go check out her site at http://bakerella@blogspot.com

I made these and even though they are not as good as her's, it came out well. And everyone LOVED them!

This is what it looks like inside, not great of a picture but Oh so Yummy!:

Fondant Tryouts

2009-01-23T22:24:00.002-05:00

I was asked to make a cake with fondant icing. Even though I've taken classes by my mentor Cara Linn, I still was a little nervous about doing this. This is my first hand at a cake for order.

One was for a my friend Kelly's birthday and the other was for a baby shower. They both turned out well and having chocolate fondant helped tremendously. I'm looking forward to trying more of these cakes. Until next time....

Attack of the Red Velvet Cakes!!!

2008-12-31T17:16:00.007-05:00

Xmas brought alot of great orders. Thank you to all that ordered cakes from me, you sure did keep me busy! After the tasting I had a few weeks ago, many folks needed orders for the upcoming holiday.

Red Velvet cakes and cupcakes were a hit! Everyone mostly wanted that and none other. And why not, those moist little red goodies are addicting! I should know!

Here are some pictures of the cakes and cupcakes.

Bella's Sampling

2008-12-12T10:51:00.004-05:00

Hi All! Yesterday I hosted a small sampling of some of my sweets to boost the winter/holiday orders. Thanks to all my friends in the office that helped me put it together, it was a complete hit! I wish I had my camera to take some photos, but I will next time I promise:-)

Everyone loved the new winter flavors like: Cappuccino cake w/Mocha Frosting; Apple Streusel Cupcakes; Egg Nog Cheesecake and Orange Cheesecake w/Raspberry Sauce, YUM!!

Some of the oldies but goodies were: Red Velvet cake; Double Chocolate cake and Carrot cake.

They seem to always be the most requested cakes. So if you looking for something homemade to bring to family/friend's house for dinner, be sure to look me up sweet_bellas@yahoo.com

Cherry Ann's Bridal Shower

2008-10-20T16:14:00.005-04:00

What a weekend! I was on double duty making cakes for my friend's bridal shower. I made one cake from an umbrella cake mold as a gift to the bride and the second was a Jamaican Rum Cake or Black Cake.

I must admit, trying to get this cake right was a little nerve wrecking, but I prevailed. For my first try, I received alot of positive feedback and a few tips on the way. I also tried my hand at using fondant on the rum cake, newly learned by my friend Cara from Cara Linn's Cakes [www.caralinncakes.com]. I hope to be using fondant again, it was alot of fun!

Lauren's Birthday

2008-10-16T12:00:00.006-04:00

Today was my co-worker, Lauren's birthday, with her cute self! Her favorite cake is Red Velvet, so, of course, one was ordered for her from Sweet Bella's. She was very surprised and loved it. Thanks to our friend and former co-worker, Linda for placing an order....Thanks Linda!!!

Although the decorating skills are minimal, what we lack in decor, we definitely make up in taste! Hey that should be a new slogan for me! Until the next cake....:-)

Bridal Shower Cupcakes

2008-09-18T17:11:00.017-04:00

One of the girls had a small bridal shower for our co-worker, Marie, and I was asked to make some cupcakes.

I found this cute cupcake picture on Martha Stewart's website and used that example. You make your standard cupcakes and roll out some fondant (in the color of your choice) and make cut outs with a heart shaped cookie cutter. I used a edible writing pen and wrote the bride groom's initial's. And just add them to your already frosted cupcakes! The roses I did were from Bakerella, she's awesome with her great ideas. Or you can do the first letter of the last name. The bride was very pleased and surprised!

The Happy Bride and Groom!
Piece of cake!

What's New??

2008-09-05T17:20:00.000-04:00

Those that know me, know that I just LOVE to bake! I've been sending sweet gifts out to my friends and family for years and decided to see if I can make a go at a small business. Life is too short, you might as well do something you love, right?

Here are a few of my goodies! I'm working on the decorating part, but I guarantee you the taste is out of this world!