Summer Fun!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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.