We had an early Mother’s Day lunch for my grandmas this weekend so of course I’d offer to make a cake for the occasion. This was seriously THE most delicious vanilla cake ever. (Just don’t dare ask how much butter is in it! haha) I made this cake with strawberry filling and topped it with a cream cheese-cool whip frosting. Since my family hates buttercream, I had to find a last minute alternative. I was nervous about how the combo would taste since I never made it before, but it was amazing!! This recipe is definitely a keeper! The basketweave and border were made with buttercream icing. My original plan was to also make buttercream roses for the top of the cake, but due to the random hot (but gorgeous) weather, they kept melting! So I went along with plan B and added a fondant rose as an after-thought, to add a little something to the cake. I learned that it’s not easy writing neatly and straight with icing on a cake! Especially when you’re a perfectionist like me..I vow to never criticize that aspect of “professional” cakes anymore! haha
happy mother's day
Basketweave design
This cake was made for my best friend’s (Jess) Aunt Fran and Gram. Chocolate cake filled with HOMEMADE strawberry jam! and topped with chocolate buttercream.
Chocolate Strawberry Jam Cake
Chocolate Strawberry Jam Cake
…e.g. not a family member and I actually got paid!! 
After marveling at my previous creations (lol), my co-worker Cait requested a cake for her roommate’s birthday. I wanted to try out some new techniques so together we came up with this design. It was a three layer vanilla cake with buttercream and strawberry filling. The bow was made out of purple fondant and then dusted with silver edible glitter. My first hand at the quilting technique and it looked awesome (if I may say so myself)! 
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- Bow Cake
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- Bow Cake
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- Bow Cake
Bringing back memories…Every year, Polo Ralph Lauren holds an office-wide Holiday Bake Off competition. Obviously this is of no relevance to the retail industry, but of course I’d be one to participate! Everyone in the office gets invited to the event and pays a $5 entrance fee (for charity, of course) to walk around and sample each treat. Then they vote for their favorites. There’s also a panel of judges, including a guest judge from a local bakery, who score each baked good on taste, presentation, and creativity.
My first year in the Bake Off, I made a pumpkin roll with cream cheese icing and won 1st place! Watch out for the new girl! haha
Pumpkin Roll
This was the only pic I could find from the competition…
Pumpkin Roll Cake
This past year, I made a variation of the roll – a devils food cake roll with chocolate hazelnut Nutella icing. And it was a hit – who doesn’t love Nutella?!?! Scored 1st place again!! Two time champ babyyy! Woo!
Proud to say I have two award-winning desserts
Kyle’s dad is a strawberry and chocolate lover..what a perfect combination of deliciousness! I made a chocolate layer cake with strawberry filling topped with chocolate buttercream, strawberries, and crumbled Oreos (his favorite cookie). (Last week, I splurged on a 101-piece cake decorating kit ~ I was excited to put my new decorating tips and tools to use in this creation!)
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- Chocolate Strawberry Cake
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- Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Kelly’s birthday cake…at 7 years old, she said she likes all thing princess and makeup. Note taken…Everything is sculpted out of fondant and then painted with edible glitter. This picture doesn’t do it justice!
Kelly's Birthday Cake
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