My relationship with Novelty cakes

Being frank, If you asked me if I loved Novelty cakes, you'd likely get a definite "No!"  

Novelty cakes and I have a funny relationship. I love to hate them. 

You see, I get such satisfaction from making a jaw dropping Wedding Cake, the thought of a brightly coloured Novekty cake really doesn't excite me. Or so I thought. 

My lack of enthusiasm for Novelty grew as I began to realise that most consumers put less value on this style of cake. It's just a Cake right?? It's GOT to be simpler than a traditional wedding cake doesn't it??

Well, no. 

It's true, a wedding cake is complex. It requires skill and finesse to finish it to a level worthy of its positioned glory. 

A Wedding Cake is the central focal point of the reception. It's the ceremonious symbol guests rush to ogle over when they enter the reception. The Wedding cake is the surprise factor. Will it be a big opulent structure coved with hand crafted sugar flowers, or will the guests be delighted by the surprise of a unique cake that represents the quirkiness of the couple. Or maybe something In-between . Whatever the design a Wedding cake is held in high regard. 

Novelty cakes, sadly, don't have that same rap. They're fun. Sometimes they're cute. They're not as hard to make- are they????

I use to fear the very thought of mixing up 19 different colours to create a novelty. I don't like waste, and when mixing up this many colours there's always some waste. Even with years of experience colour matching and blending, knowing how much you'll need to cover a tier, still means that there's leftover.  While some colours can be saved for later, most are fiddly little bits that are not worth keeping, yet if you put all of the "bits" together in a ball, you'd have something between and orange and a grapefruit size piece left over. Pffft! That's a couple hundred grams of icing. Yes , but if you're making a few each week it adds up. 

There isn't that kind of waste with white or ivory cakes. 

Clients who couldn't see the time, effort and value in a Novelty are another reason I began to loathe this style. 

I was so disheartened by this that I dreaded anyone who inquired about a novelty cake with me. I'd send a quote, or offer one over the phone- to be met with akward silence. Or cries of "WHAT?!?!?" "IT'S JUST A CAKE!"  

But soon enough clients started to see the "Cool" in Novelty, they began to see that a 3D cake that was a replica of an object would not only serve as a delicious dessert at their gathering- it too would provide entertainment! It could Wow the guests as well as satisfying their sweet tooth!

I loved hearing how my clients guests reacted. "They couldn't believe it was a cake!!" "I didn't want to cut it", were common feedback I received. 

With all this joy and excitement I started to like Novelty cakes (insert very surprised face). And while the majority of inquiries were still alarmed at what a novelty cake costs- there were clients who appreciated their worth and ordered some truly awesome cakes. 

My appreciation of Novelty cakes was probably summed up with this cake I did in 2012

I thought it was way cool! It's head even turned!! 

It was more than just a cake. It was a feature decoration at a party. "That's a cake?!?!" "Wow!"   My job was complete. 

In 2014 I did some pretty fun cakes. I didn't realise how many until I spent time (hours) looking back through last years pictures. 

I also realised that maybe I liked Novelty design. Maybe it was pretty cool?  Perhaps I did get job satisfaction from making them :)

So I thought I'd share my favourites from last year.

This push car cake was a 1/2 scale model. 

Then there was Lola Pickles. 

Ordered as a surprise for the birthday girl- this 3D novelty cake was a cartoon replica of the family cat. 

The one that possibly impressed grown men the most was the Lego Man Transformer cake. 

 He was so big that I couldn't photograph him easily in my tent. 

He was entirely cake- with the exception of the wheels- which were Rice Krispie Treat. 

He was allot of fun. 

Then there was a replica of a young gentlemans Longboard. Complete with a mini Mr on the edge. 

Then there was the Pinball machine cake. 

This was actually for my dad. 

He turned 60 last September. I actually waned to buy him a real pinball machine, but that wasn't possible, so I gave him the next best thing- an edible one :)

My dad had a 60's themed 60th. I wanted to make a personalised cake, rather than just replicating an actual machine. 

He gets called "Magoo" by some friends due to his glasses. 

So "Disco Magoo" was the Pinball theme. 

Psychedelic swirled icing, and "scores" reflecting significant years and dates. 

It was another giant cake. Thanks to my husband Steve for drilling and screwing the supports in place. 

There were many more in 2014, but I will leave them for another day. 

Just a small collection of some satisfying novelties I did last year. 

I now get excited by the prospect of creating a fabulous 3D novelty. I love the challenge of getting the structure right, and making it entirely from cake! 

So if you've got something you'd like made out of cake - give me a shout!

Thanks for reading

SJ 

Hello Holidays.....................

OK- in order to actually catch up and get into 2010 I thought I had better couple the last weeks of 2009 together.

Some truly wicked cakes finished off last year.

I often have people ask if I can make the toppers in different outfits rather than a "generic" wedding outfit. OF Course!!! All of the toppers are made to suit the clients and thier likeness- including any unusual traits or designs that they might desire.

The weekend of the 12/13th December was no different.

I had a chocolate creation with a bride and her "Conan the Barbarian" Groom! Too cute!

"What's that clinging to the side??" you ask- well it is their grey kitten of course! Pets and children can certainly be included in the figure sets.

I also did a variation of a Mad Hatter design that was sent to me over email.

The original bakers design had extended tiers, heart detail and a blingged up Monogram initial- but this couple chose to incorporated their love of all things horses and have three horse heads emerging from the top- as well as golden horse shoe decorations!

  

This cake really captures the "Mad hatter" Feel- bright and bold, personalised and all out fun!

The "Invitation Print" Cake design on my site is a very popular cake choice lately.

The cake was originally created for a couple to match their invites from Amity Invites 

Since the original cake was posted in my blog and site I have had numerous requests to recreate it. The design is simple and elegant- with a contemporary feel. The Invite designer actually contacted me after I sent clients her way that wanted to purchase the invites to match the cake- usually it is the other way around ( invite pattern onto the cake!) She seemed delighted to have had her design on the cake- and was kind enough to send me through a heap of her Invite samples to have available for my clients to look through when they come in for their cake consultation.

A gorgeous cake for Gianni's Portside late on a Summer Friday afternoon saw me running into the fabulous Jennine from Florabella! Jennine was doing the wedding flowers for the same wedding and was waiting for access to the venue when I came to deliver the cake. Unfortunately I was not able to personally place the cake on the cake table ( as the venue was not set)- but the wonderful Jennine sent me images of the cake beautifully set up!

The four tier cake had a royal icing finish- with piped teardrop and silver cachous detail. A band of Ivory sugar "ribbon" and  Sugar Ivory roses covered the top- Just beautiful. Another stunner to add to my favourite monochromatic cakes!

Brush Embroidery cake designs are also quite vogue with the popularity of the Vintage theme.

This design included teardrop Swarovski Crystals attached to champagne ribbons- arranged at differing heights over the tier. The Brush embroidery technique can be used to replicate lace patterning or a flower detail onto the icing surface. The raised effect adds texture and a touch of elegance to the design.

Purely because of availability- I generally don't get to make many birthday cakes during the year- as for most people it is a last minute thought about ordering a cake.

I do have some savvy clients though who understand the importance of booking early- which means I have the availability to create  a magnificent cake for their event!

One of my last cakes for the year was for  Singer/Music teacher- who wanted something "Funky" for her Birthday.

Together we cam up with a design that incorporated her party colours- her fun personality- and her love of all things music!

Edible Glitter Music Notes wound up and around the tiers all the way to the big "40" at the top! In amongst the black piped icing pearls was the occasional red one- just for something different!

Putting the cake on a Black iced board really lifted the design and made the tiers stand out.

Inside the cake was another surprise- one layer was a gluten free red velvet cake! The Bright red cake was a fabulous way to distinguish the gluten free tier for the guests.

I also had my sister Alex's boyfriends birthday cake to make. It is Joe's birthday just one day after mine- and in exchange for an uber cool cake from me Alex made my Birthday cake!

What else would a 20 something year old want but a Transformers cake???? I made this wicked design from the Transformers logo- simple yet effective.

With a blood red glossy board- and hand painted silver "face" detail- this cake certainly turned heads at the restaurant where the birthday was held. It was a hard ask to actually get Joe to cut and share the cake- but all good things must come to and end- so carve away!!

My Last Wedding cake for 2009 was simply STUNNING!!! I loved it to pieces.

The Bride had organised the entire cake via email- as they lived overseas- and I put together what she ordered.

In the Stamford Plaza River room I layered 4 tiers of chocolate chard covered cakes- and placed some gorgeous roses ( supplied by the couple) in between the tiers. The soft coloured Ivory and white roses with the stunning Buckles(also supplied by the clients) just looked so elegant- a real "Wedding" cake.

 

What read as a "simple" cake on paper really came together as a stunning way to finish 2009- A certain favourite for the year!I must email the Bride to ask where she bought the buckles from- they were gorgeous!

With all the "client cakes" done and dusted for 2009- I was on Holidays from cake making for a month- taking time out to sort paperwork, get ready for the New Year inquiry Rush, and generally take a break from all things sugar for a while. My family received the last cakes of the year- a Christmas cake for both my family and My husbands family.

Just to add a bit of fun to the Xmas table!

With 2010 now in full swing- it is February already  : o !!

Catching up on Blogging is a slow and steady process- but I am getting there!

Thanks for reading

SJ