I have several wedding cakes due this weekend. You are probably wondering why I’m posting on my blog when I should be making cakes, after all, it is 9:15 am on a Friday. It’s crunch time!

Well, this morning I received word that one of my clients has canceled their wedding. The cake has been baked and is ready to be decorated. It’s also been paid for in full. The cake feeds approximately 120 guests. ‘What to do with it?’, I thought. So, I’ve decided to donate it to anyone who needs a large, beautiful wedding cake.

Did I mention it’s FREE?   Email me at  clara@clarasdesignercakes.com and let me know why you might like to have this free cake.

UPDATE!! We have chosen a winner! Stay tuned for the story and additional news segment on WUSA9.

I have always believed there is perfection in all things. We all strive for it no matter what it is we do. When it comes to making cakes, both baking and decorating, it is no different. While many cakes look fabulous on the outside, I’ve learned that they aren’t always as tasty on the inside. I spent two and a half years seeking the perfect scratch cake recipe – all natural, light, slightly buttery but not too much, tender, and most importantly, MOIST. It isn’t easy to produce a scratch cake that will stay moist over the course of two to three days while the cake is in the production stage. This has always been my biggest concern. My clients have always commented on how moist my cakes are. It comes from years of baking (I won’t say exactly how much, but lets just say I started at the age of 6), a love for all things sweet and ‘cakey’, and a passionate quest for perfection. While the latter is often elusive and may not even exist, I sure as heck do strive for it when I’m creating an edible masterpiece.

It took two and a half years to find the perfect recipe. I searched long and hard and cracked thousands of eggs. Yes, thousands. Two and a half years is a long time! I consulted with numerous pastry chefs, too. With a little faith and self coaxing, I found it all on my own and, with a little tweeking here and there, it’s just perfect! I share this with you because there are many folks out there who believe box cakes are the only way to go. They feel no scratch cake can withstand the test of time and freshness by comparison. For awhile, I wondered if this might just be true, however, the perfectionist in me refused to believe this was the case. So, here it is, folks. Here’s a picture of the PERFECT scratch cake. Those are my fingers holding a beautiful slice of my freshly baked cake for you to feast your eyes on. It’s delicious, if I do say so myself. I can’t take all the credit, though. While it helps to know the principles of baking and proper mixing, it is most important to use the freshest, finest ingredients you can find. With a little (ok, maybe alot) of perseverance, anything is possible!

Our very own local favorite, Warren Brown, makes an appearance in the latest Amex Small Business commercial to hit the airwaves.  The former attorney-turned-baker of Food Network fame owns a chain of cake shops in MD, VA and DC affectionately named ‘Cakelove’. Host of the show Sugar Rush, Warren joined the ranks of many former Food Network stars by writing a cookbook named after his own successful business. I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely savored a few Cakelove cupcakes here and there. Coincidentally, I have always paid with my Amex Small Business Card! No kidding!

Did you know that you can get a FREE cupcake on your birthday compliments of Cakelove? Check out their Saavy Shopper Coupons, too. Oh, and for those of you who’d like a lesson or two from the man himself, Warren teaches classes in some of his shops around town. I’ve seen him several times in the Silver Spring store with up to three students at a time.

Stenciled cakes really made a splash last year when they were featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. Brides began ordering them almost exclusively at one point. Since orders are placed so far in advance, it seems that all I have been making lately are stenciled cakes!

Stencils are great in the sense that they come in a variety of designs and patterns which create a very striking look on a cake. At an additional cost, stencils can be custom made to match just about anything. While this product is quite versatile in it’s design possibilities, it does take an experienced hand to apply it properly to a cake. There is no margin for error. One slight movement and the design is ruined. There is no scraping it off and re-applying, either. It’s a ‘one shot’ deal and you must get it right each time. Regardless, the outcome is worth the work as you can see in some of my latest creations.

A custom stencil was used in this design which was taken from the couple’s wedding invitation. With a great deal of time and patience, the design was hand painted in edible silver creating a very dramatic effect.  Westin Hotel, Baltimore.

This Damask pattern was the same one featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. I’ve made this same cake in a variety of colors and pattern combinations, and it is always produces a beautiful and elegant look.  The bride loves ladybugs, so I created a ‘Mr. and Mrs. Ladybug’ as a nod to her favorite little creatures.   Stone Manor Country Club, Middletown.

This custom stenciled was made for an Indian Wedding. The bride wanted Mehndi designs on her cake. Luckily, the stencil designer, who is also Indian, knew exactly what was required for this job as she was given total creative freedom. I like that each tier has a different design, but each one coordinates with the next and as a whole, the cake looks fabulous!  Antrim 1844, Taneytown.

Wedding Coordinator for all of the above events: Trisha Cranor,  Working Brides
Photography by:  Moi, (as in, me, Clara)

Tune in to WeTV on September 20th to watch our cake compete in the new and upcoming ‘Wedding Cake Wars’ Challenge!   I recently participated in this exciting new cake competition  along with eleven other cake decorators of varying experience.  The pressure was on to create a beautiful cake within the allotted time frame. Needless to say, the competition was exciting and nerve wrecking all at the same time.  Set your DVRs  to WeTV and watch the excitement as we create our masterpieces.  The show airs on September 20th at 10pm|9c.   I only wish I could reveal more of the details but you’ll just have to watch and see.

http://www.wetv.com/wedding-cake-wars