Welcome German chocolate to the CFAM lineup!
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| 10" three-tier German chocolate (front). Two 6" two-tier German chocolate (behind). |
Place Your Order @ cakesforamustang.com
Friday, September 21, 2012
Decadence Has a Name
No other cake has been more popular and more requested than the well-known carrot cake, or at least until now. There's a new decadence in town and it brings unexpected competition. It has an unmistakablely sweet, rich German chocolate taste and covered in a slow-cooked, indulgent creamy spread of butter, sugar, pecans, coconut, and vanilla. Let's just say there better be a cardiologist on standby.
Welcome German chocolate to the CFAM lineup!
Welcome German chocolate to the CFAM lineup!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Surprises and Cakes
Just this past weekend, I surprised my father on his 60th birthday out in Washington State. Actually, the surprise was on my entire family, minus a sister to collaborate with and execute my unexpected arrival. Ever since this past February, my siblings and I developed a very personal gift for our Dad: we created a video with personal sayings, music, and pictures of him growing up and all the way through to the current days of his children being all grown up. And then, this past Friday, we invited our parents and the rest of the siblings over to my brother and sister-in-law's home for dinner and to give them this surprise DVD celebrating the life and legacy of my father. Just a few days before this, we rehearsed a couple of Skype conference calls with two laptops in Washington, a laptop in Oregon, and ours in Michigan. We wanted the whole family to enjoy this time together and eliminate the feeling of being hundreds and thousands of miles apart. Of those two laptops in Washington, one would be aimed at the television and the other at my father so we could experience his reaction.
Needless to say, we put a whole lot of effort and planning into this idea, that is, until I pulled back the curtain on my siblings, arriving at the front door of the event just moments before the video would be given to our Dad. What an emotional time and a joyous one at that. My mother kept reminding me, "This doesn't feel real. Are you really here?"
Well, knowing I could pull off this five month-long surprise, I wasn't about to let out all the secrets. You see, I had also packed two cakes - carrot and chocolate - with me as well as a couple dozen cookies so that I could later assemble the infamous I.C.S.s (Ice cream Cookie Sandwiches).
Being with my family on this special occasion was priceless and I am very thankful to my wife and children for letting me go. Honestly, though, second to all the joy we had together was my experience with the TSA as I flew out to Washington State. The last time I traveled with cakes was when I brought one dozen cupcakes and surprised my sister at her high school graduation this past June. My backpack, filled with three 4-pack boxes, went through screening and resulted in no bag check. However, this time, I heard the ugly words, "Bag check!" One faithful TSA officer came over and grabbed my bag. Knowing that assisting him with my bag was not tolerated and could result in them confiscating my goods permanently - or until they got hungry - I let him carry it over to the shiny, metal table.
"Is there anything delicate in the bag?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"And what might that be?"
"Cakes."
"Cakes?" he came back bewildered.
He opened the bag and found my two cakes, triple-bagged, and frozen for freshness. He engaged in idle chat and I explained I was a baker, bringing these out to celebrate my Dad's birthday. He continued to inspect and open my goods in a rehearsed, stoic demeanor. He untied the plastic bags holding the cakes and found the boxes resisted to open.
"Please be careful," I advised. "They're taped shut."
"Oh, well, we'll have to open them," He confirmed.
I thought to myself loudly, "Really?!" I was worried I had said it out loud.
He pulled a key out from a nearby drawer, cut the taped edges, and carefully opened the boxes...and that's when his demeanor went from stoic to oddly cheery. "Oh! That's pretty!" he exclaimed with great delight. Surprised by the contrast, I engaged in more casual conversation about the cakes. He closed the box and resumed his stoic state. He moved on to the next cake, thinking I can't believe he has to open the other, and, again, from stoic to surprised.
After my cakes received TSA approval, I gathered my things and held my laughter until I nearly reached my gate worried that he might hear me.
So, you never can go wrong with cake - especially carrot cake - on your birthday. Below are cakes for this week. I love making people's events taste that much sweeter!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Pianists Need Piano Cakes
Sheets cakes with a piped message on top can get the job done, but when someone asks me if I could do that, my response may come in the form of, "Of course, but how can we 'wow' or surprise them?"
This piano is a two-layer chocolate cake cut into the shape of a grand, or baby grand, piano. My wife hasn't seen this cake yet; she's also an accomplished pianist and I'm sure she'll weigh-in on its scale. A layer of cream cheese frosting divides the layers and the top coating is cream cheese and is as black as you can get it without ruining the flavor. The piano keys (much less than 88 of them) are individually piped with cream cheese frosting and the black keys are slices of Almond Joy.
So, today, we celebrate the piano man's birthday! Congrats!
~Luke
This piano is a two-layer chocolate cake cut into the shape of a grand, or baby grand, piano. My wife hasn't seen this cake yet; she's also an accomplished pianist and I'm sure she'll weigh-in on its scale. A layer of cream cheese frosting divides the layers and the top coating is cream cheese and is as black as you can get it without ruining the flavor. The piano keys (much less than 88 of them) are individually piped with cream cheese frosting and the black keys are slices of Almond Joy.
So, today, we celebrate the piano man's birthday! Congrats!
~Luke
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Two Cakes Are Better Than One
...And, better yet, so are two weddings! Today, we honor and celebrate two employees who both get married this month:
Katherine & Justin
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| Carrot (three-tier) |
Michael & Adrian
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| Red Velvet (three-tier) |
Congrats, guys! We wish you the best in your new and exciting lives together!
~Luke
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Best Weekend Ever
It was Friday, June 1 when I scrambled home around noon after a short day of work to make sure all was packed. A small carry-on and a backpack for a personal item were stuffed full of clothes for a long travel weekend. The three boxes of cupcakes - dozen in total - required much from the backpack. I had planned to bring only two boxes, but this is special I thought. Do you remember that recent TSA cupcake confiscation story? I made sure that all my ingredients, wrappings, size and type of boxes were, yes, TSA compliant. Not only did I want to know with 100% certainty that all twelve of them would make it through, I didn't want to make the headlines - albiet local mostly likely - that a travelling baker attempted to smuggle cupcakes through Chicago's Midway airport. I know, right? No one would ever think that'd be a headline.
But when you know in your head that all should be well, you still get that worrisome lump in your throat that something's about to go wrong? That's what I was feeling when they scanned the backpack. What will they see and What will draw their attention were the questions racing - jousting almost - in my mind. Would the boxes appear as a huge, squarish void? Would it look like a top side of a dice with the four dots facing up?
My bags went through the scanner while I entered the full body scan and... they only questioned the threat in my shirt pocket. A pen. It's a good thing they didn't notice what was written on the pen: "Dave Ramsey LIVE". If they had seen that, I'm sure I would've been detained. Those people are weird.
The cupcakes made it!
After two legs in my trip, Midway to Minneapolis and on to Spokane, my brother picked me up late Friday evening. So good to see my brother. We headed back to his and my sister-in-law's place where I crashed that night. We enjoyed a lazy morning, was treated to Starbucks - yummy, picked up produce at the local fruit co-op, and then made our way to the school where the graduation was held. Is the secret still under wraps I thought. It's been months since the plan was formulated.
Besides my sister Caitlyn (the graduate), my mom was the only other family member already up at campus. Once she gave me the clear that my sister wouldn't see me, I met her outside. So good to see my mom. It's been nearly a year since I last saw them all. From there, mom told me where my sister was and I made my hideout in one of the corners of the courtyard. It was really happening. The plan: Video Skype call my sister, as if I were still in Michigan, and wish her a happy graduation. She had been begging for me and my family to come, but we just didn't think it could happen. And, technically, it didn't. My wife and girls had to stay back. However, we found a way for I to make it.
So, here's the phone call...
Along with this being a surprise to Caitlyn, as you saw, none of my other sisters knew either. Thanks to my parents and other siblings' help, we did it!
On Sunday, I got to spend the day with my family at our home church, stayed up all night along with Bethany as we helped chaperon Caitlyn's Senior class all-nighter...and three hours later, I got up to enjoy a truck run with dad around Eastern Washington.
Best weekend ever.
~Luke
But when you know in your head that all should be well, you still get that worrisome lump in your throat that something's about to go wrong? That's what I was feeling when they scanned the backpack. What will they see and What will draw their attention were the questions racing - jousting almost - in my mind. Would the boxes appear as a huge, squarish void? Would it look like a top side of a dice with the four dots facing up?
My bags went through the scanner while I entered the full body scan and... they only questioned the threat in my shirt pocket. A pen. It's a good thing they didn't notice what was written on the pen: "Dave Ramsey LIVE". If they had seen that, I'm sure I would've been detained. Those people are weird.
The cupcakes made it!
After two legs in my trip, Midway to Minneapolis and on to Spokane, my brother picked me up late Friday evening. So good to see my brother. We headed back to his and my sister-in-law's place where I crashed that night. We enjoyed a lazy morning, was treated to Starbucks - yummy, picked up produce at the local fruit co-op, and then made our way to the school where the graduation was held. Is the secret still under wraps I thought. It's been months since the plan was formulated.
Besides my sister Caitlyn (the graduate), my mom was the only other family member already up at campus. Once she gave me the clear that my sister wouldn't see me, I met her outside. So good to see my mom. It's been nearly a year since I last saw them all. From there, mom told me where my sister was and I made my hideout in one of the corners of the courtyard. It was really happening. The plan: Video Skype call my sister, as if I were still in Michigan, and wish her a happy graduation. She had been begging for me and my family to come, but we just didn't think it could happen. And, technically, it didn't. My wife and girls had to stay back. However, we found a way for I to make it.
So, here's the phone call...
Along with this being a surprise to Caitlyn, as you saw, none of my other sisters knew either. Thanks to my parents and other siblings' help, we did it!
On Sunday, I got to spend the day with my family at our home church, stayed up all night along with Bethany as we helped chaperon Caitlyn's Senior class all-nighter...and three hours later, I got up to enjoy a truck run with dad around Eastern Washington.
Best weekend ever.
~Luke
Friday, May 25, 2012
"Going to the Chapel..."
...and we're... gonna elope!" Huh? I don't remember those lyrics. Well, either way, that's exactly what I've been called to do: put together a dessert reception for the eloped couple. Tonight, we head to the park and I'll be bringing the 200 cupcakes. Yes, I said 200 and, before I go any further, much credit is due my hot baking assistant for getting this order started and baking over 90% of them. And these aren't your cheap, ordinary cupcakes made from boxed ingredients and store-bought frosting (usually with cheap sweetener like high fructose corn syrup). I'm not trying to get all healthy on you; in fact, these are far from healthy. They're only good. No, as my wife would say, these are "Dang, Gina!" good.
Ever wondered what 200 cupcakes look like?
Yup, there they are. Actually there are 226, but who's counting? Ten batches of cake, 11 sticks of butter, 12 pounds of powdered sugar, 3lb of cream cheese...these are just a few of the numerous ingredients. I can't wait for the party to taste them.
Not only do they look fabulous, they taste even better. Go big or go home. I'm not saying they're perfect - they aren't - but they'll keep getting better as long as I'm baking them.
"So what did they order" you ask? Carrot (who wouldn't?), Chocolate, and Yellow cupcakes. Each are decorated to display their flavor proudly. The theme color of the reception is lavender so each cupcake has a lavender butter-cream center filling. The Yellow cake is then topped with the same butter-cream (unfortunately appears darker in the picture) while the carrot and chocolate cake receive the luscious favorite: cream cheese frosting. Carrots are individually piped and chocolate receives its natural Hershey shavings.
Thanks to all who've been following and faithfully returning for their dessert needs. Make your guests rave at your next event or just enjoy smiles with your family and friends after supper. Some even say leftover cake makes for great breakfast. ;-) You know who you are.
~Luke
Ever wondered what 200 cupcakes look like?
Yup, there they are. Actually there are 226, but who's counting? Ten batches of cake, 11 sticks of butter, 12 pounds of powdered sugar, 3lb of cream cheese...these are just a few of the numerous ingredients. I can't wait for the party to taste them.
Not only do they look fabulous, they taste even better. Go big or go home. I'm not saying they're perfect - they aren't - but they'll keep getting better as long as I'm baking them.
"So what did they order" you ask? Carrot (who wouldn't?), Chocolate, and Yellow cupcakes. Each are decorated to display their flavor proudly. The theme color of the reception is lavender so each cupcake has a lavender butter-cream center filling. The Yellow cake is then topped with the same butter-cream (unfortunately appears darker in the picture) while the carrot and chocolate cake receive the luscious favorite: cream cheese frosting. Carrots are individually piped and chocolate receives its natural Hershey shavings.
Thanks to all who've been following and faithfully returning for their dessert needs. Make your guests rave at your next event or just enjoy smiles with your family and friends after supper. Some even say leftover cake makes for great breakfast. ;-) You know who you are.
~Luke
Place Your Order @ cakesforamustang.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Congrats Graduates!
"Where has the baker been?" Yeah, I know. Getting on here and writing out my every thought and feeling, well, that isn't my forte. I'll leave others to do that on Facebook. In the meantime, 10 months into this adventure and CFAM's cake total sits at 144. Now custom cakes are becoming the rave and what a better time than during the season of graduation and summer weddings.
Wedding cupcakes are in the works this month along with custom birthday cakes, too. Let's just say that, with these new orders along with standard cake orders, things are busy enough. With our family's customary summer travels on the horizon and seasons of change happening in my life professionally and personally, I feel like I am finding my limits. It's kind of like Katniss finding the force field in the Hunger Games arena, except that I'm not playing a game nor trying to survive from the clutches of President Snow. Whoa! Step back, Luke!
Leaving that subject behind... [insert awkward break]...the pumpkin cake is coming back. It doesn't need to be harvest time, right? Also, chocolate lovers, can you handle a chocolate coma? Here it is: Chocolate Xtreme.
Thanks again for the support and keeping me busy on this adventure!
~Luke
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| Three graduates, all names beginning with "E" from East Grand Rapids High, celebrated with this custom marble and chocolate with butter cream. |
Leaving that subject behind... [insert awkward break]...the pumpkin cake is coming back. It doesn't need to be harvest time, right? Also, chocolate lovers, can you handle a chocolate coma? Here it is: Chocolate Xtreme.
Thanks again for the support and keeping me busy on this adventure!
~Luke
Place Your Order @ cakesforamustang.com
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