Kind words from a happy bride!

Heavenly Cake    posted 10/8/2010  by AMK

 

Ahimsa Custom Cakes is beyond good. I can't even think of a word worthy enough to describe how ridiculously delicious this cake was. We were a little worried about doing a vegan cake (I can't eat egg yolks or dairy because of allergies), but this was the best cake I've ever had. Everyone at the wedding loved it and not a single person there is a vegan. She is very fairly priced and the fondant leaves we had on our fall themed cake looked amazing. Her design and culinary skills are phenomenal. She is very professional and keeps in touch with you throughout the planning process.

** I would recommend her cakes whether or not you are vegan.

Read original review.

To AMK:  Thank you, it was a pleasure working with you and making your cake! 
~ Kristi / Ahimsa Custom Cakes, LLC

Ahsoka ~ the Clone Wars

All sculpted cake with hand painted fondant (nose is cake too!)

This cake was made for my neighbor's son.  (I have the nicest neighbors)  It was lifesize and was sculpted entirely out of cake.  The fondant icing was then hand painted with edible paint.  The birthday boy has quite a love of the Star Wars/Clone Wars series.   The cake is based on one of the female characters: Ahsoka.    I thought it might freak the kids out to cut into her face & head, but apparently the kids got a real kick out of cutting the cake.   I absolutely LOVE these types of cakes! 

The Snowy Day ~ cake

This cake was donated to the Auburn Public Library's childrens department, for their winter event:  "Snowman Stories".     It was designed around a favorite of mine by Ezra Jack Keats, "The Snowy Day".  The entire cake was edible, and had a 360 degree view.  The cake board was covered in fondant with little embossed footprints going around the cake.   The details are sculpted sugar and hand painted fondant.  I decided to  make my maple-brown sugar cake with vanilla bean frosting.  It went over very well, based on the facial expressions and children asking for seconds ~ keep in mind these were not vegan children, except for my daughter.  The fact it was a vegan cake was a well kept secret through most of the party).  I  think the people who run the childrens department do such a wonderful job.  It's nice to see people working with children who actually love what they do.

Damask

Dark chocolate cake filled with vanilla bean frosting and chocolate ganache, iced in vanilla fondant.   I really enjoyed making this cake.   The damask pattern was made with egg-less royal icing over fondant,  and the bow and letters were made out of sugar. 

Fresh Flowers and cake ~ reasons to think twice

We've all seen beautiful cakes draped in  fragrant, colorful fresh flowers.  What you may not realize, is that many fresh flowers often seen adorning wedding cakes are actually poisonous and potentially deadly if ingested.   Side effects can range from a mild skin rash, to cardiac arrest.  

A few (toxic) fresh flowers I've recently seen on wedding cakes include:

Calla Lily        
daffodil
hydrangea      
hyacinth
iris                  
lily of the valley
sweet peas
*Gerber daisies are listed as non-toxic, but they can have a blood thinning effect which can be potentially life threatening to someone with clotting disorders. 
.http://www.ehow.com/facts_5794603_gerbera-plant-poisonous_.html

Whenever asked, I will always suggest sugar flowers or arranging the flowers around the cake base.  Many bakers do not use flower picks and insert stems directly into the cake.  Florists aren't always made aware that the flowers will be used on a cake, which increases the risk. 

A few  other factors to consider are:
~ pesticides
~ fertilizer (do you really want THAT coming in contact with your cake?)
~ insects
~ dirt
~ flowers that are handled by multiple people = dirty hands, contaminated water buckets, etc.
~ Toxicity (many gorgeous flowers are also deadly)
~ flower bucket "juice"  (this is the water floral stems rest in once cut)

Wild flowers and even organic flowers can also contain fertilizer and some pesticides, so you need to use caution when using fresh flowers on cake.  Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level.  If using flowers on a cake, try not to use flowers purchased from a florist.  Instead, find an organic supplier that can guarantee the absence of pesticides and other toxins.   If you MUST use fresh flowers on your cake, it is imperative to do your research to find out which flowers are poisonous, or even mildly toxic.   

Here is a partial list of poisonous flowers.

Another great blog post to read on the subject was written by my friend Kara, of:  A Cake to Remember in Richmond, VA.

Brochure

Click on brochure for a larger view

Graduation cake

The cake was made for a lovely young woman graduating from high school.   That brings back memories... All the details are sculpted from sugar (hat, diploma, stars, etc.).   Starburst:  I don't normally insert wire into my cakes, but since the wire never came in contact with the cake I made an exception.  The wires were inserted into a straw that was plugged with fondant.   I had fun making this cake.  Congratulations and best of luck!

The Naked Truth ~

 Bourbon vanilla bean cake ~ you gorgeous thing! 

Yes, the rumors are true...my cakes are vegan. *horror movie shriek*  (GASP!)  For a time, I did not scream, "HEY, GET YOUR VEGAN CAKES HERE!!!" (except when asked) because of all those out there who still insist on unfair stereotypes of vegan baking.  Truth be told, most of my customers are meat eaters, who are pleasantly surprised by how moist and flavorful my cakes are.  *surprise!*   In all fairness, a non-veg cake can be disgusting if made by a baker who has no earthly business selling food. 

Let's face it...we've all had a meal / dessert that was less than memorable.   

My cakes don't come with a lecture on ethics, but they do come with LOTS of flavor and delicious, organic ingredients.  You don't  need a degree in nuclear physics to understand the ingredients I use, and most are probably in your cupboard right now.   Also, it's a myth that scratch cakes are dry and dense. (really??)  Scratch baking is still just chemistry...and as Sponge Bob would say:  "technique....technique...technique..."