Pink & Black Elegance ~

Tasha was another wonderful bride to work with.  She allowed me a lot of creative freedom, and had a few purchased pieces she wanted to incorporate into the design.  She had the unique fabric flower handmade by a friend, and supplied me with the beautiful crystal banding and mirrored topper.    It was an intimate and elegant setting.  The cake was covered in vanilla bean icing.  The layers were:  dark chocolate cake filled with wild strawberry preserves and vanilla bean icing.   I really can appreciate when someone allows me to share in their special day by choosing me to make their wedding cake. 

Kind words from the bride. 

Crystal's topper inspired wedding cake ~

I recently made a cake for a lovely couple who had the most unusual (yet still elegant) hand made topper I'd seen.  She was kind enough (and trusting) to give me creative freedom so naturally, I was instantly inspired by the topper.  Twisted "silver & gold" wires with figures sculpted from cloth & wire, and some enamel flowers that resembled stained glass.   I designed the cake around the topper, and chose to create whimsical flowers using a technique I developed that creates a "stained glass" surface on the sugar flowers and leaves.   I also wanted to mimic the twisted wire somewhere on the cake, so I made some curled pieces of fondant and finished them with edible gold & silver. 

The cake was iced in frosting (no fondant) on what seemed to be the hottest, most humid day of the summer.  The reception was outdoors at an idealic and romantic setting...between an ocean, a forest and in a farm field.  The view of the ocean was quite stunning.  I was very concerned about the humidity and what happens to icing in heat...melting...but according to the bride and the photos she sent, the cake held up for several hours in extreme heat.  *YES!!!* ~  I was told that the caterer was very pleased all the decorations were edible, because she had nothing to remove from the cake prior to cutting it.  I'm beginning to think Bride-zillas are an urban myth....either that, or I am repelling them somehow.  ;o)  

Elvis cake statue ~

100% edible, carved cake with fondant accents

                                                     

              Carved cake with some fondant added onto the cake features so I could fine tune details.

                                                     Sculpted fondant over carved cake. 

I really enjoy sculpting cakes!  I wasn't going for hyper realism, just an overall feel of the subject.  I don't use rice cereal treats or molded chocolate, especially for heads.   I prefer sculpting cake, it's more challenging.   It requires lots of focus and an unwillingness to surrender to the "cake rules".   I do regret not having longer to spend on this cake.  It was a surprise for my husband's friend who was retiring.  She refused to let anyone cut the cake, and took it home.   I may need to invest in an airbrush afterall.   

The Blind Conscience ~ Threadcakes contest, 2011

It's that time again, the weird contest "Threadcakes" where people use a Threadless t-shirt design and create a cake.  I chose a design that would be really challenging.  I used a 2-D image of a face profile, and translated that into a 3-D cake sculpture.   My entry and process photos can be viewed here.   The t-shirt design I chose was aptly titled:  "The Blind Conscience".

I managed to use all cake except for 2 smalls straws and a thin, 4" long piece of foam core under the jaw.    I had some issues with humidity and had to keep refrigerating the head as I worked on it, and ultimately decided to slant the head upward to help keep it stable.   Gravity...  The cake was my dark chocolate cake filled with vanilla-ginger icing, and covered in vanilla fondant (all ingredients are vegan).  This year's entry was definitely more challenging, but it was a lot of fun!  I really enjoy sculpting cakes.
  

Enchanted Tree ~ wedding cake

I love this little fellow!  He was created as the bride & groom's special cake.  When I make any kind of cake like this, I customize it...individualize it.   It's no fun having mass produced cakes or limited designs from catalogues, and I refuse to do that.   I stacked and carved dark mocha cakes, filled and crumb coated with espresso icing.  That enables the fondant to adhere to the cake and not just slide off.  The entire body was cake.   I added some sugar sculpted features and birds to symbolize bride, groom and their children.   ~ Congratulations Sarah & Kyle!!

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!