Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentines' Sweets

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Whether you're spending today with your main squeeze, hangin' with friends, or believe that Valentine's day is a sham created by card companies to reinforce and exploit gender stereotypes (Hi, Liz Lemon!*), I think you'll agree today's Sweets are all heart.

By Cake Central member peasacake


Sub'd by Angela W., made by O Holy Sweet


This is Carrie D.'s wedding cake, made by her friend Sara Trice. And get this: Sara's not a pro. In fact, this was her very first attempt at a full fondant cake. How's that for encouragement?


For you bakers looking for a challenge, check this out:

(Sub'd by Sarah K, made by Gesine Bullock-Prado)

That's actually baked right into the batter - cool, huh? According to Gesine, "It’s a lot of work. It takes more time then you really want to invest. It’s messy. But it’s beautiful. Just like true love." Check out her tutorial here.

'Course, V-day is also all about the flowers:

(By Clara's Designer Cakes)

Those roses rock.


And cute animals:

Made & sub'd by Holly of Holly Cakes (no website; just contact info)

(Now, while hyper-realistic animal cakes are a leeetle too creepy for my taste, this one looks enough like a cake to make you feel Ok eating it and enough like a doggie to be stinkin' adorable. So, a win-win.)


Happy Valentine's Day, Wreckies! Go forth and do (or eat) something sweet today.


* Yes, I do realize that Liz Lemon is a fictional character. However, in my Happy Place, she's also my bestie.

- Similar Sweets: Valentine's Treats
Anonymous said...

I tend to be pretty indifferent to V-Day (I don't get why it's such a big deal, but I also don't get why so many people complain about it)... but there's nothing indifferent about these wrecks.

Another stunning Sunday. It's one of those spoiled-for-choice Sweets that leaves me going "that one's my favourite... no, that one... but what about that one!?". At a push, I'd have to give it to the Unknown Roses, though; holy mother of cupid, but that thing is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oops.

I don't like to double-comment, but I desperately need to correct my prior comment -- "nothing indifferent about these SWEETS", not 'wrecks', as I originally put. Talk about a wreck of a typo.

Clearly, I need to learn how to check my comments before posting (or not type 'wrecks' so much that it becomes second nature, heh). Apologies!

Unknown said...

Wow i love this website! i read your book and i thought it was hilarious with the gangsta's cake Hahahahha also, its incredible how messed up a cake can be!!


-CW Freak

Anonymous said...

Wow...I love the roses in the box one! Gorgeous. The pink-loving-girly-girl part of me also adores the first one. Pretty sweet on all counts!

--kate

Anonymous said...

I Enjoy your site tremendously. Sorry I can't write in true wreckerator form. I wanted to comment on Gesine's cake as I am reading her book right now. I am sure you knew about it though? It is called Confections of a closet master baker. Very impressive cake she produced. I am always blown away at the quality of cakes that are made. I can decorate, but no where near what these "amateur's" are pumping out. Never worked with fondant, so I live through your site ☺ Thanks

Gary said...

"... Valentine's day is a sham created by card companies to reinforce and exploit gender stereotypes ..."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Brilliantpants said...

I like to consider Liz Lemon as my "bestie" as well.

Little Lovables said...

Wow, so sweet! love them!

Valentine's to me, is what we make of it. Don't have a significant other? Then treat yourself, a neighbor or a friend to an extra little deed of sweetness. If it includes a cake, or cupcake, then all the merrier.

Anonymous said...

But greeting card companies claim that they are just doing the Valentine's thing to "meet public demand." AAUUURRGGHHHH!!!

Culinarychiq said...

These cakes make me happy:) Oh and Sara Trice, if you read this, AWESOME wedding cake! I hope you're looking to go professional cuz you've got a gift:)

VDay plans: Baked salmon with linguini in pesto sauce for dinner, homemade chocolate covered strawberries and champagne for dessert followed by a trip to the movies to see... WOLFMAN YEAH BABY! LOL Hey watching a man get his beating heart ripped out of his chest is kinda Valentines-ish isn't it?;)

SiriusSchwartz said...

The baked-in Love one is pretty amazing. I'll have to go back and watch the tutorial, just out of curiosity. I'd likely never attempt that.

Sending a big huge to Jen, John, and all the wreckporters on Valentain's day. (heee...)

Shay said...

I'm so happy to see Carrie's wedding cake up there... and the groom's "weeding cake" on yesterday. ^_^ Yay for Carrie & Josh.... and also Sara for making both of them and showing such a contrast! *giggle*

Jules AF said...

Baked into the batter? That is hardcore.

Amanda said...

My three year old daughter said, "OH, OH,OH, what a cute puppeeeeeeeee!"
I have to agree.
we also love that first time fondant wedding cake. I am a sucker for pink and hearts.

DC Becca said...

They are all pretty nifty!! Like the top one the best, I think.....the girly girl in me, ya know! The roses on the Unknown Roses are incredible....assumed they were silk, at first, because those petals are so think and delicate!

What a great site. Keep doing the good work!

Kallie Sims said...

Even though I'm not one for Valentine's Day myself, all of these cakes were wonderful!! Thanks Jen! :)

Pauline Soo said...

Amazing cakes... I love them all!

Lisa S said...

I enjoy looking at all the wrecks and sweets on your site, it's very entertaining and inspiring at times. I'm not the biggest Valentine's Day fan (but not really against it either) so am celebrating Chinese New Year today instead and getting in Chinese food. I'd like to see Chinese New Year wrecks this week sometime, if you have any. It'd be interesting to see what people come up with.

Anonymous said...

yay! may mom is the holly in hollycakes and I looved this cake!

Herouth said...

I must say I have reservations about the second one. Heart studded cake? Nice. Macaroons? Lovely. Cupcakes with a swirl of goo on them, especially the brown ones... not on the Sweets day. Ugh.

WV: epoonic - epic+poo = epoonic cupcakes.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least one looks edible this time out.

bloomsburywishes said...

Awesome cakemaking may not be Sarah Trice's job but she is definitely a pro! That is fantastic.

Hey Wedding Lady said...

Liz Lemon is my bestie too! And also maybe my aspiration...is that sad?

That rose cake is simply gorgeous - after reading your comment on it I had to scroll back up and check the flowers out again. I thought they were real on first glance!

A very happy Valentine's Day to you and John!

SweetSpiller said...

I like to think of liz lemon has my older sister. she's pretty much awesome! lol

Kelly said...

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day to you. I'll ask my local bakery to see if they can make her a cake next February 14.

—Liz Lemon

Hanna said...

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!!

Anne said...

Happy Valentine's Day! May it be as lovely as those cakes.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day! I love me some Liz Lemon. My best friend is mad at me though because I keep talking about 30 Rock.

Unknown said...

I LOVE the first cake, SO cute! And Sara Trice's cake? ADORABLE! I am amazed at the talent for a first-timer, that is just cute. And I am jealous! I hope to make something that nice with fondant sometime soon! :o)

Diana K
http://sweetsbyd.blogspot.com/

wv: porat- You can porat your feelings by giving your sweetie one of these cakes!

Anonymous said...

"A Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day to us all!"

Sandi said...

Wow, when I first saw the roses I thought they were real, and I thought, "Yum, live foliage on a cake" but then when you said they rocked I took a closer look. Those edible flowers DO rock!

Nikki said...

I absolutely love the "Love" cake. SO gorgeous in its deceptive simplicity.

wv: wedin - If'n I ever git hitched, I want that "Love" cake at my wedin.

Anonymous said...

Did y'all know that Gesine is Sandra Bullock's sister...pretty cool.

Carrietastic said...

Thanks for posting our wedding cake! It was as tasty as it was gorgeous. :D

Jen said...

That purple inset Love cake is beautiful, but what's really the point of a cake if you don't get icing or fondant to eat with it?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!

Jen said...

Happy New Year to Cake Wrecks!

Julia said...

Yes. Indeed, Liz Lemon. I'd thought of her even before you said it.

Happy Anna Howard Shaw day.

Sarah Sansolo said...

Liz Lemon would totally spend hours a day on this website.

Unknown said...

That LOVE cake was made by Sandra Bullock's sister. She's awesome.

Anonymous said...

HI JEN!!
My name's Madison, and I'm thirteen years old right now. If you've been reading your comments lately, you'll see stuff I've written, probably. (I hope you think it's funny.) I only recently became a fan, and I read this website:
A. when I need a laugh (so a lot)
B. to practice my snarky comments
Tomorrow is my birthday, so here's to hoping I don't get any wrecks!
Rock on
-Madison

Anonymous said...

LOVE the second one, the set0up is great. And Liz Lemon is real in my happy place too.

Edana said...

I love the first cake--topsy-turvy cakes are my new favorite. And that wedding cake is gorgeous. The fact that it was someone's first attempt at a fondant cake makes me wonder how seasoned professionals can screw it up so magnificently. (Oh, well--if they didn't, I wouldn't get so many hours of entertainment out of this blog!)

Gale said...

My husband started a tradition of getting me a cheescake on Valentines..."for this sweet and cheesy holiday!"

:-)

Lovely cakes today!

Anonymous said...

Then we must be best friends because Liz Lemon is my best friend too! In the best imaginary world ever.

my name is karen. said...

that one baked right into the cake is so so rad

karenincolor.blogspot.com

Kimberly said...

oh I love sunday sweets! The Vday ones were great!

I don't really care either way about valentine's day...just another day. My s/o & I ate chinese, watched the olympics and played WoW. We rock. :D

Anonymous said...

Your comment about hyper-realistic cakes sent me searching, and I came up with this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiedoescakesnet/2423726433/

I would feel much guilt chewing on this puppy.

Marianne said...

that baked-in "love" is AMAZING.

busybee said...

Isn't Gesine Sandra Bullock's sister? Cool cake technique, BTW...

BumbleVee said...

that little doggie is definitely a sweetie...and I lurv the roses and chocolate.... yuummmmmm

Katie K. said...

I am a long time reader and first time commenter. I never felt like I could comment until I started a baking blog of my own and I finaly have. Anyway, I love the writing in the cake technique. I am saving that to TRY to learn it at some point :) They are all great cakes. Thanks for posting!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Sara, congrats on getting a "Sunday Sweet" up here! That's a super sweet cake indeed. You absolutely rock! :-D

Amanda said...

Can I share with you mt "heart cake'? Although... I just want to clarify, I am not sharing it with you as a WRECK! So, if for any reason, you glance at this cake and think, wow, that is a total disaster... then PLEASE< feel free to delete me from you memory immediately! I dont think I could handle the pain of being a wreck. ;)




http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/02/heart-cake-tutorial.html

God bless!
Amanda

Susanna said...

Hey thanks for the presumably unintentional advertisement for my cake business, Valentine's Sweets... wonder if it will lead anyone to my website (those two words with a .com)

Lucy said...

oh my gosh i am in love with that first cake!

J. Gill said...

Wow, that Sara Trice cake is terrific. Esp. for a first time.

But the box of roses cake gets me, I just love it. Sure wish I lived in MD so I could get a cake from her. It's a beauty.

Jennifer R. said...

I continue to laugh out loud at your commentary.

hkobrin1 said...

Really love this blog, its funny to see some of the disaster occasion cakes that are out there. Hope some of these people got their money back.