Sunday Sweets: Steampunk

If you don't know what Steampunk is, I highly recommend you do some web surfing to find out. Just make sure you have several hours to spare; I guarantee you'll find some aspect of this style to fall in love with.

Anyway, this past week the Great White Snark beat me to the clockwork punch by posting a gorgeous Steampunk cake. So in retribution (why yes, I am that petty) I shall now trump his post by featuring several gorgeous steampunk cakes. Hah! Take that, Snarky-boy!

First, a sweetly feminine Steampunk butterfly:

(Submitted by Delaney A. & made by Sprinkles Custom Cakes)

Next, here's one inspired by a Penny Arcade game:

(Submitted by Carolina Y. & made by Clever Cake Studio [more pics at the link])

I love the rich simplicity of this one:

Check out the sweet detailing:

(Submitted by Juliette W., originally posted by The Steampunk Workshop, & made by babycakes. [More pics at the Steampunk link])

It's hard to believe this next one is actually cake:

(By Eric Woller of MeMe's Treat Boutique. More pics here.)

A consumable copper cake cephalopod. Excellent.

How about some Steampunk wedding cakes?

(Found on this Flickr stream, and made by The Cakery.)

(From exoskeletoncabaret's Flickr stream, and made by Mike's Amazing Cakes.)

Check out those gears!

Here's a spectacular groom's cake:

(From BillGlover's Flickr stream, & made by Bronwen Weber)

One more view - just 'cuz it's so darn cool:

Do you have a cake you'd like to nominate for Sunday Sweets? Then e-mail it to me at Sunday Sweets [at] Cake Wrecks [dot] com.

- Similar Sweets: (Dr.) Horrible Sunday Sweets

Happy National Cake Decorating Day!

Ok, yes, there really is a holiday for everything - but that's not the point.

The point, my fellow cake lovers, is that today is an excellent day to consider taking up a new hobby.

I'm talking, of course, about miniature railroad building.

Or, failing that, I suppose you could try cake decorating:

Now, I know what you're thinking. "John," you're thinking - although you're mistaken, because this is actually Jen typing - "John, how can I, a mere mortal, achieve the unspeakable grace and beauty displayed on this delectable-looking delight?"

(Admit it: that's what you were thinking, wasn't it? Dang, I'm good.)

Well, have no fear! When it comes to cake decorating, there's really nothing to it.

What, you don't believe me? Bwa. Aha. Hah. [<-- cheerful chortling] Perhaps some illustrations of paid-for, professional examples might help?

First, the basics. All you need is 1) some icing, and 2) a large plastic toy.

Feeling more confident now?

Or, if you really want to have some fun, get yourself a food grade airbrush. Oh, the fun you can have with that!

As an added bonus: no piping needed! Just spray on some random patterns, and you'll have a cakey creation to rival any "professional" in no time!


Of course, if you really want to break out the piping bags, don't feel like a recognizable pattern is necessary:

'Cuz it's not.
(Also, changing tips is for sissies. Just sayin'.)

Once you've mastered these few simple skills, you'll be able to create cakes guaranteed to make your friends sit up and take notice. Like this:

(Centering is also for sissies.)

Or this:

Drink it in; this could be your work someday.

That's right, aspiring artists: work hard, dream big, and some day you might achieve the ultimate of cake decorating feats: the wedding cake.

Dare to dream big.

Thanks to Wreckporters Michael, Melissa, Casey R., Kate R., Trisha W., Kenny K., Lydia D., & Jessica E. for today's "inspirations."

- Related Wreckage: Love is in the Air

Putting Their Best Feet Forward

Ok, this is going to be toe-tally corny, but I'm doing it solely for the laughs.

Ready?

[pregnant pause]

Ta Da!

I get the impression you'd have to be a real heel to belly up to this baby shower cake. Eh?

Yep, the belly cakes just keep getting better and better, folks. I mean, sure, the headless, limbless preggo torso was undeniably appetizing for a while, but it's nice to see bakers reproducing some with a bit more kick, don't you think?

Er...Either this baby is reeeally flexible, or she's going to need some corrective shoes later in life.

So, today: fetal feet.

Tomorrow: fetal faces?

Ahh, we can only hope.

MK & Rose S., these babies really stomp out the competition, don't they?

- Related Wreckage: Return of the Belly Cake

"World" Tour, Take #2!

That's right, Wrecks fans, we are in the process of rescheduling all of the missed stops on the Cake Wrecks "World" Tour! First up is Austin, where John and I will be this Saturday. Yep, never let it be said that we are not devoted to you, our dear, devoted readers. Why, wild strains of bacterial infections cannot keep us away! (Well, not for very long, anyway.)

Click here for details and to RSVP for Austin. Or keep an eye on the right hand sidebar; I'll be updating the links and dates for Kansas City, New York, and Bethesda as I have them.

I'll Have Whatever They're Having

Sometimes I can't help but envy the Wreckerator.

I mean, imagine going through your day in a world where this makes sense:

(I don't know why, but I keep seeing a sad bat here.)

Yep, that's gotta be a happy place.

Plus, imagine that flavor sensation: chocolate-chip cookie, icing, and life savers. Mmmm. Crunchy! And gooey. And chocolate-y. And - hey, is that dirt? - grainy. Yeah.

Or how about this one?

What is it? I have no freaking idea - but I bet Dr. Seuss would be proud.

Here's one that's kinda cheerful:

And by "cheerful" I mean "borderline nauseating." It's like a clown's version of a mushroom cloud. "Happy Nuclear Holocaust! Nyuck nyuck nyuck!"

And then there's this:

Face it: that wee lil' intestinal section is totally smiling at you.

Dawn G., Patrick T., Andrea B., Krista S., remember the good ol' days of bad balloons and tons of icing roses?

- Related Wreckage: National Cupcake Day