Let’s talk fairytales and cake

Once upon a time there was a young girl who married a Prince.

There is no fairytale ending – but it’s a great starting point to talk about cake.

So, let’s talk cake.

Let’s also travel back to Wednesday 29th July 1981 – the day Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, it was the first time I baked a celebration cake.

I’d just turned seven. We must have been granted the day off school in the UK (never really thought about this – but it was a Wednesday – googled it, yes was a public holiday), the summer sun was shining, my family were gathered around the TV (just 3 channels at the time), the paddling pool filling in the garden – with a super-excited me baking a cake in the kitchen.

There are no photos of the day, no reminder of the masterpiece created by my enthusiastic, if inexperienced, hands. I remember it was a two-tier madeira sponge with oodles of red, white and blue buttercream icing and sprinkles (or as they will always be known by me, hundreds and thousands).

My love of baking birthday and celebration cakes has continued to this day. In fact, I previously contemplated becoming a cake baker, however after gifting a few creations to family and friends it was not going to be the right business venture for me. I like to make my vision of the cake, not what is asked for. I cannot bake to order. It’s a creative outlet and a way to wish someone a ‘happy birthday’ or ‘congratulations’ – personally from me! As soon as I saw such a venture would easily become a production line I knew it wasn’t a business I’d continue to be passionate about, however as a hobby it’s highly enjoyable!

A lot (a lot!) of people enjoy creating celebration cakes – 2 out of my top 3 posts here at simplybeingmum.com are:

Making It – A Simple Birthday Cake and How To Bake The Perfect Cupcake

It got me thinking, why not share a step-by-step guide on how to make a celebration cake with coordinating cupcakes that is so simple to make anyone (anyone) regardless of previous experience can follow the guide with an impressive finished article that looks like it was professionally made?

This means those who would LOVE to make their own celebration cakes will get all the satisfaction (and credit) of creating their own masterpiece at a fraction (yes a fraction) of the cost of a professionally made cake. Win, win (and win 20 times over again!).

I adore baking my kids birthday cakes, and they love having them baked by their mum – it’s now a tradition and it comes from the heart.

Here are the last two I created. As a full-time working mum they have to be created in minimal time, with maximum results – and I think I pull it off. See you soon with the step-by-step guide.