it takes the cake

I’ve got to cop to what I will coin, My Inner Martha. (Those who know me well are now rolling their eyes and going, “Ya think?”) But for the rest of you, bear with me here, because I’ve got a story to tell….

My obsession with Martha Stewart started back in the late Eighties, when the grand dame of homekeeping launched her Entertaining and Weddings books, both of which I pored over endlessly, replicating her holiday-party ideas (ask my husband about a certain 3 A.M. out-of-control-rising poppy-seed pastry), her penchant for cookie decorating, and an obsession with the bridal biz. I am also the proud owner of Martha’s very first publishing venture—a series of crude, quarterly newsletters sent from her Turkey Hill home, to which I was one of the first subscribers. (We’re talking long before the launch of her mega magazine.)

So flash-forward some 20 years and it’s no surprise that I’ve been obsessed with cake-baking of late. My Dad’s 85th birthday party was my most recent challenge, for which I created a two-tier, grape-vine confection that served 60 guests. I’m uber-proud of the results; but quite frankly, I have no idea how Duff Goldman (TV’s Ace of Cakes) gets out of bed and does this every day. My family will tell you that they, too, are relieved that the endless practice-batches of buttercream and batter have left the building (and the floor, and the fridge handles…).

Admittedly, this was an act of love. But it was also an act of frugality (a trait taught to me by my father, no less—guess you can thank him for this blog). We saved money by offering a home-baked dessert…and I saved money by buying my baking supplies from a fabulous and really affordable website.  Before you ring the “But I don’t bake” bell, note that even if all you do is serve cupcakes to Kindergarteners twice a year, you’ll get a kick out of www.sugarcraft.com. This place blows the lid off those little pastel cups in the grocery store: At Sugarcraft, you’ll find over 100 different cupcake liners alone (from mini size to jumbo, safari to tartan, paisley to polka dot)—and at a fraction of the price you’d pay retail.  (Think: 500 for $18.) Want to go a step further? Check out their dessert “sleeves” – essentially, little outfits you wrap around your cupcakes to avoid serving them (heaven forbid) stark-naked in a liner. The wardrobe options are endless—from black cat to French lace. And don’t get me started on their edible flowers…an arboretum of choices, including ranunculus and wild roses (over 50 delicious species available—in some cases, for as little as $1 a pack).

Cupcake "sleeves"--the eveningwear of edibles

If I’ve made you hungry, I apologize. But I’ve got dessert on the brain today. Feel free to retaliate by sharing your favorite baking triumphs, or (should I even say it?) disasters….