οἱ φίλοι: friends

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sunday-sweets-4th-of-july-fireworks-2025

Happy almost July, fellow Sweets lovers!

With America's Independence Day coming up this week, you know I had to find some pretty red, white, and blue numbers:

(By Sugar Hero, who has a complete tutorial on her site)

 

Plus this one has a drool-worthy surprise inside!

WOWIE. Our flag has never looked more delicious.

 

And look how sweet this old-fashioned bunting is:

(By Wild Orchid Baking Company in New Hampshire, now closed)

 

Ahhh, but I have some goodies for my non-American friends, too. Check it out, rainbow fireworks!

(By Victorious Cupcakes in the UK)

So pretty! I like the abstract take on them, and the silhouettes are perfect.

 

I love the way Glory (yes, her name is Glory!) took these ice cream cookies:

...and stacked them to look like triple-deckers!

(By Glorious Treats, online only)

SO CUTE.

 

Oooh, I may have spoken too soon on that last flag cake; this one ALSO looks darn tasty:

(By For Goodness Cakes in Charlotte, NC)

I'm loving the thick textured buttercream on top; can't you just FEEL that crunching ever-so-slightly, then melting in your mouth?

Ooof, I really want some cake now.

 

Hang on, here comes another one that's not helping:

(By b. sweet dessert boutique, online only)

Alllll the grabby hands. Gimmie.

 

Of course I couldn't pass up a chance to feature another Captain America cake, right?

(By Chocomoo Cakes in Sheffield, inspired by Mighty Mugs)

Look how clean and perfect that fondant work is! So good.

 

Now, let's end this post with a bang:

(By Adrienne & Company Bakery in Jeffersonville, IN)

Fireworks cake! I love all those bright neon colors together.

 

This one looks like an oil painting:

(By Katja Seaton in the UK)

 

Look how the fireworks spill over the edge:

I think that's my favorite part; the way the fallout looks so shimmery near the bottom.

 

Big finale!

(Baker unknown; Google Image Search has failed me. Anyone recognize it?)

Simple, but wow does that pack a punch.

 

Happy Sunday, everyone!

*****

P.S. Need a cool gift for the person who has everything? Then how about a card that transforms into a bouquet:

Fresh Cut Paper Pop-Up Flowers

I sent this one to my Mom for her birthday last month, and it looks just like this! Even better, it ships free with Prime, so no extra postage needed.

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sunday-sweets-4th-of-july-fireworks-2025

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/then-vs-now-wrecks-edition2025

I love - LOVE - old cake photos. Not the pretty magazine ones, of course, but the yellowing snapshots of children's birthday cakes from 20 or 30 years ago. They're a total blast from the past, and even when they're all lopsided and misspelled and ridiculously wrecky, you just can't help but love them.

Like Sarah's here, from the 80s:

It's a one-armed Care Bear, of course. Holding a pair of lips. Stomping on something that is almost, but not quite, entirely unlike grass.

Compare that with today's Care Bear cakes, and you'll find we've come a looong way, baby:

Oh, how we've grown.

Of course, the only thing better than vintage cake photos are vintage cake photos with the birthday kids in them:

That's CW reader Amanda P. with her cousin Ryan, and she tells me no one noticed his "Ghostbusters"cake was misspelled until her mom uploaded this pic to Facebook ... 22 years later. THIS IS WHY THE INTERNET EXISTS, PEOPLE. To pick apart our childhood memories. And to make me jealous of 4-year-old boys' TMNT t-shirts.

(I also like to think Amanda is dressed as a sailor as a subtle Stay Puft homage, because, c'mon, how awesome would that be?!)

If you're wondering what you get today when you order a Ghostbusters cake, though:

Kristen's husband picked up this "Ghostbusters cake," but neither of them have an explanation.

(Maybe it's supposed to be Slimer? Maybe?)

Still debating if that's worse than this one, though:

YOU. We're ready to believe... YOU. C'mon, bakers, don't you have the entire script of Ghostbusters memorized like the rest of us? I mean, REALLY.

Ok, just one more, in reverse. Here's a "modern" Barbie doll cake:

Come for the ridiculous sinking Barbie, stay for the bonus crotch photo bomb.

And here's the way most of us gals remember them from our childhood:

Ok, so maybe we'll call this one a draw.

Thanks to Sarah R., Tina H., Amanda P., Kristen C., Tiffany G., Linda G., & Celeste R. for the memories.

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/then-vs-now-wrecks-edition2025

Posted by john (the hubby of Jen)

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/a-publix-service-announcement-2025

Dear Publix Bakery,

My name is john, and we need to talk.

See, I like you. I really do. Your icing? Awesome. Your cheesecake pies? Beyond nummy. And every time I cruise your aisles at my local store there's nary a wreck to be found.

UNTIL NOW.

Exhibit A: A few weeks ago, I received a picture of your new "Cinnamon Candy Creme Cake":

AKA, "The Sticky Pustule Bundt of DOOOOM! Now with more Herpes!"

 

Now don't get me wrong, PB. (Can I call you PB? 'Cuz I'm gonna call you PB.) Every bakery has an off day. But then I got a few more of these Pustule Poppin' pastries, and I started wondering: is this going to be a "thing?"

A nasty, nasty "thing?"

 

Just to be sure, I went to my local Publix - my own flesh and blood, so to speak - and imagine my horror, PB, when I found this on the featured end cap:

NooOOoooOOoo!

 

So here's what I propose, PB: You stop making the polyp'ed wonder here, and I'll stop thinking how much it reminds me of my dermatologist's office posters.

Deal?

 

Thanks to Marlissa D. and Amanda G. for reminding to wear sunscreen today. And to always use protection. And to maybe have a salad for lunch.

*****

P.S. Never in my wildest fever dreams would I think my goofy little cake blog would educate me this thoroughly on "pimple patches." Have y'all heard of these?

The Original Mighty Patch

I thought these were basically camouflage stickers, ha, but apparently they're much better than that. Click on the customer photos at your own risk, but dang, fascinating stuff!

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/a-publix-service-announcement-2025

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sunday-sweets-jim-henson-tribute-2025

Today we’re celebrating Jim Henson with some Sweets featuring his most famous friends:

By dutch-cakebox

Not to mention my unofficial role models. Heh.

Submitted by Eri R. and made by Bluebird Cakes

This is the cutest flying bed (and miniature rubber ducky) I have ever seen. Such a great design, too!

By Cupcake Occasions

Why is there a Sam Eagle cupcake? Because AMERICA, that's why.

Now on to the "cakes you want to cuddle" section of today's post:

Sub'd by Karen A. and made by Suikertaartjes

Ernie is such a doll!

By Kakes by Klassic

And Elmo is begging for a squeeze!

By Delicious Cake Design

Best toy chest ever? I'm thinking YES.

These guys look like little beanie baby versions of themselves:

Sub'd by Mags and made by love-a-cupcake

I'd love to have Cookie Monster sitting on my monitor right now. So cute!

Here's a newer character from the Street today: Abby Cadabby:

Submitted by Lisa M. and made by Rhapsody Cakes

And classic Kermit never gets old:

By Torki's Sugar Art

I promise I *did* look for Sweets from some of Henson's other work - the Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, and my personal favorite, Labyrinth - but all I found worth mentioning (and that I haven't posted before) was this doorknocker from Labyrinth:

By Cakes by Pixie Pie

Yes, it's really cake! I actually have the matching set of Labyrinth knockers on the closet doors in my office (photo here) so I was especially smitten to see one rendered so well in cake.

So getting back to the Muppets, here are two more of my favorites (and who I'd also love to have on my desk):

By Sweet Pudgy Panda

Beaker and Dr. Honeydew! The baker calls this a "baby shower cake for a mom-to-be who is more into science than babies." (Note the H2O molecule on the border.) Brilliant!

And finally, since I don't have a cake version of him for you, here's the Swedish Chef demonstrating the proper use of the "cäkenschmööscher."

Bork bork bork!

Happy Sunday!

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sunday-sweets-jim-henson-tribute-2025

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/move-over-hallmark-2025

Tired of the same ol' "Happy Birthday"s, "Congraderaultions", and "I Want Sprinkles?" Then consider these inspiring sentiments the next time you order a cake.

Perfect for the neighbor kid's party!

Assuming you're moving soon, of course.

Here's a solid, any-occasion choice:

Although it's especially effective when dropped off anonymously in the office break room.

For when the get-well and sympathy cards just seem too namby-pamby.

Because you can never be too specific.

I think I speak for Amy & Claudia when I say: that had better be chocolate.

There's this new "budget-friendly" home insurance plan around: It doesn't actually cover any losses, but you do get this nice cookie cake:

If only all bad news were delivered via cake. Can you imagine?

"He's breaking up with me?? Why that lousy, rotten, om nom nom ooh, hey! Raspberry filling!"

Thanks to Anony M., Kris K., Lauren M., Gal N., Amy D., & Melissa K., who might go back to cards after this.

*****

P.S. Prepare for a triple dose of "Awww," because LOOK HOW CUTE:

Rex the Green Dragon

This teeny pocket-sized dragon comes in a bunch of different styles: wearing aviator goggles, nursing a singed wing, even skateboarding, heh. It's hard to pick a favorite; they're all so stinking adorable!

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/move-over-hallmark-2025

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/window-pain-2025

Bakers, in case it's been a while, this is your friendly reminder to go ahead and spruce up those window display cakes. After all, without them the customers might have to rely solely on your signage to evaluate your baking skills:

And nobody wants that.

("I'll take a Sahara and two small Mojaves, please.")

Now, your display cakes say a lot about your bakery. Ideally, you want these things to be positive, like "Look! Our cakes don't show the dirt at ALL!"

Or, "Yes, we CAN cut out small pieces of paper!"

Or even just "Divorce!" written in German:

Your displays also showcase the things that are most important to your bakery.

Like spelling:

And the fact that you never make the same mistake more than twice:

And finally, remember: when it comes to drawing in potential customers, you can never go wrong with a really good wizard cake:

Guaranteed to work like magic.

Thanks to Elizabeth R., Mary I., Erin Z., Kate, Catherine C., & C.M., who think that last window might have a few kinks to work out.

*****

I usually like to tie in my product links to the final cake, so this is an EXCELLENT time to plug my friend Scott's side-job:

Off To Be The Wizard

Lucky for y'all, Scott's a writer.

This is the first book in a hugely entertaining series about a modern day guy who tweaks some software code and ends up in the middle ages posing as a wizard. It's HEE-LARIOUS. Go check it out if you need more fun stories in your life.

******

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/window-pain-2025