Trying out recipes for cookies and cakes is something that comes with having a Custom Cake Business. When I started my interest in Cakes, I did it because I just loved to create and decorate. I was inspired by TLC’s Cake Boss. And the beautiful creations that Buddy Valastro would make. I also loved to watch Ace of Cakes on the Food Network. I felt that the cakes that Duff made, were amazing works of art!
I loved to doodle, draw, decorate and embellish anything and everything. I loved to look through bridal magazines when I was young, so that I can just get lost in the beautiful dress and cake designs.
I always knew that I wanted to be working in the bridal/wedding industry one day.
To be able to create the beautiful designs that were always floating around in my
head. And with my Cake Business, I am able to do just that. Now that I have been making cakes for a while, I wanted to incorporate Custom Cake Pops and Cookies to the menu. And that means trying out flavors old and new.
When making decorated cookies, sugar cookies are the standard. I am trying to incorporate and tweak the flavors to maybe add something new. Right now I am just testing recipes before I begin the decorating process. Decorating cookies is not going to be easy, and it will take some practice because I definitely do not have a steady hand. Decorated cookie orders are in high demand these days, and not just for birthdays either.
Brides order lots of cookies to hand out as favors and display on dessert tables. Expectant moms order them for their baby showers. Even other businesses order them to promote their brand at corporate events, so cookies would be very smart to include to my menu of sweet goodies.
Dessert tables have become very popular with all kinds of parties. I feel that it makes a big impact for little cost. With a dessert table, the party looks finished, and fun. So that is why I am also trying to add all kinds of chocolate dipped treats to the menu. Chocolate covered Oreos have become a dessert table must!
And even though I’ve got big dreams for my cake business – I’ve got to start somewhere. My ultimate goal of course, is to one day open a brick and mortar Custom Cake shop location. I hope to have clients come into a quaint little shabby chic storefront, complete with a buttercup yellow awning and small cream colored chandeliers. My display cakes will be showcased on built-in shelves that look like the cake is floating! But for now, I am working under the California Cottage Food Law.
Trying to find a steady flow of clients has been a challenge. But I do see progress little by little. One day I hope to be like my idol – Sylvia Wynstock. Her cakes are some of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen. Another favorite baker of mine is Special Cakes by Ruben. His cakes are elegant, tall and very fancy. Even his cakes for a 1 year old’s birthday are fit for a royal ball.
Being a business owner comes with a lot of responsibility. And being the owner and head baker of a custom cake business, means making someone’s dream wedding day come true; someone’s birthday the best ever, and someone’s baby shower, an event to be remembered. That can be scary! And especially because I am a perfectionist when it comes to my cakes. I see and remember all the little blemishes, and mistakes on my cakes. Mistakes that no one else can see. But I know that they are there. And it drives me CRAZY :/
But it also comes with the reward of seeing the priceless look on that birthday girl’s face when I bring in her custom Dora the Explorer cake to display for her big day!
Or the surprised look of the soon to be bride when she saw her wedding shower cake and matching cupcakes.
And while making a cake does get messy, I’ve got some helping hands and some very willing taste testers. 3 of them:) they will try anything as long as it has sugar as its main ingredient. Once I start getting the hang of decorating the good old fashioned stuff, I’m thinking of adding gluten-free options for my clients as well.
Sugar cookies are not only the perfect smooth cookie for decorating, but it is a cookie that most everyone loves. The buttery flavor, is so hard for me to resist. And so hard to stop at just one. With the summer here in full swing, these look like pure sunshine. So here is a recipe for the sugar cookie that I will be using in my bake shop:)
This recipe was adapted from Country Sampler magazine.
Ingredients
- For Sugar Cookies:
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter
- For Cookie Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- A few drops of yellow food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugars and oil at medium speed, until smooth. Then beat in eggs and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cream of tarter, and slowly add to creamed mixture. Mix ingredients at low speed until combined. Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper. Flatten cookies slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes until browned around edges. Let cool.
- Instructions for glazing cookies:
- In a medium bowl, combine confectioners sugar, and milk until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring until desired color is achieved. Evenly spread glaze over cookie, and set aside until glaze firms up. Store in a covered container.
*Disclaimer – please note that this post may contains affiliate links, meaning that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, I would receive a small commission. Please see my disclosure