Don't Let This Happen to You: Cake Wrecks

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cakewrecks-152.jpgThere's nothing as good as a hilariously bad cake...

By Khalil Hymore

Amazing Wedding Cakes is back for an all new season, premiering June 7th! To celebrate I spoke with someone who knows a little something about amazing cakes--amazingly BAD cakes, that is, blogger and author Jen Yates of Cake Wrecks, whose new book, Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong, hits stores this October.


Khalil: I am thinking of titling this week's blog "Don't Let This Happen To You". How do I prevent this, from happening to me?

Jen: No matter what occasion the cake is for, you can avoid a Wreck a few ways:
  • Check out the baker's portfolio.
  • Pick it up early, so you have time for a fix or to grab a replacement.
  • Have appropriate expectations. Don't order complex designs from bargain bakeries.

Khalil: What prompted Cake Wrecks?

Jen: The very first cake I posted was the inspiration for the blog--the infamous "under neat that" Wreck. I posted it last May--in fact, we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of the blog. Woo!

Khalil: Okay, so let's say I show up at the bakery and my cake is ALL wrong, what do I do (after I snap a pic and email it to you first, of course)?

Jen: If you're still at the bakery, then absolutely say something right then and there. If the cake is unsalvageable, ask for another (this is where that "pick it up early" tip comes in handy). Most likely, though, the cake can be "fixed", so just explain to the baker why the cake is unacceptable as calmly as possible. It's understandable to be angry, but be nice. Blowing your top isn't going to solve anything.

In extreme cases, such as with large or sculpted cakes that are royally Wrecked, you may be able to negotiate at least a partial refund. If the cake was delivered and eaten, as for a wedding, be sure to take photos to show the bakery later when you go back to make your complaint.

Khalil: What genre of cake tends to be the Wreckiest? Wedding? Birthday?

Jen: Baby shower cakes, no question. I can't think of any other occasion--well, other than bachelorette parties, he he, that feature so many edible body parts--whole edible babies, even! It's freaky. And the scary thing is most of the women at the shower don't seem to realize it's freaky; they think it's cute! But then, I've found that baby showers are like their own alternate reality anyway, so maybe cannibal cakes somehow make sense when you're playing games like "Sniff the Diaper."

Khalil: What IS up with all the scary belly baby shower cakes? Have you spoken with any of these women, what are they thinking? Especially when they could request a Darth Vader baby cake!

Jen: Hah, yes! I have spoken with some of the bakers, yes, and the defense is always the same: "It was funny!"  And to be honest, I guess I can't argue too much with that.

Khalil: I love the misspellings and bad grammar Wrecks. What's your favorite Wreck!

Jen: It's always hard to pick a single favorite, but I do love the extremely baffling types - like the Carrot Jockeys. Pretty much anything that makes me yell "What were they thinking?!?" at the screen is a favorite.

Khalil: I find the wedding day Wrecks the saddest, because there is no do-over, how can a bride avoid being saddled with inferior cake?

Jen: I agree with you: the Wedding Wrecks are so tragic that it's sometimes hard for me to laugh at them--not that I don't laugh, of course, but it IS a little harder. Again, if the bride plans ahead, picks up the cake with plenty of time for an emergency replacement or repair if needed, and doesn't order a design beyond the baker's ability, she's going to be just fine.

Khalil: Tell me about the book?

Jen: Gladly! The book just became available for pre-order online, and it's a gorgeously designed 6x8 hardcover, with 192 pages. At least 75% of the content is all brand new Wreckage, plus I've included some extras like reader stories, behind-the-scenes tidbits, cake controversies, and even a section on my favorite trolls.

Khalil: Did you speak with any cake decorators?

Jen: Via e-mail, yes--all the time! I've heard from everyone from the mom who just tried her first cake to some of the most amazing cake artists in the industry today. Elisa Strauss, Bronwen Weber, Ed Frys, and even Mary Alice from Ace of Cakes have written to me or commented on how much then love the blog. Zilly Rosen--the artist who did that awesome Obama/Lincoln cupcake mosaic--even made two cakes for the book, which thrilled me to no end. As a fan myself, I'm hugely flattered that these folks enjoy Cake Wrecks. In fact, the cake decorating community as a whole is filled with some of the warmest, most welcoming individuals I've ever "met". I'm truly thrilled to be a part of it, in my own goofy way.

Khalil: Any parting advice?

Jen: Yes. Don't let a Wrecked cake ruin your memory of a special occasion--try to keep it all in perspective. Where and when possible, laugh. It's good for you, and it'll make life, and your Cake Wrecks, all the sweeter.

Enjoy the premiere of Amazing Wedding Cakes with a big ol' slice of my Strawberry Shortcake Cake. To make this recipe (posting Thursday, be sure to check back!) you'll need:

From the pantry:

  • cake flour
  • baking powder
  • kosher or sea salt
  • pure vanilla extract
  • granulated sugar
  • confectioners' sugar

From the market:

  • 1/2 gallon milk
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 1 pound butter
  • large eggs
  • 1 pint strawberries

Download the printable Shopping List here
Comments
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with a big ol' slice of my Strawberry Shortcake Cake. To make this recipe (posting Thursday, be sure to check back!) you'll need:
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OMG this brings back memories of my wedding. A friend of ours was doing an advanced cooking course and based on every meal we had ever eaten her house she really needed to! We were horrified when she volunteered to make the cake for us. We just knew that it would be an absolute disaster from the very start but it was impossible to say no!

The day came to collect the cake and when I saw it I nearly cried. Cracks all over it. However, she was so proud of her cake that I managed to hide my shock and disappointment.

At the wedding the cake became such a talking point that there were more pictures of the cake than there were of me. Lol!

Thanks,

Chloe x
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This is a really amazing cake. The article also very nice. Thank you very much . Vintage glass vases || Paid Surveys

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This is very nice wedding cake. Thank you very much for this great article. Term Papers

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Often we make a big deal about the cake, especially if we want everything to be perfect, but most of the guest may not even realize the small imperfections on the cake.
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I love cakes a lot. They are always sweet, delicious, and beautiful. We, at car insurance quotes, usually buy a big one to be consumed together on weekends or overtime hours. It helps you feel close to each other. Thank you.

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Cakes are always tempting. That is my most favorite desserts (or snacks, lol). But I read on doctor reviews that cake has many many sugar inside. I think it is fine to eat a few every week :P..

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Cake is my favorite snacks of all. Could eat some pieces of them at once. The sweet cream and beautiful color are the best reasons to eat them! old bankruptcy papers

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Don't let a Wrecked cake ruin your memory of a special occasion--try to keep it all in perspective. Where and when possible, laugh. It's good for you, and it'll make life, and your Cake Wrecks, all the sweeter. discount codes | promotional codes are more important than ever to people trying to save money on their shopping online.Such as Asda Discount Codes | Tesco Voucher Codes | Argos Discount Codes | Comet Discount Codes all the UK retailers seem to be gearing up to offer us big discounts, offers and incentives to get on and shop. Diapers Coupon Codes|Newegg promo codes and Musicians Friend Coupon Codes and Kohls Coupon Codes and Sears Coupon Codes A minute or two online can save you big money.

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Awesome! and mouth watering..Thanks for sharing this wonderful cake recipe..The color of cream and everything is looking nice..Thanks
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Lol, I like the tips. Even bakers have portfolios we should check before ordering..! I agree that pick up the cakes earlier will prevent from unexpected incidents like the "wreck". We usually do the same too. wholesale japanese fashion

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This is very much interesting article. Thank you for sharing this nice post. Domain Development

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Oick your baker carefully, lol.. It is right anyway. Our office, Myanmar Web hosting, tend to have many kinds of such celebration. We find one good baker and then stick to him for a long time. There is more guarantee when you do this way. Thank you!

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A good baker will not make the mess, lol.. I never pay a baker to make customized cake. I usually just buy those available at bakery shop's displays. It is easier because you can see the whole package directly. But the company I work for, Dallas daycare |daycare Dallas |Dallas daycares |daycare in Dallas |Dallas daycare centers has a specialized baker for children's birthday.

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the tasty has got even better! always eager to find an alternate solution, well this is the perfect recipe for spending some useful time, looking forward for more,
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a cake wreck! nice ,well hope to get a better act then usuall, guidance is good will come back for good recipes,
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cakes are awesome and i enjoyed them since my childhood. But i get chance to eat fully only on my birthdays.
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That mess up the whole party, lol.. Party hosts can be panicked of such problems. Thus, it is better to prepare some cakes since days before in the refrigerator. Later you can take them out, still with perfect condition. sökmotoroptimering

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Its not a good idea to make an amatuer prepare for a big occassion and also one has to always have a plan B,
good lesson!
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Wedding cake? Wow, a big no for wrecks. They must get panicked if some chaos like this happens. That is why we shouldn't underestimate the preparation process. My company, International Tours & Travel Deals |Book Cheap Hotels Online and Vacations in India
always uses a baker we have long ordered from.

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I guess you get what you pay for when ordering a wedding cake and you really need to order from someone who comes highly recommended or has fantastic portfolio and references to accompany it.
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At the wedding the cake became such a talking point that there were more pictures of the cake than there were of me. Lol!
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kitchen training is important in every way! Even if it means lessons from the cooking class or watching tv,
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kitchen training is important in every way! Even if it means lessons from the cooking class or watching tv,
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A big no for wedding cakes. You just can't bear the chaos, lol.. I have always been trying to avoid such problems in kids' birthday party, since that is the most frequent event I hold. Thanks for the insights!

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I hate messy things like cake wreck, lol.. You have everything else fine before his happens, and it really sucks. I believe people search for practical things, and for the reason I would better find a professional one to manage all.

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I love cake a lot. But no wreck please, lol.. Unless it is on birthday party, then we should the things on rule. You can get more professional service to avoid that.

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Cake is my favorite snacks of all. Could eat some pieces of them at once. The sweet cream and beautiful color are the best reasons to eat them!
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I like eating a lot, I just don't like having to clean the messes afterwards. Therefor, cake wrecks can mean big disaster to me, lol.. My suggestion is that you find the professional bakery service on local business directory and let them manage all. I also do the same, and I keep being in good mood after the party is over.

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Lol, check out the baker's portfolio. They also have such things like that. I am used to hear about this word in financial news, so it is just a bit funny. Thank you. Your article writes about a realy fresh topic!

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Must be a big chaos if it is a wedding cake lol.. I don't like to deal with cakes and other breads. Juts wasting time. But I like to eat them! :D
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No wreck can be fun without creativity lol.. If this happens again, I suggest you just play with the wrecks and throw it to some of your close friends. But remember, close friends only ;)
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Lol, check out the baker's portfolio. They also have such things like that. I am used to hear about this word in financial news, so it is just a bit funny. Thank you. Your article writes about a realy fresh topic!

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Lol, check out the baker's portfolio. They also have such things like that. I am used to hear about this word in financial news, so it is just a bit funny. Thank you. Your article writes about a realy fresh topic!

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Ow, we have baby shower cakes too here. but they are mainly not that popular as compared to other celebration symbols. I really love cakes. I can't care too much about the sweet and calories, lol.. Mya - emu oil

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Great story. I enjoyed the article very much. Thanks for sharing it.Dolce Gabbana Eyeglasses

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Great story. I enjoyed the article very much. Thanks for sharing it.Dolce Gabbana Eyeglasses

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The moral of the story is vanity never pays! Well cooking is an instinct thing, and it does not work all the time,always reasonable to have a plan B!
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Yes, pick it up earlier is really effective. If something unexpected happens, you have time to fix. By the way, does anyone have a favorite site for Idaho Rent To Own Homes?  I’ve heard about RealtyNation.com but’s that’s the only one I know about.

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This is a really amazing cake. The article also very nice. Thank you very much .
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We usually have a big cake for the tea party gathering every Saturday morning. It's better to eat cakes in the morning because you have one day long to burn it, lol.. Anyway, I hope such incidents will not happen again in the future. Lyn, construction industry

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Hello, it is May from fax server. Wow, how do the belly baby shower cakes look like? We also have such tradition a month after a new baby born. I have always been waiting for the moment since I like cakes much. Thanks.

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the key here is to pick it up early so you can look at it before taking it. Then you can check to see if there any mistakes. that is definitely the key.
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I would sincerely laugh if I see a wedding cake wreck, lol.. They should be really careful not to let incidents like this happen. Susan -- promotional usb drives

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Pick up early so that you have time to settle the problem (if any) and also watch a movie before the party or celebration is started. It is always better not to be in a rush.

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At the wedding the cake became such a talking point that there were more pictures of the cake than there were of me. Lol!

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Wow, that is why you should have a baker or bakery shop you can always rely on. I once got discount vouchers for cakes at a local bakery shop. And I have been their customer since then.

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Wow, I feel bad about that. You should find a new venue finder for a professional bakery then, lol.. Maybe you need some references from my experience? Thank you.

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At the wedding the cake became such a talking point that there were more pictures of the cake than there were of me. Lol! Etude house | สุขภาพ | Skinfood

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Yes, pick it up earlier is really effective. If something unexpected happens, you have time to fix. By the way, does anyone have a favorite

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I have always been trying to avoid such furniture in auctions and antique shops
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the key here is to pick it up early so you can look at it before taking it. Then you can check to see if there any mistakes. that is definitely the key.
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The problem I have with my cakes is usually about the taste that seems wrong. Sometimes it taste so sweet and sometimes it taste like the egg is not good enough. Not to mention about the messy decoration. lol. I'm still newbie in making cakes.
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Very nice and handy information has been shared here regarding cake wrecks.The next time I plan to get a cake, I will surely remember the tips mentioned here in this useful article so that I don't make a mistake. tower defense

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It's so cool how trendy cakes are these days. The only thing is when they are pretty but taste junk. I wish you could get cakes that were pretty and yummy from the grocery store. loans for people with very bad credit

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Hey, great recipes there, lol.. I understand how terrible it is to experience the wreck, especially when you are going for an important party. It's better to have a bakery with good portfolio, that works! poker calculator

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Nice recipes, thanks. I should be coming back here when I have all the ingredients ready.

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Forgot to add, that you can spice up the cake by adding some dry fruits on the top. Just an idea you could use. car insurance online

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My Mom has the book too, lol.. She loves baking cake a lot for the family. That is why I have some fats in abs and arms! :D

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I like cakes and pastries.. is this book talk about crumble cakes.. please let me knwo or if it is available online..

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Have a second plan with you. We never know what crash may happen and how bad it will be. But when you know what to do in case of unexpected incident, you should be able to handle better. international calling cards

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And I thought that these cake wrecks only happened in my case! It feels somehow better that others have also had this horrible experience of finding out that the cake that was to be baked for a special event turns out to be a dud!
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I thought it was about the cake games like those I found at Flash World Games : The #1 Flash Arcade Game Site! : Free Games, Arcade Games, Classic Arcade Games and more!, lol.. cake wrecks must be so troubling and hesitating. I hope you don't experience it twice. I am not an often party-host, so I never faced such problem before.

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Tis the season for cakes!

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Great for party. I always make cake as a must-have food. It is sweet and colorful, really suitable to cheer up situation. But cake wrecks..? Document Management Software

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I would always make sure the cake is perfect as I requested...

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