LilSugar

Kiddie Soiree: Adjustable Alphabet/Number Cake Pan

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:19 -0800

Birthday cakes serve as a centerpiece for any celebration, so finding, or making, the perfect one is always a project for me. The biggest issue with creating a custom cake each year is that by the next year, my lil ones want something completely different and I need to buy a new cake pan (or find another bakery).

The Alphabet/Number Cake Pan ($40) allows you to move two-inch cubes to create any letter or number with one pan. With grooves that keep the cubes in place, there is no need to worry about leaked batter that changes the final shape of the masterpiece. The easy to follow instructions provide a guide for creating either 10- or 14-inch cakes that will serve as the center of attention for years to come.

Made-to-Order and Ship Birthday Cakes: Ga Ga or Gag?

LilSugar — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Every parent will tell you that finding or making the perfect cake for your child's birthday fete can be stressful, which is why most of us turn to the local bakery or family baker for support and inspiration. These artisan-created made-to-order and ship cakes from a shop in California's Napa Valley are designed to prevent you from pre-party stress. You have to order four days in advance, but the cakes, which range in price from $92 to $98, are shipped overnight and arrive frozen. While the shapes are exquisite, I can just imagine myself pacing at my front door waiting for the cake to arrive.

Kiddie Soirée: Gingerbread Man Cakelets

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:00:37 -0800

Some moms have the time and patience to carefully plan out elaborate holiday desserts for upcoming parties and events, for everyone else there is the Gingerbread Man Cakelet Pan ($20). This handy little non-stick pan creates perfect lil gingerbread man desserts in a snap. Create your own recipe, or just use the pre-made kind that comes in a box from the grocery store. Add a touch of frosting, and voila, you're done! If you're up for it, have your children decorate the cakes with you. But if you're short on time they look cute plain too. These little guys are a tasty treat perfect for passing out to neighbors, your tot's holiday party at school, or the family friendly fête you throw every year.

Kiddie Soiree: Birthdays Cost More Than a Couple Bucks

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:01 -0700

Suri Cruise had a second birthday fete that would break most people's piggy banks, but some parents shell out bucks because there is no other option.

For urban dwellers living in tight spaces, children's birthday parties are a necessary splurge. It's one thing if your lil darling made his or her debut during the warm weather months as you can throw their soiree at the local park or playground. And, it's quite another when you can't rely on the climate forecast. To see what my options are, read more.

My son is a November baby who turns two in a matter of weeks so we'll be inviting twenty of his buddies and their parents to a get together. Our flat cannot accommodate the number of kids, let alone parents, so we looked into other options. The price of park and rec club houses rival those of indoor playgrounds so we've decided on one that allows the kids to play for two hours before they are escorted to a festive room for the lunch hour and cake. Our no frills, but plenty of thrills party for our lil guy will likely set us back twelve hundred dollars. Before becoming a mom, I would have thought the expenditure was insane. Now, having planned six parties between my two kids, I realize it's the economical option. I can't wait until we own a house and throw basic pin-the-tail on the donkey and face paint parties in the backyard and basement.
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Delilicious: Dazzling Novelty Cake Pans

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:00:53 -0700

It seems delicious kid friendly desserts taste even better when they come in the shape of something fun. The Wilton Giant Cupcake Cast Pan ($30) has become a staple for kid birthdays (much to the pleasure of moms like myself, its popularity coincides with a million great cupcake recipes). Looks like it's time to whip out my Cakes for Kids book!

Bone Shaped Cake Pan ($18)	Wilton Giant Cupcake Cast Pan ($30)
Wilton Heart Cake Pan Set ($40)	Spider-Man Cake Pan ($13)
SpongeBob SquarePants Cake Pan ($14)	Butterfly Pull-Apart Cupcake Pan ($15)	Elmo Cake Pan ($14)

Kiddie Soirée: Cakes for Kids

babysugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:00:16 -0700

Want to turn your child's birthday party into a bash, but you don't have much cash?

For mothers who must have a unique cake and can't shell out $5,000 for it, Cakes for Kids can come in handy.

The $15 book gives eager–to–please mamas step-by-step instructions to craft a sugary work of art.

Novice bakers need not worry as the levels of difficulty are spelled out simply.

So release your inner Martha and get to work!

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Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun With Twin Diaper Cakes!

babysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:00:36 -0700

It's multiple mania here at Sugar! After sending queen Sugar on her way to deliver a healthy baby girl, we showered our own LilSugar in bright floral style. The only thing that could outdo those diaper cakes would be TWO of them. More babies mean more festivities and that includes the decorations. Instead of making one grand centerpiece, I opted to make a couple of smaller ones to send our ShopStyle girl off in, well, style!

To see more photos and a detailed explanation on how to make the pair of "pastries," read more.

The party hostess chose the theme and ribbons of pink and black as the mother-to-be is expecting twin daughters and works for our fab group, ShopStyle. Instead of stuffing the base full of diapers, I chose to build around two sparkling bottles of pink champagne that will give the mom some extra incentive to push through labor. Folding each diaper in half, I packed them in a circle and tied them with a thick black grosgrain ribbon. Next, I began to make the second layer and wrapped it with the fleur de lis ribbon. For the top of the cake, I took one diaper and wrapped it tightly around the neck of the bottle and cinched it with the last piece of pink grosgrain ribbon. Instead of a regular cake platter, we placed the cakes on basket weaved platters. To finish the look, take two yards of tulle and tie it up top with a bow. Mommy will be delighted that the twins are already keeping their own identities separate and she'll have twice as many diapers!

* If you do not have a cake plate, you can use a cardboard box as the base. To make it more attractive, wrap it in tissue or adorned paper for an adorable and eco-friendly platter.

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Freaky Deaky Baby Shower Cakes

babysugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:27 -0700

If you thought those sleeping baby cakes were creepy, check out some of the other delicious gems we gathered from Cake Wrecks. Those hard working ladies have come across some pastries that will make you gag, laugh or order the crafty er... dessert. Pay attention so you can cast your vote on the creepiest cake!

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Baby Cakes: Crazy Creepy or Crazy Cute?

babysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:05:35 -0700

"What's my baby doing on the cake platter taking a nap?" Oh snap! That's a cake! Every baby shower deserves a special dessert but these er... take the cake? Forget the diaper cakes or the diabetic friendly flower pastry. Shower hosts can serve up a frosted newborn on a silver platter.

On the hilarious and ubercreative blog spot Cake Wrecks, we found some unsettling baby confections. What could be creepy about a baby cake? Well for starters, some of them have a doll buried under icing making it look more like a deathbed than a bassinet. And what happens when it comes time to eat the dessert? No guest wants to see the sugary lil toes sliced off for their nibbling pleasure. The bakers are certainly skilled in the decorating department, but maybe a crib full of stuffed toys would have done the trick.

What do you think about these babylicious cakes?

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A Sugary Sweet Baby Shower For the Sugar Family

babysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:00:20 -0700

Here at Sugar HQ, we have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Baby Sugar #2. Lisa, the queen of all things Sugar, has developed a perfectly round bump and big sister Katie is ready for her lil sister's arrival. To honor the sweet family, we decided to use the obvious - confections galore.

For the centerpiece of the soiree, I provided the expectant parents a diaper cake chock full of delicious delights. Since we don't want to leave the sibling out of the celebration, I made a miniature version for her. To keep the guests from attacking the decor, we provided Kara's Cupcakes and sparkling apple cider.

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To see what the diaper cake is made of, read more.

Using Pampers Swaddlers, I formed the base of the cake. Around each layer, I tied a piece of twine and covered it with a pink gingham ribbon. Atop of that, I used a hot glue gun to apply Bubble Gum tape. To add a bit of color, I glued on Necco wafers to each layer. Since most everyone loves a Dum Dum, I placed one in every other diaper. For the cake topper, I took a bottle, filled it with Skittles and tied a bow on top. To keep it all stacked together, I created columns with bamboo skewers and then wrapped it up with pink tulle and a puffed out ribbon.

For the smaller sibling cake, I made one layer with the same diapers and tied a ribbon around it. Instead of hyping wee Katie up on candy, I used four fake flowers for the centerpiece and limited her faux pastry with one Dum Dum and a candy necklace. More than anything, it was a treat for us to watch her open her own gift.

If you want to place a bet on when the Sugar baby will arrive, click here!