Cakes by Nadia Couture Cake Boutique #2: To bake or not to bake - that is the question

Over the last couple of months I have entertained the thought of buying in my cakes to decorate…… I really am busy and a day spent standing in front of my oven baking (and then a good hour or so of cleaning my kitchen and cake pans) could be better spent elsewhere. Paperwork, updating my blog, website or cake photo albums or perhaps I could do the grocery shopping for the house so that my husband and kids have something other than cake “restovers” and ganache to eat!

I have on the odd occasion bought in a naked chocolate mudcake when I have been strapped for time. Noone complained, in fact all comments were favourable but I felt like a cheat. A cheat with more time on my hands but a cheat nonetheless. If I push those feelings aside I can see the benefits. More time, less mess, a more organised Nadia. Running with my new thoughts on the matter, I decided to buy in a white chocolate mud cake to see what it was like. Honestly I could not tell if it was a white chocolate mudcake or just a vanilla cake. Being a Coeliac, I couldn’t even trim the top to taste it. All I could do was squish, smell, feel and weigh it up. Not convinced it was the real deal, I made my own anyway!!! So much for being a more organised Nads, I was now a sleep deprived one. Satisfied but sleep deprived!

What do I do when someone wants me to make a white chocolate raspberry mud cake ? This is my most popular flavour …… where am I going to find someone who bakes one just like mine?? Close friends and family tell me to “buy buy” or find someone to bake for me! But the less I bake the more I miss it. I started my training in the Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen, its part of what I do …. I bake!! I play with ingredients, test and retest until its right and know that its good. Should I hand this over to someone else to save me time and perhaps my sanity but feel like a cheat and provide a product that I’m less than happy with????

So the question is ……. do you bake or do you not bake??? I would love to hear your thoughts.

X Nadia

www.diaryofamadwoman1973.blogspot.com.au

6 Comments

Hi, Nadia,

To me, part of the satisfaction (and stress) is making the actual cake. I have to be honest and say that I’d rather decorate than bake, but knowing that I actually made something that people liked and enjoyed makes me forget all the work that came before it.

In a pinch, you can certainly purchase a naked cake and decorate it to perfection. But, for everyday orders, I’d say go ahead and bake it yourself – you may want to take less orders so you’ll have more time and enjoy the process more.

Best always.

DJ - Fun Fiesta Cakes

Good advice :)

Thanks .. I really am Interested in hearing what other people are dong
x

www.diaryofamadwoman1973.blogspot.com.au

I think it depends on your time and your enjoyment Nadia. I dislike baking intensely and will definitely buy cakes from my lovely local baker when I get organised enough to get my order to him in time lol! However, in your case it sounds like you mostly enjoy baking so would probably miss this part of the process. If you find a good baker like mine, I don’t believe there is any harm in buying in naked cakes :) xx

Raewyn, Sydney, Australia https://www.facebook.com/cakesbyraewyn

Thanks Raewyn,

It’s been a real issue for me because I love to bake but love love the decorating part too …… I think if I find a lovely baker like yours I would get to love the special order baking even more while leaving the standard naked cakes to someone else… Food for thought ….. Thanks

www.diaryofamadwoman1973.blogspot.com.au

Nadia, I am a baker at heart…love to decorate but I truly love a cook and bake! So For me it’s a no brainer. Not to mention I couldn’t get good cake here unless I am making it. I am big on quality! I don’t blame you for thinking about this though…there are those times I think I would love just to get to the decorating already. Good Luck hunny. I am sure you will make the best decision for you!xx

Ann-Maries Cakes http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Maries-Cakes/262945553740371

Thanks Ann-Marie,
Oh I really am torn :) wish there was two of me some days!!!!!
X

www.diaryofamadwoman1973.blogspot.com.au