Sunday Sweets Celebrates China & Cherry Blossoms
Back in high school I went on a class trip to Washington DC during cherry blossom season - which, if you've ever experienced, you know is pure magic. It made such an impact that John and I later went back just to see the trees bloom again.
Anyway, I got to thinking about cherry blossoms this week, which led me to some truly stunning cakes.
(Cakes By Mannix, Philippines)
The cherry trees in DC were a gift from the people of Japan, although the trees are also found throughout China and the surrounding areas. Since I've gotten lost on a rabbit trail of gorgeous cakes, today I'm going to focus more on Chinese designs to narrow it down, but please bear with me if I get any details wrong!
Regardless, I think we can all agree this is STUNNING:
(Heather Barranco Dreamcakes, permanently closed )
It's like finely painted porcelain! So dreamy and delicate.
And this one looks like a painted wall scroll come to life:
(Cake Moment Designer Cakes, Hong Kong)
So many intricate details; I can't get over how crisp and shiny that gold is.
Here's a wedding cake (!!) with a modern twist on the classic Chinese dragon and phoenix:
Such great contrast. Don't you just love red, black, and white together?
And speaking of contrast, here's a more traditional take on the dragon and phoenix:
(Sophie Bifeld Cake Company, Ottawa)
Considering they're both fire creatures, I kinda like the burnt effect on the middle tier - although I suspect that's just a shadow on the painted gold finish, and it's not really that dark.
It took me a minute to decide which of these tiers is my favorite. How 'bout you?
(Roses and Bows Cakery, online school)
I'm going with the middle one, because I'm a sucker for dramatic gold accents on matte black surfaces. I do love the way the fan seems to float in midair, though, and that green pattern is gorgeous.
The baker says this next one was inspired by a Mandarin Quipa style dress - which google tells me is also called "Cheongsam."
(Vinism Sugar Art, Malaysia)
Look at that stringwork hanging from the bottom edge! I almost missed it at first because I was busy drooling over the hand-painted flowers. Doesn't that blue practically glow? Incredible.
Clear your schedule for the next two minutes, 'cuz we're going to need at LEAST that long to take in all the details on this next one:
(Grazie Cake and Sugar Craft Studio, Hong Kong)
This pastel masterpiece has it all: sugar netting, brush embroidery, flood work, painfully delicate piping... and it's SO DANG PRETTY. ::happy sigh::
Let's keep that pastel color palette going with this pretty-in-pink pagoda:
(Debra Hwang, London)
Look at all the different textures! The lines and details are so clean, so perfect. This was actually the first cake I picked for today; it was love at first sight.
Now hang on to your socks, because here comes one of those dramatic showstoppers that makes you stop and say, "Hang on. That's CAKE?!"
(Antonio's Kitchen, Arizona)
My mind is officially boggled. Look at the ribbon-like texture on the red tier, and the laser-precise patterns in black and white. How. HOW.
More Cheongsam cakes, this time a pair for an engagement party:
(Pepper Peach Cakery, Indonesia)
These took my breath away. I like that it took me several seconds to realize the flowers were 3D, too, not just the feathery wings. Absolutely stunning!
I hope these gave you a smile, gang, and made your Sunday a little more Sweet!
*****
P.S. This cherry blossom scarf is almost as pretty as some of these cakes:
I love the watercolor effect, so pretty!
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
