So, here they are, in descending age order, the good, the mehh and the fails :)
2023: Max 15 (!!) - Rainbow Candy Cake
Max requested the same Lolly cake as his 13th, but I wanted to do something different - it was well received nonetheless. I love the look of the M&Ms when placed vertically - completely different from the rounds. Filled with Skittles.
2022: Finn - Marvel
Fondant on buttercream. This was (almost) a labour of love! Having just watched the full gamut of Marvel movies, and series with my kids, I feel like I now know these characters intimately (more than 35 movies/series over a couple of months). Sculpting is definitely not a strength of mine, but I was pretty happy, nevertheless, with the way they turned out.
2021: Max 13 - Lollies
Ganache on buttercream.
2020: Finn 10 - Star Wars
I did it! I actually made another spherical fondant cake and I'm pretty thrilled with how it turned out!
2020: Max 12 - Percy Jackson/Greek Gods
Another nerve-wracking fondant cake. I genuinely wonder how many cakes it takes to feel comfortable working with fondant.
2018: Max 10 - Chess Party
White chocolate mud cake with chocolate chess pieces. First time using chocolate moulds. I had originally planned to do a full-sized 8x8 chessboard, but after the moulds arrived in the post, I realised that it would turn out to be a 40cm square cake - perhaps somewhat excessive!
2017: Finn 7 - Pirate cake for a Pirate Parrrrty - see more here
A buttercream and fondant combo - using a super wide tip
to apply buttercream and smoothing using an actual turntable, not a makeshift Lego one 😁
2017: Max 9 - Hobbit Hole Cake
First time using a grass tip - I love the look of it and have used it on numerous cakes since.
This coincided with a trip to Hobbiton for Max's birthday - photos here.
2016: Max 8- Golden Snitch Cake, see Harry Potter Party here
I didn't have a turntable at this point, so improvised one out of lego, chopping board and edible glue :)
2015: Finn 5 - Climbing Wall cake
My first real cake fail - covering it took longer than expected and I had to leave for the school run - by the time I got back, the fondant had dried out and was no longer workable. I have no idea why I decided to cover it in sections, instead of like a normal fondant cake... Fondant anxiety?
I also learned that black fondant looks rather unappetising!
2015: Max 7 - Captain America’s Shield cake
I actually used stencils to get the shapes precise, instead of winging it, as I all too often do, and was happy with how it turned out.
2014: Finn 4 - Pirate Ship cake
One of my favourites
2014: Max 6 - Lego cake for a Lego party (see post here)
My first time using fondant, ever, and tbh, I still hate working with the stuff!
2013: Finn 3 - Train cake
Definitely the last time I'll use a shaped cake mould - so frustrating to get it out, despite copious greasing of mould
2011: Finn 1 - Echidna
My first (and, so far, only) ice-cream cake - this one might actually be from the AWW cake magazine!
2010: Max 2 - Marshmallow lorry
My first shaped cake, ever
2009: Max 1 - A simple Kiwi Pavlova
And there have been a few others for the adults in my life:
My golfing-husband's cake
Chocolate-loving-Grandpa's cake
For my Pineapple-Lump-loving husband
And if you are interested in Christmas cakes, they can be found here.