Thursday
Feb212008
Cake Byte: A Super Sweet Giveaway and Cake Poll from Cakespy!
Thursday, February 21, 2008 
If you read this site, it's likely you're already living the sweet life; but today, life is about to get sweeter still. Why so? Well, we've decided to give away a Cakespy original mini watercolor painting to one lucky reader! Like whoa!
How can you put your name in the running? It's easy! All you need to do is this:
- To satisfy our nosy tendencies (we are spies, after all), fill out the below Cake Poll! You can leave your responses in the comment section, or send your responses via email to jessieoleson@gmail.com.
- At 12pm PST on Sunday, February 24, the Cake Poll will be closed. The winner will be chosen at random, not based on their responses. The original will then be shipped to the lucky winner within 48 hours, via the most economical method.
As for our fine print: The results of this poll will be used for entertainment and Cake Gumshoeing purposes only; we may summarize the results of this poll in upcoming posts. Your private information will not be shared with any outside parties. Also, we've elected to leave the cake poll open to all US Territories, Canada and abroad--so even overseas cake enthusiasts can take part! *As for the prize itself, it is the miniature framed painting pictured at the top and to the left; no substitutions are allowed. And so, without further ado, let us poke at your most intimate cake details (if emailing your answers, please include your name and the best way to contact you if you win!):
- Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
- What were some of the special cakes from your childhood (a Birthday cake? Grandma's German Chocolate? Or perhaps something from the local bakery or supermarket? Anything goes for us as long as it was special to you.)?
- Presently, how often do you eat cake or cupcakes? No judgments, we promise.
- If you were stranded on a desert island and had to live on one type of cake or cupcake for the rest of your life...what type would it be?
- On cupcakes, what is your ideal ratio of cake to frosting? 50/50? 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting? 3/4 cake, 1/4 frosting? Other?
- How do you feel about cakes or cupcakes from mixes?
- What's the best thing about eating cake or cupcakes?
- Is there a such thing as a bad cake? If so, what makes it bad?
In the meantime, have a very sweet weekend!
tagged breaking cake news, cake art, cakespy mischief
breaking cake news, cake art, cakespy mischief
Reader Comments (94)
1.San Jose, CA. – San Francisco, CA.
2.Pineapple Upsidedown Cake. My grandfather’s specialty.
3. Seriously…. At least 3x per week. That’s alternated with cookies and ice creams.
4.This is a 3 way tie between: White Cupcake with Buttercream frosting, Red Velvet Cake or A Banana Charlotte. Wait… I think the Charlotte wins.
5.On cupcakes, what is your ideal ratio of cake to frosting? If we’re talking buttercream… 50/50.
6.I’m ok with them. Of course scratch rocks… but for those of us that are baking impaired…..
7. The first bite and the last bite.
8.Of course there’s bad cake! Super dry, super soggy, not enough frosting, flavorless and of course if it’s not made with love… or at least passion!
Happy Polling!
Erin
spicedish@gmail.com
1. I grew up on the Stoney Creek Mountain and live about a half an hour from there now....
2. There is a cake that I used to get for each and every Birthday from Sam's Bakery....I love it so much and still request it every year...(I even get a cake for myslef for no occassion at all...just love the smell of that bakery and the taste of that cake...takes me back to my childhood all over again....
3. I eat cake and or cupcakes about once a week...hehehe...life is too short and I enjoy baking and eating...
4. It would have to be a rum cake from Sam's Bakery
5. My ideal ratio is 2 thirds cake and 1 third icing...yummmmmmmmmm
6. no place for mixes...I believe in the old fashion from scratch baking methods...melting chocolate...yummmm
7. it just makes you smile and feel like a kid again...and who doesn't love that
8. yes and no...when there is plenty you can taste a bad cake...but when you're desperate...I guess anything goes...
great blog and awesome give away!!!
CHeers,
Diana
1. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Kenya, Iran, Iraq, China and Hong Kong, and now live in Paris.
2. What were some of the special cakes from your childhood (a Birthday cake? Grandma's German Chocolate? Or perhaps something from the local bakery or supermarket? Anything goes for us as long as it was special to you.)?
My mum's fabulous cakes of course! She's a top chef and a perfect baker, and would cut up the cakes into fun shapes with fun frosting, too. The best!
3. Presently, how often do you eat cake or cupcakes? No judgments, we promise.
Hmmmm, once a month? I mean cake strictly speaking.
4. If you were stranded on a desert island and had to live on one type of cake or cupcake for the rest of your life...what type would it be?
Chocolate cake, super fudgy and gooey, brownie-type.
5. On cupcakes, what is your ideal ratio of cake to frosting? 50/50? 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting? 3/4 cake, 1/4 frosting? Other?
Just a little frosting please, barely there, or else the super sweetness of the frosting drowns the taste of the cake.
6. How do you feel about cakes or cupcakes from mixes?
YUCK!
7. What's the best thing about eating cake or cupcakes?
That they're satisfying and have such a rich taste.
8. Is there a such thing as a bad cake? If so, what makes it bad?
Forgetting the flour (which I did once), forgetting the baking powder (also did it), confusing the baking powder and the baking soda (guess what, I also did that...)
1. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now? Born, raised and currently reside in Fort Worth, Texas
2. What were some of the special cakes from your childhood (a Birthday cake? Grandma's German Chocolate? Or perhaps something from the local bakery or supermarket? Anything goes for us as long as it was special to you.)? My favorite cake growing up was a bubble gum machine cake that Mom would make me on my birthdays.
3. Presently, how often do you eat cake or cupcakes? No judgments, we promise. Once or twice a week!
4. If you were stranded on a desert island and had to live on one type of cake or cupcake for the rest of your life...what type would it be? Chocolate
5. On cupcakes, what is your ideal ratio of cake to frosting? 50/50? 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting? 3/4 cake, 1/4 frosting? Other? It would have to be 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting
6. How do you feel about cakes or cupcakes from mixes? I prefer from scratch, but don't mind box mixes too much
7. What's the best thing about eating cake or cupcakes? The satisfying feeling you get and feeling like you're a kid again
8. Is there a such thing as a bad cake? If so, what makes it bad? Forgetting ingredients or too much of ingredients...
Sarah W. sarahcat@48ovvi.org
1. Southern CA, Southern CA
2. I had a Snow White castle cake that my family made for me when I was little.
3. Not as often as I would like.
4. Vegan chocolate cake with blueberry frosting and a giant cherry on top.
5. 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting, I suppose.
6. Easiest to make. :)
7. They taste good and are cute.
8. If it isn't vegan. :(
1. SE Wisconsin, same
2. Birthday cake!
3. Once a week.
4. Chocolate.
5. 1/4 if it's really fluffy frosting, I don't have the sweet tooth I used to
6. Never made one.
7. It's usually part of a party or social event.
8. Yes, I tried to make a vegan carrot cake that was not edible...lol.
1. grew up in missouri. live in new york city.
2. any cake my mom made was special.
3. as often as i can. i love making cupcakes.
4. carrot cake
5. depends on the frosting. i would say 1/3 frosting. less if the frosting is really sweet.
6. i see nothing wrong with them. i actually like to use mixes sometimes when i'm short on time but will only use them as the base and then personalize it to my own taste. but i prefer to make from scratch
7. they're soooo yummy!! i especially love cupcakes. it's like everyone can have their own little personal cake.
8. yes. to me any bad cakes i've had have been because of bad icing. using sickeningly sweet icing is a bad thing. good example...magnolia bakery. that place has been hyped up way too much and their cakes are nasty! too sweet!
That painting is the cutest!
1. I grew up in a small village in Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. I still live there today!
2. What first comes to mind is a kind of blueberry-flavoured cheesecake that my mother used to make for birthdays.
3. I'm guessing once every two weeks, sometimes it's a lot more, sometimes less often. When I don't eat cake, I usually do eat some other baked good, though.
4. Wow, hard one. An apple cake, I think. I could eat apples all the time (and I do).
5. 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting.
6. I don't really use them, because I enjoy making things from scratch.
7. Eating them always makes you feel like it's a special occasion. And because cakes are always different, each time you have one it IS a special occasion!
8. Well, sometimes cakes don't turn out the way they were supposed to and they end up tasting bitter. That is bad.
Also, I agree with Luna's answer to this question above!
I hope you have a very sweet weekend, too!
1. I've moved a lot growing up - all over central and souther California, as well as a short stint in Boulder CO. I'm currently in Monterey California. Have been for 8 years, the longest I've ever been in one place!
2. Pineapple upside down is our family favorite. We would have it once a year for my Father's birthday. Lucky me, I married a guy who's favorite (and traditional birthday) cake is also Pineapple Upside down! And so now I get it twice a year!
3. I just started baking and decorating, so lately, at least once or twice a week!
4. Mmmmm.. lemon pound cake!
5. If the cake is soft and sweet - only a thin layer, but if the cake is of a more bready taste, you gotta have more frosting! if it's cream cheese frosting, you can just hand me a spoon, thank you!
6. In theory, I hate them, in practice, they can be so awesome! They have their place
7. Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. Granularity. A grainy cake is a sad cake.
1. I grew up on Maui, Hawaii. Now I live in Los Angeles, CA.
2. My mother's rum cake with rum & butter glaze is famous with family and friends...mmmm!
3. I eat cake or cupcakes once every few months.
4. Chocolate Molten Cake!
5. 3/4 cake, 1/4 frosting. Unless it's Tres Leches cake, which has amazing frosting - that could have more like 50/50.
6. I feel more inspired to bake from scratch, but I'll eat whatever kind of cake, as long as it tastes good.
7. The best thing about eating cake is the exiting occasion and great company that it is usually enjoyed with.
8. Bad cake is when someone forgets to add the flour. Yup, I've done that.
What the heck, I'm # 87 and I'm in :)
1. I grew up in Guyana, South America. I now live in Barbados.
2. The birthday cake that was made for my 5th birthday it was of pink and white icing with lots of pink and white roses and I remember many little silver beads. I remember peeking into the fridge the night before the party, on tip toe to look at the cake, it was sitting on the first shelf of the fridge.
3. Almost not at all. You said no judgements! (lol)
4. A Caribbean rum-fruit cake.
5. Other, I don't know! :O
6. I am not a food snob so that's mighty fine to me.
7. Having it with a cup of tea
8. Yes there is a bad bake - when it's dry.
1. Grew up in PA. Now live in CA.
2. No one in my family bakes or did bake when I was a child. My favorite purchased cake as a child was Carvel Ice Cream cake.
3. Because I love to bake these days, I eat some cake or a cupcake about every other week.
4. chocolate
5. 3/4 cake and 1/4 frosting
6. I'm sure there are good mixes, but I don't use them any more and many aren't vegan (and I am).
7. trying new recipes
8. yes, I've made some really bad cakes, many misadventures in my baking
I'm on a roll with contests. I recently won Vegan Noodle's contest and received a cakespy magnet and the Society of Peace dessert book you illustrated. So cute!
1. I grew up in White Bear Lake, MN. And Now live in Shreveport, LA (due to the AirForce).
2. My favorite cake I remember was for my 6th birthday. It was a Sunshine Bear CareBear cake, all yellow with a star-tipped icing. I thought it was the coolest thing, and now everytime I do a star-tip cake at work, it brings me back to my childhood.
3. I eat cake everyday. Not really sitting down and getting a big forkfull, I have to taste cakes and icings each day to ensure their freshness at the bakery I work at. I like to believe this method has no calories attached to it.
4. Oooooh that's tough! I would have to say Chocolate almond angel food cake with a blood orange glaze. Does that sound wierd? I made it once as a special, it lasted 2 hours. SOoooooo gooooood.
5. Other. How about icing FILLED cupcakes with a dusting of powdered sugar. That sounds about right to me. Like a little surprise!
6. Mixes never have the smooth, light, texture a traditional cake has. to me, mixes feel grainy and rubbery compared to moist and buttery.
7. They make you smile. Have you ever been mad eating a cake? It seems kind-of theraputic...Cake Therapy.
8. Oh yes. Ever forgot an essential ingredient? That's a real science experiment!
Esmeralda-artfrenzy68@yahoo.com
1. I grew up in the Central Valley of California, Tulare County area. I still live in Tulare County.
2. It was the Dolly Madison's White cake with coconut frosting. My mom loved it and I also enjoyed it as a kid. I miss it, since it isn't available anymore...I don't think Dolly Madison exists anymore either, right!?
3. Around 2-3 times a month.
4. It would have to be yellow cake (butter recipe) with white frosting.
5. 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting
6. They are okay, if they are baked correctly.
7. They hit the spot when your craving something sweet...and with milk it is total bliss! :)
8. I would have to say if the cake is dry then it is a bad cake. It makes me choke and caugh! :P
1.Southwest Missouri.....Southwest Missouri (there were some other states in between though)
2.My grandma always made me a lemon meringue pie for my birthday, but I had an ice cream cake for my b-day parties.
3.Once a week at least, I am the sole member of my quality control team usually.
4.Yellow cake, chocolate frosting.
5.2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting- to eat. but 50/50 generally looks better!
6.No way.
7.They are the perfect size to satisfy a sweet craving.
8.Definitely. Too dry, most grocery store cakes, if the frosting contains Crisco, or any other shortening.
suzanne@spunsugarcakecompany.com
1. I grew up in Manila but currently based in Southern France
2. Chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate frosting
3. We eat cupcakes, cakes and muffins like 3x a week :-)
4. Definitely chocolate and with lots of choco chips
5. i would say 50/50
6. Im not really a fan but sometimes i use them and i'm amazed on how some brand can be close to home made ones
7. You forgot about all your worries
8. Yup, when its too dry and short of sweetness
nice game cakespy!!! i had fun answering :-)
Getting in under the wire:
1. I grew up splitting my time between Minnesota and Oregon. I now live in Seattle and have become thoroughly urbanized.
2. Red velvet cake with custard frosting. Also, grandma's homemade angel food cake with strawberries and Cool Whip. Always Cool Whip.
3. I've had to restrict my cake intake to special occasions, so weeks can go by with no cake. :(
4. Guinness chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. http://www.grouprecipes.com/3405/chocolate-guinness-cake.html" REL="nofollow"> Here
5. Depends on the sweetness of the frosting (I like frostings that are less sweet better) but 2/3 cake 1/3 frosting seems about right.
6. I prefer a boxed cake to a poorly made cake from scratch any day.
7. Cake always feels like a celebration.
8. Unfortunately I've had (and made) many bad cakes in my day. Lumpy and dry cake is the opposite of celebration. Cake that you need a big glass of milk just to wash down is the worst. 100% disappointment.
1. Grew up in Kenmore, NY and currently reside in Denver, CO.
2.Chocolate Lush Cake, German Chocolate Cake and Pineapple Upside Down Cake are childhood favorites.
3.I only eat cake or cupcakes for special occasions.
4.Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting would be my Survival Island fare.
5. It is all about the frosting, 50/50.
6. Mixes are fine, I think it depends on the baker.
7. The best thing about eating cake is saving the frosting for last.
8. Bad cake is usually dry cake or diet cake.
Too late for the contest, but I will tell you anyway...
1. Grew up in a small town east of Indianapolis (GO COLTS!). I now live in a little big bigger town west of Indianapolis. Obviously, I don't get out much.
2. Every year for my birthday - strawberry flavored caked with chocolate icing.
3. At least once a week.
4. Ohhh, that's hard. I'm going to say carrot cake because it's chock full of fruit & vegetables.
5. 2/3 cake, 1/3 frosting.
6. Duncan Hines, yes.
7. Cake makes everything a special occasion.
8. Dry cake. Whipped cream icing - what is the point? Coconut - gag.