(s)Mothered: Cakespy's Ideas for the Overbearing Mom this Mother's Day
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 
Before anything else, we're going to admit that at Cakespy, we're all total brats about Mother's Day. While we like the idea of celebrating dear mom, something about the whole Laura-Ashley-and-tea-party image of the holiday just doesn't sit right with us. Because really, doesn't that make grand assumptions about mom--that she's a meek little lady who just wants some tea and lace? What about those overbearing, in your face, powerhouse moms? The controlling, sometimes calculating ones, who call you four times a day? Certainly something else is in order for those moms.
And so, it's these moms that we choose to celebrate this Mother's Day: following are just a few ideas about how to mom how you really feel about her this year, with some subliminal messages that are sweet nonetheless:
Idea 1: Empty Nester Cupcakes
Made for the mom who just can't let go, how about Empty Nester Cupcakes? These cupcakes have a mini "nest" --we made ours out of crumbled up Shredded Mini Wheats-- with "eggs" -- ours are jelly beans--sitting just outside. Why outside? Well, sometimes it's just time to move on. Mom still having trouble with you having, you know, your own life? Well, this is the perfect way to say "hey mom, I'm gone and I'm never comin' back!".
Idea 2: (s)Mother's Day Cake
This one's perfect for the overbearing mom who clearly just wants to take credit for everything you do, or who likes to suck the joy out of your achievements. Stage moms, soccer moms, moms who steal your boyfriend--we think you know what we mean. This cake actually has a cupcake buried within, so that the bigger layer cake completely obliterates the cupcake. However, once it's cut into, there's your subliminal message: "Hey ma, you've officially smothered me! Thanks a lot!". A bit heady, sure, but you like feeling smart and in the know, don't you?
How we did it: Make a cake (any type you choose, really); if it is a shallow pan, make it a two layer cake so that its height matches that of a frosted cupcake (in fact, you can use the leftover batter, if any, to make the cupcakes--that's what we did). Once the cake has cooled, if two layers, attach them with a dollop of frosting, but do not frost the top. Scoop out a ball from the center, and insert the frosted cupcake; the height should be slightly lower or even with the height of the cake. Frost just as you regularly would, making sure to cover the cupcake so that the frosting doesn't betray the secret within. Garnish to cover up any imperfections. Serve, and enjoy the confused faces as you get a massive amount of joy at your naughty little secret.
Idea 3: No Cake
Show your true colors this Mothers Day with an IOU--you know, something to the tune of "Sorry ma, meant to make you a cake, but I was out all night and stayed with that person I casually date--you know, the one you so clearly disapprove of. I owe you one! Thanks again for, you know, giving birth to me and everything"
Of course, if you must be kind to mom, here are some ideas that we've seen around:
Zabar's is offering a 7" Mother's Day Red Velvet Rose Cake, which is topped with cream cheese icing and filling surrounded with red cake crumbs and a cute little red rose topper. And, they'll ship it anywhere in the US--it Requires 2-day shipping, but wouldn't most things at this point, procrastinator? Available at zabar.com.
Dangerous Pies, whose wares we drooled about on Bmoresweet, is now shipping pies within the US--depending on which side you're on in the pie vs. cake revolution, this might be a nice choice for mom. Our vote goes for the Custard Pie--the owner refers to it as a "White Trash Crème Brûlée "--a midwestern comfort food on crack, if you will? We like the thought of that.
Of course, if you're in the DC area, you may be intrigued by the prospect of these "buttercream blossoms" we read about on DailyCandy--Maryland-based Couture Cupcakes is offering cupcakes formed into little "bouquets"--cute as anything, and far sweeter than flowers, in our opinion. Find them at 301-926-7333 or couture-cupcakes.com.
cakespy mischief, holidays
Reader Comments (52)
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Love them. The IOU is perfect and something I would totally do. (as a joke, my mom is pretty cool.) :)
OMG you totally crack me up.
haaaaa the IOU was hilarious. my Mom requested a lemon layer cake with buttercream for MD. i can do that!!
Love the "empty nest" cupcakes but you knew I would right? I have to admit the idea of "empty nest" makes me kinda sniffle. Its kinda sad... then again my mom was probably glad when I left the nest. Another year and she would have kicked me out herself! LOL
My mom makes it easy, she says, "You know me, I like Lush bath products and Coach bags." And I say, "Ok, Lush it is because I don't have $500 for a purse, lady." Having given birth myself, however, I totally relate to the feeling that you deserve a $500 once a year.
If I could get the little sous chefs to make me a coconut cake, then it would be a perfect mothers day. I still not sure what I'm going to do for my mom, though.
Hehehehe! Tempting. Very tempting. ;)
how cute are the empty nester cupcakes?! I love em!
clever, clever, clever. i love it. the empty nester is particularly appropriate for my mammy. i fully intend to make a batch and hope (and pray) that it helps her come to term with my move. if it doesn't, next year will be the smother cake... :)
This was too cool and as a mother, I hope I can Cakespy artwork this year. I really love the sling mama cuppies... you are the best!!! Oh yes, and I hope I don't turn out to be the mom that hides the cupcake in cake!
Love this! Especially the IOU... it reminds me of an old Roz Chast cartoon in which she introduced a line of Mother's Day cards called "Healing Truths." My favorite of them is one with the following verse:
"Your house is always clean and neat
Your lemon pound cake can't be beat
Self-negating mom and wife
It's not too late to get a life
Only trying to help"
I laughed so hard reading this that Tab came out my nose. :-)
Dangerous Pies will be the official dessert provider of my mother-in-law's Mother's Day feast! Banana cream and white trash creme brulee are the choices for Sunday!!! (Those are the desserts my husband is toting to his family's thing. I am making a pineapple upside down cake for my own mom, because it's her favorite. Gooey, sugary, a mess.)
Thanx for the morning giggles, Cakespy!
Expanding on your brilliant ideas, Cakespy, I've thought of a couple more cakes appropriate for the occasion: (1) a cake with apron strings attached; (2) a cake listing the calorie counts per slice. Maybe for cake #2 you could manage to put in a sound chip on the cake box lid so that every time you lift the lid, your mother's voice says "That dress...does nothing for you...."
I have issues with this day beacuse my mother passed. But this post cracked me up! Very creative and funny.
personally, my dad would need the "empty-nester" cakes more than my mum...he's more reluctant to me leaving him then mum! though we are having dessert at our house for mothers day...any other suggestions? [im a MAJOR anything-chocolate fan!]
OMG LOL you always make me smile and laugh - love you for it!!
Rosie x
great ideas!! and oh my goodness, I LOVE that last art piece - so adorable.
Ohhhhh, as a mom and a child, I gotta say this post made me laugh so much I actually shed a tear. Thank you soooooooo much! I personally have asked for cakespy...oh wait I am getting one...no thanks to the kiddo's but I know I will get some good lovin' from them too..you guys just rock!!
Carrie
awesome as usual! and SO much wittier than the cupcake i smooshed with my sneaker that i'd planned on giving my stepmom.
bwah-ha! only joking, of course!
I laughed my a@# off when I read this, you're too funny! The (s)Mother's Day Cake is my favorite!
OMG, LOVE LOVE LOVE that post. Too funny. How about a cupcake w/a chiseled off nail file in it for those who have mom's in the clink???? hmmmm Why do I love your violent artwork pieces the best??? I so want to shank someone so I am living vicariously through your cupcake that wears brass knuckles.
This post is too cute.
I have a step mom and a mom to take care of for mothers day!! These ideas are so Cakespy! I love it! So original... hence why you ROCK
You are truly wicked, dear Cakespy!
Ha! Made my day.
The best part? I can't believe that someone out there in the world actually calls themselves Scary WHitegirl!
Humor aside, I'll be making a very traditional lemon tart for my mom.