Thursday
May072009
Sugar Mama: An Ode to the Sweetest Mom Ever
Thursday, May 7, 2009 
People frequently ask me what inspired me to start CakeSpy.com. What in the world could have contributed to such a deep interest (bordering on obsession) in cake that someone would devote their life to eating, researching, writing about, and illustrating it?
Well, as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree--or in this case, the crumb doesn't fall far from the cake.
That is to say--blame it on my mom.
My mother, Margie Moore, is just about the coolest person there is. Growing up, for every birthday we had an amazing cake. None of this store-bought sheet cake business, no sir--we always had some sort of multi-tiered pink confection that put even wedding cakes to shame--like this one:
Of course, making cakes like this was a time consuming ordeal, and very trying on the rest of the family as we were unable to indulge right away. So to stave off our sticky fingers, she'd always make a little something extra with the leftover cake batter: a batch of festively frosted cupcakes:
...now, don't these look familiar? After all, they're the inspiration for a little cupcake character you've come to know and love.
But wait--there's more. My mom is not merely a sugar enabler--she's also a renowned children's book illustrator. And yes--cake and sweets often play a role in her illustrative work, in books such as Ruby Bakes a Cake
Happy Mother's Day to the sweetest mom, like, ever.
For Margie Moore's birthday cake recipe, click here.
Reader Comments (33)
That's awesome...your mum must be so proud of you and your achievements, too!
Such a talented family! Luscious post :).
Jessie, your mom is incredible. I absolutely love her illustrations. I'm gonna get myself a copy of "Bear of My Heart" :P
Does she have any new ones in the works? I've always wanted to write a Children's book...I know a lot of people say that but I actually have one conceived, just have to put it into action. I'm an okay artist but that's whats stopping me..I'd like the illustrations to be a bit better.
That was the sweetest Mother's Day post :)
How very sweet!
Clearly talent (as well as a love of sugar) runs in the family!
Wow, Jessie, your mom sounds like the best mom ever indeed. I love that she made cupcakes for you so you don't have to "suffer" as kids and wait for the cake. How wonderful! (I'm sooooooo jealous). It is an inspiration for me too. Great idea. Love it. I also make 2 birthday cakes for my son, one on the official day and another for the party day.
You should have seen what I made for him last year. A pie dish full of ice creams, whipped cream, candy, chocolate syrup… sparkler s. it was so awesome and he was so shocked about it. Come to think of it, I should post a photo of it on my Friday cake posts.
Awww! Totally awesome. I love that Ruby book and now that you mention the connection, I know why your cuppie drawins had a hint of familiarity. That is truly awesome. I will never understand how some people can think store bought or healthy birthday cakes are as special as the lovely concoctions we both seemed to grow up with!
This is so nice! And wow, I think that's the most beautiful cake I've ever seen. Seriously! What an awesome mom.
Agreed, talent and creativity is in your genes!
Lovely post to your mom!
Your mom drew Ruby?!?! I knew those pictures looked familiar when I opened up this post. I love Ruby!
My mom passed down something similiar to me too! She was a cake decorator for 20 years and always made us special birthday cakes. Nice to read your story! ;)
beautiful cake & cupcakes. and an animated cupcake bunny? sweeeet.
Wow, her illustrations are just gorgeous!
Neat - I didn't know that!
How awesome is that. I love this. You mom has amazing talent as well.
Oh, sweet! ♥
Holy crap...so much talent in one family. I love your Mom's work just as much as yours. How lucky you are to have such a cool mom!
With all due respect to your own cuppie, your mother's illustrations are just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. I always buy my mom cards with little woodland creatures having a tea party or some such thing. Tooooo cute!
This is so sweet. I'm actually tearing up over here.
nice post :-) i went to the link with the birthday cake recipe ... i know that page! my mother had the same book and also made us great birthday cakes! that picture was an instant blast from the past. thanks!
How precious! Both you and your mom are so amazing...and an inspiration to cupcake lovers everywhere. Seriously, so sweet in every sense!
Talent most certainly runs in your family! :)
What beautiful sweet creations and illustrations! Your mom is one talented Mamma Cupcake indeed!
That is so cool! You are so lucky to have a mom who baked all the time as a kid. My mom doesn't know how to cook or bake even when trying to follow a recipe haha. I still love her, though.
Beautiful pictures and photos! You and your mother are very talented.
Wow! I'll have to order some of your mom's books for our school.
What a delightful homage to your mother. Good taste is apparently genetic!