Cake Decorating at Duff’s Cakemix

The day before Thanksgiving, I was at Duff’s Cakemix.

It’s basically a fun way to get a group together for an activity that isn’t the usual bowling or mini golf. Think of it as an edible Color Me Mine.

First you decide what sort of cake you want from a choice (chocolate, vanilla, marble, lemon poppy seed, red velvet, etc) and what sort of frosting- fondant or buttercream. Our group all chose buttercream.

 

The cakes come in different sizes and you may also decorate cupcakes.

I chose the smallest cake and got a marble cake.

After going over to the wall of ideas and sorting through the bins of food coloring, cookie cutters (to make shapes out of fondant) and listening to what everyone was going to do, I just went for it. I grabbed a mint green (natch) bottle of food dye and squirted a small amount into my buttercream frosting. You start off with a tiny bit and add more if you need to. After a couple of drops, I decided I did want it more minty green.

And then I started frosting the cake. I have to confess I am not a baker and I never have frosted a cake before.

But our cakes were sitting on a baby lazy susan and I spun the cake around as a frosted. I’ve seen this on TV before, I think because it came pretty naturally. It probably helps I’m also an artist.

 

I had picked out a few basic shapes wishing they had mustaches (that would have been fun!). My fellow cake decorating companions were busy making their Thanksgiving cakes and mine was turning out to be a bit more colorful and summery.

 

Ta-dah! After I was done with my stars I had rolled out of hot pink fondant I colored, I went to the front counter where I was invited to pick out two special things. They have edible sugar glitter and candy to add as finishing touches. I blinged out my cake as much as I could but decided I didn’t have to go THAT overboard.

We had the cake the next day for Thanksgiving. It was moist and people enjoyed it. It’s not the cheapest cake* (about $50 which included the cake, studio fee and tip) but it’s about the experience. And I did have fun.

 

Duff’s Cakemix

8302 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069  — (323) 650-5555

 

* A friend who went to their pre-opening said the cake is made from regular box cake mix. It could be just for the pre-opening but if that’s the case, this is one really pricey cake.

© The Minty  2012