I remember my own first communion very well. It was such a big milestone in our young lives. I think we were in the first grade. I was so excited to finally be able to receive the Host. The pretty white dress and veil was such a treat to have in our modest lifestyle. I remember we practiced as a class in the church several times for the ceremony. Where to sit, how to file up to the front, when to approach the kneeler, when to kneel, when to stand. On the very last practice day they even served us unconsecrated hosts, so we could practice accepting it on our tongues (there was no hand communion back then), and to get a feel for its taste and consistency. That day I was SO excited. I mean SUPER excited that we were getting a real host. Of course, as per the curse of those whose last names start with a Z (yes, my maiden name started with a Z too), I was the last one. Last pew, last seat, last in line. I was so very worried that they would run out of hosts before I got up there. As the line moved forward I was just praying… please don’t run out… please don’t run out. Of course they ran out. Story of my life. Another emotional scar I have had to overcome. To this day I practically run out of my pew, knocking people over, to get in line at communion time cuz I am afraid they are going to run out.
But I digress. Let me share with you some of the cakes I made this year:
This one was for a male, and the mom wanted it to be classic, elegant, simple, but no way feminine. No flowers, no colors. This one I iced in white buttercream. I used the diamond impression mat on the sides and put small candy pearls at the intersections.
I used a stencil to apply the pattern to the ivory stripes. I first rolled out the ivory fondant, stenciled the pattern on with buttercream, then cut the strips with my ribbon cutter. I then gently lifted them, applied water to the back with a brush, and attached them to the cake carefully with the aid of the end of a dowel rod so as not to smear the stencil. A 6 mm bead maker was used for the pearl border. (I show how to use these in Boxes and Bows.)
The same stencil was used with luster dust on the drape and knot. The cross was cut out from fondant with gumpaste, and allowed to dry firm. Later, 4mm pearls were attached to the edge, and the whole thing was airbrushed with super pearl dust after I applied the monogram initial.
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This cake was made for sweet little Elizabeth, a close family friend. Lizzy designed her entire cake from start to finish. This was the first custom cake she had ever had, and she was super excited. I did exactly as she instructed me to.
The cake was iced in white buttercream. 8 mm pearls were used for the borders. Satin ribbon was applied around the tiers, and the monogram was printed on an edible icing sheet and backed with fondant.
The cross was cut from fondant, piped with royal, and airbrushed with super pearl. All the flowers were made from gumpaste using this set.
My hubby delivered the cake, and said she was absolutely thrilled and overjoyed with her cake. She and her cousins and sisters were oogling over it, and they even ate the flowers!
Look at this sweet note she wrote me the next week. Just melts my heart:
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Here is another one for a young man. He also specified “very simple and nothing girly”. Those boys are very concerned that their cakes be masculine! LOL
Also iced in white buttercream. The lighting makes the cake look as if it is two tone, but it was not. The shaped plaque was molded white chocolate. The chalice and Host were made with a chocolate mold from fondant with tylose, dried and then painted.
I saw this design on a google search and loved it. I do not know who the original artist was to give credit. If you know, please let me know.Mine did not do the original justice, but Eva was happy. Here are some progress photos:
I baked a single layer sheet cake and cut large pieces to fit under my cross template, made from card stock.
I cut out the cross shape, then torted and filled the cake with lots of pink icing per Eva’s request!
Crumbcoat applied.
Final icing base coat done.
I then wrapped a strip of pink fondant around the sides of the cake using the same technique as on my Oz cake.
I used the template to cut the top piece and applied it.
I used my fondant crimpers to seal the seams.
I also used impression stamps to make scrolls on the top piece before I laid it on top of the cake.
I made another template for the white inner cross and cut that from fondant. I used scrap booking stamps to impress her name. (Again: PLEASE make sure all stamps you use are food safe before using them. Not all plastic is safe for food.)
Eva seemed very please when she picked it up. Yessssssssss! Another score!!
Your "Holy Cakes" are all perfectly amazing! I love the little note – that is so special.
again great work sharon
Sharon,
Your first communion cakes are great!
Thank you for sharing them – and the techniques and tools you use to make them.
You just make this look so easy. I can't begin to tell you how jealous that makes me! Your work is fabulous and your explanations are great! Thank you for sharing your work with us.
Oh Sharon!!!! I remember my First Communion like it was yesterday too!!!!! I still have my veil and dress my momma made in my master closet 😉 Your cakes are AWESOME!!!! I want those cutters woman!!!
Sharon,
I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
I believe the "whatever you do" includes making cakes, and your cakes have inspired me to do that!
As usual, your cakes are fantastic and thank you for sharing your work!
I love, love the way you did stripes on both of the masculine cakes. I never would have thought to use texture or pattern on stripes. Those are the types of details a novice like myself would never even think of. Awesome!
These are ALL awesome!! GO Wendy!! What an awesome friend.
Oh how I LOVE your cakes! They are incredible!
Barbara
Love them all, but my fav is the first one. I have watched your buttercream dvd a million times and I still can't get the edges of my square cake right (ugh)!
Amanda B.
HOLY cakes!!! As in – Holy Cow, I can't believe you made all those cakes!! And Holy Cow! those cakes are A-Mazing!!! HOLY CAKES!!
I could stare at your work for hours – it just makes me smile and aspire to be a better caker!
I could go on for days about your techniques – your buttercream is so PERFECT!, your stenciling is so beautiful, your Crosses ROCK, your creativity is astounding!! etc….etc…..etc…..
You are so truely talented! And I feel blessed to just see your work.
Thank you for everything you do!
Janel 🙂
love all the cakes!! great job!
Elegant and gorgeous as always Sharon. I love the special touch you did with the cookies. Thanks for sharing with us your decorating tools and perfect techniques. Your a wonderful decorator and teacher!
Rachel
Your "Holly Cakes" are beautiful. I wish I had a cake like those for my Fist Communion way back when!!!! :o)
Those are so beautiful and flawless! I love looking at them. I would have had to comment even without being entered in the drawing.
i love all these cakes. it gives me some good ideas for this next spring. i was asked to be the god father to my cousin's son and her best friend's little boy, so of course i'll be doing their cakes…now i've got ideas for boys cakes. thanks so much sharon!!
btw i'm keeping a look out for the mail man! can't wait for topsy dvd!!!
chris
Your cakes are always amazing!! I can't wait for my topsy turvy dvd – perfect week to ship today is my birthday!
Teralyn Smith
tkismith@msn.com
Love the cakes!!! How cute!! You might have some future decorators on your hand. Or atleast some good designers!
Always love the pictures and can't wait to see more!!
Sharon,
All I can say is WOW!!! They are really great. I also remember my first holy communion, the dress and veil. I just wanted to eat the hosts.
Ms Sharon,
Those cakes are simply AMAZING!
anything you create is just flawless.You work with love,you put your heart in your projects and it shows!!!
You are a blessing for all of us.
God bless ya.
– Haniya.
All of your religousy cakes are great! My favorite is Lizzy's, so sweet and simply beautiful! Isn't it great to see the happy faces when they see their cakes?!
Can't wait until I get my topsy turvey DVD, LOVED my others! Thanks for all your hard work Sharon & Wendy!!!
pcirame@hotmail.com
Those cakes are amazing and I would of left a comment anyway. But give-aways are fun!
Thanks for sharing and can't wait to get your new DVD in the mail.
Laurie
I think they are dainty and beautiful and the attention to detail is marvelous!
The cakes are gorgeous. The first is my favorite…very elegant. All of them are "heavenly"….and perfect. I'm sure there is a little angel with each one you send out.
Simple Yet Elegant! Outstanding job! I love looking at your work and have about all your DVD's. I feel like Christmas is on its way just knowing they are being shipped this week. I can hardly wait.
Oh yeah enter me in the drawing too!
Brendamartin1@windstream.net
Wow Sharon – flawless as always! These communion cakes are beautiful… I love how you posted the thank you note – made me smile!
Gorgeous!!…every single one!!
I appreciate so much that you provide links to the products you used.
Beautiful Cakes! I ordered several products from you along with DVD's and can't wait to get em'! I would love to win anything from SugarEd Productions!
Admiring you,
Rafael
Oh, Sharon! You rock! That is all! lol
WOW!! Your first communion cakes are incredible. The amount of detail is just breathtaking. Thank you so much for taking all the time to post such wonderful material. You are an inspiration to a beginner like me!! I'm anxiously awaiting my Topsy Turvy dvd!!
Holy Cake indeed. I love them all but my favorite is the 1st one. What stencil did you use on the strips? You listed every other tool but that. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful as always, Sharon! You never cease to amaze me with how flawless your cakes are. :)fl
I love all your cakes. The cakes for the young men were great–its hard to do things sometimes that look manly. You succeeded. Great job.
sharon, your cross cakes are amazing! stiply stunning! i love how they are not the traditional sheet cake with rose crosses, like i always get asked for. kudos to you!
I love all of the cakes. Very beautiful. No wonder the kids loved them! I'm sorry you were last. 🙂
Sharon,
Thank you so much for sharing your cakes and techniques with us you totally rock!!! I have been wanting to ask you where you get your tappit sets from but I know you were really busy getting the topsy dvd done and I didnt want ANY thing to interfere with that cuz I am so excited I cant stand it. Thanks again.
Wonderful communion cakes Sharon, I love little Eva's cake, so girly & sweet. Your work is so fantastic & I appreciate you sharing tips 7 tutorials with us. I am saving up to buy your new DVD. Thank you.
I am luvin my strip roller! I can't wait to try out more of your techniques with it… Beautiful work Sharon!
Your cakes are so amazing to look at. So well done and the way you desribe the steps and techniques is so helpful. Thank you so much for sharing them.
so pretty!! thank you for the tutorial sharon. i love the links you put in your commentary to the tools that you use. maybe jenn isn't too mad anymore about the pasta machine incident? lol! many thanks to wendy for helping you ship the new dvd–can't wait to get mine 😀
Thanks for sharing your cakes with us!! They are ALL so amazing and I love them ALL! You show us how simple and easy it is to replicate them…love it!!
(P.S. – I can't WAIT to meet you in Ausgust with Dena!!)
Sharon, you're cakes are so gorgeous they make me want to cry! Thanks for sharing them and for including links to the products you used (that is always so helpful! I loved all of the cakes, but I think my favorite effect was the stenciled strips on the first cake–you never cease to amaze me!! Thanks again! Michele 🙂
Sharon,
As usual, its always a treat when you share your creations with us! I really like the step by step pictures you show us. Love the stipes with the stencils.
Perfection! They're all just absolutely beautiful!
sportsmom005@hotmail.com
Sharon, you amaze me! I love all the different ways and ideas you give to you use your Tools.. The stencils to dust fondant ribbon.. I LOVE IT! And the crimpers to join the fondant edges.. I need to go through all my "Tools/Toys" every now and then or I forget and end up using the same tools over and over..
Your Cakes were Beautiful. Those were some very lucky little ones to get one of your creations.
Love them all! I really look forward to your posts. Thank you so much.
Jennifer
jennifer.curtis12@verizon.net
I too have enjoyed 1st Communion season. Those and baby showers are my favorite to do. Have a great week!
Sharon,
Those cakes are so gorgeous, each of them is so unique and creative. But I wouldn't expect any less from you 😉 Thanks for sharing. I always look foward to your posts.
Those are beautiful cakes, not only your work is great but they are giving Glory to our Lord. Thanks for doing what all you do for us, your rewards will be great.
Darlene
Sharon, your cakes are always so beautiful. You do an excellent job of making boy cakes, look like, well, boy cakes! I find it so easy to pick cakes for my daughter that I want to make, but for my son (who's about to turn 1!!) It's much harder, maybe I just need to look at your site!!
Keep up the GREAT work!!
Lovely, lovely cakes! You are such an ispiration and your exactness is really something to strive for! Thank you for your posts!
(If I just so happen to win the drawing (hehe) here's my email: eubick@sbcglobal.net)
Amazing & perfect – as always! I love the designs you came up with!
Sharon,
Thank you for sharing these beautiful cakes, your have this gift from above and I for one am blessed to see your work and learn from you. Thank you again for all that you do.
Loved the cakes! I was wondering how you did the crosses, was there a special cutter that you used? Your cakes are so beautiful and your talent shines. Can't wait to get the DVD!
Sharon, your work is just so sweet. I get inspired everytime I see your work. Thanks for sharing your work and techniques with. Im sure everyone agrees that looking at your cake puts a smile on their faces !
Carla Longauer
I love the cakes and I love your style! My next purchase is the Boxes DVD…
Whoa,
Your cakes are totally religous, lol. I love how they are serious yet fun at the same time!
As always, your cakes are amazing. I wanna be just like you when I grow up 🙂 I also appreciate that you take so much time to share your tips and techniques. Thank you, Sharon.
Sharon,
As always you have done such beautiful work on everything. I really love how you give step by step detail on your work.
Kim
kdodgen@nashold.com
Beautiful as always! The note is precious.
I LOVE your cakes! And your site. And your cakes! lol
love_my_dodge@yahoo.com
Perfection as always! What a sweet note to, thats what makes it all worth while!
I love that the kids are designing their own cakes, that tells you how important their special day was!
I made a date with my friend to watch the Topsy Turvy DVD as soon as it comes in! I'm almost stalking my mailman, can't wait!! Thanks for posting the religious cakes, more inspiration.
Hi Sharon! Wow, your cakes are FANTASTIC! And I just placed my order for Topsy Turvy today!!! Yippee! I have all of your videos and let me tell you, my business has SOARED because of using your techniques…thanks so much for not being selfish. I can't wait to begin introducing perfect Topsy Turvy's into this market, because no one knows how to do them in my area!!! I hope I win the giveaway! Yay! 🙂
I think allll of your cakes are fabulous Sharon, how could I say one is better than another? Your buttercream DVD is my favorite thing ever!
Your cakes are wonderful. I wished my work was as gorgeous as your's. Thanks for sharing with us.
Love the cakes, Sharon! I I have to pick a favorite, I'll have to go with a little girls cake dressed in pink and some flowers!
I am in awe! Seriously! You do such beautiful work, Sharon – amazing! Your "Holy Cakes" are true works of art and the note is just precious. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your how-tos with us.
BTW, I hope you don't mind, but
I have selected your blog to receive the Kreative Blogger Award. See my blog, http://orcalady.blogspot.com for details.
Play along if you'd like or feel free to ignore, LOL! I don't have very many blog-friends yet! *smile*
Sandra (aka LadyPol on CakeCentral)
(I hope you are ok with this?)
Beautiful cakes Sharon, and excellent DVD! I loooooove the outtakes you're funny!
keep caking
Patty
gelatinas@gmail.com
The pink cross cake is soo pretty! I love it 🙂
Okay, as usual, you are amazing! I love how you come up with a new way to do the "same" kind of cake.
Also, on a side note, my topsy turvy dvd came this week. I started watching it today, and I'm hooked!! I MUST do a topsy turvy cake now!!!
Thank you SO much for sharing your perfect techniques with others.
Sherilyn
Holy Cakes!!!!! I'm very positive that your clients were beyond pleased, these cakes are just amazing!!! Each and every cake had it's own style and were all very elegant. Great job.
Wow, the round cakes with stencils and ribbon are lovely, are they covered in fondant/ready to roll icing?
No, it’s iced in butercream 🙂