I am seriously conflicted and hesitant about this.

Friend of a neighbor recently saw and ate one of my not-too-disastrous efforts (I'm still pretty new at this). I guess neighbor must have given her my number. Today she left a message, asking me to do a 9/11 remberence cake. Her family/close friends (about 40 people) will attend a religious service honoring a lost family member, then convene at her home.

All she said was she wants is a "tasteful, sensitive design that honors everyone who was lost that day". I am clueless for an idea about an appropriate design, and I'm just not sure that I am up to this task in the first place.

On one hand, I am flattered that she would ask me, as I realize this is very important to her. On the other hand, I have only made a few cakes for family/friends and I am terrified creating something that does not appropriately address the circumstances of the event. Maybe I am just projecting my feelings that eating cake is not the best way to acknowledge her loss. But then again, I haven't walked in her shoes, so how do I know what's best and what's not...

Do I accept? Decline? Anyone have an idea for an appropriate design? I really don't know what to do, so any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

do you have an edible image printer? I think that this picture is beautiful.

http://www.scrubair.com/about.html

Bettycrockermommy, it IS beautiful!

I don't have an edible image printer, but I can "make do" without one. Just found out that the lady lost her family member in DC, so I am thinking of a way to incorporate that info into the design. (sigh)

Thank you so much for getting me started!

A picture of the towers with the words Remember on it.

Lots of cake stores do edible images. You just bring in your photo (maybe on disc - call and ask which they want.) and they print it out right there. I've even gotten a local bakery to make them for me.

I'm glad I could help. I think that whatever you come up with will be beautiful! I can't wait to see it.

you could do a flag with ''remember'' or something piped onto the cake board. it would probably be simple enough since you say you're fairly new to decorating, and it would really make a statement, and less is more is good to keep in mind...

My first thought was an American flag. Since it was in DC, maybe you could carve a Pentagon shape out of a square and drape a fondant flag across the top.

Great Ideas I like the edible image with the towers . This is a time in our lives we will never forget.

I just can't see the people cutting into the building. I don't know. this is so tough. If it were me I wouldn't overthink this one. I would make it as plain as possible ...I like the "remember" suggestion...flag...good...ribbons...

this is definitely hard. I do think when we make our cakes, remember, they must be cut and eaten at some point, and think: what are we asking them to cut and eat?

respectfully, Sandy

I vote for the edible image. It's a beautiful picture, and I think it conveys respect.

I hope I can get this pic to post. I just got it in an email and I thought it may be a good option for your cake.

jammjenks, that picture is wonderful! Perhaps you could make it on gum paste or cold porcelain and have it standing upright on the cake The host family could keep it as a memento. That way they would not have to cut into it. For the top of the cake, you could make a flag? HTH

Thank you all so much for your wonderful ideas!

I am feeling a lot better about doing this!