This weekend my family and I went to a birthday party whose cake I did not make myself. It was not a grocery store cake, it came from a local bekery in town that has a really great reputation. When I sat down to eat it, I couldn't just enjoy it, I had to try to figure out how it was different than mine, better or worse. I could tell they used artificial vanilla in the frosting, ginger instead of allspice (it was a carrot cake), and where the heck were the carrots? In my past life, when I myself was a cake muggle, I would have just enjoyed the cake and not picked it apart. It really was good cake. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days when I could just enjoy it as the yummy dessert it is.

Sad really, isn't it?

I can hardly stand listening to details of any party, shower, birthday, wedding - just get to the part about the CAKE .

An obsession, and it gets worse...

Oh, I am aflicted with the same illness. With me it's become a chronic condition and although I hear there is no known cure, I get regular treatments here @ CC.

Sandy C

I agree.....there is no known cure.

If loving cake is wrong...I don't want to be right.

That's so funny! I can still enjoy cake - I rarely eat my own (unless it's scraps), so it's a treat to actually sit down and eat a piece. However - I find myself being really judgmental about how it looks - thinking, oh, I could have done that better. Which, I can in no means brag about my cakes, so it's just plain rude. Of course, this is an internal battle I have in my head - it's NEVER vocalized. Something always changes when you start being on the other side, doesn't it?

OMG! It gets really, really bad. Someone brought in a cake from Publix (supermarket for those unfamiliar), which, depending on the store can actually taste pretty decent. But it looked aweful. I was so embarrassed when co-workers came to me and ask if it was one of my "creations." I nearly died. As each one would ask I put up my hands and said "I had nothing to do with that and take no responsiblity for it." I had to stop myself and almost used the word MESS but quickly substituted IT instead.

How could they mistake a sloppy supermarket sheet cake as my work? I know I am not the best, but I certainly have more skill than that.

But this afliction is contagious. My daughter now critiques cakes when she is out and about. And when we are together???: "Mom, do you see what I see? And they expect someone to pay for that?" or if at a gathering, she says "And they paid hard earned money for that?" We just can't help ourselves.

Sandy C.

I don't just do it w/ cakes. Tends to happen w/ almost everything I eat. Hubby (who's a fab cook in his own right) does it as well. One of the reasons there is a very short list of restaurants we'll eat at. What's the point of paying $40 or more for dinner if we can make it 10x better ourselves for half the cost?

My hubby is always asking me, "Can you just ENJOY the food? Do you always have to try to dissect it?" Sorry .... can't help it. It's just what we caterers and bakers do.

And especially since I can identify what foods came from what supplier. Was having breakfast with friends and one asked something about how long it must take to chop ham into little tiny squares for her omelet. I looked at her and told her to "don't be stupid ... it comes in a plastic bag already chopped." And you've all heard my Applebee's soup story with my sister!

I also used to work at a cremation casket manufacturing company. You should see me at funerals!!!!

[quote="indydebi"
I also used to work at a cremation casket manufacturing company. You should see me at funerals!!!! [/quote]

OMGosh!!!
Debi, I would love to spend a day with you just listening to your "life-stories"!!!

I hate cake period. I guess in my case, with the scraps and all, it's was too much. Give me a nice sugar cookie anyday, but I'll pass on cake. Sounds weird, but true.

I'm with Eisskween. I haven't ate cake in years (even BEFORE I started decorating) I don't eat cake or frosting of any type. I do NOT have a sugar tooth at all.

i'm just a hobbyist, but you should see me at weddings ... i love taking pictures, so it's not uncommon for me to over a hundred photos on one night ... Nowadays half of the pictures are of the wedding and the other half are of the cakes!

If it makes you feel any better it is a contagious affliction.

When my boyfriend and I first got together 4+ years ago he was fresh out of the army and had a palate that would make you cry. When we had been together about 2years we got invited to one of his friend's wedding.
I had been looking forward to having "wedding cake" for months.
Long story short the cake was very very dry, flavorless, the buttercream left a slick greasy feeling in my mouth and the fondant was wilton.
The funnies part of it is that he waited for me to take a bite and see if I liked it or not.

Now he very rarely eats any baked goods that I haven't made.

I sometimes crave cakes when I attend weddings, birthdays etc. I lost over 150 pounds and feel so much better. If I see a cake I remember when I had health issues-diabetes, high blood pressure. trouble walking etc. Now I am at a weight where I feel better. I just take pictures of cake and admire the cake. I do bake for friends or families but only healthy cakes.


I enjoy making gumpaste flowers-for my friend's bakery on weekends. but I don't bake anymore.

In live in Los Angeles county in a predominately latino community. Cakes for most of our parties are purchashed from a Mexican bakery. I love, love, love, love our Mexican pastries, did I say love! BUT the cakes are usually bland and decorated with whipped cream. They all taste the same. Until I took a class I didn't realize there were so many options! The icings, the cake flavors and fillings!