A girl I went to school with years ago emailed me yesterday about making a Farmville cake for her husband... pretty normal so far.

Then, she said, and I quote: "I know you can do it, I've seen your cakes, and they're great. I don't know what they taste like, but I know it will look good. That's all that matters to me. I don't care what it tastes like, looks are all I'm worried about. Let me know how much."

I have NEVER had someone tell me they didn't care what the cake tastes like as long as it looks good! I mean, I presume they ARE planning to EAT the cake.

Has this happened to any of you? Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy?

I think it's stupid, but I have had people say that before, so some people just want the impact of what it looks like to be the main attraction.

Funny. Maybe she's just not a cake person.

I got an opposite order....someone from my husband's office wants a cake for her daughter's 18th birthday, and she doesn't care what it looks like, she just wants the Italian Cream cake with pineapple buttercream. I consider myself a decorator and not a baker, so I found that frustrating.

costumeczar: This was my first experience with it, so I was a little shocked. I have had people order more cake than necessary to have the "wow" factor of the big cake, but never told me they didn't care about the taste. Big fan, by the way!!

Yup , its weird, but ive heard it to. I heard a girl want a two tier 21st cake for . . 12 people . She wanted the WOW , didnt care what it tasted like as long as it was big and blingy. No doubt the girl will get a beautiful looking And tasting cake

some people (myself included) aren't too particular or adventurous when it comes to cake flavors. she wants the "wow" factor be be on the presentation. I'm sure she's assuming whatever you make will taste good because it's obvious how much care and professionalism you take with cakes by your photos!

Hey, I'd reply, "Oh THANK GOODNESS! I won't have to waste money on sugar or flavorings in this cake! Whew!" and then do the "Hahaha" thing so that she realizes you are making a joke. Then with the same friendly smile, I'd tell her that she's stumbled upon one of those amazing situations where it's going to taste as good as it looks, and you won't even charge more for it!

I have to admit, I'm guilty of the opposite where I care more what it tastes like, but I still like things to look good. I think there has to be a happy midpoint where 'taste' meets 'taste'! (In other words, good flavor and good looks come together!)

I think one thing we tend to overlook is that not everyone see cakes the way we do. I can totally see her REALLY meaning - she doesn't care what flavor the cake is. To some people it's just cake to us it's CAKE!

Perhaps you could decorate a *dummy cake* -

What is a Farmville cake?
Never heard of that over here

Bluehue

Bluehue - it's some sort of farming game on Facebook. I don't play it, so I really don't know any more details. I know a LOT of people play it though.

Farmville is a game that you play on Face Book. I play it and I love it - it's fun. There are a few CC'ers that are also Farmville players.

A friend of mine (I didn't know her back then) for her wedding wanted square cakes to look like boxes with bows. That was ALL she wanted, was that gorgeous presentation of gift box cakes. I can appreciate her desires entirely, although I of course HOPE it tasted good, too!

I guess I don't think amberc75's friend's comment is odd, even as I work my hardest to make delicious cakes, cookies, candies! Oh, and Melvira, you crack me up! Thanks for giving me the giggles!

I've had a lot of people say that!! Mostly brides that want to book me without a tasting, even though I say....you should taste it first and make sure you like it........that's when they say "I don't care about the taste, you're the only one around here that can make a cake look the way I want my cake to look" Whatever, give me your money LOL

Thankyou - i thought it was a style of cake -
Think i will stick to Mahjong -

Bluehue

I've had some weird replies as well. I did a cake for a friends birthday and her mom ooo'd and ahhhh'd over it and then looked at me and said "you really didn't need to go to that much trouble, she would have been happy with a supermarket cake". I mean, REALLY? Isn't her daughter WORTH the extra time and work? I was totally speechless (which is saying something) and finally I think I muttered something along the lines of "I'm glad she loves it"...people never cease to amaze me!

I love a beautful cake as much as the next person (probably more) BUT the deciding factor has and will always be taste. Otherwise I would just get a dummy cake (like someone here suggested) lol

The other day I saw an ad on Craigslist that said: " Our cakes are mainly for the WOW factor. The cake and the frosting are very basic but there are still many to choose from." After reading the ad, I took it to mean that their cakes don't taste very good. I couldn't believe it when I read that, as I don't really know anyone that would buy a cake that JUST looked good. Sometimes I have a very hard time understanding people.