This was my first time baking a homemade cake and making homemade icing. I practiced with fondant a week ago just to get a feel for it, but other than that it was my first time with fondant as well. Much thanks to Youtube videos for learning how to make bows (Edna de la Cruz) and ideas for a Minnie Mouse cake. This was also my first time using an icing dip and bags - but that was much faster for decorating cupcakes than the standard way!! Small pink cake was for our daughter, with a G for her initial and a "1" candle. Large white cake & cupcakes were also for guests.

After realizing how much work goes into it, though, I think I'll stick to strictly my daughter's birthdays for cakes :) My hat is off to the professionals who bake, and stand all day in the kitchen making recipe after recipe.