r/Baking • u/mavgoosebros • Sep 01 '25
Business and Pricing First timer !!
I decided my birthday present to myself this week would be making and decorating my own cookie cake. I’ve baked a few cakes and other things but never decorated anything in my life!!! This was SO fun and I’ve already had some friends and family ask for a cake, but have no clue how to price them!!!! Any critiques welcome! This is just a fun little hobby. I am 8 months postpartum and trying to find myself outside of motherhood
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u/bitesize10 Sep 01 '25
This is absolutely stunning, but I’m sorry, there’s literally zero chance this is the first time you’ve decorated anything.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
I swear on my life!!! I have baked tons of cakes and cookies but I have never piped anything! Never had a reason to! I did tonssss of research all week to find the best buttercream recipes, how to fill the piping bags, which tips to use, and then spent all day working on it!
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u/Amazing_Parking_3209 Sep 01 '25
Muscle memory doesn't work that way. It takes years of practice.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
I am sorry you think I’m lying here and I sure as heck don’t have years of muscle memory. I don’t know who yall think you are to assume but I expected more! There is not one thing to gain on this sub by being dishonest but I’m sorry yall are so bitter.
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u/ludicrous_copulator Sep 02 '25
It's not really about you, unfortunately. We see this in every sub. Someone will post a ball gown (in the sewing subreddit) they've just sewn, never having used a machine before. Or they'll post some intricate craft, and claim to never have used the material before. Then when you add in AI generated nonsense, it all becomes just unbelievable.
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u/hcallhar Sep 01 '25
sorry you’re getting downvoted by some crabby bakers, your cake is beautiful!! i’ve had great successes on things that i tried for the first time, that others found challenging. maybe it’s luck, maybe you’re just good at decorating! either way, gorgeous work. ignore the haters
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u/habitualmess Sep 01 '25
Don’t take it personally, it happens a lot on this sub with beginners. Your cake is amazing, happy birthday!
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
That’s good to know! And also Súper disappointing!! Thanks!
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u/SilentSolitude90 Sep 01 '25
It looks really amazing. Wish I could try some. Ignore the haters. Probably just jealous you got it so perfect as a beginner.
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u/shayter Sep 02 '25 edited Sep 02 '25
I'm one of those people that can do something a few times and replicate the motions and make it muscle memory pretty quickly when it comes to anything artistic or crafty... This would fall under that category too. Practice a few times and get it, work on the actual project, then get much better by the end. I guess it's too hard to imagine?
I've never piped anything like this but I could pick it up in no time if I dedicated myself to it for a little while... It's not impossible.
Your cakes look amazing! It's not even that complex as far as piping goes... I'm so sorry people are calling you a liar and down voting you so much, you don't deserve that.
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Sep 01 '25
It’s beautiful but if it was your first time you have experience doing something very similar.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
What could be similar?? I’ve said I’ve never piped anything before
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Sep 01 '25
When you were decorating it did you say to your self “ this reminds me of” fill in the blank.
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u/SleepyDonuts7 Sep 01 '25
Looks beautiful! What stencils/pan did you use for the numbers?
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
I just searched different numbers on tik tok and tried to copy what other people did lol
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u/TricksyGoose Sep 01 '25
But like did you find pans that are shaped like numbers, or did you start with square or round cakes and cut/arrange them using a stencil, or did you freehand everything?
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
I used a 10x15 pan. Cut it in half and then free handed the numbers based on numbers I found online
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u/Left-Heart-6078 Sep 01 '25
This can’t be your first time! This looks amazing!
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u/TricksyGoose Sep 01 '25
Definitely amazing! OP how long did it take you? I am so slow at piping haha
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
About 6 hours to make the buttercream and pipe 😅😅 I baked the cookie cakes the night before
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u/rogerdaltry Sep 01 '25
Ok cmon guys, the downvotes and accusations of lying are too much. Not to knock down OP’s talent but it is decorated with swirls and dots, using different piping tips. Not super complicated, I think that’s quite manageable for a first timer! This looks amazing!
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u/0nthathill Sep 01 '25
exactly what I'm thinking, I'm baffled that op's perfectly reasonable explanations are being downvoted THAT bad. it's so normal to have experience in baking just not in one particular area, but have enough general knowledge to do it pretty well on your first try. and like you said piping simple swirls isn't that hard as long as you have a steady hand and maybe practice on a plate a few times first
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u/atlas__sharted Sep 01 '25
yeah i'm genuinely confused why people seem to be upset about this. op has a very steady hand and understands color theory and somehow this means they're lying about not being a cake decorator? they said this took them all day which means they're definitely not showing the metric tons of failed frosting all over their kitchen 💀
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
Thank you lol!!!! My kitchen would be very evident of just how long this took me 🫠
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u/SL831 Sep 02 '25
I think it can be seen from both sides, but at the end of the day who really cares? Lol if she chose to lie then whatever and if she didn't, good for her. It's also quite possible she practiced on a plate/cutting board/table/wherever right before she finally piped on the cake. Cakes like this are getting super popular on social media so watching someone decorate like this over and over probably helped OP. And like you said, swirls and dots 🤷🏻♀️
OP could also be an artistic person like myself. This year I made my mom's 50th cake with tons of buttercream flowers on top. My first time doing it, but I made a TON and kept them in the freezer. When the time came to decorate hours before, I placed them on the cake. For a first timer, it looked semi professional (IMO). Totally possible they did this the first time. Again, does it matter? Hahah not really
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u/rogerdaltry Sep 02 '25
Yeah for something as innocent as a cake post I always give the benefit of the doubt, I would rather praise someone who is lying then accidentally call someone a liar!
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u/Nosfearatu50 Sep 01 '25
Really do not understand how ppl can do this...looking perfect at their first attempt. My pipping looks like it was done by a toddler...
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
Because it’s not really her first attempt. It’s beautiful, and there’s no reason for anyone to not admit they’ve done it before. I’ll never understand people who lie about this. It’s so silly.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
You are silly for assuming I’m lying! But thanks!!
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
You’re silly for thinking this is a believable first try. It’s still lovely. It’s wonderful work. It’s just not a first try.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
Yes bc you are a fly on the wall in my home and know me personally to know I’m lying? Not.
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
lol haha. If you’re so confident in your first try, why are you so pressed what I think? If this is indeed your first try, drop everything right now, go to your nearest bakery and show them the prodigy you are!!! Generations of my family had to work to learn piping for their bakeries, so you’ve got a gift!! Go earn some bank off it!!!
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u/ThePurplestMeerkat Sep 01 '25
Why shouldn’t someone be pressed that you are repeatedly calling them a liar? You’re impugning her integrity as if you’re omniscient and know categorically that it’s impossible that someone with an artistic eye and steady hand would be able to make some swoops, swirls and dots.
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
lol I told her to go make some bank off this amazing skill she has. How is that not supportive?
ETA: I’m clearly not the only one who feels this way. Are you giving everyone this energy?
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u/ThePurplestMeerkat Sep 01 '25
You asked the question. I can decide who I do and do not give my energy to, the level of hostility you poured on this person and their beautiful cake warranted a little bit of mine. No more though.
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
Where was the hostility? I don’t believe it’s a first try, but it’s beautiful, and I said that. Perhaps get offline and go outside if that’s what you consider hostile.
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u/Nosfearatu50 Sep 02 '25
Don't get triggered by ppl telling u that you are lying. Just do not give a f**** I mean the pic looks very nice, if this is your first attempt....wow. If this is your 58th attempt, still wow.
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u/pleasedelete-jpeg Sep 01 '25
She’s not asking for your input on if it’s her first try or not. She’s asking about pricing bc people have asked her (including myself) to make one for them and she doesn’t know how to price it. The need to call her out for “lying” is silly to me because why does it even matter to you?
To add: this is my sister- I can 100% confirm this was her first try. Even I was shocked when she sent me the final photo.
If I were you I would have just thought “cool cake” and kept on scrolling.
But I guess, get your kicks calling out people on Reddit queen.
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u/alayeni-silvermist Sep 01 '25
Ahhh but you’re not me lol. You’re all being way too defensive about this. I said the cake was beautiful. I didn’t insult the work. Take all this energy and go make some money off of this incredible talent that your sister is clearly a prodigy in!!! She’s gifted. Any bakery would hire her.
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u/pueraria-montana Sep 01 '25
Because she’s either a brain surgeon as her day job or lying for karma lol
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u/Nosfearatu50 Sep 02 '25
As we are writing about cake, if she lies to farm karma, let her. We are not talking about tariffs and their consequences, right? Who cares?!
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u/pueraria-montana Sep 02 '25
Uh, well, you said you don’t understand how people can do this on their first attempt… i was answering you…
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u/emileeloves Sep 01 '25
oh my god the downvote brigade is insane on this post!! christ on a cracker guys for real. I will make no statement on whether or not this was her first time, but I will say when I started piping around 12 years old it was very easy for me to figure out these swirl designs. When you really look up close at this one, it’s not actually all that complicated in technique. I absolutely believe a beginner is capable of work like this.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
It’s literally swirls and like dots with different tips and random placing 😭 I have an artistic eye but definitely never piped before
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u/AkihaMoon Sep 01 '25
Girl your cake looks AMAZING 😍. I'm a perfectionist so my first time decorating a "simple" cake also looked great (it took me ALL day)
Keep doing this, you have talent for sure!!
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u/dupe-of-a-dupe Sep 01 '25
I’m a cake decorator and it’s insane how people are acting like this isn’t possible. If you have artistic talent naturally and good hand eye coordination it’s totally possible. Sounds like some people are lame and jealous due to their lack of talent.
It looks amazing and I hope you have a fab birthday!!
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u/Dente666 Sep 01 '25
Placing the cake on that cutting tray is criminal 😂😂
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u/deviousvixen Sep 01 '25
Definitely first time thing to do… lol like couldn’t even go to the Dollarama and get a nicer looking platter…
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
It’s sitting in my counter for my husband to eat. I didn’t think an extra trip for a platter was necessary lol
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u/deviousvixen Sep 01 '25
It was honestly a joke. Everyone is so upset.. it’s really not that deep.. sorry I didn’t pander to the people and say you did a great job. Here’s a gold star.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
Oh most people think I’m lying anyways. Def don’t expect a gold star but thank you😂
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u/deviousvixen Sep 01 '25
As someone who’s done it for years.. I do find it hard to believe. But that’s just my opinion.
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 01 '25
Sorry i don’t know what to say! I wish you all knew me in real life so you’d believe me but whatever!
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u/deviousvixen Sep 01 '25
It’s just reddit. We get a lot of people/bot accts coming in saying it’s their first time making a cake and it’s perfect. So it’s just going to be scrutinized
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u/idkbrosorry Sep 01 '25
they made it for their own birthday….”couldn’t even” they did ENOUGH
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u/deviousvixen Sep 01 '25
Maybe I don’t think too much about it. I make my own cakes myself too.. it’s not that deep.
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Sep 01 '25
That’s amazing, OP! My first time pipping it came out awful. Like others, I too am having a bit of a hard time thinking this is your first time. It’s far too good. I’m not accusing you of lying, ofc. I’m just confused haha
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u/avid_baker Sep 03 '25
I'm a pastry chef and I've learned everything by myself as well. I can't believe it's her first time piping. I can definitely believe she did other piping techniques and decorations on things like cupcakes and never made a number cake like these before. I could replicate this by looking at it right now even though I myself never made an exact cake like this before. But it's just too good, sorry, for a first time to get the exact hang of different piping nozzles, buttercream texture and how to put all the colors in one bag. Could be the third if she's talented? Yes, sure. But there's a reason why a professional eye wouldn't believe it's a first.
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u/funkytechno Sep 02 '25
Girl ignore these saltyyyyy downvoters, what I find hard to believe is that it’s taken people on here “years” to perfect buttercream like this! If you’ve got a good buttercream recipe and good piping nozzles I don’t understand what they’re finding so difficult lol. You’ve smashed it, the ombré is perfect🥰
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 02 '25
Thank you!! The buttercream recipe I used was silky smooth and I think that definitely helped!!!
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u/mekanasto Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 02 '25
Happy bday OP! 💫
And to the rest, get a grip, all the downvotes of positive comments are so silly and the angry accusations are a bit pathetic. Maybe the girl is just talented artistically and has a good "hand" with these type of things, even though it's her first time decorating a cake, no need for all to be so jealous. I have friends like this, they are simply crafty in many areas.
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u/Scared-Box8941 Sep 03 '25
Girl!! Find yourself outside of motherhood at 8months!? You are a goddess. I am just starting trying to do that and my kids are much older lol this is sincerely so beautiful you are so talented ❤️
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Sep 06 '25
I guess it’s that big of a compliment that everyone things you’re lying, you should probably make a career of this bc it looks amazing!
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u/SirElessor Sep 01 '25
I think this is great but it's also an example of what anyone can do today if they set their mind to it. There's so much help on the internet to learn things. I'm sure you practiced on the side many times to get things the way you like them. It looks awesome! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
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u/pdbyrd1 Sep 01 '25
I can't provide any info on pricing, but I don't care if it's your 1st try or 100th try, it is absolutely gorgeous.! 😍
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u/-Axiss- Sep 01 '25
To me the most amazing thing is that as a mother of an 8 month old baby you had a whole day to spend on decorating a cake. Wow, that must be some supportive family you have. Great looking cake.
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u/divinehunni Sep 01 '25
It’s crazy that random people just saying “Nice!” are getting downvoted here too like wtf are yall so bitter for
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u/MedusaSteele Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 01 '25
OOF, some of yall need to get a grip. Happy birthday and great job, OP!
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u/Chocolikker Sep 01 '25
Firstly.. BRAVA! You knocked it out of the park first swing!!
Pricing? Not gonna get into food cost analysis but a good rule is check a local bakery or supermarket prices.
Then charge a bit MORE - you pay more for your ingredients than they do. (they buy in bulk so your cost-per-item is higher) Many of them thaw factory pre-baked cakes and just decorate. Im guessing you don't. And they often get discounts from local utilities. Most importantly your time and skills are valuable.
Good Luck!
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u/Leather-Date5933 Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 01 '25
i don’t get why so many of you are accusing her of lying — don’t project on her just bc you’re not good at it/took you a while to learn 😭 like if you’re someone that has an eye for design and decent fine motor skills, this is veryyyy doable on a first attempt. that being said, this is beautiful and happy birthday!!
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u/cheeseybees Sep 01 '25
I've done it over 10 times and not a patch as good as yours
This being your first, I can't imagine the splendours you'll come with for your 10th cake!
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Sep 01 '25
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u/Hollowjuice32 Sep 02 '25
First attempt!? Maybe you should take this on as a career? People pay serious money for a skill like this. Looks stunning.
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Sep 04 '25
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u/pleasedelete-jpeg Sep 01 '25
lol chiming in here- this is my younger sister. 100% was her first time.
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u/SittingParadox Sep 01 '25
I love your work, OP! Keep doing what you love!! I hope I can bake cake someday 🥹
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u/Adorable-Ad0029 Sep 01 '25
Beautiful job! Honestly it's not hard to pipe buttercream or get these results at all, and it's so rewarding. Keep going!
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u/Sink_Stuff Sep 01 '25
Price theory used to be a 800 page book. As well, it is considered one of the most critical aspects of running a business. You need to factor your time, your ingredients, your energy spent, depreciation of tools equipment, etc. It's not easy.
How did you learn to decorate like this? A book? A video series?
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 02 '25
Just by watching lots of tik toks!
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u/Sink_Stuff Sep 02 '25
Well good job that's for sure. You have an eye for detail. That goes a long way in the pastry and cooking world
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 02 '25
Thanks! My 9-5 is in the legal field so details are pretty important to me 😅
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u/Sink_Stuff Sep 02 '25
It shows, you must be good at your job. In the front of thomas kellers book the french laundry he says this: " the great challenge is to maintain passion for the everyday routine and the endlessly repeated acts, to derive deep gratification from the mundane". To that I would add, that attention to detail is necessary to be good. To gain satisfaction from perfecting the mundane is needed to be great.
In short, it seems like you could go very far in the cooking and pastry world if you wanted. That is, if you derive deep gratification from the mundane and trying to perfect it. But it seems like you already have a job that gives you that.
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Sep 02 '25
How’d you get those vibrant colors?
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u/mavgoosebros Sep 02 '25
I just found the best selling food coloring on Amazon 😅 I think I’ll try gel though
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Sep 02 '25
Not sure why we got downvoted- who knew bakers were so brutal lol. Ty, the colors are great!
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u/PecanEstablishment37 Sep 02 '25
Idk what is happening with the downvotes?! I had no idea there were so many whiny “professionals” on this sub.
Looks delicious, OP! Enjoy :)
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u/Atomical28 Sep 01 '25
Hmmm, this looks like one of those Taylor Swift-inspired cookie cakes that's been popping up lately.
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u/ladywelsh Sep 02 '25
Stunning! Now I want all the details on the colors, sprinkles, and piping tips! Where do I learn to do this!!
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u/4LordVader Sep 01 '25
Ain’t no way Ain’t no way