Every Cake Has a Story

Every cake that I make has a back story.  The cake design may have special meaning to the recipient or the flavor of the cake may have great significance in their life.  Often times, the cake is celebration a special milestone, a milestone that was miraculously reached against all odds.  The cake I made this past Friday for a 5 year old boy, Kai, was one of those cakes.

At the time that Kai's mom placed the order for the cake I was completely unaware of Kai warrior story.  It wasn't until the cake was picked up that I learned how that celebrating Kai's 5th birthday was, in fact, a miracle.
Kai was born at 25 weeks and weighed only one pound at delivery.  He had many medical complications after birth and remained in the NICU for 7 long  months.  5 years later Kai is a thriving sweet boy who is doing well.  He really wanted a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake to celebrate and I was honored to grant his wish.  I was so grateful I was there to witness the excitement on his sweet little face when he saw his cake for the first time.  It is something that I will never forget.  Happy 5th Birthday, Kai!!  May you have many more years of celebrating your life and shining your light on the world!!

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th.  I think like most people I remember exactly where I was when the first plane hit or when you first heard the news about what was happening.  I had just graduated college and I was coming home from a jog.  I had been listening to music and the broadcast had been interrupted to bring the details of the events that were unfolding.  I have to admit I was confused at first but my confusion quickly changed to shock, anger and sadness as I walked into the apartment to the TV coverage of what was unfolding.  I sat in sheer disbelief as I watched the towers collapse.  I grew up in NJ and had traveled to NY all my life and the Twin Towers were a permanent fixture of the NYC skyline, or so I thought.  Nothing will ever bring back those that lost their lives that day.  Those innocent people that were reporting to work or the First Responders that so unselfishly risked their lived to save complete strangers that never made it home to their families that day.  And those that did survive that will forever remember the scenes of the 3 sites that attacked. 

Baking is therapeutic for me.  Just like so many people that find solace and comfort in yoga or running, baking and decorating is my go-to activity.  I am baking today to help me through the emotions that I feel today as I remember that day and those that are no longer with us.

Sweet Dreams Cake Shop Menu

Cake Flavors

Yellow             White            Chocolate                  White Chocolate

Marble             Strawberry    Raspberry                  Lemon

Coconut           Carrot            Red Velvet                Blueberry

Banana            Orange           Peanut Butter            Cookies and Cream

Coconut

Buttercream Flavors

Vanilla              Chocolate     White Chocolate      Strawberry

Raspberry         Lemon          Marshmallow          Coconut

Blueberry         Pineapple      Cream Cheese         Cookies and Cream

Peach               Mint               Peanut Butter          Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Lime                Orange           Almond                   Maple

Hazelnut          Coffee            Banana                    Butterscotch

Filling Options

Fresh Fruit

Homemade Jam (Raspberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Mango, Pineapple)

Real Cream Cheese

Salted Caramel

Custard

Mousse

Ganache

Crushed Oreos

Strawberry Crunch

Gourmet Specialty Cakes

Carrot

Strawberry Crunch

German Chocolate

Chocolate Crunch

Oreo Cookies and Cream

Boston Cream Pie

Flancocho

Other Dessert Items

Lemon Loaf

Pumpkin Bread

Lemon Bars

Brownies

My Story

My name is Karen Wall and I am the owner and operator of Sweet Dreams Cake Shop.  I am a mother of 4 young children and have been married to my husband Christopher for 13 years.  Before starting the cake shop in 2017, I practiced as a Nurse Practitioner taking care of adults in the acute care setting. and also worked as a Registered Nurser on a medical floor for many years.  After having my oldest son 11 years ago I discovered my love of baking.  As his first birthday approached I decided to tackle his birthday cake myself instead of paying a bakery or retailer to make it.  It was then I discovered that not only did I love to bake but I loved to design and decorate as well.  My love blossomed and grew from there.  I initially only baked for family and friends but when we moved from Florida to Pennsylvania in 2016 I decided to take the exciting leap and start Sweet Dreams Cake Shop as a way to get involved in the community as well help supplement the family income while staying at home caring for our children.  I decided to start this blog as a way to share my love of baking, the stories behind some of my creations and to provide a creative outlet for myself and others that love to bake and decorate.