Sunday Sweets Kicks It Old School

Let's talk piping, peeps.

Because nothing shows off a baker's talent - or makes our jaws drop - quite like this business right here:

(By Finespun Cakes)

That's a style known as Lambeth, named for Joseph Lambeth, who popularized it back in the 1930s.

 

You'll know a Lambeth cake by its over-the-top frills and use of overpiping, which creates all that fabulous detail and depth:

(By Rosebud Cakes)

 

Of course Lambeth cakes are a bit old-fashioned now, but never fear, piping purists! Some bakers are doing their darndest to bring Lambeth to the next generation, with STUNNING results:

(By Aniko Vargane Orban)

No words. Only grabby hands.

 

Or how about this one?

(By Cakeium)

Check out those crisp clean lines! And still all hand-piped. AH-mazing.

 

While we're throwing back to classic cake skills, let's talk Oriental Stringwork.

(By David Cakes)

This gravity-defying sorcery is achieved with Royal icing, which hardens to a porcelain-like consistency. Believe it or not, that net is handpiped icing, y'all. HAND-PIPED ICING.

 

Bakers are using string work in modern designs now, too, which makes me so, so happy:

(By Pauline Bakes The Cake)

See how the filigree section stands out from the cake?

 

And note the hanging borders on this black and white number:

(By KupKake Tree)

I'm all about that middle tier with the flower, though. Soooo pretty.

 

Oh! And these colors!

(By Cake Decor India)

I never knew how much I needed this color combo in my life, you guys. SO GOOD.

(Btw, to achieve those upward loops? The baker has to turn the cake upside down. Mad skillz, my friends.)

 

Here's one so perfect you'll swear it can't be cake:

(By SifBeth)

See those tiny, TINY lines all around the border? HAND-PIPED.

 

Jumping back to a Lambeth style for this oh-so-sweet number:

(By Craftsy member FlourSugarButtr)

Another fantastic color palette, and don't be fooled by how smooth those ropes are; the base may be fondant, but all the piping is, well, PIPING.

 

And one final Sweet for now:

(By Beyond Buttercream)

Bakers, you are KILLING it with the color choices today. Rock on with your bad selves.

And the rest of you, look closely at those chained string borders. HAND. PIPED.

Hope you guys enjoyed our little glimpse into modern cake mastery! If you're interested, I highly recommend Googling both "Lambeth" and "Oriental Stringwork", because there's so, SO much more than I could show you here today.

Happy Sunday, and happy browsing!

*****

P.S. Speaking of piping, have you seen these new no-mess silicone piping bulbs?

8 Pc Bulb Decorating Kit

Y'all. Go read the reviews; these things are apparently total game-changers. Easy to fill, clean, no more leaking piping bags, AND they fit all the Wilton metal tips we already have! I don't do much cake decorating these days, but I do pipe caulking for crafts, so I'm excited to try these out.

Oh, and they're on sale this week, $18 down from $26. NOICE.

Evil Gets... Evil-er

In a world...

where nothing is safe...

and no one can be trusted...


"Like, ohmygawsh, Kelly! I know it's midnight and raining outside, but let's strip down to our bras and go running through the woods! What could possibly go wrong?"

[blood-curdling scream]

 

From the people who brought you:
Butterflies from Hell,
Night Hugs from Hell,
Underwater Zombie Ballerinas (Also from Hell,)
and Gigli,
comes the most horrifying psychological thrill-ride blood bath you will ever wish you could un-see.

"Thank you for the teddy bear, mommy! I love him SO MUCH, and I'm glad he's not creepy and won't kill us in our sleep or anything!"

[blood-curdling scream]


No one knows where they came from... or who they will visit next.

 

"Well, I'm all by myself and the power's out, but I think I'll take a shower anyway."

 

[pulling back shower curtain]

[blood-curdling scream]

 

When the streets are paved with evil... and the nights are filled with... evil..

"Gosh, I'm so glad you came over to make out with me while I'm babysitting tonight. Maybe I should just go check on the baby... in the attic... in my high heels... in the dark... in my bra... alone... while you go get pizza.

[pulling back blanket]

[blood-curdling scream]

 

Nothing that lives in the imagination is more frightening than the terror that lives... in the bakery:

{Crazy maniacal Leprechaun laugh}

[blood-curdling scream]


This Friday the 13th, terror gets its just desserts.

Hell's Bakery... from Hell. In 3D.

If you can't stand the heat... you're probably about to get murdered.

 

Shannon G., Anna L., Sara C., Melissa, & Lindsay, if you had trouble visualizing this post as a movie trailer, then we've put together a little something for you:

*****

P.S. One last giggle: