Sunday Sweets: Around the World in 80 Days

In 1873, Jules Verne published Around the World in 80 Days, the story of Phileas Fogg and his attempt to circumnavigate the globe to win a bet. Now, we can accomplish the same feat in just over two days, with another couple of days added in to get through airport security. (Well, I always manage to get behind that guy...) Today, let's slow down a little and retrace Phileas' trip.

The first thing most people think about when they hear Around the World in 80 Days is a hot air balloon. I found this amazing balloon cake with two guys who might be Phileas and his valet, Passepartout.

By Jacques Fine European Pastries

Isn't this gorgeous? Wouldn't it be great for a little circumnavigating? There's just one problem -- it never happened. There's no hot air balloon travel in the book.

Really, you can look it up.

They did take trains, though, like this beauty.

By Sugar N Spires

"Woo, wooooooooo... Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga..."

They also rode a lot of steamer ships.

By Cake Central member Gingerbread_from_Germany

Don't you love the wooden decking?

Phileas even bought an elephant and hired a guide when there was a gap in the train lines in India.

By Heather Barranco's Dreamcakes

What can I say? It was a big bet -- millions in today's money.

Sadly, he didn't keep the elephant.
(I'd have found a way. Elephants who can accessorize are rare.)

So, now that we've lined up trains, ships and pachyderms, where exactly did Phileas and Passepartout go?

Well, they started in London.

By Elite Cake Designs

Pay no attention to any perceived anachronisms -- Jules Verne was a visionary who predicted electric submarines and video conferencing. An edible double-decker bus wouldn't have stretched his imagination at all.

From London, they headed to Egypt.

Submitted by Stephanie R., photo by Jennifer Klementti Photography, baker The Cake Museum

I'm going to be extra careful the next time I peel the fondant off a cake, just in case there are precious paintings underneath.

Sadly, Phileas didn't have time to stop and read the hieroglyphics. Instead, he pressed on to India.

By Michelle Sugar Art

Just. Wow.

Even though he was on a tight deadline, he still managed to rescue his future wife there. That necessitated a rather rapid departure to Hong Kong.

By Let Them Eat Cake

Do you think anyone would notice if I took one of the dragons? They look like foil-wrapped milk chocolate.

Of course, there wasn't a lot of time to see the sights in Hong Kong, because they had to make their connection to Yokohama next.

By Krumbcakes

This is much too peaceful and zen-like to run past on the way to your next stop. If I hadn't been rooting for Phileas to win, I'd have made him stop for a nice cup of tea.

Sadly, leisurely refreshments weren't in the cards, but a trip to San Francisco was.

By Cake Coquette

I really like the contrast of the razor-edged whiteness of the rest of the cake with the tumbled chaos of Lombard Street.

If Phileas had just had a pair of roller blades, he could have coasted all the way to New York, his next destination.

By The Icing on the Cake

It's just wicked that he didn't have time to catch a show, but the schedule was getting VERY tight, and Phileas still had to get back across the Atlantic.

After inciting a mutiny and burning most of the wooden parts of a ship for steam, Phileas and friends made it to Ireland,

By hello babycakes

which, you've got to admit, was pretty lucky. (Don't worry, they appeased the Captain by paying him a boatload of money.)

Still, there was one more stop before they got their pot of gold.

So, back to London they went.

By Emmacakes

Sadly, it appeared they were a day late -- but of course, it wasn't that black and white.

They'd forgotten about the International Date Line! Upon realizing the correct date, Phileas rushed to his club and won the bet! Significantly richer, he married his lady love and settled down to a quiet life.

(Maybe he even bought a hot air balloon...)

Have a Sweet to submit?  Send it to sundaysweets(at)cakewrecks(dot)com.

Sunday Sweets: St. Patrick's Day

Blarney! Today is St. Patrick's Day!

By Three Little Blackbirds

What better way to celebrate than with some St. Patrick's Day Sweets?
Because honestly ... that's about the extent of my celebrations.

I'll admit, St. Patrick's Day is a holiday I'm not quite sure what to do with.
First of all, I don't drink ...

By Tami Utley Sugar Art

(Although I would totally eat this! It's so fluffy!)

... and B: I'm not Irish.

Submitted by Brenda T. and made by KupKakeTree

Like the olde Irish proverb says: There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.

And today, I guess that's true, because St. Patrick's Day for me just means watching my Lord of the Dance DVD (don't judge) and wearing green if I happen to remember.

By iambaker

At least there are plenty of flattering shades of green, as illustrated by this fabulous cake. Oh, the time it must take to make a cake like this. That's coloring, baking, and frosting SEVEN separate layers, people.

It reminds me of all those super-moms on Pinterest who have St. Patrick's Day themed breakfasts with stacks of rainbow colored pancakes, or set little leprechaun traps with their kids. That's what this adorable cake is, hence the ladder:

Submitted by Deborah C., made by Not Martha

But you know what? This cake inspires me. I could make a leprechaun trap too. Why not? Yeah! I am OWNING you next year, St. Patrick's Day!

Besides, I will happily celebrate any holiday that gives me a valid excuse to stockpile chocolate.

By Cake Central member Leslie2748

What a genius idea to put the coins inside the cake. I'm pretty sure if I was in charge of a pot-of-gold cake, I would have just smooshed them into some frosting and called it good.

And here's another genius idea: using clover and horseshoe-shaped cookie cutters! You're thinking that doesn't sound very geniusy. Well, scroll down, my friend.

Submitted by Sarah K. and made by Nicole at Life's a Batch

Pretty darn genius.

And these clover-cookies are also doing double-duty as a rainbow over two of the most perfectly precise St. Paddy's day partiers I've ever seen.

By Jill of Funky Cookie Studio

(The background painting was done by the baker's 3-year-old grandson. So cute.)

But if you're looking for a more grown-up good time, then this cake surely won't disappoint:

Submitted by Kelly D. and made by Le Couture Cakery

Unless of course, you try to drink it. Hey, it's so realistically shiny, it could happen. (Love the pretzels too!)

After all these beer and leprechaun cakes, would you believe me if I told you St. Patrick's Day cakes could be elegant and sophisticated too?

By Cheryl's Creative Cakery

NOW do you believe me?

And hold on to your knickers for this one:

Submitted by Rosemary D. and made by Bobbette and Belle Artisinal Pastries

That is one crazy Celtic creation.
Or serious Celtic sensation, depending on how you pronounce it.

And here is one final St. Patrick's Day celebration all rolled into one: rainbows, clovers, gold coins, beer, leprechauns ... the only thing missing is corned beef!

By KC Cakes

Happy Driving The Snakes Out Of Ireland Day!

Have a Sweet to send us?  Send it to sundaysweets(at)cakewrecks(dot)com.